Latest Posts on: Investing
The Wash Sale Rule. How Investors Can Keep Clean and Avoid the Mess
In a previous post, I reflected on some of the key differences between traders and investors. Investors are in it for the long-term, holding investments for years or...
Are You a Trader or an Investor? Or Both? What’s the Difference?
I consider myself both a trader and an investor. Most traders are also investors, but not all investors are traders. An investor puts money in the market for the...
Capital Gains or Income? How Are Your Investments Taxed?
With a few exceptions, most of your investments are either going to be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains Investment (In 2020) Taxed as: Interest Non-qualified...
Inflation is Quietly Decimating Your Savings. What to do about it
Without giving away my age, let’s just say that when I was “younger” 1 million dollars sounded like a lot of money. And it was. But thanks to inflation—even...
What’s the best investment?
The investment(s) that meet your financial goals while taking on the least amount of risk needed
Master List of Investment Goals
Why do you want to invest?
Which goals are important to you? Which 1-3 goals are a top priority?
(← scroll →)
| Not Important | Important | Top Priority | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | To be better off than my peers | |||
| 2 | To pay for self-improvement (eg, back to school) | |||
| 3 | To experience the excitement of investing | |||
| 4 | To start a new business | |||
| 5 | To buy a home | |||
| 6 | To help pay for my kid's education | |||
| 7 | To stop working and do something I love | |||
| 8 | To go on a dream vacation | |||
| 9 | To relocate in retirement | |||
| 10 | To care for aging relatives | |||
| 11 | To give to charity or other cause | |||
| 12 | To feel secure about finances in retirement | |||
| 13 | To feel secure about finances now | |||
| 14 | To leave an inheritance to loved ones | |||
| 15 | To retire early | |||
| 16 | To pay for future medical and long-term care expenses | |||
| 17 | To not be a financial burden as I grow older |
Get Started:
Index Fund Investing for Beginners
Get started saving for your long-term financial goals
Saving for a Home Down Payment?
Eight investing choices for a short-term financial goal
Inflation is Quietly Decimating Your Savings
What to do about it
Stock Index Investing Ideas
These are ideas only. If you are interested in investing, please double-check the expense ratios at your financial institution.
Read the full article:
Index Fund Investing for Beginners. Get started saving for your long-term financial goals.
July 2021. US = United States; ID = International, developed countries; EM = Emerging markets. Funds are suggestions only; please do your own research before investing.
*Fees may change at any time and vary based on where the fund is puchased.
This information has been provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any opinions expressed are my own and may not be appropriate in all cases. All efforts have been made to provide accurate information; however, mistakes happen, and laws change; information may not be accurate at the time you read this. Links are included for reference but should not be considered an implied endorsement of these organizations or their products. Please seek out a licensed professional for current advice specific to your situation.
Liz Baker, PhD
I’m an authority on investing, retirement, and taxes. I love research and applying it to real-world problems. Together, let’s find our paths to financial freedom.
