The most significant mistake that investor makes is selling a winner too soon.

We don't think that because when we look at our portfolio and see a stock that's down 37%.

We think that's the worst mistake I've made.

I put $4,000 in it and I lost $1,000.

I put $40,000 in it and I lost $10,000.

I put $400,000 in it and I lost $100,000.

No matter where you are on the size of your portfolio, when you see something down 25%, 30, 35%, 40%, you think

that's my biggest loser.

The biggest loser, though, is the winner you sold too soon.

That was Motley Full co-founder and CEO Tom Gardner.

I'm Motley Fool producer Mac Rear.

Now we recently caught up with Tom and got his thoughts on a number of topics, including

investments to avoid, market valuations, AI, paying for investment advice, and Tom's biggest

questions going forward.

Tom kicked things off by talking

about what he would say to someone who is intimidated by the stock market and investing in stocks, first thing I say is, I validate you.

I validate that fear and that anxiety because we don't have to go too far back in any year or any decade to find people who lost everything.

People who borrow money to buy stocks and hope for a great short-term outcome,

like the graveyard of broken dreams is filled.

But if you're anxious and you have time on your side

and you are making early investments and you are willing to have some losers.

If you're willing to buy 25 investments in the stock market,

...