Author Topic: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks  (Read 3621 times)

Jenny1974

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Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« on: October 24, 2017, 06:48:18 AM »
Ok . .  I'm starting small but it's something . . . right?  I swear I open my Personal Capital app about 10 times a day to see my investment balances so I'm going to challenge myself to wait until November 7th to look again.

Any other obsessive investment checkers want to join?

Raenia

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2017, 07:59:34 AM »
I should join this, I've been compulsively opening my accounts and it's not good for me.  Trying to get it down to only weekly check-ins.

Gardo

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2017, 03:33:32 PM »
My account is all mutual so I only check it at night when it refreshes.  However, I check dow jones a few times during trading hours.

Rubyvroom

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2017, 06:03:18 PM »
2 weeks would take me over a month-end... NO DEAL. Ha :)

I'm being cheeky, I too could stand to pay less attention, but I do love waking up each 1st of the month to see how I did, so perhaps I'll join on Nov 2 :P

Morphy

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2017, 06:19:00 PM »
I hardly ever check my investment balance. Either it will have gone up or gone down since I last checked it. No big deal either way.

Hash Brown

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #5 on: October 24, 2017, 06:32:18 PM »
I have never set-up the online login for my 401k. I just open the quarterly paper statements, make sure that it's working, and then toss them.   

talltexan

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2017, 08:17:27 AM »
This is a great goal. I am HORRIBLE about checking stuff. Just passed $100,000 in my Roth.

Maybe I can post updates about my accounts here so you people don't feel like you need to check your own :-)

Raenia

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2017, 10:50:20 AM »
I should clarify, I'm not actually going to do 2 weeks from yesterday, since that includes the first of the month when I'm actually supposed to check and update my spreadsheets.  My goal is just to stop myself from checking EVERY DAY when there's absolutely nothing gained by keeping such a close eye on it.

Jenny1974

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2017, 01:09:07 PM »
Good point about the month end . . . I usually update my spreadsheets at the end of the month.  So perhaps a better goal is don't check the investment balance except for the end of the month and say the 15th.  Ideally, I'd like to get to just doing it once a month but I'm trying to wean myself off this daily habit . . . not go cold turkey.

talltexan

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #9 on: October 27, 2017, 07:47:54 AM »
I wanted to not check today, but then I thought that Ford's earnings call was today (I cover them for my job), and--wouldn't you know it--Google/Alphabet had a big earnings report, and...

acroy

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #10 on: October 27, 2017, 07:56:04 AM »
I watch the market for fun.

But only check my personal finances 2/mo: to ensure paycheck, credit cards, etc are firing on all cylinders, redeem cash-backs, empty Paypal (from ebay transactions), invest into Vanguard funds.

try to wean yourself from always watching your balances. it takes time away from more important activities, and encourages you to do stupid things when the market stumbles... like sell to ME :)

talltexan

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #11 on: November 07, 2017, 09:21:43 AM »
I'm rebalancing everything today because it's nine months since my birthday. There's no excuse for checking these things for three months after, so keep the intensity going, guys...

Stimpy

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #12 on: November 07, 2017, 10:57:14 AM »
I'll be honest, I check my stocks almost everyday.  But not the balance!   I am mainly looking for dividend announcements and the occasional news of collapsing stock prices. (Fire Sales are FUN!)

If you feel the need to check your balance either
  A.  Your nervous and just want to see.    Solution: Remember it always goes up in the end.  Relax and don't worry.
  B.  Your new(er) and just want to see how high it will go!   Solution: Either a dip/crash (in which case panic ensues.  HHGTTG time.)  Or well, the newness wears off eventually.
  C.  You've made it a habit.   Solution: Yea ok, this is where you just need to step away till the end of the month (or longer) cause your addicted!
  D.  You check similar areas, cause it's your Job so... it only a few minutes more to....    Solution: Stop.  You know the direction of things cause, your job.  Just remember yours is probably doing similar or better.

Balance is more then a number.  It's a choice.  If you need to step away do it, re-balance and come back with a smile!  You already know what your doing, let it work for you!

Raenia

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #13 on: November 07, 2017, 11:02:50 AM »
I'll be honest, I check my stocks almost everyday.  But not the balance!   I am mainly looking for dividend announcements and the occasional news of collapsing stock prices. (Fire Sales are FUN!)

If you feel the need to check your balance either
  A.  Your nervous and just want to see.    Solution: Remember it always goes up in the end.  Relax and don't worry.
  B.  Your new(er) and just want to see how high it will go!   Solution: Either a dip/crash (in which case panic ensues.  HHGTTG time.)  Or well, the newness wears off eventually.
  C.  You've made it a habit.   Solution: Yea ok, this is where you just need to step away till the end of the month (or longer) cause your addicted!
  D.  You check similar areas, cause it's your Job so... it only a few minutes more to....    Solution: Stop.  You know the direction of things cause, your job.  Just remember yours is probably doing similar or better.

Balance is more then a number.  It's a choice.  If you need to step away do it, re-balance and come back with a smile!  You already know what your doing, let it work for you!

E. You're bored and playing with spreadsheets looks more like work to anyone walking by your desk than browsing the forums does ;P

I'm being good, though.  I updated my spreadsheets properly on the 1st and haven't logged into my investment accounts otherwise, and I only checked my bank account on Fridays to verify my paycheck deposit.

Melf

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #14 on: November 07, 2017, 03:20:12 PM »
I'll admit that I'm addicted to checking Personal Capital at least a couple times a day.  I also check the markets throughout the day to see what they are doing as well.  Can't help it and don't figure I'll change.  LOL

Dicey

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Re: Don't Check the Investment Balance for Two Weeks
« Reply #15 on: November 11, 2017, 11:22:40 AM »
I hardly ever check my investment balance. Either it will have gone up or gone down since I last checked it. No big deal either way.
+ 1. Meh. The longer you wait to check your numbers in a bull market, the higher the boost will be, ergo the bigger the thrill. I can wait for more marshmallows, no problem.