My name is Andy and I’m a Business owner (of, currently, three Businesses and have a stake in a fourth). Back in the 1980s when you could opt out of the State Earnings retirement Pension Scheme (SERPS) I did so and used a Pension Provider to invest that money. Unfortunately that Provider was Equitable Life and they made a complete pig’s ear of mine and thousands of others.

In the end I withdrew all my money and placed it into a Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) and have been investing it since. The SIPP was joined by a ISA that has been sporadically topped up and, more recently I’ve ben putting money into a regular trading account as I have run out of tax-efficient routes.

On the way I have contended with the Crashes of 1987, 2001, 2008 and other mini ones as well as 9/11, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and other short lived disasters. I’ve toyed with spread betting and confirmed the aphorism that 90% of spread betters lose money. Once the Government drastically raised the margin required I saw no purpose to trading there.

My trading frequency has got slower as I spend more time analysing shares and less time hovering over the ‘sell’ button. As a result my annual returns have improved steadily and now have a portfolio to be proud of.

A lot of this can be attributed to the collective brainpower that was the Motley Fool (fool.co.uk) which I was signed up to from close to inception until its demise (although Fool US continues as far as I know). A couple of Fools (capital ‘F’) spun off a website called LemonFool and I still pop in there from time to time. I also subscribe to Stockopedia, mainly for its data. The Boards not so much.

This website is a realisation of my thought processes behind trades, other commentary and relevant topics such as reading Lists & Podcasts.

You’ve seen the disclaimer pop up, but just to reiterate, these are my thoughts and musings and are in no way, shape or form to be take as investment advice.

–Andy–