---
title: Why You Shouldn't Pick Stocks
description: Research proves we aren't good at picking stocks, so here's what you should do instead.
authors:
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published: '2016-04-26T18:02:20.000Z'
modified: '2016-04-26T18:02:20.000Z'
section: Investing
tags:
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  - Harold Pollack
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![individual stocks](https://img.money.com/2016/04/individual-stocks.jpg)

Harold Pollack, co-author of *[The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn't Have to Be Complicated](http://www.amazon.com/Index-Card-Personal-Finance-Complicated/dp/1591847680),* says nonprofessional investors are notoriously bad at choosing individual stocks. They tend to chase after what's shiny and new, so to speak, in the stock market. They spend a lot of time and energy researching where they should invest their money, but they are unlikely to pick the next Apple.

Pollack thinks you're better off choosing a cheap index funds that cover a broad base of stocks. You're likely to fare better financially, and you'll have more time freed up for the rest of your life.

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