Stocks. Bonds. Options. Short Selling. Margin calls. We've all heard these words, but sometimes there's just so much mystery surrounding them.
What exactly is investing?
The dictionary definition of investing is to "expend money with the expectation of achieving a profit or material result by putting it into financial schemes, shares, or property, or by using it to develop a commercial venture." When we talk about investing, however, we are mostly referring to the investing of one's own money in things like the stock market, or the bond market. For many people, hearing these words is daunting - many feel like this is a topic they would rather leave to the finance guys at their investment fund. However, it is always good to have a general understanding of how these things work, even if you are not personally taking care of your investments
One of the most fundamental differences we must understand is that between stocks (or shares) and bonds. The simplest explanation is this: when you buy stock from a company, you are buying a small percentage of it - when you buy a bond from a company, you are lending that company money, but you do not own any part of it. Below is a more comprehensive table of the differences between both of these terms.
Differences between stocks and bonds
Stocks
Bonds
Something that you must also consider is your risk tolerance. Based on this, you balance your portfolio with a certain percentage of stocks and a certain percentage of bonds. Remember, stocks are considered riskier than bonds, as they are more volatile.
A great resource for personal finance and investing guidance is Platinum Wealth, I created that platform to help South Africans invest and learn more about finances for free.
Before you even start to research the different products and underlying funds, you need to ask yourself a few questions.
With these factors in mind, you can now start weighing up your options and plotting your investment journey.
A good thread to begin with is How to start Investing, it covers the basics to get your started.
Disclaimer
This information is purely educational - if you are unsure, seek help from a professional.
Investments in the stock market may fall as well as rise and are not appropriate for investing for the short term. You may get back less than you invested. All investment carries risk and it is important you fully understand these risks and are willing to accept them. Past performance should not be seen as an indicator for future performance.
The internet is full of restrictions, censorship, privacy invasions, security breaches, and a host of unwanted entities trafficking in your personal data. Using a VPN is a great first step toward protecting your privacy online. Privacy is fundamental to a well-functioning society because it allows norms, ethics, and laws to be safely discussed and challenged. Without privacy, a free and open society can neither flourish nor exist.
Read The ArticleWhether it happens gradually over time or all of a sudden, trying to work with a slow computer can be seriously frustrating. Even if you’re fairly diligent with the maintenance of your laptop or PC, it’s surprising how quickly things slow down. If you are asking yourself “Why is my laptop so slow” and running Windows 10, 8, or 7, this post is for you!
Read The ArticleThe Sonoff lightbulbs are very affordable and provide you with the basic functionality that a smart home needs. If the budget is tight and you don’t need all bells and whistles of the more expensive lights, Sonoff lightbulbs will do the job just fine. The prices start from $9.90 for the (plastic, White + color temperature) B02 B A60 and $12.90 for the fancy, pear-shaped B02-F-ST64 (glass, retro look, White + color temperature). As far as connected lights go, the prices are very attractive and Sonoff lightbulbs indeed are as inexpensive as you can get.
Read The Article