A Beginner’s Guide to Investing In the Stock Market

“Before you decide to open an account and begin comparing your investment options, you should first consider your overarching goals. Are you looking to invest for the long term, or do you want your portfolio to generate income? Knowing this will narrow down the number of investment options available and simplify the investing process.

“Consider what your ultimate goal is for this money—is it for retirement, a down payment on a house in the next five years, or something else?” says Lauren Niestradt, CFP, CFA, and portfolio manager at Truepoint Wealth Counsel.“

Read the rest of Lauren Niestradt’s response to this question and more here.