Many young women shy away from talking about finances, dismissing it as a complex topic for them. And, if you are a first-time woman investor, maneuvering through investment jargon can seem too overwhelming. That's why this quick guide gathers some of the best investment tips for beginners to give you a head start in your investment journey. Check them out below: -
Create an Emergency Fund
We've been through a pandemic, one real event that calls for having an emergency fund. Setting aside money for unforeseen events can help you get through a sudden job loss, illness, injury, or accident. Ideally, your emergency fund should support you for at least six months when your income stops. Then, start by setting aside a month's worth of income in a fixed deposit account. Grow it gradually until you surpass the six months mark.Pay Off Your Bad Debts
The Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit for the last quarter of 2021 indicates that up to 80% of American households are servicing debts. If you are a young career woman servicing student loans, auto loans, or credit card loans, come up with a payback strategy to clear them soonest. Indeed, these debts can attract hefty fees and fines, leaving you with little cash to invest.Open a Retirement Investment Account
Save for your retirement as soon as you can. To do this, open a retirement investment account like 401k's, Roth IRA's, and the traditional IRA's. More so, find out from your employer if there is already a retirement plan that includes you.Buy Stocks
Stocks or equity is an investment that represents a share in a company. Buying stocks makes you one of the owners of the listed company. The stock prices appreciate when the company grows or makes good profits. Likewise, you earn annual dividends (when declared) by owning the stocks.Invest in Bonds
A bond refers to a loan to the government or a firm that pays the investor a fixed rate of return over a specific timeframe. It is one of the most predictable investments, hence low risk. And, upon maturing, you can cash the bonds and collect your money plus interest.Have an Investment Fund
Investment fund is a pool of funds belonging to several investors. This collective fund is used to buy securities while at the same time each investor retains ownership of their securities. The index fund and mutual funds are the most common types of investment funds.- Mutual funds
- Index Fund
Invest Within Your Circle of Competence
We do not have to be experts in investment before starting our investment journey. Start by defining your circle of competence. That is, assess your knowledge of a particular investment, regardless of its size, before committing to it. Investing in securities you know nothing about just because everyone else is doing so may land you in losses.Invest In Yourself
What are your strengths? Use your talent to build more wealth. Always seek to improve your worth by learning new things. By developing a habit of success, you will be proactive in utilizing your strengths to make more money.Be Familiar with Common Investment Terms
Here is a list of investment terms every first-time investor should know for prudent investment decision making: -- Cash Investments – Cash investments include a certificate of deposits, money market accounts, and treasury bills. As a rule of thumb, cash is never the best investment opportunity, especially for a first-time investor. Instead, minimize having your investments in cash and shift your surplus cash into assets.
- Asset Allocation – An asset allocation is an investment strategy. The most common asset allocation categories are putting your surplus funds in cash, bonds, or stocks.
- Stock Market – A collection market and exchanges where shares of publicly listed companies are traded and sold. It shows all the different stocks of companies and how they are performing overall. Most stock markets are sensitive to the investors' emotions.
- Risk vs. Reward – Every investor should weigh the risks related to each investment against the expected rewards. High-risk investments tend to have more returns and vice versa.
- Expense Ratio – The total amount it will cost you to run a mutual fund. This overall cost includes the annual fees, administrative fees, advertising, and promotions.
- Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E Ratio) – P/E ratio measures the stock price against its earnings. A P/E ratio of between 0 and 10 means that the company is not doing well. And the average P/E ratio for a well-performing company is between 10 and 17.
- Prospectus – A prospectus is a legal document that details all the types of securities you want to buy. It is available online or through a financial advisor to help you make informed investment decisions.
- Target-date Fund – These are all-in-one investment portfolios that aim at meeting your retirement investment goals and date. In the beginning, the fund includes riskier securities like stocks. Then, as you approach your retirement date, the portfolio shifts to more conservative securities like bonds.
Work with a Financial Advisor
Are the above investment terms still confusing to you? Why not leave the nitty-gritty of managing your investment to the experts. Work with an experienced financial advisor who can assess your trading objectives and recommend the most appropriate securities for your portfolio. These experts understand how the investment market operates. Plus, they will be a call away for any advice, clarification, or corrections before you make any investment decision. Here are additional benefits of working with a financial advisor: -- You make investment decisions based on concrete historical data
- The expert helps you prepare for market fluctuations due to inflation or sudden declines
- Your financial advisor provides an emotional guardrail in times of market turbulence
- You pick investment options that optimize tax efficiency
