Stuck with Old Investments? Time to Let Go
May 15
3 min read
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Ever notice how hard it is to let go of something that’s 'not that bad'? An old pair of jeans that still technically fit—but never make you feel good. A gym membership you barely use, but hey, maybe you’ll go next month.
We humans are wired to hold on—especially when things aren’t obviously broken. And when it comes to our investments, that habit can quietly hold us back more than we realize.
I’ve been investing for a decade now.For much of that time, I was a proud buy-and-hold investor. My goals were long-term, my strategy was steady, and honestly, it worked. I bought ETFs, mutual funds, stocks, crypto, bonds, and real estate. I learned by doing—while also working in finance and becoming an investment specialist.
But the longer I stayed in the game, the more I realized: One of the most expensive habits investors have is holding on to losers—and most of these losers don’t even look like losers at first glance.
Why do we cling to losers?
Because we tell ourselves stories:
“It was such a promising stock when I bought it.”
“Maybe the market will turn around next year.”
“It ’s not like I’m losing money on it; it’s just not doing much… yet.”
“I bought this with a long-term vision. I should be more patient.”
And just like that, we let them linger. We convince ourselves that because they aren’t 'in the red,' they aren’t losers. But they are. They’re the quiet underperformers. The ones that flirt with their potential, but never quite deliver. And while they sit there taking up space, your other investments—or worse, your goals—are left waiting.
Here’s the truth: A loser isn’t always the investment that’s lost you money on paper. It’s the one that’s been quietly underperforming and holding you back from making better use of that money.
What’s a 'loser' in your portfolio?
It’s not about red or green.
A loser is any investment—whether it’s real estate, stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, or crypto—that’s been consistently underwhelming for 1-3 years while others are pulling their weight.
You might have kept it because it hasn’t technically hurt you yet.
But deep down, you know:
It’s not helping you either.
Think of it like your closet. Sometimes, it’s not about whether something still fits—it’s about whether it still fits your life today. And those old investments? They might be taking up space that could be used for something that truly moves you forward.
How do you spot them?
Check the numbers honestly. How long has it been since the asset delivered anything close to what you expected?
Compare it to its peers. If others in the same category have been moving forward while yours has been stuck—that’s your clue.
Know the asset’s rhythm. Real estate? It needs time to cook. Crypto? Signals show up faster.
What to do when you find a loser?
Give it a 'last chance' deadline. If you still believe in the story, fine—but give it a set window to prove itself.
Plan your next move now. Decide where the money will go once you clear it out—so it doesn’t just sit idle.
Act. The hardest part is moving from analysis to action.But remember: Not making a decision is still a decision—one where the market calls the shots, not you.
My own lesson
I’ve had losers in my portfolio.They weren’t bleeding me dry on paper, but they were holding me back.
Once I sold them?
I felt lighter. My money had purpose again.
It wasn’t about chasing shiny new things.
It was about finally clearing out the closet to make space for pieces that actually fit my life today.
If you’re reading this and quietly thinking,
"I’ve got some of those... but I’m not sure what to do with them."
That’s exactly the kind of thing we can explore together during a complimentary consultation.
We’ll look at where you might have a few quiet losers hanging around, and I’ll show you how I help clients make their money hustle harder—aligned to their real goals today.
Every month you let a loser linger is a month your money could have been pulling its weight elsewhere.
If you’re curious what that could look like for you, here’s the link to book your consultation: Unlock your financial potential
Let’s finally make space for the investments that fit your life—and your goals—today.
