The PDF version of the January issue of ETFInvestor is now available for download.

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Many of us set aside an amount of play money to swing for the fences every now and then. This can help scratch the speculation itch without putting too much at risk. It’s something I’ve done since I started investing. Sometimes I’ve used it as a quick cure for the fear of missing out, or FOMO. Other times I’ve spent this money to force myself to learn more about corners of the market that I don’t know well. Sometimes, I’ve plunked it down because I thought I was onto something the market was missing.

Like many of you, I’ve had a mixture of successes and failures along the way, and I’ve learned a lot in the process. In this month’s cover, I’ll explore the idea of carving out a pile of “funny money,” address the potential pluses and minuses of the approach, and sprinkle in some personal anecdotes.

Here’s a rundown of what else you’ll find in this month’s issue:     

• The adjusted ESG portfolio makes a bet on a clean energy future, taking a stake in iShares Global Clean Energy ETF ICLN.
• Amy Arnott argues that investors’ mistimed purchases of the ARK Innovation ETF ARKK provide an object lesson in how not to invest.
• Lan Anh Tran takes an up-close look at a pair of ETFs that try to translate investor sentiment into an investment strategy: VanEck Social Sentiment ETF BUZZ and SoFi Social 50 ETF SFYF
• Daniel Sotiroff discusses the role of timing luck in winning with your funny money wagers
• Ryan Jackson polled ETFInvestor subscribers (thanks for sharing!) and our Morningstar colleagues for funny money anecdotes. He shares a summary of everyone’s wins, losses, and lessons learned in his contribution to this month’s issue.

Ben