Advice for a complete investment beginner?

Vidar

Hi,

I only have a small amount to invest at the moment, and I am looking for advice on where to begin? Are there any particular books, YouTube channels or other materials that would be beneficial to a complete beginner?

Thanks,

Vidar

Alistair31

https://monevator.com/highlights/

dunstonh

Be wary of options that are not aimed at smaller investors. Investing is not fun.  it is not meant to be fun.  It is a task.   If you see options that seem like fun then they are likely to be dodgy or unsuitable.

Albermarle

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/investment-beginners/?_ga=2.53612712.1079067175.1585992456-416810279.1528033817
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/how-to-invest-money

DireEmblem

Hi there, you talk about investments - the two key questions you need to answer first - how easily do you need to be able to have access to your 'investment funds', and what is your appetite to risk?

If you may been the funds say in a few weeks, months or a up to a couple of years, then your risk appetite is probably likely low.

If you are looking for a long term investment, then your risk appetite is likely high.  If you do a quick google, you will probably come to see that 70% of individual investors do not beat the market, or 48% of investment funds do not beat their benchmarks.

Unless you have expertise, and it sounds like you don't, then what I would recommend you look at, is ensuring you minimise your ongoing costs, and protect the global value of your investment.  If you were to invest £1 today, and for that to be worth £5 in say 5 years time, with no other information, that would sound great yes?  Now what if I also told you, that today £1 would purchase $1.23, but in 5 years time, £1 would only buy you $0.1.  Now your £5 in 5 years doesn't sound as appealing does it?

Keep your investments costs low, and diversify.  This is just my opinion, to protect and grow your wealth.

OldMusicGuy

DIY Simple Investing: A Guide to Simple but Effective Low Cost Investing by John Edwards is a great place to start. 

RyanHello

Open a Vanguard Stocks and Shares ISA ... I think HSBC do one similar also. Pick a cautious fund and drip feed the account on a monthly basis. Think of the long term (3-5 years)  not the short term. 

badger09

RyanHello said:

Open a Vanguard Stocks and Shares ISA ... I think HSBC do one similar also. Pick a cautious fund and drip feed the account on a monthly basis. Think of the long term (3-5 years)  not the short term. 

In investment terms, 3 - 5 years is short term. And too short for most

RyanHello

badger09 said:

RyanHello said:

Open a Vanguard Stocks and Shares ISA ... I think HSBC do one similar also. Pick a cautious fund and drip feed the account on a monthly basis. Think of the long term (3-5 years)  not the short term. 

In investment terms, 3 - 5 years is short term. And too short for most

Ha! You're most likely right. Though i've only been investing for 3 years myself and that feels long term for me .... still drip feeding.. 

dunstonh

RyanHello said:

Open a Vanguard Stocks and Shares ISA ... I think HSBC do one similar also. Pick a cautious fund and drip feed the account on a monthly basis. Think of the long term (3-5 years)  not the short term. 

In general less than is short term.  5-10 is medium term.  10+ is long term (some interpret the scale differently nowadays as cycles have become longer with 3-7 years, 8-15 and 16+ covering the three)

With regular contributions, the risk is increased compared to single premiums.  So, the minimum term needs to be closer to 10 with an ideal of 15+ years.

Thrugelmir

RyanHello said:

badger09 said:

RyanHello said:

Open a Vanguard Stocks and Shares ISA ... I think HSBC do one similar also. Pick a cautious fund and drip feed the account on a monthly basis. Think of the long term (3-5 years)  not the short term. 

In investment terms, 3 - 5 years is short term. And too short for most

Ha! You're most likely right. Though i've only been investing for 3 years myself and that feels long term for me .... still drip feeding.. 

The real benefits of compounding kick in at the very end of the journey.