Investment 101: A Chill Guide
Investment 101: A Chill Guide to Getting Started
So you’ve been hearing about investing—maybe your friends are into stocks, or you’ve seen TikToks about ETFs and crypto. But where do you even begin? Don’t worry, you don’t need a finance degree or a Wall Street mentor to get started. This guide is here to break it down in plain English.
First Things First: Some Solid Resources
- The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
- Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
- Investopedia – Like Wikipedia, but for finance
- Morningstar – Great for checking out mutual funds and ETFs
- Podcasts like The Indicator or BiggerPockets
What Even Is Investing?
Investing is basically putting your money to work. Instead of letting it chill in a savings account earning next to nothing, you’re buying assets—like stocks, bonds, or real estate—that (hopefully) grow in value over time.
Why Bother?
- Inflation is sneaky – Your money loses value if it just sits there.
- Compound interest is powerful – The earlier you start, the more it snowballs.
- Freedom goals – Want to retire early? Travel more? Investing helps make that happen.
Types of Investments (aka Your Options)
| Type | What It Is | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Tiny pieces of companies you can own | High |
| Bonds | You lend money, they pay you back (with interest) | Low to Medium |
| ETFs | Bundles of stocks you can buy like one stock | Medium |
| Real Estate | Buying property to rent or sell | Medium to High |
| Crypto | Digital currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum | Very High |
How to Start Without Freaking Out
- Set a goal – Retirement? Buying a house? Just growing your money?
- Emergency fund first – Before investing, make sure you’ve got cash for surprises.
- Pick a platform – e.g., your trusted broker or bank.
- Start small – Even €20 a month is a great start.
- Keep learning – Markets change; keep your knowledge current.