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This month, the Making Sense team answers client questions related to trade policy developments and their impacts on key economic issues.
Investing is one of the most effective ways to build wealth and grow your savings. But learning how to start investing can be intimidating. Whether you're investing for the very first time or want to review the fundamentals, these tips can put you on the right track.
Before you start investing, it's important to consider what you want to achieve. With a clear sense of your goals, you can figure out which investments make the most sense. Ask yourself these key questions.
Whether it's for retirement, a new house or your kids' college fund, write down your goal for the investment. Be specific. Estimate how much you need to accomplish your goal and when you'll need the money.
Different investments require different amounts. If you want to buy rental real estate, you'll need sufficient funds to make a down payment. With stocks and bonds, on the other hand, you could potentially open an investment account for much less.
Investing is a tradeoff between risk and return. Assets that have a greater long-term earning potential—like stocks—are also more likely to lose money in the short run. Would you be able to stomach the short-term losses, or would you prefer to play it safe, even if it means needing to save more?
Some investments take more effort than others. If you design your own portfolio and day trade, it takes research and time out of each week. On the other hand, mutual funds are managed by a professional investor and take less work on your end.
To start making investments, you need a brokerage account. This lets you process trades to buy stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other assets. Most brokers will provide resources on their websites to help beginners get started.
Not only will these materials walk you through how to open the account, they also should explain how to find the right investments for your goals. For more help, you could contact their customer service to discuss your new account with one of their representatives.
Besides using the broker materials, you could study on your own with investment books, videos and courses. Investment organizations like the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the North American Securities Administrators Association also have their own libraries of training materials to help beginners get started.
While your exact investment strategy will depend on your unique goals and risk tolerance, there are some key fundamentals that apply across the board.
For more support with starting out, consider meeting with a financial advisor. They can help you establish your goals, lay out how much you need to save and suggest investments that would be appropriate for your portfolio.
After getting your initial plan, you can decide whether you still need their help or want to handle investing on your own. However, this first meeting will make sure you get started on the right foot.
Investing is a long-term process and it pays to spend a little time figuring out what to do before you jump in. By studying these concepts, finding the right educational materials and considering an advisor, you will be well-prepared to start investing.
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This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be an offer, specific investment strategy, recommendation or solicitation to purchase or sell any security or insurance product, and should not be construed as legal, tax or accounting advice. Please consult with your legal or tax advisor regarding the particular facts and circumstances of your situation prior to making any financial decision. While we believe that the information presented is from reliable sources, we do not represent, warrant or guarantee that it is accurate or complete.
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