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Better Finances for a Better You

Section: Investing

← Curating the web to find the most interesting and helpful information about your money.

Riding the Stock Market's Long Rollercoaster

1) Dealing with Stock Market Volatility 2) How Do We Know the Stock Market Will (Eventually) Go Up? 3) Should I Try to Time the Market?

Whether you're just starting out or looking to brush up on your investing skills learn more at nasdaq.com →

5 Things Frugal People Always Do With Their Investments by John Csiszar

1) Avoid Commissions 2) Use Passive Investments 3) Find the Lowest Cost Variations 4) Trade Infrequently 5) Check Regularly, but Infrequently

When shopping for anything, including investments, you should never confuse “frugal” with “cheap.” →

How to Give Stocks As a Holiday Gift by Daniel Liberto

Buying gifts that adults actually want without breaking the bank is no easy task. But giving a share of company stock could perhaps help them one day generate enough money to purchase that one thing they don't have and have always wanted.

Give a gift that can grow over time →

Warren Buffett’s 10 Best Lessons on How To Be Successful in Investing Story by Jacob Wade

Warren Buffett is worth almost $150 billion and is one of the best American investors of all time. He’s shared his wisdom with investors over the years, helping new and experienced investors learn to “be like Buffett.”

Here are 10 investing tips from the “Oracle of Omaha” himself to help you build your wealth →

Just starting to invest? Follow these four simple tips to avoid costly rookie mistakes by David Aston

- Be clear about your savings goal - Get investment advice if you need it - Get instant diversification with well-chosen ETFs - Use tax-advantaged accounts

Be clear about your savings goals, writes David Aston, and consider passive investing in a basket of diversified ETFs →

Nasdaq CEO shares the best investing advice she’s given her own son: It’s a ‘foundational element of wealth creation’ by Ashton Jackson

“Learn by doing — with small amounts of money, or even on platforms where you don’t actually have to use real money,” said Friedman. “As you get more engaged and more educated, you can start to take more risks ... and then get more confidence.”

Investing is a foundational element of wealth creation →

5 rules for investing in retirement by Merrill Lynch

1. Review your asset allocation with new risks in mind 2. Prioritize your immediate cash needs 3. Don’t abandon stocks 4. Prepare for volatility, especially early in your retirement 5. Stick to your plan — and review it regularly

What's in, What's out of your portfolio after you retire →

4 tips to keep your emotions out of investing by Becca Stanek

1. Have a long-term goal in mind when investing 2. Make sure to diversify your investment portfolio 3. Try the practice of dollar-cost averaging 4. Hire a financial professional to work with

Investing is not one of the areas of life where it makes sense to involve your emotions →

How Do I Keep Commissions and Fees From Eating Trading Profits? by Chris Gallant

You work hard for your money. And you should be able to keep as much of it in your pocket as possible. But if you're thinking of investing your hard-earned cash to increase your net worth, there are some things you should keep in mind. Investing comes at a cost.

Read on to find out more about how to keep these costs from depleting your profits →

10 Tips for Successful Long-Term Investing

While the stock market is riddled with uncertainty, certain tried-and-true principles can help investors boost their chances for long-term success.

Tips that can help you prevent mistakes and hopefully generate some profits By THE INVESTOPEDIA TEAM →

6 Top Investing Moves To Make Ahead of Fall, According to Experts by Heather Taylor

With the fall season, and Q4, around the corner, now is the best time to check in with your investing goals for 2024. Whether you’re right on track or are a little behind.

There’s still time to get all your ducks in a row ahead of 2025 and reap the financial benefits that come with it →

5 of Warren Buffett’s best tips for investing in the stock market by Catherine Clifford

1. Investing is a long game 2. Diversify 3. Stocks are now generally better than bonds 4. You can’t time the market 5. There’s no room to be emotional

So how does Warren Buffet do it? Here are five of his best bits of investing wisdom by Catherine Clifford →

How to Start Investing in Canada: 9 Steps to Success by Steven Porrello

1. Assess your risk tolerance 2. Choose Your Investing Style 3. Decide How Much You Can Invest 4. Pick the Right Kind of Stock Investments 5. Choose a broker 6. Open the right investment account 7. Diversify Your Stocks 8. Keep a Steady Eye on Your Portfolio 9. Invest Consistently for the Long-Term

You may only have a little money, but consistently investing a little bit every month grows over time →

Compound Interest

Compound interest is when the interest you earn on a balance in a savings or investing account is reinvested, earning you more interest. As a wise man once said, “Money makes money. And the money that money makes, makes money.”

The Life-Changing Magic Of Compound Interest By Kate Ashford →

How To Invest In Real Estate By Miranda Marquit

There are an endless variety of ways to invest in real estate, from taking out a home mortgage to building a property empire that spans the country. While the latter is probably out of reach for most of us, there’s no shortage of other options.

Here are five strategies for adding real estate exposure to your investments →

3 Things Investors Can Learn From Warren Buffett by Keonhee Kim

1) Don’t overpay for stocks, and be patient 2) Favor companies with moats 3) When in doubt, index

Here are just a few things that investors of all experience levels--can learn from Buffett →

10 Common Investing Mistakes To Avoid by Brean Horne

1) Not building a rainy day fund 2) Forgetting about inflation 3) Not setting financial goals 4) Not using your tax allowance 5) Forgetting fees 6) Not diversifying 7) Not doing your research 8) Following fads 9) Reviewing your investments too little (or too much!) 10) Not learning from your mistakes

Take a closer look at 10 common investing mistakes and how to avoid them →

A Market Expert’s Top Investing Tips for New Graduates by Gargi Pal Chaudhuri

Here are some of my favorite tips on financial awareness and ways that ETFs could be a preferred investment tool for people just starting their careers.

Investing may seem daunting at first, but starting early can help pave the way for long-term financial success →

Creating an income-producing portfolio By Jeanne Sahadi

A lot goes into creating and managing an income-producing portfolio that works for you. But here are some basics to consider.

Make your money work when you’re not →

5 Simple Ways to Invest in Real Estate By Andrew Beattie

1. Rental Properties 2. Real Estate Investment Groups 3. House Flipping 4. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 5. Online Real Estate Platforms

Here's how—from buying rental property to REITs and more →

Financial advisors agree: These are the 3 best investing tips for beginners by Elizabeth Gravier

1. Audit your finances before you even start to invest 2. Utilize retirement accounts as much as you can 3. Know you don’t have to be an expert

If you’re just getting into investing, consider these 3 tips →

Financial Educational Resource Hub

Whether you're just starting out or looking to brush up on your investing skills, we'll help you make smarter decisions about saving, investing and protecting your money.

Smart Investing from NASDAQ →

Christine Benz’s Portfolios

This series of portfolios from Morningstar's director of personal finance Christine Benz can help investors reach their financial goals.

Morningstar's best investment portfolio examples for savers and retirees →

10 Tips for Successful Long-Term Investing By Investopedia

While the stock market is riddled with uncertainty, certain tried-and-true principles can help investors boost their chances for long-term success

10 tips for successful long-term investing that can help you prevent mistakes and hopefully generate some profits →

What are mutual funds?

A mutual fund is a professionally managed portfolio of stocks, bonds and/or other income vehicles devoted to a specific investment strategy or asset class.

What are the potential benefits of investing in mutual funds? →

4 Basic Things to Know About Bonds By Eric Fontinelle

Although the bond market appears complex, it is really driven by the same risk-return tradeoffs as the stock market. Once an investor masters these few basic terms and measurements to unmask the familiar market dynamics, they can become a competent bond investor.

How Do Bonds Work? →

Track your global stock portfolio

Track all your stocks in Canada, the US and beyond with Neontra!

Compare the difference between Neontra and Credit Karma →

3 key investing tips for early-career professionals by Emily Guy Birken

Young professionals who set up good investing habits can experience lifelong benefits.

Here are the investing behaviours you should adopt early on →

4 investing tips for new parents by Emily Guy Birken

When you’re elbow deep in diapers, sleep deprivation, and Cocomelon, investing is probably the last thing on your mind. But these strategies for new parents will set you and your kids up for success.

Here’s what you need to know →

What is a robo-advisor? Understanding the pros and cons of letting a robot manage your investment portfolio By Kevin L. Matthews II

It’s important for investors to understand what a robo-advisor is, how it works, and the factors to consider before using one to invest in the stock market.

The pros and cons of using a robo-advisor →

Here is some information that’ll make investing more approachable.

Discover the different approaches to savings and investing. Determine which path is best for you and your goals.

Learn more about the value of having a financial plan →

From staying in cash to going it alone, here are the most worrying errors we’re seeing investors make at the start of 2024.

It’s easy to get emotional about money. Various behavioural biases—such as overconfidence, loss aversion and bandwagon-jumping—can push investors into making decisions that undermine their efforts to reach their goals.

The five most popular investing mistakes of 2024 by J.P.Morgan →

Stock Investment Tips for Beginners

Starting to invest? Tips for beginners can help you start to fine-tune your investment strategies and take advantage of stock investment tools.

CharlesSchwab - Don't think of yourself as a beginner at all →

9 Best Ways to Invest $100K from TIMEstamped

If you have $100K to invest—from an inheritance, a bonus, or a lucky lottery ticket—it provides an excellent opportunity to start (or continue) securing your financial future.

You’ll have numerous investing options, and the best one for you depends on your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon →

Warren Buffett's Investment Strategy By Matthew Frankel, CFP

KEY POINTS - Buffett's approach prioritizes a "margin of safety," paying less than a company's intrinsic value to protect against losses. - Quality over quantity: He avoids struggling businesses, preferring wonderful companies at fair prices. - Buffett emphasizes independence from market trends, advocating for a long-term, contrarian mindset in investing.

Warren Buffett's investing philosophy in 9 steps →

Investment Tracking

- Neontra aggregates and tracks all your investments in one place. - Measure the performance over time on your stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, fixed assets and crypto. - Forecast growth scenarios for all your investments. - Catch hidden investment fees.

Track all your investments in one place with Neontra →

What Higher Interest Rates Mean for Retirement Cash Flows by Christine Benz

Retirement planning has undergone a seismic shift over the past few years because of a single factor: higher interest rates.

Now that interest rates are higher, should retirees try to live off of their portfolios’ yields? →

10 Tips for Successful Long-Term Investing

While the stock market is riddled with uncertainty, certain tried-and-true principles can help investors boost their chances for long-term success.

By THE INVESTOPEDIA TEAM, 10 Tips for Successful Long-Term Investing →

Should you put your money in a long-term CD or invest it? Here’s what to consider by Elizabeth Gravier

With savings rates still high and more interest rate cuts possible in 2024, savers today are giving a lot of attention to CDs. A certificate of deposit lets you lock in a fixed interest rate for a fixed amount of time. That’s an attractive option in today’s market, where savers can find CD rates of up to 5.66%. That far outpaces the current inflation rate of 3.4%, so your money is protected from being devalued.

CD or the market? What to consider first →

How To Choose A Crypto Financial Advisor by Rebecca Baldridge

It’s hard enough to select a financial advisor who suits your needs and circumstances, but the increasing popularity of cryptocurrency can make it even harder. Crypto’s rise lengthens the list of financial instruments investors need to understand, and it poses the same challenge for advisors.

Considerations every investor should take into account before choosing a crypto financial advisor →

How to Invest in Index Funds in 2024 from the Motley Fool

An index fund is an investment that tracks a market index, typically comprising stocks or bonds. Index funds generally invest in all the components of the index they track and have fund managers whose job is to make sure that the index fund performs the same as the index.

Why invest in index funds? →

A beginner’s guide to investing in the stock market

Investing can be one of the more complex concepts in personal finance. But it’s also one of the key cornerstones to financial independence and wealth building.

Kevin L. Matthews II on how to start investing and decide on your investing goals →

Best Investments for Beginners

There are several options considered the best investments for beginners that suit a range of goals, budgets, and comfort levels. This guide will cover the most common options, but a financial advisor can help you identify your best options and provide support while you navigate your first investments.

Investing can seem scary and intimidating, especially to first-time investors these tips can help →

10 Best AI Stocks Of February 2024 by Cory Mitchell

Forbes Advisor has identified 10 of the best AI stocks. They each shine for different reasons. Some are more stable with great earnings growth, while others are newer and more speculative but have produced big returns. There are AI stocks here to suit all types of investors.

AI is a growing field, and AI-related ETFs have outpaced the S&P 500 by a significant margin year to date →

10 Best Dividend Stocks Of February 2024 by Cory Mitchell

Dividend investing provides investors with steady cash flow over the long term. When you reinvest dividend income, the magic of compounding can turbocharge your returns. Over the last century, dividend payments accounted for about 40% of the total return of the S&P 500.

These companies have boosted annual dividend payouts for at least 10 years with attractive yields →

10 Top Tech Stocks Of February 2024 by Dock David Treece

The best tech stocks come from companies that are building the future. Whether they manufacture sleek mobile devices or develop the digital services you can’t live without, fast-growing technology stocks can set portfolios into hyperdrive.

The 10 largest tech sector companies profiled →

What are ETFs and Should You Invest in Them? by Elizabeth Gravier

There are so many ways to invest your money to build your wealth. From stocks to bonds to index funds, there’s a wide range of investment vehicles for every kind of investor depending on their goals. A common choice for beginner investors who want exposure to the overall stock market is to put money into an exchange-traded fund or ETF.

Here's what you should know about investing with ETFs. →

Here Are Barron’s 12 Best Income Investments for the New Year

What looked to be another bond-market tragedy morphed into a feel-good story following a volatile round trip in 2023 that ended with a historic Treasury rally. Yet, opportunities still abound for income-seeking investors.

Andrew Bary: Stocks with dividends lead our annual listing. Energy pipelines and utilities also look like good bets. →

Three Investing Trends for 2024 and Beyond

Longevity, decarbonization and technology disruption could provide long-term investment opportunities.

Michael Zezas of Morgan Stanley on investing trends for 2024 →

Why work with a financial advisor

Managing your investments can be difficult. You may not be comfortable investing on your own. A professional financial advisor or planner can help you.

Choosing a financial advisor →

This Money Checklist Will Help You Crush 2024

Money.com provide a 10-step guide to crushing your financial goals in 2024 (and beyond). For expert insights into the housing market, ways to save money on EVs and more.

What do you hope to accomplish in 2024? →

2023 in review: Rates, rallies and reflections

The U.S. Fed finishes 2023 with a bang, plus 40 notable events that helped shape markets this year.

Madison Faller Global Investment Strategist at JP Morgan →

You may want to change your investing strategy in 2024

Calling the remarkable past few weeks on Wall Street a Santa Claus rally or an end-of-year winning streak would be an understatement.

Nicole Goodkind from CNN on your investment strategy for 2024 →

2023 Stock Market Year In Review

In 2022, the S&P 500 bounced back from its worst year in over a decade, and it is on track to finish 2023 up as well, with a gain of about 21% through November 30. The ride for investors hasn’t always been a smooth one, though. Most of the market’s gains came early in 2023.

Forbes ADVISOR on the Stock Market as we close out 2023 →

Virtual Portfolio and Watchlist

With our free Virtual Portfolio, you can take your first steps into the investing without risking losing any money. Select, monitor and evaluate performance of thousands of ETFs, stocks or funds.

Simulate the trading of thousands of stocks, ETFs, commodities and currencies →

Ways to supercharge your CD investments

CDs offer a guaranteed interest rate that’s typically higher than a savings account, and you get the safety of FDIC insurance to ensure your money will be there when you need it. They’re not right for every situation, but they can be an effective way to save for short-term goals or create a predictable stream of income.

How to find the best CDs to invest in →

How to Invest in ETFs for Beginners

Exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, are an easy way to begin investing. ETFs are fairly simple to understand and can generate impressive returns without much expense or effort.

Here’s what you should know about ETFs and how they work →

What Is the Fear and Greed Index?

The Fear and Greed Index is a tool developed by CNN (yes, the news network) to help gauge what factors are driving the stock market at a given time.

Guide to the Fear and Greed Index →

The Golden Rules of Investing

Investing can help you meet your financial goals and the better the investment decisions you make, the more chance you have of succeeding. While nobody can make the best investment decision every single time, following these golden rules could help you to get more from your investments over the long term.

Following these golden rules could really help you to InvestSmart →

ScotiaFunds: 5 timeless tips on managing market ups and downs

1. Keep calm and carry on 2. Stay invested…it’s time, not timing 3. Manage risk, don't avoid it 4. Put diversification to work 5. Take advantage of dollar-cost averaging

Learn more from their easy to read resource →

How to Invest in Bonds

Bonds are a way for an organization to raise money. Let's say your town asks you for a certain investment of money. In exchange, your town promises to pay you back that investment, plus interest, over a specified period of time.

A Beginner's Guide to Buying Bonds →

How to Invest Like Warren Buffett

Want to emulate Buffett’s investment strategy? Morningstar has compiled work on the approach he and partner Charlie Munger have pursued at Berkshire Hathaway. (Stock symbols BRK.A and BRK.B)

Delve into Warren Buffett’s investment strategy →

Investing Made Simple for Beginners and Everyone Else

Managing your money for the long run can be easier than you might imagine.

The New York Times on Investing for Beginners (Paywall) →

Financial advisors agree: These are the 3 best investing tips for beginners

1. Audit your finances before you even start to invest 2. Utilize retirement accounts as much as you can 3. Know you don’t have to be an expert

If you’re just getting into investing, consider these 3 tips. →

7 Tips for Long-Term Investing

Investing is a long game. Whether you want to invest for retirement or grow your savings, when you put money to work in markets it’s best to set it and forget it. Successful long-term investing isn’t as simple as just throwing money at the stock market...

Seven tips to help you get a handle on long-term investing →

Four generations talk about their different investment strategies

Fast Company spoke with people from four different generations (Gen Z, millennial, Gen X, and baby boomer) to understand their investing strategies.

Learn from Gen Z, Gen X, and the millennial and baby boom generation →

Tips for Avoiding the Top 20 Common Investment Mistakes

When learning how to invest, it is important to learn from the best, but it also pays to learn from the worst. These top 20 most common mistakes have been compiled to help investors know what to watch out for. If any of these mistakes sound familiar, it is likely time to meet with a financial adviser.

The CFA Institute on investment mistakes →

10 Approaches to Smart Investing

Smart investing helps you do three important things: - Allows you to create an additional source of income - Provides for long-term financial security - Helps create sufficient post-retirement wealth

Top 10 ways in which you can become a smart investor →

Making Smart Investments: A Beginner’s Guide

- Why should you invest? - How much should you save vs. invest? - How do investments work? - How do you make (or lose) money?

See Matthew Blume of the Harvard Business Review answers →

How to start investing in stocks, index funds, crypto, NFTs – and more

Investing doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s what you need to know before investing your hard-earned cash.

How does investing work →

Investing Introduction

Whether you are new to investing or new to Canada, investing for your future is important.

Investing for your future →

Motley Fool outlines Warren Buffett's investing philosophy in 9 steps

1. Look for a margin of safety 2. Focus on quality 3. Don't follow the crowd 4. Don't fear market crashes and corrections 5. Approach your investments with a long-term mindset 6. Don't be afraid to sell if the scenario changes 7. Learn the basics of value investing 8. Understand compounding 9. Research and reflect

How to Invest Like Warren Buffett →

Financial advisors agree: These are the 3 best investing tips for beginners

CNBC Select shares three tips for any beginner investor just starting out. 1) Audit your finances before you even start to invest 2) Utilize retirement accounts as much as you can 3) Know you don’t have to be an expert

If you’re just getting into investing, read more →

3 common mistakes investors make — and how to avoid them

In our daily lives, we know it’s hard to break bad habits, like eating too much junk food. The same is true for investing. Just as understanding which foods are better for you, knowledge is power when it comes to your portfolio.

Nobody’s perfect, especially when it comes to investing →

Investing can seem intimidating

Fortune.com outlines how to get started: - Decide your investment goals - Select investment vehicle(s) - Calculate how much money you want to invest - Measure your risk tolerance - Consider what kind of investor you want to be - Build your portfolio - Monitor and rebalance your portfolio over time

A beginner’s guide to investing in the stock market →

The Basics of Investing

Read about some of the most common types of investments including the Canada Savings Bond (CSB), Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) and Treasury bill (T-bill).

Jargon-free investment terms →

Stock Market Simulator

Our Markets Simulator can help you learn about the stock market and practice trading real stocks at real prices, without risking real money.

Make virtual simulated trades and learn how the stock market works all at no cost →

Millennials: 4 Tips to Start Investing Today

1. Build your credit 2. Open a TFSA 3. Invest what you can 4. Set some goals

Here are some tips to get started from Motley Fool →

What is the stock market and how does it work?

Investing in the stock market is a good way to build wealth over time, but it can feel a little intimidating to get started.

The Stock Market, explained →

Investing for Young Canadians

If you’re a young person thinking about making your first investment but not sure where to begin, you’re not alone.

RRSP, TFSA or FHSA? Young Canadians looking to invest face wide range of options →

9 easy steps to start investing in Canada:

1. Assess your risk tolerance 2. Choose Your Investing Style 3. Decide How Much You Can Invest 4. Pick the Right Kind of Stock Investments 5. Choose a broker 6. Open the right investment account 7. Diversify Your Stocks 8. Keep a Steady Eye on Your Portfolio 9. Invest Consistently for the Long-Term

How to Start Investing in Canada: 9 Steps to Success →

ETF vs Index Fund: Which Should Canadians Invest In?

Learn the differences between ETFs and index funds and determine which fund is right for you.

ETF vs Index Fund →

Investment Tracking

Neontra aggregates and tracks all your investments in one place.

Measure your performance over time →

Test before you invest

Build and test your strategies with a fully-functional trading simulator, including stocks, metals, crypto and FX.

Take your first steps into the investment world without risking losing any money →

Market News and Charts

At Neontra, you get free stock quotes, up-to-date news, charts, international market data and you can build a SIM portfolio.

Market tools to help you test before you invest →

SIM Portfolio and Watchlist

You can also compete with friends with our Investment Simulator. Trade with SIM money to test your best strategies to beat your friends without the risk of losing real money.

Market tools to help you test before you invest →

See which stocks are moving the markets

Get free stock quotes and up-to-date news with your Neontra account.

You can create market watchlists here →

Investing in individual stocks, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds can be difficult to learn.

One of the best ways to learn how to invest is to use market simulators or virtual portfolios to learn how to buy and sell stocks before you invest real money.

You can create a SIM portfolio here →