When to invest in stocks? When you have these 3 things sorted

When to invest in stocks?

Investing in stocks is a great way to grow your wealth and secure your financial future. There are plenty of markets offering opportunities for investors from the ASX to Wall Street. Modern broker offerings mean you can invest in certain markets without paying any brokerage.

But many people don’t know when the best time is to start investing in stocks. Some will say it is in a bear market, when you can buy great companies at discounted prices. Others will say you need to have $x amount saved up. In our view, the answer isn’t concrete. It depends on when you figure out some key issues.

When should you start to invest in stocks? When you’ve got these 3 things sorted

1. Your risk tolerance

Before starting your investing journey, it’s important to understand how much risk you’re comfortable taking. Are you a conservative investor who is looking for steady returns with less volatility? Or are you more of an aggressive investor who is willing to take on greater risks in exchange for potentially higher returns?

Knowing your risk tolerance can help you decide which stocks may be right for you.

2. Your time horizon

You should also consider your time horizon — that is, how long you plan on holding onto whatever companies you invest in.

Long-term investors tend to have more success when buying and holding high-quality companies for many years. On the other hand, short-term traders may look to buy and sell positions within a few days or weeks, and may employ more technical strategies.

3. Your Investing Goal or Goals

It’s also important to consider your investing goal or goals when deciding when to take the plunge. Are you looking to save for retirement, build an emergency fund, or simply make some extra money? Or perhaps is it a combination of several factors. Depending on your goal, different investment strategies may be appropriate. For example, if you are saving for retirement, you may want to consider stocks that pay dividends and carry little risk – the Big Banks being an example of this.

So as you can see, it is not about having enough savings or being a certain age. Anyone can be an investor in the markets, so long as they have sorted out the 3 issues above.

What next?

Once investors have these things sorted, should they jump straight in? Not necessarily. We advise 2 courses of action.

1. Educate Yourself on Investing Basics

Before investing in stocks, it’s important to educate yourself on basic investing concepts. Take the time to learn about fundamental analysis, technical analysis, and stock market terminology.

You may also want to check out online investing courses or join an investment club to help you learn more about investing.

2. Start Small and Build Up From There

Investing in equities can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Many online brokerages offer low-cost stock trading tools that make investing accessible and affordable.

Even if you are just starting out with a small account, you can start by making smaller investments in a few stocks and gradually increase your investment size over time.

Conclusion

With some careful planning and strategic investments, trading stocks can be a great way to help increase your wealth over time. Nonetheless, they can also be a way to lose money, and so no matter when you decide to start investing in stocks, it’s important to do your research, make sure that you understand all of the risks involved and keep a constant eye on your investments.

What are the Best ASX Stocks to invest in right now?

Check our buy/sell tips