Investing can feel intimidating at first, but it’s one of the most powerful tools for building long-term financial freedom. Whether you’re new to investing or have years of experience, revisiting the fundamentals is always a smart move.
Why Investing Matters
In today’s world where the cost of everyday goods continues to rise, saving money in a bank account isn’t enough. Investing allows your money to grow and work for you over time. It helps you:
- Keep Pace with Inflation: Prices for everyday goods like groceries have risen significantly over time. Investing helps your money retain and grow its value.
- Harness Compounding: The earlier you begin, the more time your investments can grow through compound interest.
- Achieve Financial Freedom: Investments can fund meaningful life choices on your terms, including retirement, purchasing a home, and funding your child’s education.
Let’s Talk about Time and Money
If there’s one theme we emphasized in our recent webinar on the basics of investing, it’s this: time is your best financial asset. Let’s illustrate how the age you begin investing $500/month at a 7% annual return can dramatically shape your retirement outcome:
- Start investing $500/month at age 20. Retire at 65 with nearly $900,000.
- Wait just five years? That number drops by $300,000.
- Wait until 40? Your final amount drops to around $160,000.
This isn’t about regret; it’s about taking action today. The best time to start investing was yesterday. The second-best time is right now.
The Rule of 72
Want a quick way to estimate how long it takes to double your money? Use the Rule of 72: just divide 72 by your expected annual return.
- 2% return → doubles in 36 years
- 6% return → doubles in 12 years
- 10% return → doubles in just over 7 years (this is the average annual stock market return since 1926)
When you invest over multiple decades, those doublings can really add up. This simple rule highlights why both time and return rate are essential to long-term growth, and why starting sooner, even with modest returns, can lead to significantly greater outcomes.
What Are You Investing In?
A diversified portfolio typically consists of several asset classes, each serving a unique role:
- Stocks (Equities): Partial ownership of companies that may offer higher potential returns but can also carry higher risk.
- Bonds (Fixed Income): Loans to governments or corporations that pay interest and are typically considered a more stable, income-generating part of your portfolio.
- Cash & Equivalents: Highly liquid assets like CDs, money market funds, and Treasury bills.
- Alternatives: Assets like real estate, commodities, or private equity that may not be structured or behave like traditional stocks or bonds and offer additional diversification.
Each asset class plays a different role in your financial strategy. Together, they create balance.
Risk, Return, and Staying the Course
Successful investing isn’t about perfect timing, but it is about consistency, balance, and avoiding emotional decisions. Here’s what matters most:
- Stay Invested: Timing the market rarely works; long-term consistency is what drives results.
- Diversify Wisely: A balanced mix of assets helps smooth out the ups and downs.
- Keep Your Cool: Markets will fluctuate; don’t let short-term swings drive long-term decisions.
- Start Where You Are: It’s never too late; steady progress beats trying to catch up fast.
- Stick to Your Plan: A simple, disciplined approach often outperforms complex strategies.
Keep Learning and Keep Going
If you’re inspired but overwhelmed, here’s a quick starter pack:
- Listen: Try the “Planet Money,” “The Journal.,” or “Animal Spirits” podcasts.
- Read: Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money is a favorite for a reason.
- Explore: Investopedia, Khan Academy, and university finance courses are free and solid starting points.
- Talk to Someone: A good advisor is part coach, part translator, part accountability partner.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your approach, we’re here to help.
Wealthspire Advisors LLC and its subsidiaries are separately registered investment advisers and subsidiary companies of NFP, an Aon company. © 2025 Wealthspire Advisors
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