I purchased my first house due to putting money into the stock...

I purchased my first house due to putting money into the stock market back in the early 90's into bank stock and other ASX top 50 companies. I could only guess you wanted a very high return in a short period and with a share like this that did not produce income or have a track record, you took a risk (like most of us) and lost. In the stockmarket you should always diversify, if you you do can't, then go safe. When I was young I only had about 1 - 2k each in 5 to 10 stocks. I now have significantly more in each company across 52 stocks.