Before You Invest Your Hard Earned Money, Here Are 19 Things You Need To Know By Heart

By Steve Biko Wafula / Published March 24, 2023 | 2:52 pm

KEY POINTS

Before investing your money in any venture, it's essential to gather information and be knowledgeable about the risks and potential returns.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Real estate is another asset class that has proven to be an excellent long-term investment. Properties purchased in desirable locations and held for many years can appreciate significantly, providing a reliable source of income and wealth.

A long-term investment is the best means of creating true wealth because it provides a way to generate substantial returns over an extended period. Historically, many successful investors have followed this approach, with the most notable example being Warren Buffett, who is considered one of the greatest investors of all time. Buffett has famously held many of his investments for decades, demonstrating the power of patience and compounding.

Another example is the rise of Apple, which began as a small technology company in the 1970s and has since become one of the largest and most successful corporations in history. Investors who bought shares of Apple early on and held onto them for the long term have reaped significant rewards.

Similarly, the growth of the stock market over the last century has shown that investing in equities for the long term can be a profitable strategy. Despite the occasional downturns, the stock market has historically trended upwards over time, resulting in substantial gains for those who have held onto their investments.

Finally, real estate is another asset class that has proven to be an excellent long-term investment. Properties purchased in desirable locations and held for many years can appreciate significantly, providing a reliable source of income and wealth.

Before investing your money in any venture, it’s essential to gather information and be knowledgeable about the risks and potential returns. Here are 19 things you need to know before investing:

What you must know;

Understand the market: You should have a good understanding of the market you plan to invest. Whether it’s stocks, real estate, or cryptocurrencies, you need to know how the market operates and the factors that affect it.
Risk tolerance: Determine your risk tolerance level. This will guide your investment decisions and prevent you from taking unnecessary risks. For example, if you are a risk-averse investor, you may want to stick to low-risk investments like government bonds or blue-chip stocks.
Investment goals: Set realistic investment goals that align with your risk tolerance level. Determine how much money you want to invest, what returns you expect, and your investment time frame.
Diversification: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your investments across different asset classes, sectors, and geographical locations. This helps to reduce your overall risk.
Investment horizon: Consider your investment time horizon. This is the length of time you plan to hold your investments. If you have a long investment horizon, you may be able to invest in riskier assets.
Investment strategy: Develop an investment strategy that aligns with your investment goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. This may include a mix of passive and active investments.
Research: Conduct thorough research before investing your money. This includes researching the market, the company or asset you plan to invest in, and any relevant economic factors.
Valuation: Assess the value of the asset you plan to invest in. This involves analyzing the asset’s financial statements, cash flow, and revenue projections.
Liquidity: Consider the liquidity of the investment. Can you easily sell the investment if you need to? This is especially important for short-term investments.
Fees: Consider the fees associated with the investment. This includes brokerage fees, management fees, and any other charges.
Tax implications: Understand the tax implications of your investments. This includes any capital gains tax, income tax, or other taxes you may be required to pay.
Regulation: Understand the regulatory environment of the investment. This includes any laws or regulations that govern the investment, as well as any regulatory bodies that oversee it.
Historical performance: Look at the historical performance of the investment. This includes its track record of returns and any significant events that may have impacted its performance.
Economic conditions: Consider the current economic conditions and how they may affect the investment. This includes inflation, interest rates, and any other macroeconomic factors.
Currency risk: Consider the currency risk associated with the investment. If you are investing in a foreign asset, fluctuations in the exchange rate can impact your returns.
Management team: Evaluate the management team of the company or asset you plan to invest in. Look at their track record, experience, and their plans for the future.
Competition: Analyze the competition in the market. How does the company or asset you plan to invest in compare to its competitors?
ESG factors: Consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors when investing. This includes factors like sustainability, corporate responsibility, and ethical practices.
Exit strategy: Have an exit strategy in place before investing.

In conclusion, long-term investing provides a reliable way to generate true wealth over time, and the examples of successful investors and companies illustrate the effectiveness of this approach. By patiently holding onto investments and allowing the power of compounding to work, investors can achieve significant financial success.

About Steve Biko Wafula

Steve Biko is the CEO OF Soko Directory and the founder of Hidalgo Group of Companies. Steve is currently developing his career in law, finance, entrepreneurship and digital consultancy; and has been implementing consultancy assignments for client organizations comprising of trainings besides capacity building in entrepreneurial matters.He can be reached on: +254 20 510 1124 or Email: info@sokodirectory.com

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