The Part Time Doctor

Amar Pandit , CFA , CFP

Have you ever seen a part time Doctor or even better a part time Surgeon?

What I mean by that is they do something else for a living but as a part time hobby they practice medicine or surgery.

I have not come across any but even if you did, would you go to such a person for a consultation on your medical problem?

I doubt so.

Forget a doctor or a lawyer, there is not even a part time plumber.

But when it comes to money and investing, there are many part-time champions.

No qualification, No experience, No mastery, and No Wisdom. Nothing is required.

Anyone can talk anything and yet sound convincing.

But why do we intelligent people then listen to these part time hobbyists who play different roles in our lives – brother in laws, friends, uncles, and others?

Is it because investing is not a hard science such as physics and chemistry? Or is there some other reason?

What do you think? While I have some thoughts, I would love to hear from you on this one first.