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.
Investing mistakes are common for most people when they start building wealth. To help you avoid them, we've highlighted some of the chief mistakes our community have shared with each other.
LONG TERM INVESTING
FIRST TIME INVESTORS
By Dave Gow, Strong Money Australia
6 min read
In this Get Rich Slow Club session, hosts Tash and Ana cover what to do before you start investing. Read the summary below, or skip to the end to listen!
FIRST TIME INVESTORS
By Tash and Ana, Get Rich Slow Club
9 min read
Are you unsure whether to save, or invest? In this latest episode of Get Rich Slow Club podcast, hosts Tash and Ana talk help you decide based on the risks and rewards of the two approaches for different goals.
FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
FIRST TIME INVESTORS
By Tash and Ana, Get Rich Slow Club
6 min read
Join Tash and Ana as explore how to understand the stock market. To listen to the full podcast, skip to the bottom!
FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
LONG TERM INVESTING
FIRST TIME INVESTORS
By Tash and Ana, Get Rich Slow Club
8 min read
In this Get Rich Slow Club episode summary, co-hosts Tash and Ana cover how to invest in ETFs/shares through a broker. They also cover how to choose the right broker for you. To get straight to the podcast, skip to the base of this article!
LONG TERM INVESTING
PORTFOLIOS
By Tash and Ana, Get Rich Slow Club
7 min read
The "active investing vs passive investing" debate is common for veteran and first-time investors alike. In this article, we explore the pros and cons of both investing strategies.
LONG TERM INVESTING
FIRST TIME INVESTORS
SHARES & CRYPTO
By Nick Nicolaides
5 min read
Are you waiting for the “right time” to bulk up your shares portfolio? You may be creating more problems for yourself than you’re solving. In this piece, we explore why timing the market is a bad idea.
LONG TERM INVESTING
By Dave Gow, Strong Money Australia
5 min read
Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is one of those terms that's thrown around a lot by investors. If you're not entirely sure what it means, or how it could work for you, we're here to help.
LONG TERM INVESTING
By Kurt Walkom
6 min read
7 min read
With so many options in the market, choosing an ETF can sometimes feel like an overwhelming experience. That's why we've prepared a guide on how to choose the right ETF for your goals and preferences.
LONG TERM INVESTING
FIRST TIME INVESTORS
By Kurt Walkom
7 min read
9 min read
This article covers how often to invest, how to invest a lump sum, and how our investing frequency calculator works.
FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
LONG TERM INVESTING
By Kurt Walkom
9 min read
Glossary
Here are some frequently used terms you might see around when studying investing!
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 rollercoaster. 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.