Investment Advice for Young People

When you’re a young professional just getting started in the business (and money earning) world, you might be tempted to turn to the stock market. After all, everyone is always harping on the importance of investments. In truth, though, the stock market is really something you want to mess with when you’re a little bit older, a little more stable financially. When you’re just starting out, there are smarter investments to be made.

So, you might be asking, if you’re not going to invest in the stock market, what should you be

investing in? The simple answer is “yourself.” When you invest in yourself, you invest in your future. And sure, the rewards might not be as tangible or as immediately obvious as the payoffs the stock market can bring, but they are longer-lasting and will set you up to have a stable, solid financial future.

How do you invest in yourself? Well, there’s no “surefire” or “right” way to do it, but it all starts with giving yourself opportunities that are going to pay off in the future. You might want to invest in yourself by attending leadership or business seminars that can be used as learning and networking opportunities. Or you might choose to go back to school and receive extra training or even a higher level degree. Just think about what you can do now, even if it requires a bit of an investment, to see rewards in the future.

Remember, too, that the rewards that you’ll get from these types of “self-investments” won’t just be monetary. They can also help to give you a sense of fulfillment and enjoyment. And, in the end, as nice as money is, isn’t that what everyone really wants- fulfillment and enjoyment? Seek those things first, and, more often than not, the opportunities you’ll find in the process will pay off financially as well.

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• Mint.com: The Beginner's Guide to Investing (mint.com)