Investing in Your 20s & 30s For Dummies, 3rd Edition

Investing in Your 20s & 30s For Dummies, 3rd Edition

by Eric Tyson
Released June 2021
Publisher(s): For Dummies
ISBN: 9781119805403

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Book description

Take advantage of the decades ahead and invest in your financial future today 

You may be at the stage of your life where you’re still watching every penny, but you know the earlier you invest, the more time your money has to work for you. Investing in Your 20s and 30s For Dummies provides novice investors with time-tested advice, along with strategies that reflect today’s market conditions. You’ll get no-nonsense guidance on how to invest in stocks, bonds, funds, and even real estate—complete with definitions of all the must-know lingo. You’ll also learn about the latest investment trends, including using robo-advisors to manage your portfolio, relying on apps to make fast trades, and putting your hard-earned cash in digital currencies. Armed with the knowledge and strategies in this book, you can invest wisely, monitor your progress, and avoid risking too much. Today’s investing landscape is changing at record speed, and this book helps you keep up. Find information on the latest tax laws, financial lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, and popular funds for the 2020s.   

  • Learn the investment basics you need to get started 
  • Discover new tools and technologies that make it easier than ever to participate in the market 
  • Build a diverse portfolio that reflects your values, financial goals, and risk tolerance 
  • Feel more confident as you fund an investment account, choose equities or funds, and plan for the future 
  • Make an impact with your money by selecting socially responsible investments 
  • Figure out how much money to invest in employer-sponsored accounts or other retirement plans 

If you’re a little unsure about stepping into the world of investing, Investing in Your 20s and 30s For Dummies gives you the confidence you need to establish a smart investment strategy. Grab your copy today. 

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Introduction
    1. About This Book
    2. Foolish Assumptions
    3. Icons Used in This Book
    4. Beyond the Book
    5. Where to Go from Here
  5. Part 1: Getting Started with Investing
    1. Chapter 1: Making Sense of Your Investing Options
      1. Growing Your Money in Ownership Investments
      2. Keeping Money in Lending Investments
      3. Understanding Risks and Returns
      4. Where to Invest and Get Advice
    2. Chapter 2: Using Investments to Accomplish Your Goals
      1. Setting and Prioritizing Your Shorter-Term Goals
      2. Investing in Retirement Accounts
      3. Assessing Your Risk-Taking Desires
    3. Chapter 3: Setting Your Return Expectations
      1. Estimating Your Investments’ Returns
      2. Compounding Your Returns
    4. Chapter 4: Minimizing Your Taxes When Investing
      1. Understanding Investment Taxes
      2. Reducing Your Taxes When Selling Investments
  6. Part 2: Preparing Your Investing Foundation
    1. Chapter 5: Laying Out Your Financial Plans
      1. First Priorities: Paying Off High-Cost Debt and Building a Safety Reserve
      2. What about Paying Down Other Debts?
      3. Sorting Out Your Financial Plans
      4. Knowing the Impact of Investing for College Costs
      5. Securing Proper Insurance
    2. Chapter 6: Starting Out with Bank and Credit Union Accounts
      1. Understanding FDIC Bank Insurance
      2. Investing in Banking Account and Savings Vehicles
      3. Negotiating with Bankers
      4. Feeling Secure with Your Bank
      5. Exploring Alternatives to Bank Accounts
    3. Chapter 7: Managing Money Market Funds
      1. Defining Money Market Mutual Funds
      2. Looking at Money Market Fund Holdings
      3. Protecting and Accessing Your Money in Money Funds
      4. Using Money Market Funds in Your Investment Plan
      5. Shopping for the Best Money Funds
      6. Alternatives to Money Market Mutual Funds
  7. Part 3: Investing in Stocks, Bonds, and Funds
    1. Chapter 8: Getting Your Slice of Capitalism with Stocks
      1. What Are Stocks?
      2. How (and Why) You Can Make Money with Stocks
      3. Timing Your Stock Buying and Selling
      4. Highlighting How to Invest in Stocks
      5. Maximizing Your Stock Market Returns
    2. Chapter 9: Securing Investment Income and Principal with Bonds
      1. Defining Bonds
      2. Using Bonds in a Portfolio
      3. How and Where to Invest in Bonds
    3. Chapter 10: Fund Investing: Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds
      1. Understanding the Advantages of Funds
      2. Maximizing Your Chances for Fund Investing Success
      3. Creating and Managing a Fund Portfolio
      4. Identifying the Best Mutual Funds and ETFs
      5. Considering Alternatives to Investing in Funds
    4. Chapter 11: Understanding Investment Brokers
      1. Getting Your Money’s Worth: Discount Brokers
      2. Checking Out Online Brokers
  8. Part 4: Investing in Real Estate, Small Business, and Other Investments
    1. Chapter 12: Seeking Shelter and Appreciation in Real Estate
      1. Comparing Owning a Home to Renting
      2. Figuring Your Home-Buying Budget
      3. Shopping for Your Home
      4. Investing in Investment Real Estate
    2. Chapter 13: Financing and Putting Together Real Estate Investment Deals
      1. Financing Your Real Estate Deals
      2. Working with Real Estate Agents
      3. Putting Your Deal Together
      4. Selling Real Estate
    3. Chapter 14: Taking Your Talents to the Small-Business Arena
      1. Investing in Your Career
      2. Deciding to Start Your Own Business
      3. Turning a Business Idea into Reality
      4. Considering Small-Business Investment Options
    4. Chapter 15: Exploring Other Investment Vehicles
      1. Calling on Options
      2. Considering Gold and Other Precious Metals
      3. Should You Invest in Currencies and Cryptocurrencies?
      4. Contemplating Collectibles
      5. Understanding Annuities and Cash-Value Life Insurance
  9. Part 5: The Part of Tens
    1. Chapter 16: Ten Things to Know about Investing Resources
      1. Get Educated to Discern the Best from the Rest
      2. Beware “Free”
      3. Understand the Influence of Advertising
      4. Value Quality over Quantity
      5. Know How to Check Out a Resource
      6. Beware Hype and Exaggeration
      7. Don’t Assume Quoted Experts Know Their Stuff
      8. Investigate Gurus’ Claims
      9. Don’t Believe Investment-Newsletter Claims
      10. Check Out and Keep Up with My Favorite Resources
    2. Chapter 17: Ten Essential Tips for Investing Success
      1. Regularly Save and Invest 5 Percent to 10 Percent of Your Income
      2. Understand and Use Your Employee Benefits
      3. Thoroughly Research Before You Invest
      4. Shun Investments with High Commissions and Expenses
      5. Invest the Majority of Your Long-Term Money in Ownership Investments
      6. Avoid Making Emotionally Based Financial Decisions
      7. Make Investing Decisions Based on Your Plans and Needs
      8. Tap Information Sources with High Quality Standards
      9. Trust Yourself First
      10. Invest in Yourself and Others
    3. Chapter 18: Ten Things to Know about Investing Apps
      1. Beware of the General Dangers of Putting Apps on Your Cell Phone
      2. Use Apps Only from Proven Companies with Good Reputations and Longevity
      3. Consider the Alternatives to an App
      4. Use the Best Personal Finance Apps to Have More to Invest
      5. Be Skeptical of Investing Apps Offering “Free” Trading
      6. Review Current and Historic Financial and Economic Data
      7. Invest with Leading Fund Providers
      8. Tap into the Best Investment Brokerage Firms
      9. Examine the Best Real Estate Apps
      10. Seek out Good Small-Business Apps
  10. Bonus Chapter: Taking Care with Health Insurance
    1. Making Sure You’re Covered
    2. Finding Your Best Health Plan
    3. Shopping for Health Insurance
    4. Health Savings Accounts: Tax Reduction for Healthcare Costs
  11. Index
  12. About the Author
  13. Advertisement Page
  14. Connect with Dummies
  15. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: Investing in Your 20s & 30s For Dummies, 3rd Edition
  • Author(s): Eric Tyson
  • Release date: June 2021
  • Publisher(s): For Dummies
  • ISBN: 9781119805403