5 Simple Ways To Invest Your First $1,000 – Forbes

It can be a scary time to think about investing but the recent pullback offers a good opportunity to learn how to invest.

Too many people think that you need to be rich or wait for a market downturn to start investing because “stocks are too expensive.”

The reality is that investing is a skill you must practice and learn over a period of decades. The one trait most successful investors share is making consistent investments—even if it’s a small amount of cash each time.

The first $1,000 you invest can be the most important investment you’ll ever make.

This statement may sound like an exaggeration at first, but here are two reasons why:

• Your first investment has a lifetime to earn passive income
• A failed investment may discourage you from investing more

While no investment is risk-free, a diversified portfolio helps you prepare for the market ups and downs. Investing with a long-term trajectory and choosing well-diversified assets can help you become a successful investor.

Fortunately, investing isn’t rocket science, despite what experts want you to think, and you don’t need to monitor the market all the time. The key is getting started and keeping it simple by buying high-quality assets with low fees.

If you don’t know where to invest your cash, here are some of the best assets to consider first.

Index Funds

Whether you can invest $1,000 or $10 million at the moment, it’s always important to remain diversified. Successful investors balance potential gains with downside risk and investment fees. The potential upside needs to be higher than the potential risk and costs to make money.

Index funds can be your best starting point because of their low costs and instant diversification. Many early retirees use index funds as a portfolio cornerstone. These funds track a specific market index and have a position in each company within that index.

A single share for several S&P 500 companies cost more than $1,000 each. Instead of only being able to buy a handful of shares for your favorite companies, buying the index is the easiest way to get exposure to the broad market. As a result, you can instantly diversify your portfolio.  

In addition to the instant diversification benefits, index funds have some of the lowest expense ratios. Low investment expenses mean more of your cash invests so you can earn more income.

Index funds have low expenses because they follow a passive investment strategy. Instead of trying to “beat the market,” index funds seek to match the overall market performance.

You can buy index funds as either or mutual fund or ETF at most brokerages with no trade commissions. You may need to buy ETFs by the share if the broker if you can’t afford the investment minimum for the mutual fund version.

While it’s not hard to invest in index funds, you may be initially overwhelmed by all of the options. Consider this three-fund portfolio to get exposure in the U.S. and global markets.

Target-Date Retirement Funds

For a more hands-off approach, you can pick a target-date retirement fund. For example, you would choose a 2050 target-date fund if you plan to retire in 30 years.

These funds typically invest in index funds with age-based risk tolerance. As your projected retirement date approaches, the fund increases its allocation of less volatile assets like bonds. 

You may appreciate these funds if you don’t feel confident rebalancing your portfolio. The minimum initial investment can be less than buying an index fund. Vanguard, for example, only requires $1,000 to start investing in their target retirement funds and $3,000 for index funds. 

As the fund manager plays a more active role, target-date funds have higher expense ratios than index funds.

Some target funds are more active than you might realize. As a result, their investing strategy may be more aggressive than you’re comfortable pursuing.

Certificates of Deposit

If you still have several decades until the traditional retirement age, most of your assets should be in stocks and equities. These assets have more risk but also have more long-term potential income so you can afford retirement.

You might park some of your cash in a bank certificate of deposit (CD) if you’re not putting the entire $1,000 into the market at once. These products pay a fixed yield for a specific number of months. However, your current annual returns won’t outpace inflation as most CDs yield low single digit APY at best.

Your brokerage high-interest cash management account is a similar alternative. The yield might be less than a bank CD and it isn’t fixed for a term but you have near-instant access to your cash without penalty

Individual Stocks  

New investors may have a burning desire to invest in individual stocks for their favorite brands. Maybe you have your eye on a dividend aristocrat.

Individual stocks are inherently riskier than a mutual fund or ETF. Until your portfolio balance expands, it can be difficult to buy stock and remain diversified.

A wise strategy can be buying an index fund or target-date fund first. Then you can buy a high-quality stock with any remaining funds. Take the time to ask these investing questions first. 

Zero trade commissions and fractional investing make owning individual stocks more affordable than ever. Choosing a broker with minimal cost barriers for funds and individual stock can make investing easier as your portfolio grows.

Alternative Assets

Stock market alternatives are another popular investment trend. Some of the private assets you can access include:

• Crowdfunded real estate
• Precious metals
• Cryptocurrency
• Small business loans
• Peer-to-peer loans

Thanks to investing rule changes in 2012, average investors can invest in private equity markets with small amounts of money. These assets were previously only available to accredited investors and those with plenty of free cash. 

These assets have a more exciting investment story and can outperform the average stock market return. However, these assets each have their own unique set of risks. Their fees and investment minimums can also be higher than index funds and target-date funds.

Crowdfund real estate may not produce negative returns like a real estate index fund can during a broad market correction. However, crowdfund real estate can lose money if the property sells for a loss or the borrower defaults. 

Also, crowdfund assets may have a multi-year investment commitment and can take several weeks to sell. You will likely pay an early redemption fee if you sell your position prematurely. In some cases, the platform may not let you sell if market conditions deteriorate.

You might try focusing on alternative assets once your portfolio is larger and can absorb riskier assets. And, once you have a firm understanding of how these stock market alternatives can make or lose money.

Best Investment Account for New Investors

Which assets you invest your first $1,000 in is vital to starting a healthy investing career. The type of investment account you open is also worth pondering.

For example, retirement accounts like a 401(k) or an IRA minimize your taxable investment income. However, most withdrawals before you turn 59 ½ years old are subject to an early withdrawal penalty.

Taxable brokerage accounts require you to report your sold investments and dividend income on your annual tax return. Yet, you can have penalty-free access to your investments.

Here are the highlights of each investment account type. Choosing the best account can help you maximize your investing power.

401(k) Plan

Your employer-provided 401(k) plan is the first investment account for many. One reason why is that you can withhold money directly from your paycheck. If the funds must first reach your paycheck, you may use it to pay bills or save for upcoming expenses instead.

Another incentive is if your employer offers matching contributions. These contributions grow tax-deferred, and you pay income tax on the withdrawal amount. This tax treatment holds even if you have a Roth 401(k). Still, the match is “free money” that instantly makes your $1,000 increase before you get your first dividend payment.

Most 401(k) plans have relatively limited investment options:

• Index funds
• Target-date retirement funds
• Company stock

You likely won’t be able to invest in less-diversified investments like sector ETFs or individual stocks. But if you’re comfortable with only having passive investing assets, a 401(k) is a good start.

Traditional IRA

All traditional individual retirement account (IRA) contributions grow tax-deferred. You get an immediate tax deduction that can increase your tax refund. The only time you pay taxes is when you make a withdrawal on the withdrawal amount.

An IRA has more investment options as you can invest in any asset your brokerage offers. Your choices include individual stock, ETFs, and mutual funds at a full-service broker.

You can contribute to an IRA and a 401(k) at the same time if you have access to both account options. An IRA can have fewer fees and better investment offerings than your 401(k).

A traditional IRA can be your best option if you want the immediate tax benefits but don’t plan on touching this first $1,000 until retirement.

Roth IRA

A Roth IRA requires you to pay income tax on your contribution this year. The good news is that you won’t pay taxes again on your gains or withdrawals under current tax rules.

You will have the same flexible investment options as a traditional IRA. Roth IRAs can be better than a traditional account if you don’t need the immediate tax relief.

Taxable Account

You may decide to divide your $1,000 between a retirement and non-retirement investment account. Taxable accounts may not offer tax-advantaged investing, but you have instant access to your cash.

You may likely need to tap some of your investments before you can make penalty-free IRA or 401(k) withdrawals. It’s possible to “buy today and sell tomorrow,” although selling assets is a taxable event.

A taxable account is an excellent place to invest cash that you don’t want to keep in a stagnant bank account. This “flywheel fund” is not part of your emergency fund.

Use a Robo-Advisor?

It’s entirely possible to invest all by yourself, especially if you choose index funds and target-date funds. However, you might consider using a robo-advisor if you want the broker to manage your portfolio.

Robo-advisors charge a small additional fee—usually 0.25% of your account balance. Most of these automated platforms invest your cash in various index ETFs.

You can get similar results by doing it yourself. But if a fully-automated platform is what’s necessary for you to start investing in 2020, a robo-advisor can be a wise move.

Investing your first $1,000 is an exciting opportunity. Although investing may feel complicated at first, it’s easier than you think to diversify and keep your fees low.

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Source link