Quora Answer: How Do I Get into Investing as a Student?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “I would like to get into investing, but I am a student?  What would be the best to get more information?”

Unless you are the age of majority, you cannot purchase any financial products under your own cognisance.  Until then, develop a habit of saving money, or get your parents or legal guardian to purchase such products for you.

As a legal adult, it would be prudent to get the professional advise of a certified financial advisor.  Meet a few of them, and do not simply buy from the first one you meet.  Assess what they present, and consider your options carefully.  Choosing a financial advisor is as serious as choosing a life partner.  You are looking for someone with congruent values, and has your interests at heart.  You are not looking for a salesman, or product pusher.

The competent financial advisor would walk you through a process known as a financial health review to determine your financial goals, investment horizon, risk tolerance, and current financial health.  It is only then that you can consider where to invest your money.  There is a bewildering array of financial products, both debt and equity instruments, and the various wrappers, and derivatives.  They range from low risk to high risk, with commensurate projected returns.  I would not recommend getting into this blind.