The first few months for new traders often begin with obsessive monitoring of their portfolio’s short-term performance, even when they’re supposedly investing for the long term. During this early phase, it’s easy to fall into common traps, like selling underperforming stocks too soon, only to watch them surge 20–30% after you’ve already let them go.

When you become addicted to watching tiny fluctuations in your portfolio, it starts messing with your mood. And that anxiety can lead to impulsive decisions. If you find yourself checking your portfolio every hour and feeling on edge because of it, it’s a clear signal that something needs to change.

It’s not too late to start learning how to check your portfolio only once or twice a week. From there you can look for long-term strategies that reduce the need for constant attention. Tactics like automation, low-maintenance financial tools, and long-term investing can take the pressure off. If you’re new to the game or simply want a calmer approach, this kind of setup helps you grow your wealth steadily without riding the emotional rollercoaster of daily market fluctuations.

Look into Automated Investing with Robo-Advisors

Robo-advisors have revolutionized the investment landscape by offering automated, algorithm-driven financial planning services. Robo-advisors are online platforms that use algorithms to manage your investments based on your risk tolerance and financial goals. They offer a hands-off approach to investing, automatically rebalancing your portfolio and reinvesting dividends.

For example, Wealthfront provides globally diversified portfolios, tax-loss harvesting, and automatic rebalancing. Similarly, Schwab Intelligent Portfolios offers automated investing with no advisory fees, making it accessible for those starting with as little as $5,000.

By setting up an account with a robo-advisor, you can automate your investments and let your money grow over time without constant oversight.

Invest in Target-Date Funds for Retirement Planning

Target-date funds are mutual funds that automatically adjust the asset mix as you approach your retirement date. They start with a higher allocation to stocks and gradually shift towards bonds and other conservative investments.

These funds are ideal for investors who prefer a “set it and forget it” approach. By selecting a fund with a target date that aligns with your retirement plans, you can invest confidently, knowing that the fund will adjust its strategy over time to reduce risk.

Invest in Real Estate Through REITs

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) allow you to invest in real estate without the complexities of property management. REITs own and operate income-generating real estate, such as apartments, shopping centers, and office buildings.

These trusts own or finance income-generating real estate across various sectors. REITs often offer attractive dividend yields and can be a stable source of passive income, often yielding higher returns than traditional stocks. According to a recent article from investopedia, REITs have historically outperformed U.S. stocks in more than 56% of scenarios from 1990 to 2020, especially over longer investment horizons.

You can invest in REITs through mutual funds or ETFs, which offer diversification and liquidity.

Maximize Returns with High-Yield Savings Accounts

This is not as lucrative as other investment options, but high-yield savings accounts offer a safe place to park your emergency fund or short-term savings. These accounts typically offer higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, helping your money grow with minimal risk.

As of now, some online banks offer interest rates around 4.66%, allowing you to earn over $430 annually on a $10,000 deposit with monthly compounding. This approach ensures your money is working for you, even when it’s just sitting in the bank.

Explore Alternative Investments for Diversification

Diversifying your investment portfolio can help mitigate risk and enhance returns. Beyond traditional assets, alternative investments like peer-to-peer lending, real estate crowdfunding, and gold can offer diversification and opportunities outside the traditional stock market.

For example, peer-to-peer lending platforms allow you to lend money directly to individuals or businesses, earning interest on your investment. Real estate crowdfunding enables you to invest in property developments with a relatively small amount of capital, while gold can serve as a hedge against inflation.

These alternatives can complement your existing investments and provide additional income streams.

Reinvest Earnings to Accelerate Growth

Reinvesting dividends and interest payments can significantly boost your investment returns over time. By automatically reinvesting these earnings, you take advantage of compound interest, where your returns generate their own returns.

Many investment platforms offer automatic dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs), allowing you to purchase additional shares without manual intervention. This strategy helps your portfolio grow faster and reduces the temptation to spend your earnings prematurely.

Set Up Automatic Contributions

Automating these contributions ensures you stay on track with your financial goals without having to remember to transfer funds manually.

By setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your investment or savings accounts, you create a disciplined approach to saving and investing. Over time, these regular contributions can lead to substantial growth in your wealth.

Focus on Long-Term Growth and be Patient 

Wealth accumulation is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay committed to your investment strategy, avoid reacting to short-term market volatility, and give your investments time to grow. Regularly review your financial goals and adjust your plan as needed, but resist the urge to make frequent changes based on market noise.