Hey, it’s me, your friendly everyday investor who’s been knee-deep in the stock market trenches for longer than I’d like to admit.

If you’re reading this newsletter, you’re probably like I was back in the day: staring at your bank account wondering how to turn peanuts into a portfolio.

Well buckle up, because I’m spilling the beans on my personal investing journey.

It’s got highs, lows and enough facepalm moments to fill an entire comedy special. But after all these years, I’ve got the scars (and the gains) to prove it’s well worth it.

Picture this: I'm 18 years old, fresh out of high school, with a part-time job cutting grass on a golf course.

My "savings" were basically loose change from the couch cushions.

But I had this wild idea: why not invest it?

So I scraped together a few bucks ($150 to be exact) and dove in headfirst.

I started with dividend stocks because, let's be real, who doesn't love the idea of money showing up in your account like a surprise pizza delivery?

Back then, my portfolio was 100% dividend stocks: safe, steady companies that paid out like clockwork.

Think Procter & Gamble or Coca-Cola, boring but reliable.

It was almost like dating someone dependable. No drama, just consistent vibes.

Of course, being a newbie, I made every mistake in the book.

First up: trying to time the market.

What a clown show that was.

I'd watch CNBC like it was the Super Bowl, convinced I could predict the next dip or peak.

"Buy low, sell high!" I'd yell at my screen, then panic-sell during a minor dip only to watch the stock rocket up the next week.

Spoiler: The market doesn't care about my crystal ball skills (or yours). I lost a chunk of change chasing those "perfect" moments, learning the hard way that timing is basically gambling with extra steps. If I had a dollar for every time I thought "This is the bottom!" I'd be retired by now.

Then there was the classic: not paying myself first.

You know that golden rule of putting away money from every paycheck before blowing it on bills, rent, or that impulse buy at the mall?

Yeah, I ignored it.

I'd pay everyone else and whatever scraps were left went to stocks. Big mistake.

My investments grew at a snail's pace and I always felt like I was playing catch-up.

Turns out, treating your future self like the VIP at the party (by auto-deducting savings first) is the real hack.

If I'd done that from day one, my nest egg would've snowballed way faster.

And don't get me started on my penny stock phase.

The attractiveness of those cheapo shares trading for pennies, promising to turn $100 into a fortune overnight.

I tested the waters, buying into some junk biotech or mining company hyped on message boards.

"This is gonna moon!" I thought.

It did not…

I got burned bad, losing most of my investment because penny stocks are often manipulated, lack liquidity, and come with zero fundamentals. Who would have thought?

Lesson learned: Stick to quality over hype or you'll end up with a portfolio full of regrets.

Somewhere along the line I wised up and developed a long-term mindset.

Instead of obsessing over daily charts, I started thinking in decades.

Ignored the headlines screaming "Market Crash Incoming!" and focused on compounding.

This shift was a game-changer. My returns? They've been solid with steady growth that beats inflation hands down.

It's funny… the market rewards the turtles, not the hares.

By tuning out the noise and letting time do its magic, I've built real wealth without the heart attacks.

These days, research is easier than ever with online tools.

I love freebies like Yahoo Finance for quick stock quotes, Finviz for screener scans, or Seeking Alpha for analyst takes.

But if you want to level up your game, check out Snowball Analytics.

It's a portfolio tracker that automates dividend monitoring, shows your performance in real time, and helps plan your investments without the hassle.

It’s like having a personal finance butler.

Click here and sign up using code “dividenddomination” for a nice little discount. Your future self will thank you (and maybe buy you a coffee with those extra gains).

As for my strategy evolution?

From that 100% dividend start, I've branched out for sure.

Dividend aristocrats are still my core as reliable cash flow is king, but I've realized other types of stocks play a role too.

Growth plays like tech innovators add that zip, value stocks snag bargains, and even some internationals for diversification.

My portfolio's now a balanced buffet, not just one dish.

It's kept things exciting and resilient through the ups and downs.

Wrapping this up:

Investing's my story of trial, error, and triumph.

Start young, learn from screw-ups, go long-term, and use smart tools.

If an 18-year-old grass cutter can do it, so can you.

What's your biggest investing mistake? Reply to this email, I'd love to hear.

Until next time, keep building your empires.

P.S. if you’re not subscribed to our Premium newsletter, now is your chance before the price goes up in 2026. Included in the subscription is our 2026 Stock Picks (we’re up over 65% in 2025). Click here to join us.

Alex (The Dividend Dominator)
Founder and CEO of Dividend Domination Inc.
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