Pre-Investing Checklist
If you’d like to start investing, there are some important first moves to make before investing in the markets.
Investing Checklist
Checkbox
Task
Notes
1
Max out your 401k
Ensures your long term retirement financial position is in place
2
Pay off High Interest Debt
This is just you losing money each month, that could be better saved or invested, so pay down debt asap
3
Have a Fully Funded Emergency Fund
Protects you in case of emergencies and shocks, which can put you in the red. 3-6 months of income.
4
Have Cash for Investing
Define a pot of cash, that you don’t need for 3-5 years, this is typically a reasonable period to invest and hold.
5
Define Your Risk Profile
How much are you willing to lose if the investment goes sour? Can you afford to lose the entire amount you’ve invested? Remember a loss or profit is typically only realised in markets when you sell, so if you can afford to hold your investments when the markets are down means you’ll hopefully be fine long term.
6
State your Investment Reasons
Why do you want to invest, make a list of all the reasons why?
7
State your Investment Goals
How much do you want to invest, what expected returns would you prefer
8
Loss Plan
Make a list of all the things you’ll do and won’t do when the market drops, so when it does happen you’re not reacting irrationally, but have a playbook of what to do
9
State Your Interests
What sort of things do you value? Where do you want to invest, and why? Do you want to invest for profit, or are you interested in investing in products that you like?
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