Stock Market Basics

Q: I have never invested in the stock market and was wondering what is typically recommended for a single income salary?

Congratulations! You are joining the ranks of the individual investor. Before you being investing in the stock market, there are a few places you should put your money. First, make sure you have at least 3 months of expenses saved in savings account or money market fund. At the same time, you also want to make sure you are contributing to a retirement account; either through a 401(k) at your work or a ROTH IRA. Try and take advantage of the maximum amount these retirement plans allow you to save ($15,500 to a 401(k) and $5,000 to a ROTH IRA). Once you have checked these two items off your financial checklist, and you would like to begin investing in the stock market, a mutual fund is the best place to start. Ideally, contribute as much as your salary lets you! Make sure you are diversified; a Moderate Allocation mutual fund can help serve that need.

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