When to start

So, you’re ready to start investing early and you have taken the steps towards your financial health. But, it’s essential to plan and prepare before embarking on your investing journey. 

So, buckle up, because we’re about to dive into the essential first steps you should take on your investing journey.

Educating yourself - Knowledge is power 🎓

Picture yourself in an unknown city without a map. 🗺️ Not the most comforting thought, right? 

This is similar to stepping into the world of investing without educating yourself first. The financial world can feel like a foreign landscape, filled with confusing terms and complex concepts. But, armed with the right knowledge, you’ll navigate it like a pro.

Start with the basics - understand what stocks, bonds, ETFs are. Learn about interest rates, inflation, and the concept of risk and reward. Resources like Wealthyhood’s learning guides can be a great starting point.

Then, delve a little deeper. Follow financial news 🗞️, read investment books, listen to podcasts. The more you learn, the better prepared you’ll be to make informed decisions. Remember our friend Bob?

He started investing without understanding the basics and ended up losing a considerable portion of his savings in a risky venture. Don’t be like Bob.

Fun fact: Did you know that Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time, spends about 80% of his day reading? 📖

Defining your risk tolerance - Knowing your financial personality

We all have different personalities, right? Some of us love bungee jumping; others prefer a quiet read in the park. Just like in life, your personality matters in investing too, especially when it comes to risk tolerance.

Risk tolerance is all about how much uncertainty you can handle regarding your investments. If the thought of your investments fluctuating in value keeps you up at night, you likely have a low risk tolerance. 😱

If you’re comfortable riding the market’s highs and lows for potential higher returns, you probably have a higher risk tolerance, meaning you could lose some or all of the money invested.

Understanding your risk tolerance can guide you in choosing the right investment options. If you’re a thrill-seeker like our friend Alice, you might be comfortable investing a significant portion of your portfolio in high-risk, high-reward assets like individual stocks.

But if you’re more like Charlie, who prefers stability, you may want to stick with lower-risk investments like index funds and ETFs. 📈

Choosing the right platform - Your investment vehicle

The last but critical step is choosing the right investment platform or app. Think of it as picking out your vehicle for this investment journey.

In the olden days, investing required a lot of phone calls, paperwork, and hefty fees. But today, thanks to technology, investing is as easy as ordering a pizza. There are numerous investment platforms available, each with their own unique features. 📱

Aome apps, like Wealthyhood, may be more oriented towards long-term wealth-building, while others may offer more functionality for day-trading. The choice depends on what you want to achieve.

When picking your platform, consider things like user-friendliness, educational resources, customer service, and of course, fees. Lower fees mean more of your money is invested, which can lead to higher returns in the long run.

Conclusion

And there you have it, your pre-investment checklist! ☑️

With these steps, you’re not just preparing for the investing journey; you’re setting yourself up for success. It’s like packing a map, compass, and sturdy boots for a hike. The path might be challenging, but with the right preparation, you’re ready to tackle anything.

When you invest your capital is at risk. This is for information only and is not investment advice.

So, are you ready to start this exciting journey? Before you go, let’s see the difference between timing the market vs time in the market.