How You Should Invest If You're a Millennial | Jessica Moorhouse (2024)

September 26, 2016

This post is sponsored by TD. All views and opinions expressed represent my own.

Ever wonder how exactly you should invest if you’re a millennial? Because let’s be honest, investing as a millennial is way different than investing like our parents’ generation.

Now, we all know that investing is an important element of personal finance on top of budgeting, saving, and paying down debt, but for some reason, it’s also usually the last thing we Millennials try to tackle.

Afraid of or Clueless AboutInvesting? You’re Not Alone

Investing, especiallywhen you’re very new to it, can seemintimidating. You don’t want to do it wrong for fear of losing your hard-earned money, but whenever you talk to people about it, it doesn’t seem like anyone really knows anything about it. They’ll throw around terms like ETFs orGICs, but when you ask them specifically what any of those mean or when is a good time to start investing, it’s hard to get a clear answer.

If you’re nodding your head right now, I feel you! I went through the exact same thing in my early 20s. It was incredibly frustrating wanting to invest, but not having a clear roadmap on how to go about it.

TD did a survey recently and unsurprisingly found that 36% of Millennials don’t know if it’s the right time to invest and 37% don’t invest at all. So clearly there is a huge number of Millennials out there who are either afraid of the risk factor that comes with investing, or they just don’t know how to start — so they don’t.

HowIWould Suggest You Invest If You’re a Millennial

It’s simple — investing inIndex Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) is the way to go if you’re a Millennial. GICs and mutual funds just don’t offer the returns they once did, and their fees are notoriouslyhigh. Going the self-directed route is also a good way to go, especially since there are so many ways to do this now, like throughTD’s Direct Investing WebBroker™. Options like these help you cut down on costs, leaving you with more money in the end.

This is fairlycommon knowledge within the personal finance blogging community. That’s why I was so shocked to learn that many Millennials don’t consider self-directed investing an option because they don’t think they have enough money to do it, they don’t feel knowledgeable enough about it, or they just find it confusing.

Here’s the thing, it’s really not. As I mentioned earlier, there are so many different platforms out there to make it simple for you. For example, TD noticed that there was a need to simplify self-directed investing, so they created theTD Direct Investing WebBroker™. They’ve integrated tools to help you navigate the platform intuitively, focused on making the user experience a priority, and basically just make it easier for investors like you to reach your financial goals without having to constantly worry about how your investments are doing.

And This Is WhatYou Should Do Right After Reading this Post

The key takeaway from this post is that investing shouldn’t be complex or scary. And if someone, whether a friend, colleague, or advisor tells you otherwise, ignores them or runs away! Brush up on the ins and outs of Index Funds and ETFs (I highly suggest listening to my podcast episodes with Barry Choi and John Robertson for starters) and then choose a platform that will help you invest in these products.

And if you’re still not sure if right now is the right time to start investing… it is. Yes, because interest rates are low right now, you may not make that elusive 8-10% all the finance books talk about. But it’s important to remember that the sooner you start saving and investing for your future, the better off you’ll be.

And if you’re still not convinced, consider these investing ABC’s from Calvin MacInnis, S.V.P. of TD Direct Investing:

Act Now

No amount is too small when it comes to saving for your future. You just need to start, no matter how much money you can afford to contribute. The earlier you contribute, the bigger the impact those small sums will grow into down the road.

Brush Up On the Basics

You don’t have to be a math whiz to understand personal finance. It’s very basic stuff when you break it down. The important thing is to regularly brush up on the basics by readingbooks and blogs, watching educational videos, and listening to helpfulpodcasts to keep informed.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Never forget that you’re in control of your financial future. Don’t be afraid to try out self-directed investing because it seems confusing. It’s come a long way over the years and there are a number of platforms out there that are user-friendly, intuitive, and include helpful resources to guide you through it.

What are your thoughts on how to invest if you’re a millennial? Share in the comments.

How You Should Invest If You're a Millennial | Jessica Moorhouse (2)

Disclosure: Nothing on my website or affiliated channels should be considered advice or an endorsem*nt, and some content may include affiliate links in which I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Please read my disclaimer to learn more.
How You Should Invest If You're a Millennial | Jessica Moorhouse (2024)

FAQs

What do millennials want to invest in? ›

They Like Technology and Sustainability

Millennials and Gen Zers are also increasingly interested in ESG investments, which consider environmental, social, and governance factors, according to Nasdaq.. These investments enable this population to align values with their investment portfolios.

What age is too late to start investing? ›

It's never too late to start investing, but starting in your late 60s will impact the options you have. Consider Social Security strategies, income sources and appropriate asset allocation. A financial advisor may be able to help you project out your investment and income plan into the coming decades.

Is 63 too old to start investing? ›

So no, it isn't too late to start. If you're ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Regardless of what you commit to saving now, it is unlikely that your savings alone will support you. I don't say that to be discouraging.

How millennials view money and investing? ›

They are also more likely to express interest in investments that aim to tackle certain social and environmental issues. “Millennials don't just see money as a store of economic value, they see it as an expression of their ideals—such as inclusion & diversity, social justice and climate change” explains Dr.

What do millennials buy the most? ›

The average millennial is now entering their "sandwich generation" era and willing to spend lavishly to have more time to themselves. Colleagues and friends said they're spending money on house cleaners, babysitters, elder-care workers, dog walkers, and smart-home features.

Is starting a 401k at 40 too late? ›

Yes, it's very possible to retire comfortably even if you start saving at 40. Regular contributions to your retirement accounts will go a long way toward making that dream a reality. Take advantage of catch-up contributions after the age of 50.

How much do I need to invest starting at 40? ›

How much do you need to save? You need to invest at least 15% of your gross income for retirement. No exceptions! So if you're 40 years old and your household income is $80,000, that means you should be investing $1,000 each month into retirement.

How aggressive should my 401k be at $50? ›

Now, most financial advisors recommend that you have between five and six times your annual income in a 401(k) account or other retirement savings account by age 50. With continued growth over the rest of your working career, this amount should generally let you have enough in savings to retire comfortably by age 65.

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement? ›

The $1,000-a-month retirement rule says that you should save $240,000 for every $1,000 of monthly income you'll need in retirement. So, if you anticipate a $4,000 monthly budget when you retire, you should save $960,000 ($240,000 * 4).

Is it worth opening a Roth IRA at 50? ›

Opening or converting to a Roth in your 50s or 60s can be a good choice when: Your income is too high to contribute to a Roth through normal channels. You want to avoid RMDs. You want to leave tax-free money to your heirs.

How much should 65 year old have in stocks? ›

Key Takeaways

It may make sense to hold a percentage of stocks equal to 110 or 120 minus your age. You should consider other factors in your investment strategy, including the age at which you want to retire and the amount of money you think you'll need.

What are wealthy millennials investing in? ›

Where Are Young, Wealthy Investors Putting Their Money Now? The Bank of America survey found that 80% of young investors are now looking to alternative investments, such as private equity, commodities, real estate and other tangible assets.

Why do millennials struggle financially? ›

Key Takeaways. Millennials are confronting the distinct financial challenges they have, such as a post-recession job market, high student loan debt balances, a more expensive housing market, and growing credit card debt.

What is the average wealth of a millennial? ›

The average millennial under age 35 has a net worth of about $76,000; those over age 35 stand at over $400,000. Members of Generation X have average net worths between $400,000 and $833,000, and older generations including baby boomers and the Silent Generation have average net worths of over $1 million.

What are the millennial trends in investing? ›

Higher risk appetite: Millennials are 20% more likely than the average client to invest in alternative investments, 16% more likely than average to contribute to actively managed investments and three times more likely than older cohorts to use digital wallets.

What do millennials want the most? ›

Millennials' values include trust and freedom, which results in considering work flexibility as a norm. Millennials expect to be trusted and given freedom in their professional lives. The rise of flexible work has made their dreams come true.

What things are millennials interested in? ›

Activities, interests, and opinions

So what do millennials like to do? Well, like most generations they love watching TV, listening to music, eating out, and spending time with friends and family. Digital streaming has become the standard when it comes to TV and audio.

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