The Rule #1 Strategy for Successful Investing (2024)

The Rule #1 Strategy for Successful Investing (1)

Introduction

Welcome to the Rule #1 Strategy, where we delve into the essence of successful investing through the principle of Rule #1: Avoid losing money. This foundational concept is akin to the Hippocratic oath in medicine, focusing on the importance of 'first do no harm.' In investing, this means safeguarding your wealth as the initial step towards financial prosperity.

Why Rule #1 Matters

Warren Buffett and his mentor, Ben Graham,championed Rule #1 for one fundamental reason: minimizing loss. By minimizing losses, even in subpar investments, you increase your chances of finding winning investments over time. Steadily accruing positive returns creates a pathway to wealth – as long as Rule #1 remains intact.

The Simple Power of Rule #1

Observing Rule #1 is straightforward and encapsulated in two vital requirements that have guided successful investors for a century, and will for a century to come. In my 30 years of investing experience, getting these requirements right leads to the substantialincrease in likelyhood of profits. They act as the bedrock of Rule #1 investing and hold the key to making sound decisions.

The Two Fundamental Requirements

To adhere to Rule #1, you must ask yourself two essential questions for every investment:

By answering 'Yes' to these questions, you unlock the potential for smart investments. A 'wonderful business' thrives in an industry you already understand, boasts a competitive edge, and is managed ethically. An 'attractive price' signifies purchasing its stock below its true value.

Defining Success: Wonderful Business & Attractive Price

A 'wonderful business' aligned with your expertise and values, bought at an 'attractive price,' is akin to buying a $10 bill for $5. This equation ensures eventual profits, even though the timeline remains uncertain.

Diverse Applications of Rule #1

Rule #1's beauty lies in its universal applicability. It guides investments in stocks, real estate, private businesses, commodities, and more. It's your tool for identifying businesses worth your time and money.

In the upcoming sections, we'll explore the 'Four M's: Meaning, Moat, Management, and Margin of Safety. These concepts will help you distinguish wonderful businesses at attractive prices. Remember Warren Buffett's words: "Buying dollar bills for 50 cents takes immediately with people or it doesn't take at all." Rule #1 can be simple, but it does require understanding and application.

As we journey through this guide, remember that Rule #1 investing entails four steps: Discovering a wonderful business, understanding its value, purchasing at a discount, and repeating for prosperity. Let's embark on this learning adventure, starting with MEANING – where understanding the industry becomes the cornerstone of your Rule #1 decisions.

The Rule #1 Strategy for Successful Investing (2)The Rule #1 Strategy for Successful Investing (3)

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Rule #1 Strategy for Successful Investing (2024)

FAQs

What is the rule #1 strategy of investing? ›

Warren Buffett and his mentor, Ben Graham, championed Rule #1 for one fundamental reason: minimizing loss. By minimizing losses, even in subpar investments, you increase your chances of finding winning investments over time.

What is the investment rule number 1? ›

Buffett is seen by some as the best stock-picker in history and his investment philosophies have influenced countless other investors. One of his most famous sayings is "Rule No. 1: Never lose money.

What is the rule n1 of investing? ›

It comes from a Warren Buffet idea that Phil Town expounds in Rule #1: Find a wonderful business, determine its value, buy its stock for half that value, and repeat until rich. These blinks enable you to do just that.

What is the rule #1 of money? ›

1 – Never lose money. Let's kick it off with some timeless advice from legendary investor Warren Buffett, who said “Rule No. 1 is never lose money.

What is rule 1 in the stock market? ›

Buffett, there are only two rules to investing: Rule #1: Don't lose money, and Rule #2: Don't forget rule #1. In the book, "Rule #1" (2006, Crown Publishers), author Phil Town lays out an investment strategy that attempts to follow Mr. Buffett's rules. The Philosophy.

What is the rule #1 of investing Goodreads? ›

There are only two rules of investing: Rule #1: Don't lose money…and Rule #2: Don't forget Rule #1.

What is the 1 investor rule? ›

The rent charged should be equal to or greater than the investor's mortgage payment to ensure that they at least break even on the property. Multiply the purchase price of the property plus any necessary repairs by 1% to determine a base level of monthly rent.

What is an example of a rule #1 investor? ›

Focus on the Long-Term

Rule One investors are actually long-term investors. For example, I held one stock for 40 years. Rule One strategy is not a get-rich-quick scheme; it's a buy-and-hold strategy. Once you find a company priced lower than its actual value, if it's wonderful, you'll want to hold it forever.

What is the 1 N rule in investing? ›

But when Markowitz made his own investments for his retirement, he did not use his Nobel Prize–winning method. Instead, he employed a simple rule of thumb called 1/N: Allocate your money equally to each of N funds.

What is the golden rule of money? ›

Golden Rule #1: Don't spend more than you earn

Basic money management starts with this rule. If you always spend less than you earn, your finances will always be in good shape. Understand the difference between needs and wants, live within your income, and don't take on any unnecessary debt. Simples.

What is the rule for investing? ›

Start investing early.

The earlier you invest, the more time your money has to grow into a nice sum. Starting early takes advantage of compound interest — the name given to the returns you make on money that you previously earned as interest. In other words, your money earns returns on its returns.

What is Rule 1 always use a trading plan? ›

Rule 1: Always Use a Trading Plan

Known as backtesting, this practice allows you to apply your trading idea using historical data and determine if it is viable. Once a plan has been developed and backtesting shows good results, the plan can be used in real trading.

What is rule number 1 in life? ›

Month of Focus: The 21 Rules of Life - Rule #1: Accept everything just the way it is.

What is the first rule of wealth? ›

1. Earn Money. The first thing you need to do is start making money. This step might seem obvious, but it's essential—you can't save what you don't have.

What is the rule number 1 in stocks? ›

Core Principles of Rule #1 Investing

These are businesses that have a proven track record, a competitive advantage (or moat), and excellent leadership. It's not just about the stock; it's about the underlying business. Pay a Margin of Safety Price: Never pay full price.

What is No 1 rule of trading? ›

Rule 1: Always Use a Trading Plan

You need a trading plan because it can assist you with making coherent trading decisions and define the boundaries of your optimal trade.

What is the golden rule of stock? ›

2.1 First Golden Rule: 'Buy what's worth owning forever'

This rule tells you that when you are selecting which stock to buy, you should think as if you will co-own the company forever.

What is the 1 rule in stock market? ›

Example of the 1% Risk Rule in Action. Take 1% of whatever your account equity is. This is how much you can lose on a single trade. As your account equity changes, so will the amount you can risk.

What is the first rule of investing? ›

Warren Buffett once said, “The first rule of an investment is don't lose [money]. And the second rule of an investment is don't forget the first rule.

What are the Warren Buffett's first 3 rules of investing money? ›

What are Warren Buffett's biggest investing rules?
  • Rule 1: Never lose money. This is considered by many to be Buffett's most important rule and is the foundation of his investment philosophy. ...
  • Rule 2: Focus on the long term. ...
  • Rule 3: Know what you're investing in.
Mar 6, 2024

What is the 1 rule in trading? ›

Enter the 1% rule, a risk management strategy that acts as a safety net, safeguarding your capital and fostering a disciplined approach to navigate the market's turbulent waters. In essence, the 1% rule dictates that you never risk more than 1% of your trading capital on a single trade.

What is the rule of 2 in investing? ›

One popular method is the 2% Rule, which means you never put more than 2% of your account equity at risk (Table 1). For example, if you are trading a $50,000 account, and you choose a risk management stop loss of 2%, you could risk up to $1,000 on any given trade.

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