For those who are just starting to invest, the world of investments can seem complex and intimidating. However, with a little knowledge and planning, it is possible to take the first steps and create a more secure financial future. This guide offers an introduction to the world of investments, with tips for beginners and suggestions on where to start.
1. Define Your Financial Goals
Before you start investing, it's important to define your financial goals. Ask yourself: what do you want to achieve with your investments? Among the most common objectives are to create a reserve for emergencies, buy a property, secure retirement or finance your children's education.
Divide your objectives into short, medium and long term. Short-term objectives (less than 3 years) may require low-risk, highly liquid investments, while long-term objectives (more than 10 years) may allow for greater exposure to investments with higher return potential.
2. Understand Your Investor Profile
Knowing your investor profile is fundamental to choosing the most suitable investments. The investor profile is divided into three main categories:
- Conservative: Prefers security and is willing to accept lower returns in exchange for lower risk.
- ModerateAccepts a balance between risk and return, seeking security but open to investments with some volatility.
- Aggressive: Is willing to take more risks in search of greater long-term returns.
Many brokers offer free investor profile tests to help you find out where you fit in. With this information, it's easier to choose investment options that align with your risk tolerance.
3. Build an Emergency Reserve
Before investing in riskier assets, it is essential to have an emergency reserve. This reserve should be able to cover between 3 and 6 months of your fixed expenses and should be kept in a safe investment with high liquidity, i.e. easy to withdraw from in case of need.
The most common options for an emergency reserve include Selic Treasurypayment accounts with yields linked to the CDI and CDBs with daily liquidity, which are conservative and easily accessible investments.
4. Know the Types of Investments
Now that you've defined your objectives and investor profile, it's time to learn about some investment options suitable for beginners:
- SavingsAlthough very popular, savings generally offer low returns. It is only recommended for very short-term objectives or for those who are just starting to save.
- Treasury Direct: Tesouro Direto is a program for investing in public bonds issued by the Brazilian government, with options for different terms and profiles. The most common securities are Selic Treasury (low risk and suitable for emergency reserves), the IPCA+ Treasury (protection against inflation) and Prefixed Treasury (fixed return for those who want to know exactly how much they will receive).
- CDB (Bank Deposit Certificate)CDB: A CDB is a security issued by banks that offers a return in exchange for "borrowing" your money. There are CDBs with daily liquidity (for emergency reserves) and with longer terms and higher yields.
- Investment Funds: Investment funds pool resources from different investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of assets. They are managed by professionals and can include shares, fixed income, foreign exchange, among others. They are a good option for beginners who want to diversify without having to choose each asset individually.
- Actions: Shares represent a small part of a company. When you buy shares, you become a partner and share in the company's profits and losses. Although it is a riskier investment, shares can offer excellent returns over the long term and are best suited to investors with a moderate or aggressive profile.
5. Choose an Investment Broker
To invest in government bonds, CDBs, shares and funds, you'll need an investment broker. Nowadays, many brokers offer no brokerage fees for some types of investment and an easy-to-access platform for beginners.
When choosing a broker, take into account aspects such as management fees, product variety and ease of use. Many brokers also provide educational content to help you learn more about investing.
6. Start Small and Diversify
You don't need a lot of money to start investing. On platforms such as Tesouro Direto and some brokers, you can start with amounts from as little as R$ 30.00. Starting with small amounts helps you gain experience and confidence without exposing your assets to high risks.
Another important point is diversification. Diversification means distributing your money between different types of investment to reduce risk. That way, if one investment has a low return, the others can compensate.
7. Focus on the Long Term
Investing is a marathon, not a short-distance race. Over time, investments can fluctuate, especially variable income investments. Stick to your plan and remember that the aim is to achieve your financial goals in the future. Avoid making impulsive decisions based on news or temporary market changes.
8. Continuously Learn and Adjust Your Strategies
Investing requires knowledge, and the more you learn, the better it will be for your finances. There are courses, books, podcasts and videos on investing for beginners. In addition, it is important to review your strategy periodically to ensure that your investments remain in line with your objectives and risk profile.
Final considerations
Investing can be challenging at first, but with planning, knowledge and discipline, you can achieve financial security and reach your dreams. Start small, stay focused and, over time, you'll see the results. Good luck and good investments!
