Why I Stopped Stock Picking and Switched to Broad-Market ETFs

I stopped trying to beat the stock market 3 years ago.

It was the best financial decision I ever made.

Like most beginners, I thought successful investing meant finding the next 10x stock, timing market dips, and checking portfolio apps five times a day.

It didn’t build wealth. It just built stress.

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Then I shifted to a simple, system-driven approach built around broad-market ETFs and core asset allocation.

Here is what happened: • My returns became consistent. • My transaction costs dropped. • I reclaimed hours of free time every single week.

If you are just getting started (or looking to simplify your portfolio), here are 3 broad rules I follow today:

1. Core over Speculation: Keep 70-80% of your equity capital in simple broad-market index/ETF funds before picking individual stocks.
2. Automate the Discipline: Market timing loses to consistent, automated monthly allocations every single time.
3. Know Your Expense Drag: High total expense ratios (TER) quietly erase years of compounding wealth.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be breaking down step-by-step how to build a resilient portfolio—covering everything from ETFs and G-Secs to sector deep dives and tax efficiency.

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If you’re on the path to long-term financial independence, follow along for the daily breakdown.

What’s your current core investment strategy—index funds, direct stocks, or a mix of both? Let’s chat in the comments.