This was my first time investing in stocks in my 50-year life, so I was really curious about the colors, whether they were blue or red. If you were to ask me if I was truly uneasy, I would confidently answer, “Yes!”
[Korean Original] Click here to read the Korean version of this post.
1. Before Worrying About Losing Money, I Saw the ‘Harmony of Colors’
Hello. I’m an unemployed female writer in my 50s.
In the last post, I shared the story of starting my stock market education with 5 million KRW and my realistic 3-step strategy for managing 10 million KRW. The truth is, ever since I bought the stocks, I check my brokerage app as soon as I wake up every morning. While others check because they’re anxious about losing money, my reason is a bit different.
I found the **‘harmonious blend of red and blue’** on the chart to be incredibly fascinating and beautiful. Even as a penniless unemployed person, the graph charting my money felt like a living work of art. Today, I’ll honestly share, in the form of a diary, the ‘mental victories’ I experience every morning while looking at the brokerage app after buying stocks like Coca-Cola (KO) and Samsung Electronics.
2. Why ‘Awe’ Precedes ‘Anxiety’
Why do I feel awe instead of anxiety? There are two main reasons. First, it might be because I didn’t plunge my entire 10 million KRW into the market, having set up a kind of safety net. The other reason is simply that this is my first time investing in stocks in 50 years, so both the blue (down) and red (up) colors are genuinely fascinating to me. If you ask if I felt no anxiety at all, I can confidently answer, **“No, not at all!”**
You think that’s not normal? I guess I’m just a very optimistic person, ha ha ha.
2.1. The Reliable Insurance of ‘Repurchase Agreements (RPs)’
I’ve placed my spare money—13 million KRW (Korean RP) and 3,000 USD (US RP)—into RPs (Repurchase Agreements). Not all the money in my brokerage account is invested in stocks. RPs are protected by deposit insurance and offer a better return than bank interest. This safe money backing me up allows me to feel relaxed when viewing the stock charts.
2.2. My Stocks are ‘Everyday Must-Haves’
Look at the stocks I’ve bought: Coca-Cola (KO), Mondelez (MDLZ), Samsung Electronics (005930), and KT&G (033780). These companies are ‘everyday essential’ businesses that have dominated our daily lives for decades. Since these companies are unlikely to fail overnight, I can hold on to them, even if the stock price drops, with the belief that “they will eventually return to their rightful place.”
2.3. The Stability of ‘Small Dividend Stocks’ Calms the Mind
Companies like Coca-Cola consistently pay dividends. While it’s not a large sum, the experience of having ‘my money working for me’ and depositing funds into my account regularly provides immense stability for a beginner investor. Thanks to this experience, I see the red (rise) and blue (fall) on the chart not as ‘monetary volatility’ but as the **’everyday tide of assets.’**
3. My 3 Methods for ‘Chart Observation’ Every Morning
Here are the three things I do every morning while looking at the brokerage app without worrying about losing money:
3.1. Checking the ‘Color Harmony’ of My Stocks
I view the stock price movement as **’red’ meaning working hard** and **’blue’ meaning taking a short break.** I look at it with the thought, “They’ll start working again soon.”
3.2. Peeking at ‘Opportunities in a High Exchange Rate Era’ Instead of the News
Instead of skimming complicated news, I **look for opportunities in ‘blue-colored’ (falling) stocks.** Especially during times of high exchange rates like now, I consider buying interesting foreign stocks with spare money (exchange reserve), thinking I can profit when the exchange rate eventually drops.
3.3. Charging Up My ‘Sense of Stability’ by Checking RP Interest
I check the interest accumulating daily in my RPs. This is the strongest evidence that **’my money is working without rest.’** Checking this small interest gain serves as the psychological nourishment I need to get through the day.
4. ‘The Penniless Unemployed’ Has Become ‘Rich in Hobbies’
I am still an unemployed person in my 50s, but I have gained a new hobby in stock charts. Rather than fretting over losing money, the joy of watching my money at work is greater.
If you, too, are hesitant about investing a small amount like 10 million KRW, try starting lightly with the mindset that ‘it’s fascinating to see this money move,’ rather than being driven by the greed to ‘make a lot of money.’ You’ll find it truly amazing to see your money working, because if anyone has to be out of work, it should just be me.
Next week, the first **’dollar dividend’** from the Coca-Cola and Mondelez shares I purchased is scheduled to hit my account. I will return with the fascinating story of dollars being deposited into an unemployed 50-something’s bank account!
I wonder if it will really be deposited?