TIP763: INVESTING LESSONS FOR MY 18-YEAR-OLD SELF

W/ CLAY FINCK

TIP763: INVESTING LESSONS FOR MY 18-YEAR-OLD SELF W/ CLAY FINCK

23 October 2025

In this episode, Clay shares the most important investing lessons he wishes he could tell his 18-year-old self. Drawing from more than a decade of experience, he distills twelve timeless principles that every investor should know, from the value of patience and independent thinking to understanding where long-term returns come from. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your approach, this episode offers practical insights to help you build lasting wealth and confidence as an investor.

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IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

  • Why the best time to start investing is today
  • How patience gives investors a long-term edge
  • Why it’s possible for individuals to beat the market
  • The importance of focusing on great businesses
  • The importance of thinking independently and ignoring the market noise
  • Why understanding investor psychology is essential
  • How surrounding yourself with like-minded investors can accelerate your growth as an investor
  • And so much more!

TRANSCRIPT

Disclaimer: The transcript that follows has been generated using artificial intelligence. We strive to be as accurate as possible, but minor errors and slightly off timestamps may be present due to platform differences.

 

[00:00:00] Clay Finck: I started investing at the age of 18 and frankly, I had no clue what I was doing. Some people told me that investing in the stock market is practically gambling. Some cautioned me to be careful. While others were happy to pitch me on an offshore drilling company, as if I had any idea what that actually meant.

[00:00:18] Clay Finck: In today’s episode, I’ll share the most important lessons I’ve learned about investing in the 13 years that followed. When it comes to investing, I’ve made about every mistake one could make while I have by no means figured it out. This episode contains the lessons that I wish somebody had told me when I was 18 and didn’t know where to turn.

[00:00:38] Clay Finck: In a world that’s filled with noise coming from all directions, perhaps there’s a newer listener out there who would find some value in one or two of these lessons. This isn’t an exhaustive list, and the whole list just keeps on growing and growing as I make more and more mistakes. I’ll also mention that these are of course, the lessons that I myself find value in.

[00:00:58] Clay Finck: So just because I see value in them doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll be useful for you and what you’re trying to achieve. So with that, I bring you today’s episode on the investing lessons for my 18-year-old self.

[00:01:13] Intro: Since 2014, and through more than 180 million downloads, we’ve studied the financial markets and read the books that influenced self-made billionaires the most. We keep you informed and prepared for the unexpected. Now for your host, Clay Finck.

[00:01:37] Clay Finck: Welcome to The Investor’s Podcast. I’m your host, Clay Finck. This episode is intended to be like a letter to my younger self. It’s not intended to be a one size fits all guide and know that what works for me might not be what works for you. Investing is part art and part science, so there’s no exact one way to win the game.

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