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Last Updated on January 9, 2018 by Work In My Pajamas
The world of investing seems, for many of us, to be a mysterious and impenetrable one. Many people assume that to invest, individuals need a significant amount of experience and access to relatively large financial reserves. While this was once true, in today’s world, just about anyone can enter into the world of investing, whether it is in stocks, commodities, or currency. Technology has dramatically reduced the barriers to investing and has made it a more accessible and viable activity than ever before.
While it is now easy for anyone to invest, that doesn’t mean that it is wise to rush into it. Investing is still a tricky, and risky, business. If you are considering beginning to make investments and opening a portfolio then you need to make sure that you have a complete understanding of exactly what it is that you are getting yourself into.
The Goldman Sachs sophomore internship is an excellent starting point for those who are looking to begin their investing careers. It is hard to replicate the same level of expertise and the value of knowledge that can be earned by taking part in such an internship.
Here are some of the other steps that you can take to ensure that you begin your investment career on the best terms possible. The more knowledge that you have beforehand and the better your understanding of how the world of investments works when you begin, the greater your chances of success.
In This Post:
Figuring out Assets
The underlying philosophy of all investing is that by putting money down now, investors can earn more money back later. Usually, the most effective and safest way of achieving this is to invest in what are known as ‘productive assets’. A productive asset is one that produces money all by itself, for example, a piece of property. If you invest your money in a house or apartment building, then you can earn money from renting out space in that property. On the other hand, if you invest your money in a painting, then you will own an object which has value in and of itself (and may increase in value over time), but the asset itself does not generate any income.
Stocks
Most investments in stock are an investment in what is known as ‘common stock’. Common stock is a stake in a business, meaning that by owning stock, you also own a certain amount of the company that stock has come from. This ownership is known as equity. When you own a certain percentage of the equity in a business, you are also entitled to a corresponding slice of the profits. However, when investing in stocks you need to remember that in addition to being entitled to a slice of the profits, you are also liable for any losses that are incurred.
Apps
There are now a plethora of apps available which are designed to make investing accessible to those with no prior experience. Check out this guide to investment apps for an idea of what kind of apps are available.
Before you begin investing, you need to do as much research as you can. Forewarned is forearmed. If you don’t know what you are getting into, then you are exposing yourself to considerable financial risks.
