8 Biggest Mistakes Investors Make

In the stock market, as in life, nothing is certain.

(Image credit: Thinkstock)

In the stock market, as in life, nothing is certain. The vast opportunities for creating wealth by investing come with plenty of risks, such as the 2008-2009 stock market collapse and plenty of sharp contractions since.

Mistakes? Investor, behold thyself. Here are the most common investing screw-ups, along with advice on how to avoid them.

At Kiplinger, we believe everyone, whether you're just beginning a career or already enjoying retirement, can earn solid returns in the stock market. The keys are starting early, building a balanced portfolio, making regular contributions over the long term and, above all, recognizing the pitfalls. Beware costly missteps and you can profit handsomely for years to come.