I've been investing for about ten years now and to be honest I just don't feel like it anymore

In the beginning it all went quite well with a classic ETF savings plan, little stress, just let it run and that worked, I was happy with it

At some point, however, I thought I needed to get more out of it and started experimenting with individual stocks, taking more risk here and there and yes, at some point I ended up with altcoins, which in retrospect was probably not such a good idea

Since then I've somehow completely lost my way my internal rate of return is currently around minus 14% so I've been investing for ten years and in the end I have less than I put in - you have to manage that first

What annoys me the most is not just the money but this feeling that I fucked it up myself, made bad decisions, was too greedy, wasn't consistent enough or just tried too much

In the meantime, the whole thing just isn't fun anymore, it doesn't feel like investing but more like gambling and that's exactly how it works.

I'm really thinking about selling everything and just quitting and leaving it all behind me.

Has anyone here ever felt the same way or am I simply unsuitable for it?

It's great to see what's happening with the retirement savings scheme. Finally something that really feels like progress and not like the umpteenth half-hearted solution from politicians, even if it comes 10 years too late.

Compared to a normal custody account or simply leaving money in an account, the custody account makes a difference.

In short: This is a state-subsidized custody account in which you invest money (gross), even as a self-employed person, and receive tax benefits in return, which means that you end up with more left over for yourself by investing pre-tax (gross) and receiving a state subsidy!

Subsidies:

- For deposits of up to 360 euros per year, the state subsidy is 50 cents for every euro deposited, i.e. a maximum of 180 euros per year.

- For deposits between €360 and €1,800 per year, the state subsidy is 25 cents for every euro paid in, i.e. a maximum of a further €360 per year.

+Subsidies/supplements for children

Especially if you think about simply putting in €150 a month (maximum subsidy) or filling up the €1,800 once a year (directly in January), you'll add up to a brutal amount over the years.

You have to be honest: you haven't seen anything like this from politicians for a long time.

But as always, in the end it's the costs that decide whether it's really worth it.

Example result for JG 2003, and 180EUR per month. You can also play around with Scalalbe: https://de.scalable.capital/en/retirement-account?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTY3MDY3MzQzMzUyNDI3AAGnvCANxIg1t8QwbSAfc9Yo0wIDheuewP6nJMOHlivlPOflIBUGUutfGIRrZe4_aem_lrZx8swAdYWSSoJXin_agg

If the framework conditions remain the same, I would take the maximum subsidy, and I assume that the neobrokers will charge very good fees on the market.

Before I start, I'd like to make one thing clear: I've never been a braggart or a bigot, but apparently a few people here need the truth!

I placed a short this morning out of FOMO and then probably sold the same short too quickly! So nice, so good! But the fact that some people are now making fun of it makes me think! You can't hit me with it because, to put it mildly, I don't care about a €400 loss, the whole short was just a "kick" that somehow backfired! 👎

But think about people who do care about €400! Instead of giving helpful tips, do you make fun of them?

Think a bit people, we all make mistakes and nobody is perfect, especially not on the stock market!

On that note, I wish you all a good return and FOMO is sometimes just sh*** 😂

Hello my Testo crew,

hope all is well with you? More and more "crew members, members :D " have written to me asking if I'm still alive.... Yes, more massive than ever ....

And yes, I'm still so crazy about investing and trading.

How are things going for you?

I'll write again tomorrow about exactly what I've done to make even more CASH!!!! We're talking about €100k plus....

Have a massive day!!! and great ShortS!

Greetings

Testo

Hi crew,

I can hardly believe it myself... today I turned 40.

Where has the time gone? It just felt like 2025 and now it's already the end of March 2026.

Is it just me or has time just been running faster and faster since I turned 30?

I'm currently doing really well privately, physically and mentally.

I'll get back to you later with a more detailed review of 2025 and everything that happened.

Current shape at 118 kg, diet down from 133 kg... I think that's pretty good for 40 :D