Good times may, in fact, be a less helpful teacher than bad times. Last year's stock market slump certainly taught some lessons. Hopefully, people have also learned the benefits of diversification. If they were just into tech stocks, they probably got creamed. Though declines such as 2000's can be scary, there's no need for investors to be intimidated.
Individuals can succeed in the stock market.
The Record interviewed six of them, and found that although their strategies sometimes differ, they hold some common beliefs. All live beneath their means, so they can accumulate cash to invest. All are patient, expecting that time is on their side, and most try to spread the word about investing to children and friends. Here are their stories.