 TITLE: Is Now the Time to Start Investing? CONTENT: How to Start Investing\n----------------------\nAt one time, investing in the stock market meant working with a financial planner or stock broker. Now, online brokers, easy-to-use investment apps and company 401(k) plans simplify the process of investing.\nNo matter what platform you use to invest, you'll need to have a firm understanding of the different types of securities you can purchase. Here are some of the more common investments:\n*   **Stocks**: Individual stocks are essentially small ownership stakes in publicly traded companies. You can buy multiple shares of a stock, and as each share rises in value, your ownership stake increases in value (or decreases, if the stock value goes down). The objective with individual stocks is to buy low and sell high. The process of seeing a return can take time, but can also happen in a matter of minutes if a company's situation changes.\n*   **Bonds**: When you buy a bond, you're essentially giving a corporation or government agency a loan. In exchange, you'll earn interest on your bond investment. Bonds are typically issued for set periods of time, and you'll get your original investment back plus the interest that accrued over that time when you cash them in. Bonds are known to have lower rates of return, but are significantly less volatile than other investments.\n*   **Index and mutual funds**: These investment instruments pool money from multiple investors and use the collective funds to invest in different types of securities. Index funds are a type of mutual fund tied to popular stock indexes, like the S&P 500, meaning the underlying securities in these funds closely mirror those found in the index they track. Other mutual funds are compiled of various stocks, bonds and other securities that are selected by the fund manager. The advantage of index and mutual funds is they allow you to diversify your investments without having to purchase and manage the individual securities in your portfolio.\nOnce you've determined what type of securities you want to buy, start thinking about the tools you can use to manage your investments. The easiest and often smartest way to start investing is through your company's 401(k) plan, if it has one. Many companies match a portion of the funds you invest in your account to encourage saving for your retirement, adding to your investment at no cost to you. You'll be offered a variety of funds from which to choose; if you're not sure which to pick, you can usually contact the company's fund advisor for advice.\nIf you're funding your 401(k) or other retirement vehicle and are looking for additional investment opportunities, you have several options:\n*   **Online brokerage accounts**: These accounts give you total control over what you buy and sell and when. TD Ameritrade and E-Trade are examples of this type of investment vehicle.\n*   **Robo-advisor investing applications**: Companies such as Acorns and Robinhood offer automated investing solutions based on your financial situation and goals. They typically charge less than human financial advisors and tend to invest in index funds, making them a good choice for entry-level investors. Keep in mind that robo-advisors do not offer financial planning.\n*   **Traditional financial advisors**: An in-person financial advisor can not only offer you advice on where to put your investments, but can answer any questions you may have. You'll pay more for this personal touch—and may need a minimum amount to invest before they'll even take you on as a client—but financial advisors can offer you more in-depth financial advice and guidance than other options.\nEach of these options has its own advantages, and you should choose one that fits with your dedication to managing your portfolio and your level of experience. As always, if you feel uncertain about how to get started and what strategy you should use, contact a financial professional such as a certified financial planner for help. END