Life has its way :)

Yesterday I had a productive working day and finished the day feeling a little… invincible. My confidence level was 1000%

Then I went to the supermarket to get groceries. As usual, I selected the self-checkout. It was late – 30 mins before the supermarket closed. Without paying much attention to the people around me, I was standing at the checkout for a little bit toooo long because I had bought many things, and my little backpack was complaining.

And in Germany, you can do slow shopping, but get ready to enter the race at checkout. Everyone who has lived here for at least a few months knows this. Me? 5+ years here, and I suddenly became ignorant.

As I almost finished packing, a friendly shop assistant came to me: β€žSie sind schon fertig. Kommen Sie bitte raus.β€œ

I quickly moved away from the counter. That was also the moment I realized there were a few people waiting impatiently for me to finish.

As I was walking home, I thought about how panicked I was when I heard someone approaching me and saying something like that – although super friendly . in German. So, definitely, I was not panicking because of the message. It was simply my body detecting German and immediately feeling a little smaller before even digesting the message.

I think life sent me a message:

β€œWell, it is okay to be confident, but look how you are not yourself when communicating in German. Wake up and do some work!”

That is true also. For years, I was content with having enough German to navigate my life here. But I know that if one day I have to lead a new project completely in German, I will not be as efficient as I am in English.

My lesson learned here is that life does send signals sometimes, not to warn us, but more to remind us of our goals and prepare us for new opportunities.

So, when I came back home, my confidence was back to neutral and that is a good thing.

Let’s get fluent this year then! 😬

Books I am reading / have read in 2026

Some titles I think worth sharing πŸ˜‰

#1. Project Hail Mary

I rarely read Sci-Fi before because most of the time I couldn’t follow the plot or sometimes I am just too impatient 😬 But this one is so different and I really enjoyed reading it. Cried a few times too!

So of course my next move after this was: ordering The Martian and I did.

#2. The Art of War

I am reading it and will re-read many times this year I guess…

On a beautiful day when stocks are doing well…

There are two things I would like to share in this blog:

  1. When the world is chaotic, should we continue investing?
  2. The time when I decided to buy Nvidia…

Now, the first point…

Over the past few months, stocks have been suffering from a lot of uncertainty, especially with the escalation of war in Iran.

Markets have always been affected by events like this: COVID, Middle East conflicts, elections, etc.

And I have to admit, it was not very pleasant to look at my portfolio during these times. But the good thing is that, because I have been investing monthly for almost 5 years, my portfolio is strong enough not to go into the red (knock on wood ^^)

So the question is:

Should we continue investing during uncertain times like this?

It depends a lot on how you see the world. If you have hope in humanity and believe that the world will continue, then you will understand that things go up and down in life. I am more on the optimistic side when it comes to this (I can be very pessimistic about other things though hahaha), so I did not stop investing. I just continued as usual.

Over the past few days, things have gone back to β€œnormal” in the investment world β€” or at least in my little investment world β€” and I am now (or today) seeing my portfolio at +49%.

In life, I follow this motto: β€œIf I die tomorrow, do I regret anything?” If the answer is β€œno,” then I know I am making good decisions. And β€œDo I need to bring anything with me?” If the answer is also β€œno,” then everything is good as it is today.

When deciding whether to continue or stop investing, ask yourself:

What do you fear losing?

It is okay to have fear. But your answer will guide your decision.

I have been doing this for 5 years β€” not very long, but not very short either β€” and I have seen some patterns that help me stay calm during chaos. The best way to learn something is to be in it.


And second, the day I decided to buy Nvidia…

It was 5 years ago. I did not know what Nvidia was.

Back then, people were talking a lot about coins and crypto, and I was not really into that. But I had a thought: β€œFor coins to grow, what do we need?”

I did a bit of research and discovered that we need powerful computers, as people will continue mining coins. Then I asked: β€œWhat makes a computer fast and powerful?”

At first, I found that it was the CPU. But the more I read, the deeper I went down the rabbit hole hahaha. I came across names like Intel and AMD. And the more I researched, the more questions I had:

β€œWhat is the profile of someone who wants to mine coins?”
Maybe they also like gaming. Maybe they are willing to invest heavily in their computers.

That is when I discovered GPUs. I searched for β€œbest GPU companies” and saw names like NVIDIA and AMD again.

Another investment principle of mine is:

β€œGet to know the CEO.”

So I went on YouTube and watched many interviews with Jensen Huang. Many, many of them.

My conclusion: β€œHe is great.” So I decided to invest.

That is when I started buying NVIDIA at a very low price. Today, it generates the highest return in my portfolio.

So, did I also buy Intel and AMD? Yes β€” but not as much as NVIDIA, because at that time I had not yet watched interviews with their CEOs :)))
Later, I did with AMD and also found their CEO to be excellent, so I increased my investment there. Plus, the computer I use has an AMD graphics card.


So why am I telling you this story?

When you build your own portfolio, it is good to learn from experts, but you must be the one doing the hard work β€” the research.

I know many people talk about key metrics like P/E, D/E, cash flow, etc. And honestly, that can be boring β€” at least for me, since I do not have a background in finance. I am a bit lazy when it comes to numbers.

So my approach is different: be curious.

Buy things that will sustain a market, not just follow what is trendy. Instead of buying coins, I chose to invest in what helps that market grow.

To put it simply:

if everyone is fascinated by gold, invest in the tools that help people find gold β€” like shovels. Then go further back: what are shovels made of? Steel, metal… and so on.

Also, spend time getting to know the CEOs of the companies you invest in. Read about them, listen to how they speak, observe them, and try to understand what they value β€” and whether they are consistent (this is very important).

At the end of the day, whether a company grows or not depends a lot on its leadership.


And finally, as I shared in my blog about β€œThe first stock I bought”:

Start small, with something you believe will still exist in at least the next 10 years.

Something you use and understand the quality of.

Right now, people are talking a lot about AI, and big companies like OpenAI or Anthropic going public (maybe soon?). You might be thinking about buying their stocks.

If you apply what I shared in this blog β€” investigate backwards and study the CEOs β€” not just by reading headlines, but by really learning β€” you will make better decisions.

I am currently reading Supremacy to learn more about AI leaders, and so far… I think I like Google more :)))

And if you do not know where to start, here is the first step β€” more relevant for those living in Germany, but the same principles apply everywhere.

To be continued… :)) Have a GOOD day!

P.S Maybe next time I will write about “On a normal day when stocks are NOT doing well…”

Two wild business ideas I keep thinking about…

I have these two crazy ideas that keep coming back to me. I don’t know when or if I’ll ever do them. But today I decided to write them down because maybe one day I’ll look back at this post and think, okay, it’s time. πŸ˜‰


Idea 1: A boutique travel agency with a full refund guarantee!!!

I used to be a tour guide and I really have to flex here: I got hundreds of five-star reviews. Never a four. Not once. I still keep the notebooks with these reviews 😎

And I keep thinking:

what if I built something around that? A small, boutique travel agency where the promise is simple: if your overall experience was not what it should be, you get your money back. Full refund.

I know, I know. It sounds risky and crazy. It IS risky and crazy! Hahaha. But working in travel industry, I know a trip is not just a trip. For a lot of people, it’s something they saved for, planned for, dreamed about. A honeymoon. A family holiday that everyone kept pushing back. A solo trip someone finally took for themselves. These moments matter sooooo much, and I want to build a team who really feels that β€” not just people who do the job, but people who understand what’s at stake when someone trusts you with their holidays!

Five stars, always. It will be expensive, but I want top-notch services for my clients.

I remember staying with clients until midnight sometimes, just because they were so into the acoustic music that I couldn’t bring myself to say “okay, time to go.” Or organizing some spontaneous little treat that made my team roll their eyes β€” again! β€” but that made the clients light up. That’s the kind of thing I lived for and that’s the standard I want for this.

One day… and five stars, always. πŸ™‚


Idea 2: A healthy cafΓ© where the gluten-free cake is just… cake

Okayyy this one is so close to my heart ❀

I want to open a cafΓ©. Healthy food, great coffee, beautiful ice cream, and cakes that make you happy. And here’s the part I am most excited about β€” the gluten-free options will be soooo good that you won’t be able to tell they’re gluten-free. Because we actually figured out how to do it… GREAT!

I’ve always believed that eating well and eating deliciously are not opposites. That’s the whole idea. No “healthy but…”. Salads should be beautiful and fun to eat. Cakes should be real treats without regrets. I want food that’s good for you and makes you want to come back.

Additionally, many people I care about are suffering from not being able to find good gluten-free options. So, I am going to be that solution hehehe

Sometimes I think if I had aaaaalllll the money in the world, I would pack my bag and go to the best cooking school and become a chef. Really! Yes!

So, this one lives in my head rent-free. :))


Maybe these two stay as dreams. Maybe not. Either way, I wanted to write them down β€” for myself, and for whoever’s reading this thinking, hm, I have a wild idea too.

Write it down. You never know.

Things I bought to improve quality of life

From products to improve sleep to day to day things. Hope I help you shop better ❀

  1. Protect my brain starting with protecting my head – Helmet when I bike πŸ™‚ uvex urban planet LED Bicycle Helmet
  2. Blanket of course! CALMONT – Down Duvet I Down Duvet 135 x 200 cm I 100% Extra Soft Feathers and Down | Specialist Tested for Allergy Sufferers | Oeko-Tex (135 x 200 cm, Warm Winter Duvet)
  3. Pillow because sleeeep is soooo important. Pillow 80 x 80 cm Canada 85% Feathers 15% Down Pass
  4. (to be continued)

The 1st stock I bought

This blog will be more relevant if you already have the intention to invest. If so, it is important to have an investment account.

If you do not have one yet, check my previous blog and open one before you continue reading.


In 2021, I bought my first stock: Apple. Two shares.

Why Apple?

I started investing without learning much / at all about how to do it. As with many things in my life, I was just doing it. Also, because I thought I had reached the age where I should think more seriously about investing.

Back then, I was still a Master’s student. I had some income and savings, but not a huge amount of money. I am saying this to those who are still thinking about investing: really, just start doing it.

Back to why I chose Apple to start with. It was because I had used Apple products for many years and, up until that point, I had been quite happy with the service and everything.

Why did I buy two shares? Because that was the amount of money I was willing to lose. That means if, for some reason, I lost everything on this stock, I would not have a problem.

Luckily, up until the point of writing this blog, I have had a total of 9 Apple shares, and they have generated +777 EUR for me.

So my 1st principle in investing is this:

Start small, with something you believe will still exist in at least the next 10 years β€” this is β€œthinking long term” β€” and be willing to lose that money.

And I have seen a very common question that people keep asking:

But what should I invest in: stocks, ETFs, gold, real estate, keeping money in savings accounts, etc.???

The answer is still the same: pick one, start small, think long term, be willing to lose the money if something goes wrong, and do it!

Why? This is not about taking risks or gambling. This is more about investing in yourself. Because there are two main scenarios:

  1. If your investment goes up, that is great!
  2. If your investment goes down, you still learn something at least β€” how to manage your life better, how to stay updated and informed, because once you start investing, you pay more attention to world events. Not in the sense of panicking (I hope), but more in the sense of β€œcritical thinking.” You will also learn more about the world, new companies, new industries, and how the world is connected economically.

And the most important thing is:

Once you get a sense of it, you will be ready to go for the next steps.

See you in my next blog, where I share my 2nd principle.

Again, if you do not have an investing account yet, open one because IT’S FREE. So, why not leverage that?

Living in Germany: Set up these accounts

There are three key types of accounts to set up if you want to start your investment journey:

  • Girokonto: This is the most basic type of account, and almost everyone has one. Some banks also offer it together with a Visa debit card.
  • Savings account (Tagesgeld / Sparkonto): Different banks may use different names for this type of account. For example, ING calls it an Extra-Konto. It is usually free to open and maintain.
  • Investment account: This is normally referred to as a Depot or Depot-Konto. It is also usually free to open and maintain.

My rule of thumb is simple: If it costs you nothing to open and maintain, and it helps you manage your money better, do it. Open it. Today.


Which bank should you go with?

Again, it depends on your existing ecosystem, meaning the bank you are already using. That is a good place to start. Ask yourself these questions:

#1. Is my bank charging me a monthly or yearly fee just for keeping my money there?
If the answer is YES, move to question two.

#2. How hard would it be for me to research and choose a better bank?
If the answer is β€œnot very hard,” then go ahead and do it.

Sometimes, it can be as simple as asking a few good friends which bank they use and whether they are happy with the service. Try to ask friends who are good with money, since they are more likely to give you useful answers. Most of the time, switching is not that hard. The most inconvenient part might simply be going to the post office for PostIdent. But I have opened several accounts and looking back, weeeellll…. PostIdent was never a problem!

Then clear up the rest: If you find a better bank, move everything there and close your current account.

Then start investing…
(I will share my principles in the next blog.)

The key point here is: Think. Review. Take Actions.
Don’t keep reading if you have not done the homework yet. πŸ˜‰


My personal story:
When I arrived in Germany as an international student, Sparkasse was one of the easiest banks to open an account with. People say their ATMs are everywhere and that they are one of the most established banks in Germany. That part is true. The less fun part? They charge me about €6 a month (it increases almost every year). That is €72 a year, which is basically the price of a warm Uniqlo jacket.

I still have not cancelled the account because of a rumour that having an account with a long-established bank like Sparkasse could help your SCHUFA score. I am not sure about this but I decided to believe it because my goals for the next 2 years is to improve my SCHUFA score.

Sometimes you may choose to lose a bit of money on purpose. I am doing that right now with Sparkasse. The important question is: Can I clearly justify this decision in both the short term and the long term?

If the answer is unclear, go back to my rule of thumb and switch the bank.

Life is expensive. A good life is even more expensive. Be smart with your money.


If you decide to open any of these accounts and would like to support my work, you can use my referral links below:

10 things that make my day… any day :))

Here’s the list! We all deserve nice things in life ❀

  1. Flowers. I love having nice vases too! Especially those with vintage patterns like this!
  2. A Cartier watch. When I reach my next big goal, I will buy myself a Cartier because I deserve it hehehe
  3. Candles. My favorite scent right now is The Ritual of Ayurveda from Rituals
  4. Silk pillow cases / bed sheets. Just because sleep is so important!
  5. Sweatshirts from Bobo Choses – soft, good quality and 100% cotton that actually feels like it :)))
  6. A good notebook and a pen that writes smoothly on that notebook. It has to be a combo like that πŸ˜›
  7. Anything yellow because of fengshui hehehe
  8. A handwriting note / card from you to me ❀
  9. Sleeping in good pyjamas 😴
  10. Getting things done. My favorite emoji of the year is πŸš€

Some of the books I loved in 2024 / 2025

… and still read again sometimes πŸ™‚

#1. Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect

#2. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness

#3. Siddhartha: Hermann Hesse

#4. Loving What Is

#5. and I read a loooooooooot of thrillers from Freida McFedden

#6. Becoming Bulletproof

#7. Meditations – limit phone use in bathroom, reading Meditations instead πŸ˜‰

(…. to be continued as I do have a long list)