[STORY] Gold is for Stability, Stocks are for Growth, ETFs are for Balance

I never thought I’d be the type to talk about investing in gold, stocks, and ETFs, but here I am, telling a story that changed how I look at money forever.

It all started one random Saturday night at a café in Lekki. I was editing a vlog for my YouTube channel when my friend Dele slid into the seat across from me, looking unusually serious.

“Bro, tell me you’ve started investing?” he asked.

I chuckled. “Investing? My bank account is already in survival mode. I barely invest in food.”

He shook his head, leaned forward, and whispered like he was about to drop government secrets. “Listen, gold, stocks, ETFs—that’s the future. If you keep sleeping, inflation will eat your money alive.”

I laughed it off, but later that night, I found myself scrolling through stock trading apps, ETF breakdowns, and gold investment blogs.

The next week, I bought my very first stock: Tesla. The app animation made it look so cool, like I was buying a spaceship ticket.

I messaged Dele:

“Guy, I just bought Tesla stock. I’m officially a Wall Street bro.”

He replied with a laughing emoji and said, “Calm down, Warren Buffett. Diversify. Add ETFs. And if you can, buy a little gold. It’s the OG safe-haven investment.”

So I did. A small stake in SPY ETF, and a fractional share of gold ETF. It felt weird, like planting money seeds and hoping a money tree grows.

Two weeks later, I was on a video call with my cousin, Chioma, bragging.

“Look at this portfolio, babe. My Tesla is up 12%. Gold is chilling. ETFs steady. I’m basically a finance guru now.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t flex too much. The stock market is like Lagos weather—unpredictable.”

I laughed, sipping my coffee. “Relax. I’m good. I even follow Bloomberg now.”

Then it happened.

One Monday morning, I opened my investing app, expecting my green profits. Instead, everything was red. Blood red. Tesla was down 20%, my ETFs dipped, even gold took a small hit.

My heart dropped.

Dele called me. “Don’t panic. This is normal. You signed up for the ride. Remember, stocks are long-term.”

But I couldn’t breathe. I had just told my mom last week I was “stacking generational wealth.” Now I was watching my money evaporate.

Three nights later, I was at a bar in Victoria Island, venting to a stranger next to me.

“Investing is a scam, abeg. I should’ve just left my money under my pillow.”

The stranger, an older man in a grey agbada, chuckled. “Young man, let me guess—you put all your hopes in one stock, yes?”

I nodded.

He sipped his drink. “Listen carefully. Gold is for stability. Stocks are for growth. ETFs are for balance. The trick is not to chase money overnight but to let your money work while you live your life. Think long-term. My portfolio has survived recessions because I never panicked.”

I was stunned. This random man just schooled me better than YouTube ever did.

Fast forward three months. I didn’t sell. I held on. Tesla bounced back, my ETF stabilized, and gold… gold kept shining like it always does.

I messaged Dele:

“Bro, you were right. Patience is key. I almost sold everything.”

He replied: “Welcome to the club. Now you’re officially an investor.”

A week later, I got a call from Chioma. She sounded excited.

“Guess what? I started investing too—gold, ETFs, and some clean energy stocks. You inspired me.”

I smiled, staring at my phone screen.

And that’s when it hit me—maybe the real ROI wasn’t just my money growing, but knowing I influenced someone I care about to invest in a sustainable future.