Wednesday 8 July 2009

Has Mr. ttb bought his Lampo-genie?

I am pretty sure that I spelt the name of this car incorrectly. Anyway, you can see where this discussion is heading.

You are a successful value investor achieving consistent 12%, 15% or greater returns, and you have the discipline and fortitude to hang on to investments. Now even successful value investors can have fun, right? They can splurge on a new car, a vacation, a really nice outdoor barbecue. But savvy value investors also know how much this costs in the long run.

Suppose that you're a modestly successful 12% value investor. You spend $1,000 on that new barbecue today. You can see that you could have had $3,106 in 10 years, $9,646 in 20 years, $29,960 in 30 years, and $93,051 in 40 years instead. Spend $30,000 on a new car today, and forgo $289,380 20 years from now, $898,800 in 30 years, and $2.8 million in 40 years, at 12%! And if you're a better investor (an investor normally capable of 12% returns or better), the "losses" grow faster! So, the better an investor you are, the more the "good things" in life may cost. Ironic, right?

It's always right and safer to be frugal.

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