The world of stock investing often paints a picture of Wall Street tycoons in power ties sipping impressive and expensive drinks. People think of Gordon Gekko, Warren Buffett, and extremely rich hedge fund managers.
For the average Joe or young professional, that picture can make investing look like something for other people. It is something for millionaires and old money families.
In reality, you can invest in stocks even if you are not a millionaire yet. Keep reading and we will explain how to get started in stocks with a comparatively small investment.
Employer Retirement Program
One of the easiest ways you can get started in stocks is with an employer retirement program. The vast majority of employers that offer retirement programs give you access to a 401(k).
A 401(k) or similar type of account typical lets you invest in one or several available mutual funds. Those mutual funds offer combinations of stocks, bonds, and other long-term investments.
While you don’t pick out individual stocks, it does get your foot in the door and lets you pick types of investments. It is still not advisable to manage your own 401k, IRA, or other portfolio so you want to make sure you work with a top broker listed on depotgebühren vergleich österreich. It is best to have an expert to manage your holdings to hopefully maximize returns and minimize fees.
Mutual Funds
If you already max out your 401(k) contributions per pay period or year, you can privately invest in specific mutual funds. Mutual funds come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, such as:
- money markets
- bond funds
- income funds
- equity funds
You can also choose among specialty funds. Specialty funds can lack some of the diversity that limits risk in other types of mutual funds. A specialty fund might focus on an industry sector or only invest in socially-responsible businesses.
Robo-Advisors
Robo-advisors essentially automate stock investing. When you sign up with a robo-advisor, you build a profile with key information. For example, you’ll decide on your level of risk tolerance and provide long-term financial goals.
The robo-advisor uses the information as the basis for investments. As a bonus, you typically pay fewer fees and can often start investing with a couple hundred bucks.
This approach frees you making decisions based on the corn futures market in Asia or checking Walgreen’s stock price every day.
Micro Investing
The term micro investing offers a surprisingly accurate picture of this approach to getting started in stocks. Rather than dump a lump sum into an investment account of some kind, an app rounds up purchases to the nearest whole dollar. It takes the difference and transfers it into an investment account.
You periodically decide what kind of stocks or mutual funds the balance should invest in. Make sure you read the fine print before choosing an app, as the investment fees can vary considerably from app to app.
With some apps, you only pay a nominal monthly fee. Other apps charge a per transaction fee. This is all very important to know before you decide to become a professional trader.
Parting Thoughts on How to Get Started in Stocks
If you ever wondered how to get started investing in stocks, it turns out you have lots of options.
You can take advantage of traditional approaches like a 401(k) through your employer or a mutual fund you pick. You can sign up with a robo-advisor and automate the process. You can even use a mobile app for micro investing.
Looking for other ways to take control of your financial future? Check out our post on business opportunities or visit the Finance section right now to start investing in your future success!
