HYIP Strategy for the Cautious

This is a follow-up article to my previous post, 'Are HYIPs worth the risk?'

I am a HYIP newbie. However, I am a cautious investor and gambler. That being said, my foray into HYIPs is currently limited to small test spends below $10 (ok, it's more like $5).

Now, it doesn't take a genius to know that most sites claiming to be HYIPs are nothing more than ponzis. In fact, some of these sites have the word ponzi in their url name! Most of these sites use a standard script from the now defunct GoldCoders.com, which is apparently easy to hack. The script is now selling at really low prices from mirror sites trying to cash in on the scams.

Autosurfs are a bit different, in the sense that they require you to login daily in order to earn. But at the end of the day, these programs do depend on you bringing in new members in order to pay the high % returns.

Anyway, back to HYIPs.

Here's a few simple rules I try to follow:
1. Never invest more than you can afford to LOSE.
2. Test spends. Never put in too much initially. Get your initial spend back before investing with more. Alternatively, only invest with the profit from initial spends.
3. Avoid the 1-3 day programs. These don't last more than a week or two, except for a few that manage up to week 3 before collapsing.
4. Never join a ponzi that's more than 2-3 weeks old. Most start to buckle before then anyway.
5. Don't be greedy! I was, and got burnt (well, it was more like a slight paper cut really). Never again.

There are tons of online resources about HYIPs. The true blue HYIPs are few and far in between, and usually, they require you to invest real $, not the $1 minimum nonsense with most ponzis.

Now, the very meaning of HYIPs implies risk. But, compared to ponzis, true HYIPs are like the calm peaceful atmosphere of the countryside. If you find a good HYIP, share it with a friend. Or maybe, share it with me? :)


Updates:
Ponzi Gains and Losses
A Brutally Honest Ponzi