The past few weeks I have researched strategies and investment approaches to SPACs. Unfortunately, I didn't identify a TON of easy-to-use resources; however, I very much enjoy this intro. (All credit to SPACDaddy)

SPACs can appear very intimidating for many investors - complicated timelines, tickers that change, and a whole new set of jargon "above/below NAV." However, they can prove a very rewarding, exciting investment. SPAC investing is "as close" to late stage venture capital investing as a retail investor can enjoy.

Here are a few simple tricks/techniques to understanding SPACs for the beginner/intermediate investor. Hope you find them helpful:

PROBLEM: I keep identifying long term stocks that I don't have any room for in my primary trading account (ROTH IRA). I have done enough diligence in the stocks that I am (hopefully) confident in the stock/ETF over the next 1-2 years. I have also been reading a lot how "winners keep winning" and "don't be afraid of buying into high performance/high price stocks"

A lot of investing/trading is understanding and mastering psychology.

So...

I have carved out a small portion in my taxable 401(k) account that I will call my #FOMO portfolio.

I have done this for four (primarily psychological) reasons (a) to avoid overtrading solid tickers/missing out on stocks that have already taken off (b) so I can "feel" like I have a piece in a lot of the stocks that I am bullish on long term (c) track/compare my buy and hold strategy performance against my less diversified/more "active" swing trading portfolio and (d) not chase too many "new" stocks this year and focus on my current ROTH trading portfolio.

Are a lot of stocks overvalued? Am I "getting in" too late? Only time will tell - again, this is not a very high percentage of my total net worth.

But, either way, I will sleep better this year and trade better knowing I have taken care of my #FOMO.

Do you have a FOMO portfolio?

Here goes:

2. AMD

3. ROKU

4. PINS

5. BB

6. TSLA

7. ZM

8. CURI

9. TDOC

10. SFIX

11. COST

12. HD

13. BETZ

14. ARKQ

15. CELH

16. SPCE

17. FUTU

18. CRSR

19. U

20. YOLO

21. FUBU

22. ABNB

23. PGNY

Whenever I have analyzed new companies or new markets, accurately measuring and predicting competition proves incredibly challenging. Who already dominates the market? How will existing companies respond to new products/features?

In early-stage venture investing, understanding existing competitors is truly an art. For example, I have invested in certain early-stage startups that hope to directly compete with Stripe. Stripe is definitely the 10,000 lb. gorilla/unicorn/etc. in the room. It is extremely difficult to analyze how a startup will take on existing competitors - especially in new and emerging markets.

Building off the fintech example, Square's Cash App competition with Paypal's existing tool, Venmo, would be challenging to initially predict and interpret. In my opinion, the Cash App is currently eating Venmo's lunch. But how would an investor analyze Square as a competitor to Paypal before the competition actually "occurs"?

I wanted to open up my basic question to members of the community - does anyone have a truly analytical, methodical approach to interpreting competition? As in, how does one pick one stock over 2-3 existing competitors? Zoom is a great example of a company in an incredibly competitive market that has emerged as a clear winner (at least for now). Several years prior, however, Zoom's competitors seemed incredibly daunting (Microsoft, Google, etc.).

How do investors in this community approach competition? I have a few general factors below on how to think of existing and future competition, but I would love to hear from the community.

Anything that I am missing? Thanks in advance!