Hi everyone, and thank you for joining the group!
A quick intro — my name is Viral Patel. I live and breathe the stock market — it's a genuine passion of mine. I've been trading and investing for a long time now. Like many, I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs — especially with options, where I once ended up with just $5 left in my Robinhood account. That experience forced me to rethink my entire approach and reverse-engineer a strategy that actually works.
Back then, I could only afford "peanuts," and in 2021, I made a lot of random buys (remember when ROKU was $400?). But 2022 brought incredible buying opportunities — NVDA, SMCI (back when it was $8, pre-split), PLTR at $8, and more. A simple dollar-cost averaging approach helped me ride those picks into a strong 2023 and 2024.
Of course, markets are cyclical. Whether we’re entering another bear phase or not, I keep things simple: I buy small amounts every day — automatically set up through Robinhood — and I don’t plan on selling my core holdings anytime soon. I fully expect some losers, but so far, my big winners have more than made up for them.
One key strategy that’s helped me: I keep two separate accounts — one strictly for long-term investing (never selling), and another for trading. In my trading accounts (yes, I have multiple), I do everything from day trading to swing trades and even longer holds. I don't always care what the company does — if the chart looks good, I’m in and then I’m out. I also trade options, mostly LEAPS.
In this group, I’ll share what I’m buying, sometimes the reasoning behind it, along with any news, insights, or strategies that might help us all grow. I’m also a huge cricket fan, so expect the occasional cricket post too.
Some of my friends here have known me for 25 years — they won’t hesitate to pull my leg, and honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way. But if you're new, please be kind! 😄
Feel free to ask questions !!!
One request to everyone - Things get extremely busy during “Trading Hours”; That is in between 9.30 to 4.00. I am doing lot of multiple things at a time. I also have a Day Job (which means meetings and pings and actual work etc), I am following through on news, checking chart of a stock in a multiple time frame (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly), checking options flow, checking various other technical parameters (such as relative volume, RSI), also monitor stock related news (Geo Political or what stable genuis has to say and what not)…So I understand you have a question, but try to have that after hours, so I dont get distracted answering it. Unless it is a very slow day with nothing much happening.
I spend 80 hours a week in the market (no kidding), I am mostly aware of what is happening in the market and why it is happening…or at least I have a theory or logic about it. I can be wrong too. Also when I a stock lands in my hand, I have to decide, whether it is good for long term (then it goes in the investing bracket) vs trading bucket. Within Trading, whether I want to trade it through options or buy stocks. Do I want to buy a Leap or monthly option. There is a lot that goes on behind every trade I take. I share 80% of it (as long as I am confident, it can benefit someone else), There are risks I take (such as yolo SPX options on daily basis or ER trades (I try not to), but that I wont share, because thats just coin toss, You never know its going to work or not.
When time permits, please read some of these blogs written by me:
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2021/03/stock-market-beginner-advice.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2022/01/ideal-allocation-of-money.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2024/08/building-stock-portfolio.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2022/04/my-favorites-stock-compilation-list.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2022/05/ronald-read-robinhood-portfolio.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2022/12/robinhood-portfolio-recurring-buying.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2023/12/2023-portfolio-performance.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2023/12/2024-stocks-picks.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2024/12/stock-picks-2025.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2024/12/list-of-stocks-with-highest-allocation.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2025/05/stock-options-portfolio-rules.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2025/04/5-are-actually-million-dollars.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2025/04/1-million-to-invest-today-for-10-years.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2024/12/where-can-we-learn-about-stock-market.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2024/10/big-tech-25-trillion-valuation-by-2030.html
https://viralpatel15.blogspot.com/2025/05/book-chapters-or-youtube-sessions.html
HAVE A SEPARATE TRADING and INVESTING ACCOUNT.
I know it is a big question - whether you are a trader or an investor, and it will take probably years to find the true answer. Not everyone is a good trader, and not everyone is a good investor. Very difficult to do both. You dont have to decide, you are a trader or investor, but least you can do is have 2 separate accounts. One for Trading and One for Investing. Accounts are free to open and it will clear lot of confusion in your mind.
The ones you buy for “Investment” —> have a life long committment to that. If not entire life - at least very very long term - 20 years if possible …10 may be…Least you should do is buy it for 5 years. Buy only those company shares, which you know them well. The Usual Suspects…Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, NVDA, Costco, Nike, Pepsi, Target, Disney …bla bla bla…not all but the ones that you like but at least you know that company is not going to closed down in 5 or 10 years….Most will be there for next 20.
The other Risky ones —> You buy them in a “Trading” account. Some times longer dated trade like 12 months, 24 months, 3 years….some short dated. Once a stock is in your trading account for more than 12 months, may be you like that stock…such as Uber, or Robin Hood or Palantir, and if you understand that company better, then you can move it to Investment account/category.
Now about Trading —> use this mantra: “TREND IS YOUR FRIEND”….If it is not trending, not worth buying it…For example: Air Bnb might be a good stock or good company, but its not trending for last 12 months, it will be sideways…Just ignore it until it is trending. Secondly, Learn to read Chart. At a very least, you should know about moving averages. Its just one thing. It will take only 15 minutes to learn it. Learn it. It will be very helpful.
