2025 has kept investors on edge. Markets dipped significantly, earlier this year, rattled by trade tensions and global uncertainty, but the rebound has so far been swift. Strong earnings, cooling trade fears, and booming AI optimism has sent stocks soaring.
With all the ups and downs, it is easy to wonder whether chasing a Lotto win might be simpler. But when it comes to your future, would you rather rely on odds or outcomes?
The allure of winning big
A new house, dream holidays, financial freedom, it all feels just one win away. The bigger the jackpot, the bigger the allure. Unfortunately, the reality is much more brutal. Even if you buy tickets regularly, the odds are not in your favour.
Spending fifteen dollars a week on New Zealand Lotto means buying in to a dream with odds of one in 3.8 million for the jackpot. That is like trying to find a single grain of sand on a beach. Over time, that money often disappears with little to show for it and you're left standing alone on the beach, sand in your shoes, empty pockets and seagulls flying off with your chips.
Now imagine putting that same fifteen dollars in an investment with the potential to grow. No miracle required. Just consistency, patience, and a plan.
Timing the market or time in the market
Market volatility can be stressful with some people changing their investment strategy, hoping to avoid losses and catch gains. But history shows this rarely works.
Missing just the ten best days in the market over the past twenty years would have cut your returns in half. Even more surprising, seven of those best days happened during bear markets when things felt the worst. During COVID, the second-best day in the market came right after the second-worst. Investors who pulled out missed the rebound.
The lesson is clear: it is often best for you to stay the course, even when it feels uncomfortable.
From clicks to confidence
With gambling and Lotto apps just a tap away, it has never been easier to chase luck. Scratchies and tickets offer instant excitement, but they also feed a cycle of short-term hope and long-term disappointment. The more you play, the more you normalise losing. Ask yourself, what if I redirect that same energy into building something real?
Investing is not about overnight success. It’s about long-term progress. It’s about turning small, consistent choices into meaningful outcomes. Unlike Lotto, it doesn’t rely on luck.
Real wealth takes time
Chasing instant wins might feel exciting, but it rarely leads to lasting success. Whether it is scratchies or trying to time the market, chasing quick wins can often lead to long-term setbacks.
While shortcuts may dazzle with speed, true growth demands patience and consistency. As Warren Buffett wisely put it, “The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.” The same principle applies to almost every worthwhile pursuit. Investing time, effort, and discipline pays off far more than chasing quick wins.
If you are serious about building your future, patience is not just a virtue, it is your greatest asset.
Talk to us
If you have any questions about your investment or would like to make sure you have the right investment strategy to reach your goals, get in touch with us – our team are always happy to help.
