Ask HN: How to start learning about investments?

#1

Post by DeathArrow » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 11:37 AM UTC

I know basically zero about investing and stocks, mutual funds, XFDs, ETFs and FOREX seems most accessible investment vehicles.

I want to start investing some money and before doing it I want to learn how to do it.

I don't plan to get super rich by doing this but to improve my financial situation.

What I want is to learn how not to lose money and being able to correctly asses the risks and rewards.

There are sites like investopedia but they seem generic and articles aren't well connected with each other.

I don't expect to have a learning path or certificates or nanodegrees or even complete tutorials like on Udemy, Coursera or Udacity.

But I want a way to have some structured information.

So where do you suggest I can start? How to find good materials that I can learn from? How to structure the information and do a learning plan?

Re: Ask HN: How to start learning about investments?

#2

Post by Bostonian » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 12:10 PM UTC

Go to Bogleheads https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Getting_started. There is an active forum https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/index.php . Bogleheads is named after Jack Bogle, the late founder of the Vanguard family of funds and a champion of stock index funds. Bogleheads is not the place to learn about crypto or FX trading. They generally advise against non-traditional investments.

Re: Ask HN: How to start learning about investments?

#3

Post by DeathArrow » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 12:20 PM UTC

Bostonian wrote: post #2

Go to Bogleheads https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Getting_started . There is an active forum https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/index.php . Bogleheads is named after Jack Bogle, the late founder of the Vanguard family of funds and a champion of stock index funds. Bogleheads is not the place to learn about crypto or FX trading. They generally advise against non-traditional investments.

Thank you!

Re: Ask HN: How to start learning about investments?

#4

Post by room505 » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 12:55 PM UTC

The Bogleheads' Guide To Investing is the best book to understanding investing, too. https://archive.org/details/the-bogleheads-guide-to-investin...

Re: Ask HN: How to start learning about investments?

#5

Post by qorrect » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 2:14 PM UTC

> There are sites like investopedia but they seem generic and articles aren't well connected with each other.

You'll see this theme repeated throughout your investment learning. Investing is a huge space with hundreds of different 'instruments', the thing that has gotten me the most comfortable is just time and exposure to all of the different aspects.

I think in the beginning you need a choose a path and deep dive into it. I would start with your immediate goals, which sounds like to find somewhere relatively safe to park your money till you're ready for more active investing. In addition to BogleHeads I would explore Vanguards ETF offerings here https://investor.vanguard.com/mutual-funds/list#/etf/asset-c... .

Periodicals are also a fun way to learn , Barrons is good, WSJ. I'd read these cover to cover the first few months.

Good luck have fun!

Re: Ask HN: How to start learning about investments?

#6

Post by hellojesus » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 2:22 PM UTC

As others have mentioned, Boggleheads.

Personally I would recommend the following, especially if you're more concerned with retirement than investments:

1. The Simple Path to Wealth (or just listen to the author get interviewed on the following podcasts):

A. Afford Anything

B. Bigger Pockets Money Podcast

C. Radical Personal Finance

2. Mr. Money Mustache

Re: Ask HN: How to start learning about investments?

#7

Post by DeathArrow » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 2:25 PM UTC

qorrect wrote: post #5

> There are sites like investopedia but they seem generic and articles aren't well connected with each other. You'll see this theme repeated throughout your investment learning. Investing is a huge space with hundreds of different 'instruments', the thing that has gotten me the most comfortable is just time and exposure to all of the different aspects. I think in the beginning you need a choose a path and deep dive i…

Thank you!

Re: Ask HN: How to start learning about investments?

#8

Post by DeathArrow » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 2:26 PM UTC

room505 wrote: post #4

The Bogleheads' Guide To Investing is the best book to understanding investing, too. https://archive.org/details/the-bogleheads-guide-to-investin...

Thank you!

Re: Ask HN: How to start learning about investments?

#9

Post by DeathArrow » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 2:26 PM UTC

hellojesus wrote: post #6

As others have mentioned, Boggleheads. Personally I would recommend the following, especially if you're more concerned with retirement than investments: 1. The Simple Path to Wealth (or just listen to the author get interviewed on the following podcasts): A. Afford Anything B. Bigger Pockets Money Podcast C. Radical Personal Finance 2. Mr. Money Mustache

Thank you!

Re: Ask HN: How to start learning about investments?

#10

Post by high_byte » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 2:28 PM UTC

first learn from the GOATs: Warren Buffet, Peter Thiel, and my personal favorite Peter Lynch. (feel free to extend this list in the comments)

then for technical, how-to details, you just need to read & apply. for most people (ie. not someone who plans doing finance for a living, as a job) you don't need to learn a whole lot about every financial instrument. learn some info about what is out there, make your choice and let your investments sit as long as possible.

most no-brainer investment strategy is roughly 30% S&P 500, 30% in FAANG, 20% your choice (e.g. higher risk such as crypto, business, etc), <10% living expanses, remaining 10% - have fun. (house, car, vacation...)