CREATE AN INVESTMENT PLAN: If there is one thing the pandemic taught us, depending on a single source of income is risky because the future is unpredictable. You would always have financial security by investing your funds in viable ventures, especially when the venture yields constant profits. To make the best out of your investments, you have to plan and be consistent with your plans.
Investment involves more than just buying a few cryptocurrencies or investing in stores. It takes a lot of planning to get the best out of your investment hence the term “investment plan.” Before investing in any financial venture, there are certain factors you must consider. These factors include your current financial situation, savings, and future financial goals. Also, to ascertain your optimal asset allocation, you will have to consider how much risk you are willing to take on as you invest.
CREATE AN INVESTMENT PLAN
If all the factors mentioned above are critically analyzed and considered as you plan, you will easily subvert risks or reduce their occurrence when you invest. This begs the question, “Which investment plan is best for me?” The simple truth is that there is no proper plan. There’s just you and your zeal to make sure that you scale through whatever you plan. Follow the guide below to create an investment plan and diversify your income sources.
Step 1: Assess your current financial position
Before you think of investing, you need to be aware of your financial position. What makes up your finances? Is it salary, small business income, or just savings? By answering these questions and creating a budget, you can quickly figure out how much you can invest. Your budget will have to cover all expenses and debt to ascertain how much will be left for investment.
No matter how tiny the amount left for investment is after budgeting, it would help if you aren’t discouraged. There is no right amount for investing. Only invest the amount that is convenient and easy to put away. Don’t budget more than you can afford because of how much others support you.
CREATE AN INVESTMENT PLAN
Step 2: Define the goals and objectives of your investment
The reasons you decide to invest usually cumulate your investment goals. So, why are you supporting? Is it because your retirement is near? Or do you want to buy a property? No matter how significant or insignificant your reasons are, they determine your investment goals. The timeframe for the investment plan can also be included in the goals. Knowing what you want to accomplish and when you want to achieve it will also help curb investment risks.
Step 3: Consider your risk threshold
There’s a famous saying in the investment space that goes thus, “the more risk, the higher your expected return, the lower the risk, the lower the expected return.” This quote can be misleading, especially for new investors, because it is not always like that.
Sometimes, the riskier ventures yield little or no profit, while the less risky ventures yield rewarding profits. Whatever the case, the onus rests on you to determine how much risk you can tolerate before investing. It doesn’t matter if you’re a low-risk taker; as long as you achieve goals, in the end, you’re good!
Step 4: Choose an investment strategy
Because of the time and age, we are in; there are several investment strategies that you can venture into. You will have to select the most suitable method for your budget and risk tolerance. Some of the most common investment strategies are explained below.
- Stocks: As most experienced investors have come to know, investing in stocks is one of the most lucrative forms of investment. The stock market grows at about 7% almost every year. All you need to do is purchase individual stocks in a viable company. By so doing, you become a partial owner of the company and make profits whenever the company makes profits.
- Investment funds: This strategy is usually managed by fund managers. Financial experts oversee, manage, and build the stock. As often as not, these financial experts find it difficult to beat the market when fund managers factor in fees for those who invest.
- Bonds: You can purchase bonds from the United States government or private companies. The returns from bonds are usually modest and not as glamorous as the returns from stocks. When you buy bonds, it’s like you’re loaning money to the government or company with hopes of getting close to 3% profits in exchange.
Other investment strategies may include Cryptocurrency, real estate, and annuities.
Step 5: Monitor your investments constantly.
After selecting an investment strategy and investing in it, the next step is to monitor your investments. It is easier to mitigate risks and check if it needs rebalancing when you monitor your investment. Rebalancing might mean you want to increase your monthly investment budget, are behind on your goals, are too far ahead of your goals, you want to move to a more stable investment strategy, or you want to take higher risks to reach your goals speedily. Whatever the reason, rebalancing is an integral part of your plan. Usually, after rebalancing, your investment portfolio will be in better shape.
Conclusion
The most important trait to have as an investor is enthusiasm. Research investment options and risks to help you make a sound investment plan in your enthusiasm. As a new investor, ask experienced investors for tips and invest immediately you feel the need. To gather more information on simple investment options, kindly visit The Atlas Invest. – CREATE AN INVESTMENT PLAN
