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Investing has always been a popular topic. However, with the recent economic uncertainty, many people are looking for ways to ensure their savings will survive the downturn and grow to meet their retirement goals. There are many investment options available, and no one strategy is without risk. However, some guidelines will help you make wise decisions and reach your financial goal. Here’s what you need to know about investing.
What type of investor are you?
Continue Reading Below Do you have a long-term mindset? Would you be comfortable with a 30-year commitment? Do you invest in the market, or do you invest through a financial advisor? Are you willing to sacrifice a bit of short-term gain for long-term benefit? Do you have more assets than you need for the next few years? Do you have more income than you need? Do you trust yourself with your money? Do you have a substantial amount of investments that you can’t afford to touch? It’s easy to jump right in and pick a hot new stock. Don’t do that. Don’t make a “passive” investment that doesn’t provide the upside you want — or the downside you need. That won’t help your retirement. So, you invest in a mutual fund. Great. Great!
Types of stocks to invest in
The first thing to understand is that stocks can take different paths toward growth. Growth stocks, for example, can be relatively risky and volatile. High-growth stocks may experience huge gains in a short amount of time, but the risk of stock-price declines is very real. On the other end of the spectrum are value stocks, which tend to provide stable income and are less volatile.
Types of bonds to invest in
Continue Reading Below Before you jump into your first stocks investment, it’s a good idea to understand the different kinds of bonds available. There are short-term bonds, long-term bonds, government bonds, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and commodities. All are different ways to build your wealth, but they have similarities to stocks in most cases. There are four basic bond types: municipal bonds, Treasurys, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), and corporate bonds. Municipal bonds are tax-exempt (and taxed at the same rate as other bonds), and the U.S. government backs Treasurys.
Types of funds to invest in
One way to determine how a portfolio should be structured is to look at it through the eyes of someone who doesn’t have much experience investing. If you want to buy mutual funds to grow your retirement portfolio, you’re better off using a robo adviser that manages your investments on your behalf. You’ll get access to diversified investment portfolios to choose from, access to professional guidance, and low-cost mutual funds with conservative returns and minimal risk. On the other hand, if you’re interested in picking individual stocks and would like the support of a human advisor, you can find some experienced portfolio managers who charge fees of up to 1% per year.
Types of property to invest in
Continue Reading Below Real estate investment is a useful tool because it creates passive income. It also has the added benefit of reducing your exposure to the ups and downs of the stock market. However, investing in property can be a complicated business, because there are a lot of different ways to go about it. Investing in commercial real estate typically entails purchasing or leasing a building, investing in land, and leasing out space for commercial purposes. Usually, the property will be placed on the tax rolls for the region it’s in, but you’ll want to keep in mind the tax implications of any property you’re considering. Buying a property means you’ll be responsible for any taxes and fees that you may incur; leasing means you’ll pay for the space outright.
How much money should you invest?
Before you get started, you need to figure out how much you can afford to invest. The simplest approach is to put your savings into a tax-advantaged account, like a 401(k) or an IRA, where you get to invest pre-tax money. The next step is to figure out how much you can invest with every dollar earned. The answer will be different depending on the source, but you’ll probably come up with something between 1% and 4% of your income. Advertisement How can you figure out how much you can invest? The easiest way to figure out your maximum investment is to look at how much you’ve made in the past. For example, let’s say you earned $100 last year. On a $100,000 income, that’s $4,000 you invested.
Conclusion
Investing, like everything else, requires a willingness to make decisions and accept the consequences. A highly risky investment may not always be the best choice. However, with proper risk analysis, the time and effort you spend on your investment can help you achieve your financial goals.
