Are you interested in investing but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. With a little bit of humor and some helpful tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming the next Warren Buffet (or at least, the next Warren Buffet’s distant cousin twice removed). I personally started investing during the pandemic (it was one of many, many, MANY hobbies – but much more productive than that sourdough faze) and have continued to invest and see a good return even today.
1. Do your research
The first step to becoming an investor is to do your research. Learn about different types of investments, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Read articles, watch videos, and listen to podcasts – the internet is your friend (most of the time, just confirm with multiple sources, don’tbe a one and done person in this case). And don’t be afraid to ask questions – there’s no such thing as a stupid question (unless you ask Siri how to invest and she suggests buying a lifetime supply of cat food- because that sure did happen).
2. Start small
When you’re just starting out, it’s important to start small. Don’t invest all of your savings into one stock (unless you’re feeling lucky – then maybe pray about it too?). Instead, start with a small amount of money and gradually increase your investment as you gain experience and confidence. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day – or a week, or a year.
3. Diversify your portfolio
One of the key principles of investing is to diversify your portfolio. This means investing in a variety of different assets to reduce your risk. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket (even if it’sa really big basket). Instead, spread your investments across different sectors and industries. This way, if one investment doesn’t perform well, you’ll still have other investments to fall back on.
4. Be patient
Investing is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Say that with me again for the people in the back: INVESTING IS NOT A GET-RICH-QUICK SCHEME. It takes time and patience to see significant returns. Don’t panic if your investments aren’t performing as well as you hoped – the stock market is a rollercoaster ride with ups and downs. Stick to your strategy and be patient – in the long run, you’ll likely see positive returns. And if you’re uncertain, go back to step one (research) and take a look at a few stocks over a 10, 20, and 30 year timespan and see how they perform.
5. Seek guidance from God
Finally, as a Christian, I believe in seeking guidance from God in all areas of our lives – including investing. Pray for wisdom and discernment as you make investment decisions. And remember, wealth is not the ultimate goal in life – honoring God and using our resources to help others should always be our top priority.
There you have it, folks – five tips for beginning investors from a Christian millennial who’s still figuring out the ups and downs of the stock market. I hope you found these tips helpful – or at least a little bit entertaining. And if you have any tips of your own, feel free to share them in the comments below!
The Flourished Path 