The Most Costly Investing Lesson I Ever Learned Also Became the Most Valuable

I began my investing journey in August 2007 with a few hundred dollars and big dreams. I was already convinced that the stock market was a far more effective vehicle for achieving financial independence than simply socking away cash in a savings account -- though I'm also a firm believer in a well-funded emergency fund.

After establishing a brokerage account and having my first monthly installment transferred, I was ready to buy my first stock. I had $250 in my account, which was all I could afford at the time. I poured over a list of stocks recommended by The Motley Fool and settled on my very first investment: (NASDAQ: NFLX). My discount brokerage allowed the purchase of fractional shares, so I spent the entire $250 on Netflix stock, and after the $4 commission, I was the proud owner of 14.385 shares.

And with that first purchase, my investing education began in earnest.

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Source Fool.com