How to invest smartly on eToro to become financially independent

Reporter: What were your first steps to becoming an investor?

Rayeiris Maduro Rondon: I started by getting hands-on experience, which I believe is the best approach for anyone. I began with a small amount of capital and steadily built my knowledge. I've always believed that if you try to know everything before you start, you might never actually begin.

Reporter: What has been your evolution as an eToro Investor?

Rayeiris Maduro Rondon: My knowledge has grown significantly over the years. On the platform, I've met people from all over the world with diverse backgrounds, and sharing knowledge with them has led to some of the most enriching conversations I've ever had about investing. I started with a strong conviction about my goals, and that, combined with the various strategies I've seen, has helped me configure my own unique approach to investment research.

Reporter: What are your investment goals for the future?

Rayeiris Maduro Rondon: My biggest investment goal is to reach a point where my investments work for me. I aim to build a portfolio that generates enough income through dividends and returns to fund my retirement without needing to sell my core assets.

Reporter: To what extent has the experience you had in your field before you started investing contributed to the evolution of your investments?

Rayeiris Maduro Rondon: My background is in business, and understanding how companies operate has played a fundamental role in my investment approach. I believe that everyone's unique background is their biggest advantage. I've met people from the medical field, for example, who are excellent at judging medical businesses. They know which companies have a strong moat and which ones to stay away from.

Reporter: What is your investment strategy?

Rayeiris Maduro Rondon: My strategy is a blend of value and growth investing. I believe that modern value investing has evolved to include many different approaches, and my own strategy has been built by adapting those principles over time. I follow several approaches like Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, Peter Lynch, and Pulak Prasad, to name some.

Reporter: What advice do you have for first-time investors? Is there anything investors should pay particular attention to?

Rayeiris Maduro Rondon: Don't follow the herd. Trending stocks are often already overpriced, and it can be difficult to make a profit from them. If you hear that everyone is investing in a particular stock, it's probably too late, and it's best to stay away.

Reporter: How do you approach the risks associated with investing?

Rayeiris Maduro Rondon: I only invest in stocks, and I'm well aware that they are a riskier asset class. My risk management strategy is centered on price and valuation. By maintaining a margin of safety, I can minimize my potential losses, even in a worst-case scenario.

Reporter: What do you think about crypto investments compared to other assets in the market?

Rayeiris Maduro Rondon: I personally don't invest in crypto assets because my investment process is based on finding a company's intrinsic value, a process that isn't possible with cryptocurrencies. If I can't determine the exact value of something, I prefer not to invest in it.

Reporter: In which segment do you think a businessman should invest, in the current macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions (tariffs, high inflation, energy crisis, border war)?

Rayeiris Maduro Rondon: Given current macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions, I believe the services sector is a relatively safe choice. Services like software, cloud solutions, and subscriptions are often indispensable to businesses and consumers, making them more resilient during uncertain times.

Reporter: Is there a perfect time to invest?

Rayeiris Maduro Rondon: The perfect time to invest is always today. Waiting for a crash or trying to time the market is nearly impossible and often leads to missed opportunities.

Reporter: What should investors consider when choosing an online investment platform?

Rayeiris Maduro Rondon: I always recommend studying the pros and cons, fees, and benefits of any platform. However, the true game-changer is the ease of use. I've found some platforms to be overly complicated for a person without previous investment knowledge.

Reporter: Is there an investor's decalogue? What are the top three rules?

Rayeiris Maduro Rondon: To quote Warren Buffett: Rule number one: never lose money. Second rule: never forget rule number one.

Reporter: Thank you!