How to Start Investing in Stocks: 4 Steps

The stock market may sound like something from a bygone era when men wore hats to work every day, and people grumbled around a paper. It may also seem like something best left to businessmen in ties, and many young people ignore the stock market, simply because they don’t know enough about it.

While it can seem daunting, investing in stocks is surprisingly easy to get started, and this guide will help you out. Investing in stocks can be a great way to grow your income, and it doesn’t have to be an intimidating experience. What’s important is understanding the basics.

Stock market graph

Without further adieu, here are the steps to take for getting started in stock investing:

Step #1: Choose your investing style

The first step in investing in the stock market is to choose your investor type. You can choose to monitor your stocks on your own, and you can monitor your stock funds on your own as well. Or, you can choose an automated service that invests in stocks for you, carefully tailoring your investment to suit your needs and capabilities.

Step #2: Choose your stock type

Next, you’ll choose between stock and stock mutual funds.

Individual stock would be if you wanted to invest in a specific company, while stock mutual funds allow you to invest across the board, having a small amount invested in multiple markets. Stock mutual funds are unlikely to make you boatloads of cash, since they’re a much safer investment. Individual stock can massively pay off–but it’s a massive risk. You can choose which option sounds more appealing to you.

Step #3: Set your budget

The next stage would be to determine your budget. Most of the time, you can’t get started in stock investment without a minimum of $1,000, but with stock mutual funds, that will still allow you to buy quite a few shares, since some shares may be as low as $10.

Step #4: Open an account

The last stage in the process of stock investment is to open your account. 401(k) and IRA accounts are common. You can choose from a list of best brokers for beginners to choose an account with no minimum deposit. From there, you’ll want to watch the market and continue to research.

Knowing as much as you can about the stocks available and the stocks you already invest in will help you make better decisions. MMJ stocks and others often have blogs devoted to their progress, so that you can stay on top of current details.

Stock market investing

Takeaway

It’s often best to get assistance when opening a new account. Many trained specialists are available to help you research, understand, and appropriately invest in what’s available.

While the stock market isn’t a venture to begin without knowledge, it’s a tried and true method of investment and financial gain, well worth your effort to invest in and understand.