Why do so many people never obtain the financial independence they desire? Often, it’s because they just don’t take that first step—getting started. Besides procrastination, other excuses people make are that investing is too risky, complicated, time-consuming, and only for the rich.

The fact is, there’s nothing complicated about common investing techniques, and it rarely takes much time to understand the basics. One of the biggest risks you face is not educating yourself about which investments may help you pursue your financial goals and how to approach the investing process.

Saving Versus Investing

Both saving and investing have a place in your finances. However, don’t confuse the two. Saving is setting aside money for a financial goal, whether that is done as part of a workplace retirement savings plan, an individual retirement account, a bank savings account, or some other savings vehicle. Investing is deciding what you do with those savings. Some investments help protect your principal—the initial amount you’ve set aside—but may provide little or no return. Other investments can go up or down in value and might pay interest or dividends. Stocks, bonds, cash alternatives, precious metals, and real estate all represent investments; mutual funds are a way to purchase such investments and are themselves an investment.

Note: Before investing in a mutual fund, carefully consider its investment objectives, risks, charges, and fees, which can be found in the prospectus available from the fund. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Why Invest ?

You invest for the future, and the future is expensive. For example, because people live longer, retirement costs are often higher than many expect. Though all investing involves the possibility of loss, including the loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investment strategy will succeed, investing is one way to prepare for that future.

You must take responsibility for your own finances, even if you need expert help. Government programs will probably play a less significant role for you than they did for previous generations. Corporations are switching from guaranteed pensions to plans that require you to make contributions and choose investments. The better you manage your dollars, the more likely you’ll have the money to make the future what you want it to be.

Because everyone has different goals and expectations, everyone has distinct reasons for investing. Understanding how to match those reasons with your investments is simply one aspect of managing your money to provide a comfortable life and financial security for you and your family.

What Is the Best Way to Invest ?

• Get in the habit of saving. Set aside a portion of your income regularly. Automate that process by having money automatically put into your investment account before you spend it.
• Invest so that your money at least keeps pace with inflation.
• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Though asset allocation and diversification don’t guarantee a profit or ensure against the possibility of loss, having multiple types of investments may help reduce the impact of a loss on any single investment.
• Focus on long-term potential, not confused with long-term investments, rather than short-term price fluctuations.
• Ask questions and become educated before making any investment.
• Invest with your head, think about your decision and discuss with a professional if necessary before investing.

Before You Start

Organize your finances to help manage your money more efficiently. Remember, investing is just one component of your overall financial plan. Get a clear picture of where you are today.

What’s your net worth? Compare your assets with your liabilities. Look at your cash flow. Be clear on where your income is going each month. List your expenses. You can typically identify enough expenses to account for at least 95 percent of your income. If not, go back and look again. You could use those lost dollars for investing.

Establish a solid financial base: You have an adequate emergency fund, sufficient insurance coverage, and a realistic budget. Also, take full advantage of your employer’s benefits and retirement plans.

Understand the Impact of Time

Take advantage of the power of compounding. Compounding is the earning of interest on interest or the reinvestment of income. For instance, if you invest $1,000 and get a return of 8 percent, you will earn $80. By reinvesting the earnings and assuming the same rate of return, the following year, you will earn $86.40 on your $1,080 investment. The following year, $1,166.40 will earn $93.31. (This hypothetical example is intended as an illustration and does not reflect the performance of a specific investment).

Use the Rule of 72 to judge an investment’s potential. Divide the projected return into 72. The answer is the number of years it will take for the investment to double. For example, an investment that earns 8 percent per year will double in 9 years.

Consider Whether You Need Expert Help

If you have the time and energy to educate yourself about investing, you may not feel you need assistance. However, for most people—especially those with substantial assets and multiple investment accounts—it may be worth getting expert help in creating a financial plan that integrates long-term financial goals such as retirement with other, more short-term needs. However, be aware that all investment involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investment strategy will succeed.

Review Your Progress

Financial management is an ongoing process. Keep good records and recalculate your net worth annually. This will help you for tax purposes and show you how your investments are doing over time. Once you take that first step of getting started, you can better manage your money to pay for today’s needs and pursue tomorrow’s goals.

Have questions? Need help? Schedule an appointment with a Hargreaves Financial Pty retirement counselor today.

Hargreaves Financial Pty is a provider of investment advice and dealing services to corporate, sophisticated, professional and private clients.