Everyone wants to invest money, but not everyone knows how. This can be scary and overwhelming for someone just getting their feet wet in investing. If you’re a beginner, you might have some concerns or fears about starting out. There’s nothing wrong with that; many new investors face the same challenges as they explore this exciting world. It can help to know what questions to ask and what common investing myths could deter your progress as an investor. Let’s dig a bit and learn about 8 common investing myths you should know about as an investor.

8 common investment myths

Myth 1: you have to be an expert to invest

This idea is simply not true. Once you have some money saved up and have an investment account, anyone can make investments. It comes down to making wise choices, which anyone can do. There are many tools and resources available to help investors make better choices. You don’t need to know everything about investing to succeed. Some investors may feel more comfortable with a knowledgeable expert guiding them through the process. This can be a good option for someone who wants help with the big picture but doesn’t want to get into the nitty-gritty details of investing.

Myth 2: you need millions of dollars to be successful as an investor

This is another common myth that’s not true. As long as you find a good investment vehicle, you don’t have to have millions in the bank to be successful. Millions of people want to make investments, but they don’t have millions in their savings account. This can be intimidating to someone just getting started. Some investors feel they need millions to be successful, but they don’t.

Myth 3: black sheep investing is bad

This idea is similar to the million-dollar myth. While investing can be risky, black sheep investing is the opposite. Instead of trying to find the best investment and sticking with it, black sheep investors swing from one investment to another. They don’t know what they’re looking for and have no idea what’s going on in the investment world. Generally, this ends up being a losing strategy. Black sheep investing is not bad. It’s just not a strategy that rewards investors with consistent, long-term returns.

Myth 4: exchanges are unsafe

This is another common myth that’s not true. Exchanges are safe and reliable if you choose the right ones. They’re a great way to find a good investment vehicle. In fact, there are many different exchanges where you can find a great fund or fund family suited to your needs. Just make sure you choose a reliable exchange that doesn’t have issues.

Myth 5: the only choice is stock investing

Investing is widely misunderstood to imply owning primarily stocks. This is not true. You can even choose from many alternative possibilities, such as bonds, commodities, currencies, mutual funds or real estate. The accumulation of assets that empower you to meet your investment goal makes up your portfolio.

Every asset has features that enable it to achieve one or more objectives. You must diversify your assets as a novice. Understanding what will and won’t work for you, in the long run, is easily achieved by diversification.

Myth 6: savings will save you in the long run

Saving is crucial if you want to save for your financial future. Your wealth will inevitably evaporate if you do not put your savings in assets that can outperform inflation.

For instance, if the yearly inflation rate continues at 5–6 % and your money is retained in a savings account that only pays you 3–4 % annually, you are doing nothing but eroding your money. Even if you keep your money in fixed deposits, the majority of banks will give you a 5.5% to 5.5% return. Your post-tax returns from these FDs will be 3.5–3.7% (on a 30 % tax bracket).

Therefore, it only makes sense to spread out your investments throughout various asset classes, such as debt, real estate, stock, etc., in order to beat inflation by a significant margin and build wealth over the long run. Saving money is important, but investing in the right financial products will help you ensure your financial future.

Myth 7: stocks vs. Bonds

Myth 7 is another frequent inquiry from novice investors. While they may be different, they’re both forms of investment. There are also many different subcategories of these, too. You can invest in stocks and real estate, but you can also invest in commodities, bonds, and even foreign currencies. When someone is trying to decide what to invest in, they may want to make sure they’re choosing wisely. They may choose the wrong option if they’re not clear on the difference between stocks and bonds.

Myth 8: having life insurance is an investment

One of the investors’ biggest misconceptions is that life insurance policies are mutual funds that provide them with life insurance. Honestly, it’s not! Insurance policies are risk-mitigation strategies that will support your family if anything unexpected happens to you. Consequently, you need to purchase a term insurance policy to gain comprehensive coverage at a very low premium.

Bottom line

Investing can be fun and rewarding, but it takes work. Although the process is a little different for everyone, making daily decisions, setting short-term goals, and investing in the right vehicles is important. The more you do this, the more you’ll understand about investing, and the better your results will be. It’s important to remember that the journey is just as important as the outcome. Investing in a broad sense can include a lot of different things, including stocks, real estate, and even cryptocurrencies.

There are countless ways someone can invest. It’s important to debunk the old investment myths and try your hand at investing with enthusiasm. Connecting with a skilled, knowledgeable, and professional manager helps diversify your portfolio and reduce the risk factor. Contact the experts at All Seasons Wealth for advice and guidance. The team assists their clients to attain their financial freedom and help them achieve their financial goals together.