Many of us complicate investing and, as a result, fail to make a profit from our investments. This is often due to the fact that we don't truly understand investing. We try to follow the trends. We research what the best investments might be at the moment. We follow the herd or the latest fad hoping to get in at the right time. Often we are left in the dust, frantic to decide what our next move should be.

A more simple approach and one that is more natural in both planning and execution might suit you better. By stepping too far outside of your comfort zone with an investment you waste a lot of time. When you first find out about an opportunity it is going to take time to research the market, company or type of investment. You could just jump in with both feet but often this is a foolish move and money is lost. Researching and becoming knowledgeable about a certain type of investment wastes time and often once you are comfortable with the investment, that opportunity has passed.

To simplify investing, find a niche or market that you have some interest in. This will cut the learning curve and as you spend some time in the market, your knowledge of the nuances of that which you are investing in will grow. Investing is much easier when you are spending your time researching and deciding upon different options if you actually enjoy what you are investing in.

Let's say that you already love fine art. You visit galleries and you have a background in art and different artists. You have an eye for art and you wish that you had the money to fully invest in a few nice pieces of art. It makes absolutely no sense for you to spend days, weeks or months getting up to speed so you can understand the trends and how the stock market is trading in relation to a particular stock that you heard was about to take off. Sure, it's always a good idea to remove the emotion from your investing but lacking basic knowledge is always a bad move. If you do decide to move forward, you will likely grow to despise the task of continued research and checking on this stock or the market. Even though your investments should be taken seriously, having some emotional interest vested other than the desire to turn a profit will help you in the long run. You will be more attentive and happier spending your spare time keeping up on trends and doing further research.

While investing in a hobby or something that you're interested in is all well and good, ensuring that your interest has some monetary value is important. Also, knowing the market and being able to spot a bargain is where you can capitalize on your passion and interest in the particular market or object. Being an expert or at least more knowledgeable than your typical investor is your edge. It enables you to spot an opportunity more quickly than the general public and act decisively while others either can't see the potential value or they are wrapped up in researching and making a decision.

Finding a rare antique at a flea market or a rare collectible car advertised in the newspaper are two examples of where you might have information that most people lack. If you follow gold prices or if you have an interest in a particular company that you have been watching for some time, you are more qualified to make a decision about investing in these vehicles than other people might be. You'll know things and see trends that might be hidden from someone that isn't interested in these things.

In the end, your goal needs to be to buy low and sell high. Everybody knows this. With your interest in the market and your knowledge about what is going on and what very well may happen in the future, you can find bargains and sell at a later date when you feel that you have turned a profit. Whether it be liking the work of a new artist and seeing the potential in that artist's work or following a small company from its formation through to becoming profitable, your interest and knowledge can pay you big dividends. Having a feel for the market or niche is something that many people struggle with because they don't have a true interest in the market. Their only concern is making a buck. You are emotionally attached to this market but not so attached that you ride out bad investment or throw good money after bad.

Knowing when to get out of the market or when to sell is equally as important as knowing when to get in. This is where your interest in the market plays a role. Reading the news, knowing the potential of an investment and executing a sale when you have received the profit that you were hoping for are both ways that being a knowledgeable and wise investor comes into play. Again, remove your emotions, avoid being greedy and once you feel that your opportunity has reached its peak you will sell without reservation. The money earned will be put into other investments as they come along and you will accrue wealth. If you didn't have a true interest in the market you very well might miss a piece of new or a trend that could cause you to lose your profit and your opportunity to get out of the market before things head south.

Putting your interests, likes, dislikes and temperament into your investment portfolio is a wise move. It makes the entire process easier, more fun and often highly profitable. Investing in companies, product or vehicles that you use, believe in and enjoy just makes sense. You will be more likely to keep a watchful eye on your portfolio and finding new opportunities won't be like work. It will be like fun. Also, when you're investing based upon what you like there often isn't a bad investment. That piece of art or antique car that you bought can be enjoyed both during the time that you're waiting for the opportunity to sell but also if you never sell it, you will always have that material possession to enjoy. This is called a winning investment either way.