 TITLE: How to Start Investing CONTENT: How to Begin Investing\n----------------------\nTo get your feet wet, consider contributing to your employer-offered 401(k) plan, if you have one. Retirement accounts—like a 401(k) or an IRA— are managed investments that help you spread your money across different types of securities, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds and more. These accounts typically have a fund advisor who can help teach you what types of investments are available and assist you in choosing which one may be right for you. They'll also help teach you about how investing works and can be a good stepping stone to taking on other investments down the line.\nIf you're already contributing to your 401(k) and are ready to do some investing on your own, you should consider whether you want to seek the assistance of a financial advisor or a \"robo-advisor.\" Financial advisors are people you work with to develop an investment strategy based on your financial profile. These advisors charge a fee for their services and sometimes have a minimum account size they'll take on.\nHow Investments Affect Your Credit\n----------------------------------\nInvesting typically has no effect on your credit scores, as investment accounts are not listed in your credit report and, in most cases, credit checks are not needed to purchase investments. Investments also don't involve borrowing, and as a result, no record of repayment is created.\nOne of the few exceptions to this is if you want to open a margin trading account, which may require that you authorize a credit check. Margin accounts allow you to borrow money from your brokerage to make trades with cash you may not have liquid at the time. The brokerage uses your existing investment portfolio as collateral for your loan. When you apply for a margin account, the brokerage will probably check your credit, which will result in a hard inquiry being listed in your credit reports.\nOverall, investing extra money you have may be able to help you build wealth over time. While it takes time and attention, the payoff is worth it for many investors. Remember that all investing involves some level of risk, so make sure you have all your personal finances in order before allocating too much of your money toward building your investment portfolio. END