For retail investors with <$100,000, the key is recognising your edge: flexibility, patience, and the ability to avoid “forced moves” that big funds face. You don’t need to beat Wall Street on scale—you need discipline and consistency.

What to focus on:

Position sizing & risk control: Never over-concentrate; protect downside first.

Costs & efficiency: Minimise fees, avoid overtrading, and use tax-efficient vehicles where possible.

Clarity of process: Have a framework—long-term compounding, swing trading, or value rotation—but don’t mix without discipline.

Mindset: Accept that missing some rallies is fine; consistency matters more than catching every move.

Holding long-term builds wealth through compounding and aligns with broad market growth, ideal for those with limited time. Buying low, selling high requires timing skill, patience, and comfort with volatility—rewarding, but harder to execute consistently.

A blended approach often works best: core long-term holdings (index funds or strong companies) plus a smaller “tactical” portion for active trades when opportunities arise.