That isn't the exact figure, but it's damned near enough. And yet, after all those losses, I have as much faith in what cryptocurrency and blockchain technology can do for you and for us going forward as I ever did.
I want to add some context here very quickly. My crypto journey started with $100 (or £82.04 in today's terms if you prefer). And that journey began back in 2012. Over that time, I have made fortunes and, as you can see, lost fortunes, but here's the critical point. I am not a loser and have not really lost money in crypto at all.
I have, in fact, made far more than that £82.04 I started with. Of course, I have. And that is the key point here. Coming second in an arse-kicking contest is not a problem so long as you profit from it.
The last time I got paid a salary for doing a job of work was way back in 1988. Since then, I have been on a path that was sign-posted: "Find a way to make money or starve." I don't say this for sympathy or to impress. I say it to describe the working man I am.
And let me tell you something else that might surprise you. I am very much self-taught and either self-motivated or deluded (you can decide).
I am not Warren Buffett; I never claimed to be. Not everything I did or went into with money made profits. A large number of them made losses. There's a pretty famous quote from T.S Elliot that goes like this (and you will never hear anything that lays out the truth of investing and speculation better):
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
By the way, there's nothing to buy here in this message. The purpose of the message is simple and driven by two purposes and those are:
I want to give you a gift that could help you if you take the time and trouble to read it. And,
Ever since the banking crisis in 2008 and, arguably, even before that. It has been nearly impossible for us, average folk, to use banks and traditional investment houses to make money. Unless we are part of the privileged few, we can only make money by working harder and speculating to some degree.
We can only move ahead of the crowd by being a little adventurous and brave. And whatever you might think about cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, it offers the average folks of this world a way out of the rat race and a way to make their money work again.
For some, it has literally lifted them out of poverty. We love to moan and groan in this country about how bad things are, but we have it easy compared to some around the world. I've been privileged to meet people who have used the opportunity and a little bravery to lift themselves out of real poverty, and let me tell you, that drives me on when personal circumstances get me down.
I consider myself lucky to have found one organisation that I can honestly say fills me with hope again that there is a way to build future financial security (with a little effort and a little bravery), whoever you are.
I've been telling you what Vyvo has been doing by combining health and wellness and the massive demand for smart technology, crypto, blockchain and A.I.
Please don't hesitate to ask me about it if you wish to, but this isn't about that.
There is so much to tell you and so many opportunities. A few days ago, I was playing around with a guide I wrote at the tail end of last year that I wasn't sure what to do with. I might expand on it and sell it on Amazon, but for now, I would like to give it to you. But you had best get it quickly before I change my mind.
I've decided to give it to you (for free). If you read it, you will get something from it. It's around 38 pages long and easy to read. It's designed to show you that very ordinary people (and yes, a few extraordinary ones, too) can do wonders with no money or little money if they want to.
I want you to have it as a gift. I need to know if you want it so I can send it to you. So click the link below, and I promise you all you will be asked for is your name and email. I will send you a link to download the guide: no strings attached, yours just for showing up.
The guide is called "Take The Plunge."
I hope you do, and I hope you have a wonderful day.
John