{"id":245716,"date":"2012-01-24T03:12:23","date_gmt":"2012-01-24T10:12:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getrichslowly.org\/?p=245716"},"modified":"2023-09-21T15:08:44","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T21:08:44","slug":"when-start-investing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getrichslowly.org\/when-start-investing\/","title":{"rendered":"When should I start investing?"},"content":{"rendered":"
You are never too young to start investing. No, I don’t know how old you are, but if you can read and type well enough to be here reading this article, it’s a pretty good bet you’ve got some understanding of personal finance and a curiosity to know more. You’ve come to the right place!<\/p>\n
Investing is, in many ways, like learning a second language: It’s easier, and more rewarding, to get started when you’re young. My grandpa gave all of his grandchildren heavy silver coins when we were very young; since then, I have been fascinated with the concept of storing something away with the hope that its value will grow over time.<\/p>\n
When do you invest?<\/strong><\/p>\n The typical age of majority is 18–the age when you are legally old enough to enter into a contract, and legally old enough to buy and sell stocks in your own name. For those who haven’t reached this age, there are still many possibilities for investing:<\/p>\n I believe that a good time to begin investing is when you graduate college and\/or start your first “real” job. I’m not talking about that summer job you got for pocket money, but the one that supported you (and your family, if applicable).<\/p>\n Starting a monthly fixed investment plan with an organization such as Sharebuilder, or making regular contributions to a 401(k) or an IRA, are good ways to begin.<\/p>\n How do you invest?<\/strong><\/p>\n First of all, make sure you’ve taken care of your immediate cash needs. Most financial experts suggest saving an emergency fund<\/a> of three to six months’ worth of expenses (which would include your housing costs, utilities, food and minimum debt payments) before investing in anything long-term that you wouldn’t want to have to cash in unexpectedly.<\/p>\n Nearly every personal finance expert agrees that if your company provides a 401(k) with matching<\/a>, max out your investment here before you start your own investment account.<\/p>\n\n