[fantasticshower]

I don't believe the EMH is settled nor that markets follow a random walk. There is academic literature to back up both sides of both of those beliefs.

Things aren't as settled as you make them out to be, and that's OK. What's important is that you have enough confidence in your methods, whatever they are, to stick with them. In the end, the stickwithitness may be more important than what you stick to.

[Zetice]

EMH being settled isn't of issue here, and I did not claim the markets followed a random walk. It's the name of a book, not a theory pushed by the book itself. The fact that you haven't even heard of the book speaks volumes as to your education in personal finance.

The basics of investing are settled for individuals, and you are not operating at a level of sophistication to rise into the areas of finance that are debated.

These aren't "my" methods, they're the methods. You either do these basic things as a retail/individual, or you lose money. Period.

[fantasticshower]

I'll admit I haven't read the book completely or in a long time but is it not about how the EMH is true and so anything other than B&H low-cost index funds is a fruitless pursuit? Doesn't he back that up with the random walk theory of asset prices?

Instead of me assuming I know what you mean by the methods, would you mind stating what they are?

I think we could agree that some of them are:

* Have a sound plan (I'm sure we could debate what makes a plan sound)

* Stick to the plan

[fantasticshower]

I'm not sure why I feel the need to convince you. I think your confidence in the face of contradictory evidence that I've seen triggers something on an emotional level for me. I also feel confident I am correct but you disagree.

Hopefully you, someone reading this thread, or I get something beneficial out of this, though! I hope you are successful with your investments and they give you peace of mind.