An important disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor and none of the below should be construed as financial advice. The below details tactics that have worked for me, but you should not expect to see similar success. Stock market investing is SUPER risky, only choose strategies that work for your personal goals and circumstances, and always seek advice from an accredited financial advisor.

Also, full disclosure: I am a proud affiliate, meaning if you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. My recommendations are based on deep experience with and knowledge of the products I mention and I recommend products only when they are genuinely helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I may receive. Please don’t spend any money on products I recommend unless you genuinely believe they will help you achieve your goals.

Are you interested in investing in the stock market and wondering how to get started?

It might feel overwhelming when you first get going, but if you start simply and take things one step at a time, it doesn’t have to be overly difficult to start investing in the stock market.

In this article, I’m going to provide you with 4 easy-to-follow steps to help you get started with investing in the stock market today. If you’re ready then let’s get started!

Psst… If you’re not sure whether or not investing in the stock market is right for you, I encourage you to read part 1 of this 2-part post series.

4 Steps to Help You Get Started

Hopefully, by now, you’ve done your research, whether you decided to read The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing, A Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market, or other resources to support your financial growth and knowledge.

So you’ve done your research and now you’re ready to take your first official step in your stock market investing journey. Congratulations! 

It might feel scary, but this is an exciting step in your new journey.

You’ll want to get started by following these 4 steps:

Open a brokerage account. 

A brokerage account is a type of account that allows you to buy and sell stocks and other investments. There are many different brokerage firms to choose from, so do some research to find one that’s right for you.

Personally, I prefer eTrade, though there are plenty of great options out there. I like eTrade because the platform is user-friendly, and there’s loads of helpful information on the website. 

While eTrade isn’t super flashy, it does have everything a new investor needs, and it really doesn’t leave much to be desired.

If you’re looking for more of a retirement account, I personally prefer Vanguard. I like Vanguard because it has low fees and the platform is pretty straightforward and simple to use.

Fund your account. 

Once you’ve opened a brokerage account, you’ll need to fund it with money that you can afford to invest. You can fund your account with a check, a bank transfer, or a credit card.

While I can’t speak to too many other platforms, eTrade and Vanguard both make it pretty easy to fund your accounts.

Choose your investment. 

Your individual investment strategy will depend on your personal goals and risk tolerance, though I generally favor getting started with index funds (which is how I started out).

There are many different index funds to choose from, so do some research to find one that meets your investment goals.

It’s also a good idea to meet with a financial advisor if you need additional support.

Invest your money. 

Once you’ve chosen a fund or stocks to invest in, you can invest your money by placing an order with your brokerage firm.

Both eTrade and Vanguard make it simple to choose and invest your funds, so simply place your order and you’ll be on your way to getting your first investment(s)!

Additional Tips for Success Investing in the Stock Market

Here are some additional tips for beginning investors:

Don’t try to time the market. 

It’s impossible to predict when the market will go up or down, so don’t try to time your investments. Just invest regularly and let the market do its thing.

Don’t panic sell. 

When the market goes down, it’s tempting to sell your investments. While there are exceptions, it’s usually best to stay calm and ride out the storm.

Don’t pay too much in fees. 

There are a lot of different fees associated with investing, so it’s important to shop around for a brokerage firm that offers low fees.

A difference of 1-2% may not seem like much, but if you calculate the potential cost over time it adds up fast!

Get help from a financial advisor. 

If you’re not sure where to start, it’s a good idea to get help from a financial advisor. They can help you create a personalized investment plan and make sure you’re on track to reach your goals.

Keep track of your performance.

You’ll want to monitor the performance of your investments over time and ensure you are reaching your goals. 

Over time, you’ll also likely gain more confidence and knowledge and will want to apply that newfound knowledge to further optimize your gains.

While you’ll likely want to keep investing for the long term, don’t be afraid to make changes that you’re confident will best support your financial goals.

Psst… if you need help keeping track of the progress toward your goals (financial and otherwise), I recommend using ClickUp.

Conclusion

Investing in the stock market can be a great way to grow your wealth over time. Just remember to start small, invest for the long term, and reinvest your dividends. With a little patience and discipline, you can reach your financial goals.

Think investing in the stock market will help you achieve your FIRE goals? Check out the posts page for more ways you can FIRE Your Career and achieve financial freedom.

FIRE Your Career: Achieve Financial Freedom Through Your Career & Spend MORE Time Doing What You Love.

Products I recommend in this article:

The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing (introductory stock market investing book)

A Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market (a more advanced stock market investing book)

eTrade (a brokerage company)

Vanguard (a brokerage company that specializes in retirement funds)

ClickUp (project management software to keep track of your progress toward your goals)