Investing is a lifelong process, and the sooner you start, the better
A lifestyle financial plan has no value unless it is properly implemented through an appropriate goal-based investment strategy. If you’ve got a sufficient amount of money in your cash savings account – enough to cover you for between at least three to six months – and you want to see your money grow over the long term, then you should consider investing some of it.
A strategy that reflects your risk tolerance and time horizon
Trying to second-guess how events will impact on markets – or even attempting to make a bet on them – rarely pays off. Instead, investors who focus on long-term horizons – at least five to ten years – have historically fared much better.
Improving your chances of achieving your investment goals
If you want to plan for your financial future, it helps to understand risk. If you understand the risks associated with investing and you know how much risk you are comfortable taking, you can make informed decisions and improve your chances of achieving your goals.
Maintaining a clear purpose for your investment strategy
Without a plan, investors are prone to making knee-jerk reactions when there are swings in the market. A well thought-out investment strategy provides the guidance needed to help you stay on track when inevitable market fluctuation occurs. It can also point you towards the types of investments that best align with your financial goals.
Potential returns available from different kinds of investment
Understanding investment risk and determining what level of risk you feel comfortable with before you invest is an important part of the investment decision process. Your potential returns available from different kinds of investment, and the risks involved, change over time as a result of economic, political and regulatory developments, as well as a host of other factors.
