The Hidden Cost of Intraday Trading and F&O in Your 20s & 30s
Welcome to Investor’s Note and Wisdom.
Today, I want to address a crucial topic that concerns thousands of young investors: the dangerous obsession with quick money, especially through intraday trading and futures & options (F&O).
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Let’s understand—why so many fall into this trap, what it really costs, and what you can do instead to create true wealth.
Epidemic of Quick Money
After Covid-19, a different kind of epidemic spread rapidly among young investors — the epidemic of quick money. Intraday trading, futures, and options became the go-to methods. Social media is filled with screenshots showing massive profits, fueling the illusion that trading is the shortcut to wealth.
But here’s the reality:
Only 7-10% of people make profits through futures and options.
Only about 1-2% actually earn good, sustainable profits.
Around 90% lose money.
And beyond the financial loss, what you lose is far more precious — your time, energy, and your prime years.
Real Cost of F&O and Intraday Trading
Your 20s and 30s are your prime — years full of ambition, energy, and dreams.
But the harsh truth is:
These years are getting wasted on trading screens.
You lose time that could be spent learning, building skills, and creating lasting value.
You sacrifice focus, patience, and discipline — the true pillars of wealth creation.
I’ve seen this happen. A student once messaged me — he started trading with dreams of financial freedom. After two years, not only had he lost money, but he was in debt. He wrote: “I feel like I’ve wasted my two years. I just wanted to make something of myself.”
Why Are We Falling Into This Trap?
Social media glamorizes trading profits, but behind every flashy screenshot are thousands of silent losses.
Greed, FOMO (fear of missing out), and envy drive us toward shortcuts that don’t work.
We think, “This time is different.” But as John Templeton rightly said, “The four most dangerous words in investing are: this time is different.”
What Legendary Investors Teach Us
Warren Buffett: Made his fortune not by trading, but by owning great businesses for decades.
Charlie Munger: Stressed on the power of patience and deferred gratification.
John Bogle: Gave us index funds so ordinary investors can peacefully earn market returns.
Howard Marks: Wealth is built by patient ownership, not impulsive trading.
The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.
What Should You Do Instead?
Invest in Yourself: Build your skills, knowledge, and network — these can give you 100%, 200%, even 1000% returns over your lifetime.
Start with Index Funds: Let compounding do its magic while you focus on your career or business.
Explore Active Funds Gradually: After 1-3 years of market experience, explore active mutual funds if needed.
Avoid Crowd Madness: Don’t chase fads, market manias, or hot tips.
Practice Patience: Remember, trading will always be around. But your prime years won’t. Use them to build a strong foundation.
Use Code- INVESTOR to get 50% off.
Your 20s and 30s are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build something meaningful. Don’t waste these precious years chasing quick money. Invest wisely, stay focused on the long term, and let compounding work in your favor.
Learning is not about watching or reading — it’s about changing your behavior.
Make the right choice today. Your future self will thank you.
Stay connected. Stay ahead. Jai Hind!
❤️ Neeraj Arora
और हाँ, सीखते रहें, क्यूँकि सीखना शुरू तो जीतना शुरू 🚀
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