Questions tagged [starting-out-investing]
For questions relating to beginning investing. It should normally be used with other tags to clarify the area that it relates to.
350
questions
351
votes
18
answers
70k
views
Best way to start investing, for a young person just starting their career?
I am young, just started my career, and looking to begin investing so I can make my money work for me. I'm still living like I did in college (occasional purchase on myself, but most of it goes into ...
- 4,893
191
votes
23
answers
65k
views
What options do I have at 26 years old, with 1.2 million USD?
I'm a 26 years old female who got into an accident that almost killed me; I sued and after attorneys fees and medical bills from hell... I will walk away with around 1.2 million dollars tax-free.
Here ...
- 1,740
149
votes
8
answers
29k
views
Oversimplify it for me: the correct order of investing
I have been reading the top posts here, and the recommendations for what to invest in are often similar. What I'd like to know, in as simply of terms as possible, is what the consensus is on priority ...
- 1,601
133
votes
13
answers
80k
views
I'm 23 and was given $50k. What should I do?
Recently I was given 50k from my grandmother in her will. I am 23 years old and have no idea what to do with it.
I make $33k a year.
I have zero savings.
I owe $35k in student loans over 6 years 0% ...
- 1,279
63
votes
11
answers
35k
views
I'm 18 and have 6 grand. What should I do with it?
I'm 18 and about to go to college. Luckily, I don't have to worry about student loans or most other living expenses. I've been working and have over $6,000 (will probably be about $7,000 by the end of ...
- 541
52
votes
12
answers
18k
views
Invest $50,000 in cash or borrow $100,000 and get a mortgage?
I have $50,000 saved and I'm paying $760 on rent right now. All my relatives are telling me to get a mortgage so I don't "throw money away on rent", but I just don't like the idea of getting in debt ...
- 665
49
votes
7
answers
12k
views
Why are low risk investments so strongly advised for first-time investors?
Inspired by the flurry of questions on this site about the returns available from investing in equities over the long term, I decided to approach my UK bank about setting up a small investment fund, ...
- 1,281
46
votes
5
answers
12k
views
When to stop saving and start investing?
Since I started my first job after graduating a few years back, I always saved a certain percentage of my salary each month on an extra savings account my bank offers. At that time, and until recently,...
- 421
45
votes
10
answers
21k
views
I won USD 50K! Now what should I do with it?
I won a sweepstakes and will be getting USD 50k...it is verified that it is legitimate although no taxes have been taken out so I will have to claim this income on my taxes next year, they will send a ...
- 460
45
votes
7
answers
6k
views
Ethics and investment
I am a young man who has recently reached a point of financial stability. I'm starting to think about long-term plans which may one day buy a home, or provide for myself in old age.
This raises the ...
- 589
37
votes
10
answers
9k
views
Should a high-school student invest their (relative meager) savings?
I am a high school student, I don't really have much money, between one and two grand in my savings account. However, I have friends who are investing in both penny stocks and stocks. I do not really ...
- 503
35
votes
8
answers
15k
views
Realistically, how much do you need to start investing?
I don't have a lump sum but may be able to set aside £2k-3k per month.
I am already paying into a pension fund but that seems unlikely to go far. Yet I think it's a good safeguard.
Can I start ...
- 822
35
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Should I invest when in debt?
I have just consolidated my debt and am thinking where I want to be in the future. My payment plan is to be debt-free in three years. It is not an extremely aggressive plan; I still want to have a ...
- 585
31
votes
15
answers
10k
views
Why invest for the long-term rather than buy and sell for quick, big gains?
Somewhat along the lines of this question. I've been putting mostly unmatched money into my 401(k) for a few years. I know that investing is generally seen as a long-term decision, but with volatile ...
- 431
31
votes
4
answers
9k
views
What are the benefits and disadvantages of investing $60-70K in the following methods?
I have $60-70K that I'm planning on investing in stocks/ETFs/funds. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of investing this amount of money with a human financial advisor vs an automated "...
- 261
28
votes
8
answers
5k
views
What are the options to beat the returns of an index fund, taking more risk?
I am young, and will start my career in about three years. I do NOT live nor have any intention of ever moving to the United States, and I will probably be based in Europe for my career and after (...
- 1,171
28
votes
4
answers
4k
views
How do I invest and buy/sell stocks? What does "use a broker" mean?
This is an embarrassingly basic question. I'm a college student and know very, very little about the world of investing and purchasing stocks. I realize that some Googling could find me the answer ...
- 623
27
votes
7
answers
3k
views
Where to start with personal finance?
I am married with kids and starting to look hard at savings for retirement, buying a house and sending my kid to college (still a LONG way away).
However, I am completely new to the world of finance ...
- 373
25
votes
10
answers
4k
views
Why is property investment good if properties de-valuate over time?
So I was reading that investing in property is a safe and solid investment (but low on return). This is based on how the prices rise e.g. a property price in the 1980's vs 1990's vs 2000's vs 2015. To ...
- 351
23
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Book or web site resources for an absolute beginner to learn about stocks and investing? [closed]
I'm completely new to the world of investing and stocks. Knowing that I shouldn't invest or buy stocks until I know it well enough, I was wondering which cheap or affordable resources would be the ...
- 333
22
votes
12
answers
2k
views
What should I be aware of as a young investor?
I'm 19 years old and am keen on investing in blue-chip companies. What should I take note of?
- 221
22
votes
7
answers
8k
views
Is it wise to invest money in the stock market?
My uncle wants me to invest money in buying shares. I would like to ask these questions to my fellow users:
Is it wise to invest money in the stock market?
Is there any age limit to start into stock ...
- 705
21
votes
10
answers
5k
views
Can you really always yield profit if you diversify and wait long enough?
It is a common assumption (and, as far as historical stock market data goes, also proven) that the stock market is always growing if you enlarge the time window long enough . In other words: The stock ...
- 311
20
votes
5
answers
8k
views
How exactly does dealing in stock make me money?
Soon I will be coming into a bit of extra money. Rather than simply sticking it in a savings account I would like to make my money work for me and getting into stock seems to be a good way to do that.
- 303
20
votes
9
answers
2k
views
Investing small amounts at regular intervals while minimizing fees?
My daughter is about to turn one year old and I'd like to start some sort of investment account for her. The purpose would be to invest her birthday and gift money into the stock market each year. I'd ...
- 355
19
votes
8
answers
9k
views
As a 22-year-old, how risky should I be with my 401(k) investments?
As a 22 year old guy, how should I plan my financial life regarding my 401(k) investments? How much risk should I be taking?
Also, is it a good idea to invest in a dynamic portfolio with smart beta ...
- 293
16
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Invest or save first?
I am in my mid 20s, I have a (quite) good job and I am able to put aside, each month, about $800. I just started this savings process and currently I have just $800 but at the end of the year I'll ...
- 161
16
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Why might a robo-advisor service like Betterment be preferable to just buying a single well-performing index fund like SPY?
Edit: I think it would be beneficial for any answers to include whether the answerer uses a diversified portfolio or not in their own finances, and whether they have any affiliation with Betterment or ...
- 263
14
votes
11
answers
9k
views
Is it an OK strategy to sell whenever an investment gains value above a threshold?
Let's say I bought 10k worth of stock A and it appreciates to $10,500.
Is it OK to sell part of it worth $500 and do this whenever stock appreciates that much?
Too often it drops back under $10k if ...
- 257
14
votes
3
answers
23k
views
Should I open a Roth IRA or invest in the S&P 500?
I am a 24 year old high school teacher. Currently, I don't have that much capital to open two accounts. I would rather focus on one at a time until I gain more capital.
Should I start with a Roth IRA ...
- 157
14
votes
4
answers
10k
views
How can I determine if my rate of return is "good" for the market I am in?
I am considering a small investment to get started with. What percent rate of return is considered to be good return on investments made in a stock market?
I read somewhere that 25-30% is considered ...
- 763
14
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How do I invest in the S&P 500?
If I want to invest $4000 in the S&P 500 stocks (which is diversified and non-risk), how do I do this?
- 141
14
votes
1
answer
58k
views
What does it mean if a company pays a quarterly dividend? How much would I get quarterly?
If I have a single share, lets say in Google which is currently worth 605.79. Lets say they pay out the dividends quarterly. What does that mean and how much would I get quarterly?
- 1,671
13
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Can I buy stocks directly from a public company?
Is it possible to buy stock directly from a public company, bypassing a broker? It seems that discount brokers do nothing more than facilitate a trade and take a cut - I'd like to eliminate the ...
- 2,550
13
votes
7
answers
3k
views
Understanding the phrase "afford to lose" better
The phrase, "Only invest what you can afford to lose", when put in quotes, generates 167,000 Google hits and seems to me like one of the hoariest maxims in investing. But what does it mean?
...
- 2,187
13
votes
4
answers
1k
views
What is a good investment vehicle for introducing kids to investing?
We have been paying our four kids a small allowance. We help them split their money by percentage into different categories (savings, investment, responsibility, school, play, etc.) One of the ...
- 283
12
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Why are some funds only recommended for investors starting out?
I am 23 years old and have been in industry for a couple years and my savings have grown to an amount whereby GIC's are no longer good enough.
Since I bank with TD Canada Trust, there seems to be a ...
- 1,273
12
votes
3
answers
3k
views
18 year old making $60k a year; how should I invest? Traditional or Roth IRA?
I've had a lot of questions regarding personal finance, and I figured this would be the best place to get some good answers. To start, I made over $60,000 in 2013 and just over $44,000 in 2012. I make ...
- 121
11
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Is an index fund a good choice for a starter investment?
As an individual that is willing to consistently invest ~100-150 dollars monthly into an investment, willing to devote an average of an hour a day to educate himself / monitor investments, what kinds ...
- 15.9k
11
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Detangle this potential scam?
My cousin [we'll call him Chuck] has gotten involved with an investment "tutor" [we'll call him Tim] that has "hired" Chuck to make investments for Tim. From what I understand, Tim allows Chuck to ...
- 285
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How to start investing for an immigrant?
All the below description is just to clarify my current situation.
I am a 27 y.o. single male immigrant from the third world (in a process of applying for a green card) who works as a developer ...
- 691
10
votes
5
answers
3k
views
What type of investment is best suited for a 1-year investment on a down payment?
I'm looking to buy a house, but lacking in the capital to make an adequate down payment on said house. My lease expires in a year from now, so I am looking to build up my capital through investment ...
- 4,374
10
votes
9
answers
18k
views
New to investing -- I have $20,000 cash saved, what should I do with it?
maybe someone can lend some advice.
Background: I'm 28, married, and expecting my first child.
Our short(ish)-term financial goal is to continue saving for a home.
I'm wondering if I should take ...
- 213
10
votes
7
answers
15k
views
High-risk investing is better for the young? Why?
I have heard statements such as the question's time.
Basically, it's a financial motto: "If you're young, take on more risk."
I don't really understand it. I figured risk-tasking is a personal/...
- 101
10
votes
3
answers
801
views
What ways are there to invest in stocks, options, indexes, etc, and where should one start (what funds)?
I have been poking around with investing for a few years now. I have diversified my assets a decent amount, between a home, several IRA's and 401k's, savings and checking accounts, and a little bit of ...
- 626
10
votes
4
answers
1k
views
As a young adult, what can I be doing with my excess income?
I am a 20 year old living in the UK. I've had a look at my monthly incomings/outgoing and have realised I have approx £400-600 (~$600-$900) to spare per month, and that at the minute I'm just ...
- 202
9
votes
3
answers
305
views
Are there things I can be doing while waiting for an investment to mature?
I'm not going to be a day trader and I don't have enough time to be an active trader in the sense that I will not be making several trades a month. Instead I'm more of a buy and hold investor. I find ...
- 4,893
9
votes
3
answers
2k
views
I'm 23 and new to investing. How should I diversify my 401(k) based on my plan's choices?
My employer matches 100% of up to 4% of my gross salary. I want to contribute at least what is matched. I'm 23 and have a gross salary of $70k, and I know very little about this. I was hoping someone ...
9
votes
2
answers
976
views
How does compounding of annual interest work?
I have tried reading up on it, but I just find it confusing.
Apparently, if you started investing $150/month at a 15% annual return and kept reinvesting the profits, here is what you would have ...
- 1,671
9
votes
2
answers
766
views
What to do with $2115 disposable income per month?
I want to start investing money, as low risk as possible, but with a percentage growth of at least 4% over 10 - 15 years.
I won't need this money until then so can handle locking it away or risking a ...
- 3,655