Investing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Begin Building a Strong Financial Foundation

Let’s talk about investing—the true key to growing your wealth and ensuring a rock-solid financial future. I get it, the investing world can be downright intimidating, especially if you’re just starting out or have limited knowledge on the subject. But don’t worry! This step-by-step guide is your roadmap to simplify the entire process and give you a rock-solid foundation to kickstart your investment journey. With these easy-to-follow steps, you’ll gain the knowledge and tools you need to make informed investment decisions—empowering you to take control of your financial destiny.

Step 1: Develop financial goals to be a compass on your journey.

So take some time to really think and ask yourself these crucial questions:

1. What’s your big picture? Do you want to build generational wealth, start a business one day, retire in style, or save up for that dream house you’ve been eyeing? It’s time to decide what you’re chasing after.
2. Risk or comfort? How much turbulence can you handle? Are you up for the ride of market fluctuations, or do you prefer more stable investment lanes? It’s all about finding your sweet spot.
3. And probably most importantly, timing. Timing matters, and as outlined here in the compound interest article () time is the true “secret sauce”. Are you playing the short game or in it for the long haul? Knowing your investment timeline will help you craft a winning strategy.

Step 2: Take a realistic view of your current financial situation.

This step is critical because you can’t build a solid investment plan without knowing where you stand. So, here’s what you need to do:

1. Time to do some math: Calculate your net worth. That means subtracting those liabilities (i.e. car loans, credit card debt or student loans) from your assets (i.e. your home, any retirement or cash accounts). This number will tell you where you truly stand in the grand financial scheme.
2. Dive into the nitty-gritty: Take a close look at your income and expenses. You’ve got to know where your cash is coming from and where it’s going. This will help you figure out how much you can regularly invest as well as potentially highlight some areas where you can save additional money. 
3. Evaluate your debts: It’s time to confront them head-on. Make sure you’ve got a handle on them and that your debt-to-income ratio is in check. This is crucial for keeping your financial house in order as well as highlighting any specific debt with high interest rates that should probably be paid off before beginning your investing journey. 

Step 3: Build a safety net: an emergency fund.

The general rule of thumb is the emergency fund should ideally cover at least 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses. This money should be placed in an easily accessible account so that you can access it quickly in an emergency

1. Give it top priority: Building an emergency fund is non-negotiable. This is your shield against the unexpected financial curveballs life throws your way. By having a good emergency fund, you’re able to keep your invested money in the market and don’t have to worry about potential taxes incurred by selling investments to pay for life stuff. 
2. Aim high: General rule of thumb is to strive to save up enough to cover 3-6 months’ worth of your living expenses. Personally, I think that is probably a little excessive for most folks to wait that long before beginning investing especially if you’re secure in your employment situation. I’d personally shoot to have 2 months expenses saved and then begin your investing journey. That way, you’ll be ready to face anything that comes your way, no sweat.
3. Put it in the right spot: Park your emergency fund in a liquid and easily accessible account. I’m talking about a high-yield savings account here (we’ve written an article about some good HYSAs here), so you can earn a little extra while having your money within reach when you need it most.

Step 4: Go out and get yourself some knowledge.

Knowing the different types of investing strategies, securities types, and their long term effects is the key here. 

1. You’ve got to take the time to educate yourself. Some good websites to visit to get more knowledge are this one: this site :D, nerdwallet, investopedia, and cnbc make it. 
2. Let’s talk about some must-know concepts-  you need to understand asset classes, like stocks, bonds, and real estate. Wrap your mind around risk management, the art of diversification, and the mind-blowing magic of compounding returns (here).

Step 5: Alright, it’s time to talk about your risk tolerance.

This step is crucial because it sets the stage for your investment journey. Let’s break it down:

1. Comfort is key: Understand your comfort zone when it comes to risk. Some people prefer a conservative approach and might gravitate towards safer investments like bonds. Others may opt for higher-risk, higher upside options like stocks with potential growth. Your personal comfort level is exactly that, personal. Each one of us is going to have a slightly different take and that’s ok. Do what you feel comfortable with, but understand that a conservative approach may have slower appreciation, and a more aggressive approach has potential to fail due to business failures or economic forces. 
2. Goals in harmony: Make sure your risk tolerance aligns with your financial goals. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between risk and reward. You want a strategy that suits your unique circumstances and brings you closer to your goals.

Step 6: Start with retirement accounts for long-term goals like retirement.

Take advantage of tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as 401(k)s, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), or Roth IRAs.

1. Look into options like employer sponsored 401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth IRAs. These accounts have favorable tax treatments that can accentuate your savings and save you some taxes down the road.
2. If your employer is throwing in some matching contributions, don’t leave that free cash on the table! Contribute at least enough to get the full employer match—it’s basically free money!

Step 7: It’s time to get into the market.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Research and compare different brokerage platforms. Consider factors like fees, user interface, customer service, and the investment options they offer. This way, you’ll find the perfect match for your investing needs.
2. Traditional or modern? Traditional brokerages offer a personal touch and a wide range of investments. Online platforms, on the other hand, are known for their user-friendly interfaces and lower fees. Decide which one suits your investing style like a glove. I’d personally recommend an online platform through an institution like Fidelity, that offers $0 trade fees to minimize the amount of costs incurred. 
3. Once you have your brokerage account selected, follow any instructions from your chosen brokerage platform to transfer your initial funds.
4. Once that initial transfer goes through, you’re now ready to start purchasing securities. I’d recommend using Index funds and ETFs (exchange-traded funds) to comprise the backbone of your investments. Some good one’s to start with are VOO, SPY, and VFIAX. Index funds and ETFs are great for the following reasons:
   1. These asset types track broad stock market indexes (such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average), giving you instant diversification. That means your risk is spread out across multiple companies and sectors. 
   2. Index funds and ETFs come with lower expense ratios compared to managed funds allowing more of your money to grow.

Step 8: Advanced Investing

As you gain confidence and knowledge, individual stocks and bonds come into play. Here’s how you do it:

1. Dive deep into company research before investing in individual stocks. Analyze their financials, growth prospects, the competition they face, and who’s running the show. That way, you’ll know if it’s worth your money. Don’t get married to the idea of investing in certain companies, if your research shows that they might not be a great investment, have the courage to walk away. 
2. When it comes to bonds, check out the issuers. Look at their creditworthiness, financial stability, and the terms they’re offering.

Step 9: And onto the final step – staying the course.

For most of us, consistency is going to be the key to our financial futures. Consistent contributions with a steady market return is a powerful tool outlined (here). 

1. Consistency is key: Set up a systematic investment plan where you contribute a fixed amount regularly. Rain or shine, you stay committed to your goals. Many brokerage accounts will offer automatic transfers and investing so you can set it and forget it while your money grows in the market. 
2. Face the market storms: Don’t let short-term market turbulence throw you off track. When you invest a fixed amount consistently, you practice dollar-cost averaging. That means you’re smoothing out the bumps and keeping your focus on the long-term prize. The key to remember here is that the overall S&P 500 has averaged a 7-10% rate of return since before the Great Depression. Whatever current economic headwinds are currently ongoing, stay the course, the market will rise again. 

Conclusion:

Embarking on an investment journey requires careful planning, research, and patience. By following this step-by-step guide, you can put down a strong foundation for your investment endeavors. Careful planning is the compass that will guide you through this journey. Stick to your plan and lay a strong foundation for your investments. Research is your secret weapon. Stay informed, keep learning, and make wise decisions based on solid knowledge. Patience pays off: Remember, investing is a long-term game. Stay committed, adapt to market twists and turns, and periodically reassess your goals. Flexibility is the key to success.

With time, experience, and your disciplined approach, you’ll see that financial growth and a brighter future are within your reach. So let’s get to work and make those dreams come true!