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Robinhood Has Lured Young Traders, Sometimes With Devastating Results
NY Times ^ | July 8 2020 | Nathaniel Popper

Posted on 07/09/2020 1:14:43 PM PDT by rintintin

Richard Dobatse, a Navy medic in San Diego, dabbled infrequently in stock trading. But his behavior changed in 2017 when he signed up for Robinhood, a trading app that made buying and selling stocks simple and seemingly free.

Mr. Dobatse, now 32, said he had been charmed by Robinhood’s one-click trading, easy access to complex investment products, and features like falling confetti and emoji-filled phone notifications that made it feel like a game. After funding his account with $15,000 in credit card advances, he began spending more time on the app.

As he repeatedly lost money, Mr. Dobatse took out two $30,000 home equity loans so he could buy and sell more speculative stocks and options, hoping to pay off his debts. His account value shot above $1 million this year — but almost all of that recently disappeared. This week, his balance was $6,956.

“When he is doing his trading, he won’t want to eat,” said his wife, Tashika Dobatse, with whom he has three children. “He would have nightmares.”

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: bloggers
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1 posted on 07/09/2020 1:14:43 PM PDT by rintintin
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To: rintintin

People can lose money on investments? No WAI!


2 posted on 07/09/2020 1:15:21 PM PDT by Tax-chick (Having a good memory means you never have to think of anything original to say.)
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To: rintintin

“ After funding his account with $15,000 in credit card advances, he began spending more time on the app.”

Stopped reading and caring about this idiot right here.


3 posted on 07/09/2020 1:16:08 PM PDT by stuck_in_new_orleans
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To: rintintin

Wow. I wouldn’t dabble in stocks, beyond buying mutual, because that would probably happen to me.


4 posted on 07/09/2020 1:16:24 PM PDT by Jonty30 (What Islam and secularism have in common is that they are both death cults.)
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To: Tax-chick

Origin of “A Fool and His Money Are Soon Parted”!

The book of Proverbs 21:20 of King James Bible is the origin of this phrase as it contains the same meaning. The verse is as follows – “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.”


5 posted on 07/09/2020 1:18:40 PM PDT by Grampa Dave (Lincoln: "The Founders did not make America racist or slaver. They inherited it, that way!")
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To: rintintin

I recall some years back there was much the same story about day traders losing their shirts. Was in the news a lot for awhile.


6 posted on 07/09/2020 1:20:25 PM PDT by LouieFisk
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To: stuck_in_new_orleans
“ After funding his account with $15,000 in credit card advances, he began spending more time on the app.” Stopped reading and caring about this idiot right here.

Yep, just like I'm not caring about the guy who died of an overdose taking bad heroin or fentenyl

7 posted on 07/09/2020 1:20:53 PM PDT by 1Old Pro (#openupstateny)
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To: Grampa Dave

Good thoughts.


8 posted on 07/09/2020 1:22:01 PM PDT by Tax-chick (Having a good memory means you never have to think of anything original to say.)
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To: rintintin

All these stories are made to portray those that screw up as helpless victims.

When in fact their natures are far closer to Walter White, than a helpless victim.


9 posted on 07/09/2020 1:22:42 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not Averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: rintintin

Guess it was either the stock market or horse racing or perhaps sports betting for this guy. There will always be people looking for a shortcut.

I have been investing in the stock market continuously for 44 years. I have zero empathy or sympathy for people who treat the stock market as a casino. As far as I am concerned, this guy has gotten exactly what he deserves.


10 posted on 07/09/2020 1:22:51 PM PDT by rigelkentaurus
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To: Secret Agent Man

Time was when the Republican Party was the anti-gambling party (among other things) and supported restrictions on businesses that played on people’s vices or addictions. The Democrats were the gambling supporters


11 posted on 07/09/2020 1:25:18 PM PDT by rintintin (qu)
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To: rintintin
and features like falling confetti and emoji-filled phone notifications that made it feel like a game.

Dopamine hits...

12 posted on 07/09/2020 1:26:32 PM PDT by an amused spectator (Mitt Romney, Chuck Schumer's p*ssboy)
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To: rintintin

The Stock Market took advantage of him because he was Black.


13 posted on 07/09/2020 1:26:57 PM PDT by Cowboy Bob (Mocking Liberals is not only a right, but the duty of all Americans.)
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To: rintintin

I’ve heard this exact same story in Vegas dozens of times.


14 posted on 07/09/2020 1:31:06 PM PDT by SanchoP (We're passed the biological softening up and beginning the open warfare strategy. WAKE UP!!)
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To: rintintin

I don’t want to go to the NYT, so who does the victim think should pay for his debts? Bankruptcy courts are not likely to discharge debt taken on for incompetent online gambling. Foreclosure, coming up.


15 posted on 07/09/2020 1:31:35 PM PDT by Chewbarkah
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To: rintintin

I think this is a case where reparations are due.


16 posted on 07/09/2020 1:32:59 PM PDT by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
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To: rintintin
"I borrowed $100,000 and invested it in the stock market."

"How are you doing?"

"I still have $6000 left."

17 posted on 07/09/2020 1:34:46 PM PDT by Fido969 (In!)
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To: rintintin
RE:”As he repeatedly lost money, Mr. Dobatse took out two $30,000 home equity loans so he could buy and sell more speculative stocks and options, hoping to pay off his debts. His account value shot above $1 million this year — but almost all of that recently disappeared. This week, his balance was $6,956.”

He should have just sold at the right time

He needs to borrow more and try again until he get's it right.

18 posted on 07/09/2020 1:35:55 PM PDT by sickoflibs (BREAKING NEWS: BLM cures COVID-19, it's safe to go out and protest Trump again.)
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To: rigelkentaurus

I also invest in stocks myself but I only invest what I can afford. First come is my bills then what ever I have left I purchase a few stocks here and there. When I need cash to pay a bill then I go and sell a few stocks. I do not use stocks as a quick rich casino but I see my stocks as a supplement instead of going to a payday loan.


19 posted on 07/09/2020 1:38:14 PM PDT by Patriot Babe
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To: rintintin

Gambling addict.


20 posted on 07/09/2020 1:42:22 PM PDT by Grimmy (equivocation is but the first step along the road to capitulation)
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