The costly mistakes I made in 2017
Hey Future Millionaire,
In 2017, I jumped into crypto.
But I made every mistake possible.
Back then, I wasn’t as financially savvy as I am today. Now, I buy crypto again—but my approach has changed completely.
Here’s what I did wrong, what I’ve learned, and how I handle it now.
(This is not financial, investment, or gambling advice!)
2017: The hype trap
In 2017, crypto was everywhere. Bitcoin hit all-time highs of around €16,000.
I wanted in. So I bought Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin.
Then I went deep down the YouTube rabbit hole, listening to “experts” hyping the next big altcoin. Before I knew it, I held 20+ different coins—without understanding any of them.
Everything kept rising. Until it didn’t.
BTC Chart
2018: The crash & the panic sell
Then 2018 hit. Bitcoin dropped below €7,000. My altcoins got wrecked.
I was checking prices 60 times a day. My sanity suffered.
Only then did my critical thinking kick in:
❌ There’s no real value behind this.
❌ These coins are only worth what people are willing to pay.
❌ This was a huge mistake.
So I panic-sold at the bottom—locking in my losses.
2025: A smarter approach
Looking back, I laugh at how reckless I was. I gambled away a third of what I had, thinking nothing could go wrong. It did.
But that experience taught me what I don’t want:
Investments that demand daily attention
Unnecessary stress and risk
I have invested in crypto again, but now it’s just 5% of my portfolio.
I buy only Bitcoin—and I hold it, like I would an index fund.
Had I done this in 2017, my investment would be up 500% today.
I’m okay taking the bet that it could grow again over the next decade.
If it doesn’t? That’s fine too.
Because I have a plan, I don’t stress. I check my holdings once a month, not every five minutes.
What can you learn from my mistakes?
🚨 Watch out for hype. If everyone around you is piling into an investment, pause and ask yourself: Am I making this decision rationally, or am I just afraid of missing out?
💰 Don’t confuse investing with gambling. If your strategy relies on luck, it’s not an investment—it’s speculation. Are you making calculated decisions, or just hoping for the best?
⏳ Think long-term. Chasing quick wins can be costly. A solid, long-term strategy is usually less stressful and more rewarding. Are you in it for short-term excitement or lasting results?
📚 Know what you’re buying. If you can’t explain in simple terms why something has value, you probably shouldn’t invest in it. Can you confidently describe why your investments make sense?
🛠️ Have a system and stick to it. Without clear rules, emotions take over—leading to bad decisions. Do you have a strategy that keeps you disciplined, even when the market swings?
Smart investing isn’t about chasing the next big thing. It’s about making decisions that let you sleep well at night. What changes will you make in your approach? 🚀
Money Mastery
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Once again, I have some skiing to do. I hope you have an amazing weekend!
To your financial freedom,
Sjoerd
P.S. I am working on something new and exciting that I will be sharing with you over the coming weeks.
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