Investment Basics and How to Get Started

You’ve probably heard that investing is one of the best ways to build wealth. However, investment is often steeped in mystery, so here are some of the basics about investment finances and how to get started.

How Does Investment Work?

If you’re interested in growing your wealth, investing is a great way to do that. When you invest, it’s possible for your money to grow into even more money. For example, if you purchase stock in a company in which its shareholders receive dividends, your money will grow without even having to think about it. If you’re interested in earning your money back and then some, you can potentially sell your stocks to earn more money than you paid for them.

Stocks

Stocks are the most common type of retirement account,  thanks to their high returns. Stocks are available in multiple industries and sizes. For example, there are small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap stocks. The size refers to the degree of risk. For example, small-cap stocks are riskier, but they usually also come with the potential for higher return. Although stocks are a common investment strategy, they’re also prone to frequent fluctuations and make many investors nervous.

Bonds

Simply put, when you buy bonds, you assume the role of a lender. If you’re looking for a safe investment, bonds are considered the safest type above both stocks and mutual funds. However, make sure to look for a high-quality borrower with a good rating. Investing in bonds is usually great for people who want to keep a steady stream of income, as bonds usually pay interest two times per year. If the holder keeps their bonds until maturity, they’ll earn back the principal amount invested. Once again, bonds are generally safer than stocks, so if you’re investing in stocks but a bit apprehensive about the payout, it might be wise to hold bonds as well to help control the risk.

Mutual Funds

As an investor in mutual funds, you’ll have part ownership of the fund. Mutual funds are generally a popular choice for investors because they’re great for lowering the risk of investment and they’re affordable. Mutual funds are diverse, and they’re usually invested in several industries or companies to lower the risk of failure. In addition to these positive attributes, investors in mutual funds can also get their money back fairly quickly if needed or desired, as they have a high liquidity rate.

Risks

Investing is often one of the best ways to build your wealth, but it also comes with inherent risks. If you invest in stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, these are not insured like with money in banks and credit unions. This means that you have the potential to lose all of your money. On the other hand, there’s also potential for massive payoff. Below, you’ll learn how to get started in investing.

Getting Started

Before you start investing, it’s essential to evaluate where you are in life and what your goals are. If you’re a young person who’s interested in starting early, you’re more likely to be able to take more risky investment opportunities. Your age, income, and lifestyle will dictate what types of risks you should take, and which types of investments you should buy into.

Consult With a Professional

If you’re interested in investing but you’re a bit overwhelmed, you can choose to bring in a professional. Money management is intimidating, and it’s even more so when there’s risk on the line. For example, someone like Peter Briger will be able to help you with your investment goals and answer your questions. Forming a relationship with an expert in investment financing will help you reach your goals and minimize your risk.

Get Better Results

It is possible to make great investment choices on your own, but there is a larger possibility for losing money instead of using these opportunities to grow your wealth. If you’re interested in making the risk as low as possible, it never hurts to hire a professional to help you along the way. In fact, it can be one of the best decisions you make to establish an ongoing relationship with an investment expert in order to help you get the most from your money. If you think you’re more comfortable meeting with someone rather than diving in your own, by all means, take advantage of the opportunity to work with a professional to help you have a positive experience with investing.

Conclusion

Investing is one of the best things you can do to secure your financial future. Whether you want to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or a combination of all three, you should realize that there are risks that come with investing. Despite the risk, smart investments have the potential for large payoffs that are well worth the risk. After you have a basic understanding of the different types of investments, a wise next step is to meet with an investment professional to help you along the way in order to make smart decisions to meet your goals.