Reddit User’s Key Trade Regrets and Lessons Learned Over 5 Years, Focused on GME

This analysis is based on a Reddit r/Daytrading discussion dated December 3, 2025 [0], where a user reflected on their most impactful trade decisions from the past five years, centered on meme stocks GameStop (GME) and Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY). Historical price data shows GME experienced a historic surge in early 2021, while BBBY saw volatile price swings around the same period [0].

The user’s primary regrets fall into four categories:

1. GME Buy Button Restriction
   : Missing a potential $400k gain when brokers (including Robinhood) restricted buy orders during the 2021 surge, an event that continues to evoke strong negative sentiment (score: 1) and anger over perceived regulatory inaction [0].
2. BBBY Investment
   : Losing 40% of gains from GME and movie stock trades after investing in BBBY, a setback the user framed as a neutral learning experience with no lingering mental distress (score: 3) [0].
3. Abandoning Trading Plan
   : Regret over not following a complete trading plan (score: 1) [0].
4. Full Option Porting
   : Regret over fully allocating funds to options, viewed as a necessary learning experience (score: 1) [0].

Social media analysis identified critical caveats:

• The user’s claim that Robinhood, Citadel, and other brokers received minimal penalties for the buy button restriction is unsupported. Robinhood’s 2025 $45M SEC fine was for unrelated issues (cybersecurity, recordkeeping) [1].
• The specific $400k GME gain figure cannot be independently verified without access to the user’s trading account data [0].

1. Lingering Meme Stock Controversy Impact
   : The 2021 GME buy button restriction remains a divisive event for retail traders, with the user expressing ongoing frustration due to perceived inadequate regulatory accountability.
2. Loss Framing as Learning
   : Despite losing 40% of gains on BBBY, the user reframed the setback as an educational experience rather than a distressing failure, reflecting a common retail trading mindset.
3. Disciplined Trading Value
   : The user’s regret over abandoning a structured trading plan underscores the importance of strategy in mitigating emotional and financial risks.

• Risks
  :
  • Emotional or impulsive trading (e.g., full option porting without a plan) can lead to significant financial losses.
  • Perceived regulatory inaction on broker practices during market volatility may erode retail trader trust, impacting market participation.
• Opportunities
  :
  • Reflecting on past mistakes allows traders to refine strategies and avoid repeat errors.
  • Ongoing discourse about meme stock controversies may drive greater regulatory transparency, benefiting retail traders long-term.

The Reddit discussion provides a window into a retail trader’s 5-year journey, marked by GME-related frustration and BBBY-related learning. Historical price context verifies the meme stock volatility, but the user’s claims about broker penalties require caution (as Robinhood’s fines were unrelated). The analysis highlights the enduring impact of the 2021 GME buy button event and the value of disciplined trading strategies for retail investors.