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First Time Investors Guide
New to investing? We've got you covered.

Congratulations! If you're here, it's because you want to know more about long-term investing and healthy money habits. Financial literacy isn't something we teach in Australian schools, so you've taken the initiative to learn for yourself. We love that, and we're here to help.

And don't worry - we're not going to bombard you with finance jargon or cajole you into buying speccy stocks. Instead, we just want to give the simple, down-to-earth facts about investing for beginners. That way, you can decide for yourself if and how you'd like to invest.

Not sure where to begin? No worries. Below, you'll find that we've sorted our blog content to take you on your journey as a first-time investor. Simply start at the top and work your way down!

Get started

Are you at the beginning of your investing journey? These articles will help you get started.

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Investing mistakes to avoid (from the Pearler Community)

Investing mistakes are common for most people when they start building wealth. To help you avoid them, we've highlighted...

8 November 2022

Dave Gow

6 min read

9 likes

44 views

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What to do before you start investing | Get Rich Slow Club

In this Get Rich Slow Club session, hosts Tash and Ana cover what to do before you start investing. Read the summary bel...

18 July 2023

Tash & Ana

9 min read

4 likes

28 views

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"Should I save or invest, and how can I set up financial goals?" | Get Rich Slow Club

Are you unsure whether to save, or invest? In this latest episode of Get Rich Slow Club podcast, hosts Tash and Ana talk...

2 May 2023

Tash & Ana

6 min read

2 likes

5 views

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How to understand the stock market | Get Rich Slow Club

Join Tash and Ana as explore how to understand the stock market. To listen to the full podcast, skip to the bottom!

26 April 2023

Tash & Ana

8 min read

5 likes

7 views

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How to invest in shares and ETFs on the stock exchange | Get Rich Slow Club

In this Get Rich Slow Club episode summary, co-hosts Tash and Ana cover how to invest in ETFs/shares through a broker. T...

24 May 2023

Tash & Ana

7 min read

0 likes

3 views

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What's the difference between active investing and passive investing?

The "active investing vs passive investing" debate is common for veteran and first-time investors alike. In this article...

25 June 2023

Nick Nicolaides

5 min read

2 likes

4 views

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Why timing the market is a bad idea (part one)

Are you waiting for the “right time” to bulk up your shares portfolio? You may be creating more problems for yourself th...

18 October 2022

Dave Gow

5 min read

4 likes

1 view

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What is Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) and why is it a good investing strategy?

Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is one of those terms that's thrown around a lot by investors. If you're not entirely sure w...

19 February 2024

Kurt Walkom

6 min read

1 like

15 views

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How to choose the right ETF for me

With so many options in the market, choosing an ETF can sometimes feel like an overwhelming experience. That's why we've...

7 March 2023

Kurt Walkom

7 min read

2 likes

9 views

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How often should I invest?

This article covers how often to invest, how to invest a lump sum, and how our investing frequency calculator works.

10 December 2020

Kurt Walkom

9 min read

1 like

7 views

Glossary

Here are some frequently used terms you might see around when studying investing!

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Asset

Think of this as your financial toolkit. Whether it's your home in Sydney's suburbs or shares in BHP, assets are valuables you own, hoping they'll grow over time.

Bear Market

Picture the ASX taking a slide. When share prices are dropping and folks are selling more than buying, that's a bear market. It's a time for patience and a good old Aussie "she'll be right" attitude.

Bull Market

Imagine the ASX on a surf's up wave. Here, prices are climbing, and there's optimism in the air. Everyone's keen on buying, hoping for sunnier financial days.

Bond

It's like lending money to a mate for a project, but on a grander scale. You lend money to a company or even the Australian government, and they promise to pay you back with a bit extra, called interest.

Broker

Think of this as your trusted mate in the world of investing. Pearler, for instance, is more than just a broker. It's a platform designed for Aussies, helping you invest in shares without the fuss. With Pearler, you can set up automatic investments, get insights, and be part of a community that's all about smart, long-term investing. It's like having a financial buddy guiding you through the ASX.

Capital

This is your financial reserve, ready to be invested. It's like the savings you've stashed away in your Westpac account, waiting for the right investment opportunity.

Commodity

These are the raw materials Australia is known for, from iron ore in the Pilbara to wheat from the Wheatbelt. Their prices can swing based on global demand.

Debt

Money you owe, whether it's on your credit card or a home loan from ANZ. While debt can be a tool, it's always good to manage it wisely.

Diversification

It's like not betting all your money on a single horse at the Melbourne Cup. Spread your investments around to reduce risks.

Dividend

Some Aussie companies, like Telstra, share a bit of their profits with shareholders. That's your dividend, a reward for your trust in them.

Equity

Your stake in the game. If you own shares in Qantas, that's your equity in the company. It represents your slice of the company's value.

ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund)

Think of it as a basket of Aussie shares or bonds. Instead of picking individual stocks, an ETF gives you a bit of everything, reflecting a market or sector.

Index

The ASX 200 is a prime example. It shows how the top 200 listed companies in Australia are performing, giving investors a feel for the market's health.

Inflation

Remember when a meat pie cost just a couple of dollars? If it's more expensive now, that's inflation at work. It's the slow rise of prices over time.

Interest

The cost or reward of money. If you've got a savings account with NAB, they'll pay you interest. If you've got a loan, you'll be paying interest.

Liquidity

How quickly you can turn investments into cash. If you can sell your shares in Telstra and get cash swiftly, that's high liquidity.

Market Capitalisation

It's like the financial footprint of a company. For big players like Rio Tinto, their market cap gives an idea of their size and influence on the ASX.

Mutual Fund

A pool of Aussie investments. Managed by experts, it's a way for everyday Australians to get a slice of a diversified investment pie.

Net Worth

Your financial health check. Take everything you own, from your flat in Brisbane to your superannuation, subtract what you owe, and that's your net worth.

Portfolio

Your collection of Aussie investments. It could be shares in Atlassian, a property in Adelaide, or bonds from the government.

Risk

Every investment has its ups and downs. It's about understanding those potential bumps on the road and deciding how adventurous you want to be.

Securities

Think of these as tickets to the financial game. Securities are proof of ownership or a claim on a company's assets and earnings. In Australia, common types of securities include shares (like owning a piece of an Aussie company), bonds (lending money to entities with the promise they'll pay you back with interest), and derivatives.

Share

Your piece of an Aussie company. When you buy shares, you're buying a part of that company, hoping to ride its successes.

Volatility

The financial roller coaster. If the price of your shares in Afterpay or Zip Co can change rapidly, that's high volatility. It makes for an exciting, but sometimes nail-biting, investment journey.