Entering the financial marketplace can be daunting for young professionals who have no prior experience investing. Understanding how best to navigate the stock market is a major learning curve which can put individuals at risk of serious financial loss. The most successful young investors are those who do their research before diving into the market.
Our financial advisors at Miser Wealth Partners are committed to providing actionable tips for young professionals who are new to investing. The sooner you get started, the more you can reap the benefits of the dynamic American marketplace. Continue reading to learn a few valuable pieces of investment advice for young professionals.
1. Be realistic about your financial flexibility
One of the best ways that you can prepare before leaping into the stock market is by assessing your capacity to take financial risks. Young people often get sucked into trendy investment opportunities such as cryptocurrencies, which have recently developed a major buzz in the media. These types of investments are considered high-risk, high-reward, meaning it is entirely possible for you to lose all of the money you have invested in a matter of hours. If however, you earn a high enough income to take serious risks with your money, only then is it advisable to experiment with these sorts of investments. Ultimately, it is important to be realistic about your financial flexibility and to what degree you can afford to take risks.
2. Consider the next time you will need a large sum of money
Young professionals typically have far more expenses to prepare for in the near future than that of older adults. Whether you are getting ready to buy your first home, invest in a new business idea, or pay for a wedding, it is important to consider these milestones when entering the stock market. The best way to generate a high return on your investments is by leaving your money in the market for many years. With a well thought-out portfolio, you can gradually build on your investments over time. However, if you know that you will need to take out a large sum of money in the next few years, you may be better off putting your funds in a high interest savings account or finding another short-term solution.
3. Allocate a portion of your portfolio to low-risk stocks
Regardless of your financial flexibility, it is crucial to diversify your portfolio and include a solid foundation of low-risk stocks. This will give you a sense of stability and practically guarantee a return. Working with a financial advisor is a great way to gauge the stock market and learn which investment opportunities are sustainable in the long term.
4. Expect to lose your entire investment
Even with what appear to be the most sustainable, steadily growing investments, it is impossible to predict a sudden stock market crash. Historically, this has put investors in positions where they could no longer retire according to their desired timeline, or have had to give up on a major purchase that they have been saving for. Particularly when you are starting out, the best way to avoid unwanted surprises is by investing only what you can afford to lose. We recommend setting aside a small percentage of your income to start, and using these beginning years as a young professional to simply experiment. This will help you develop an understanding of the marketplace rather than stressing about potential losses.
Are you ready to dive into the world of investing? Get in touch with one of our experienced financial advisors at Miser Wealth Partners to discover more proven investment tips for young professionals.