Investing for Beginners: 7 Rules You Need to Know

After the 2007-2008 stock market crash, the number of investors started to rise once again. 

In fact, according to Statista, more than 56% of adults in the United States are now into the stocks investment business today.

People have gradually conquered their fears and once again, are ready to take the necessary steps to multiply their wealth. But how do you ensure an early and comfortable retirement? And how to get started as a beginner?

Quick answer; you have to map out good investment strategies and adhere religiously to the investment rules we will outline in this article. But, first things first….

What are Your Investing Options?

Several options are available for you depending on your goals, tolerance for risk, and the time frame you want to invest. 

For example, for a retirement or college savings plan, you may need to consider these options of asset allocation:

Stocks:

• ETFs,
• Bonds,
• Mutual bonds.

And also other options like:

• Real estate,
• Private equity,
• Precious metals, or wares (Gold).

7 Must-Know Investing Rules

If you want to know how to invest successfully, you should follow these guidelines:

1. Ensure that you are entirely free of debts

There is often the misconception that you can invest, make good returns, and pay off your debts immediately when you are in debt.

Returns on investments do not constantly multiply, especially for new investors. So, if you have accrued significant debts on your credit cards or are still paying interest rates on a loan, you should first focus on offsetting those debts.

2. Explicitly define your investing goals

This is the “why” that defines your investing decisions. It is the first thing you should know when investing.

So, take some time to state what you want to achieve financially over time clearly. 

This will guide you as you decide what kinds of investment you want to explore, how long it should take, and how much risk you can tolerate.

3. Diversify your portfolio

Among other critical investing rules for beginners is diversification. In other words, do not put all of your eggs in one basket. No matter how promising an investment plan seems, try not to get greedy.

You can proactively manage the risk of failure by distributing your assets across several sectors, types of securities, and firms.

For a beginner, you can do this by getting a mutual fund. This way, you automatically get a piece of share in a whole portfolio.

As you progress in the investment world, find funds with varying investment plans and invest in a couple of these mutual funds.

4. Be patient; ignore the “trends.”

Proper investment is not a get-rich-quick scheme, so you need to be patient. There will always be fluctuations in the values of your holdings. Sometimes more extended periods of lows, but remember that that is not the time to make rash decisions.

Find high-potential companies with promising returns and growth in the long term, and continue to invest your money consistently over time instead of waiting for the “right time” to enter a market.

This is the most effective way to get that impressive portfolio to withstand time and market situations.

5. Don’t forget your savings

This is an underrated rule on stock investing for beginners. Do not get carried away by a flourishing market. Nobody wishes for it, but you must save for the rainy day.

Remember that investments should stay for some years for your portfolio to see a significant increase. So, keep some money aside (liquid, not possessions) for emergencies.

You don’t want to have to pull out your investments to solve a problem just before the market appreciates.

6. Stay informed

Always research a company before you invest in it. Know all you should know about the company, from its financial statements to basic metrics like the price-to-earnings ratio. And most importantly, check that it is perfect for your holdings and your financial goals.

The learning does not end there. Ensure you remain abreast of all developments (reports, press releases, product updates) that may interfere with your long-term plans.

7. Remain disciplined

Continue to invest for better or worse. That’s what makes you a disciplined investor. Over time, you get used to living in a way that accommodates the need to set aside a percentage for your investments.

You can choose a 401(k) individual retirement plan to help you here since it automatically takes out the percentage from your pay.

Bottom line

Anybody can invest as long as you are determined and follow these clear investing rules for new investors. 

Remember to have your goal mapped out and stay informed, strong, and disciplined. And you can crush those financial objectives.

If you have any more questions on financial planning in Portland, you can reach out to us today. 

Our financial experts at Interactive Wealth Advisors are always ready to work with you. We can also guide you through retirement planning in Portland, OR.