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Feeling Overwhelmed by Investing?
So you've maybe read a few articles on this site and you're ready to start growing your wealth via investing. Maybe you're sick of never having any cash, or you're eying a yacht by age 65 (good luck). But maybe you searched "how to start investing" and you're feeling overwhelmed? Well, don't worry my friend, because it's not as complicated as you might think. In fact, it's as easy as learning how to make a killer grilled cheese sandwich (and trust me, if you can do that, you can invest).
First things first, let's talk about the different types of investments available to you. It's like a buffet, you got your stocks (like a hot and cheesy grilled cheese), bonds (a veggie-packed panini) and mutual funds (a fancy charcuterie board that someone else makes for you and then takes the occasional piece of gruyere for themselves). Each one has its own set of risks and rewards, so it's important to know what you're getting into before diving in. If you're looking to get started with any of these, here are some helpful links to get started:
Opening Up A Brokerage Account
Next step, open up an account with a brokerage! There are several good options out there, but our favorite is M1 Finance. M1 Finance has pre-built investing options for your age and risk tolerance, or you can go at it on your own with a full compliment of stocks, bonds, funds and even cryptocurrency. If you decide to open an account with M1, please consider using our link to help out the site, and thanks to our friends at M1!
With your brokerage account now open, you can decide what type of account you want to open. Are you going to go with a taxable brokerage account? Maybe a Roth IRA? Now you can start researching and selecting the types of accounts and investments that align with your goals and risk tolerance. Diversification is key, just like how a restaurant has a variety of dishes on the menu, you should spread your money across different types of investments to reduce your overall risk.
A Word on Budgeting
Creating a budget is also crucial, otherwise, you'll end up broke and living off ramen noodles. It's important to save and invest on a regular basis, just like how a chef always keeps a well-stocked pantry. This might cause another pang of stress to shoot through your cut as you think "crap, now I have to figure out how to invest AND make a budgeting spreadsheet?" The good news for you is: no, you don't! The absolute easiest way to budget is called the 50/30/20 Method, and you can find more information on that here:
Time-Honored Investing Resources
Want to learn more about investing? Reading books and articles on the subject is a great way to educate yourself, and it's a lot more interesting than staring at a spreadsheet all day. Some classic books on investing include "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham and "The Little Book of Common Sense Investing" by John C. Bogle.
And if you're feeling lost, seek the advice of a professional, like a Michelin star chef, they can provide valuable guidance and help you create a customized investment plan that aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.
Remember, investing is a long-term process, just like how it takes time to perfect a recipe. And there will be ups and downs, like a busy night at the restaurant, but staying disciplined and sticking to your plan will help you achieve your financial goals.
So don't be afraid to start investing, with a little bit of knowledge, a well thought out plan, and a dash of patience, you'll be on your way to a financially secure future in no time.
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