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Anecdotal story. With the exception of 1 investment I've made in the past 3 years, I wish I would have only invested in S&P indexed stuff. With some of my "blow money" I've taken gambles on an oil exploration and refining etf (VDE), as well as a couple of up and coming tech stocks. The oil etf has been down basically since I've bought it. I console myself knowing that since it's a pretty high dividend paying fund and I'm reinvesting dividends, I'm improving my cost basis. And my horizon is still 30 years out, so I'm in no hurry. But I sure wish it would be performing better. As far as the tech stocks, they don't pay dividends, as they are still trying to make a profit, and they very well may be very good investments in time. Just a ways to go yet.
But I'm comparing them to the indexed funds I've bought over the same period and they are looking terrible. I pride myself with trying to keep my overall performance above that of the overall s&P. Right now overall it is pretty much exactly matched.
I know I just need to be patient. I have no intention to sell any of this stuff, as it still has great potential. I'm just complaining that it doesn't churn out 15+% every year like clockwork. Unreasonable? Yes. Still gonna complain though.
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