作为一个不太懂金融的单身妈妈，我是如何开始投资的

理想情况下，我们大多数人都能上大学，过上体面的生活，然后退休——就像我们之前的几代人一样。但是，不幸的是，我们现在生活在一个充斥着通货膨胀、工作不确定性和不可逾越的教育债务的世界。专家断言，退休年龄可能会为后代进一步提高。不仅如此，每月的社会保障金可能会减少，而通货膨胀也在上升。

所以，像我这样的许多千禧一代必须把我们的金融未来掌握在自己手中。就我个人而言，作为一个单身母亲，这种对未来金融前景的悲观一瞥足以迫使我开始投资，作为建立自己退休基金的一种方式。然而，作为一个公认不是最懂金融的人，这说起来容易做起来难。

虽然开始投资可能是一个令人生畏的想法，但如果我能学会投资，我相信任何人都可以。虽然我还处于起步阶段，但我已经学到了很多关于投资——以及整个金融领域——的信息。你也可以。

以下是我所采取的一些可行步骤的概述，这些步骤帮助我开始投资，尽管我缺乏金融知识——并且在这个过程中没有数千美元可以浪费。

Related: 这位华尔街高管将帮助女性投资作为她的人生使命

Tips to Start Investing Today

如果你正在寻找一些扎实的技巧来开启你的投资之旅，以下是帮助我做到这一点的步骤。

Start Reading

幸运的是，这些天，有成吨的内容创作者自由分享关于投资的宝贵信息。例如疯狂的费因特是我最喜欢的投资博客之一。它是由一位追求财务独立的科学家创建的。该网站面向那些想提前退休的人，包括播客和大量资源，教你从避税到建立投资组合的一切。

另一方面，如果你不太喜欢阅读，YouTube也通过视频提供大量免费信息。例如，《破晓》和《查理张》有着令人难以置信的投资渠道。我喜欢这些，因为

they provide a great deal of information and post regularly.

No matter how you choose to learn, you should seek out reputable experts—those whose content also speaks to you in some way.

Create an Emergency Fund

I've also learned the importance of creating an emergency fund. No matter how great your investment portfolio may be, if you do not have some money stashed away for an emergency, you will likely end up using the money you earned from your investments to respond to emergencies. Since experts assert that over half of Americans (51%) and even more millennials (57%) have either no savings or not enough to cover the recommended three months of expenses, it's clear that most of us could use some help in this department.

So, even as you build your investment portfolio, you should also be putting some money away for a rainy day.

• Related: When the Unexpected Happens: How to Save for an Emergency

Pay Your Debts

Millennials are the generation with the fastest-growing debt, carrying approximately $4,651 per person in credit card debt. Therefore, another crucial step to take when trying to build an investment portfolio is paying off what you owe—so you're not accruing more debt via interest long-term. As we all know, debt is something that only multiplies the longer you have it; owing hundreds now means you will likely pay thousands over the years.

So, if you really want to focus on building your investment portfolio, you first need to get more aggressive about paying off your debt. This could mean anything from hiring a debt counselor to creating a limited spending budget until you pay it all off. Either way, taking the time to eliminate your debt is one of the best things you can do to secure your financial future.

Find Your Strengths

We all have our unique strengths; this applies to the investment world as well. For example, while some may prefer to invest in stocks, treasury securities, or low-initial-investment mutual funds, others may gravitate towards cryptocurrencies. Others still prefer to take on newer types of investments, such as NFTs. Additionally, crowd-funded real estate has made it possible for people to invest in the real estate market with very little money.

According to finance expert Stefanie O'Connell Rodriguez, regardless of what methods you choose to start investing, it is essential to start as soon as possible—and stay dedicated to your mission no matter what. Many people fail in the financial realm simply because they are not committed to the process for the long haul.

• Related: Could Your Child Earn Money Playing Video Games—and Should You Let Them?

Take Calculated Risks

All investments are risky in some way. So, in order to build a sound investment portfolio, you must learn how to take calculated risks. For instance, although investing in the stock market is relatively common, there is always a risk you will lose everything. Likewise, simply saving your money in a retirement fund carries a very low risk. However, you then run the "risk" of not meeting your ultimate goal—because you were too afraid to allow your money to work for you. So, embrace the riskiness of investing, and decide what level of risk you are comfortable with.

Overall, my investment journey is still in its beginning stages, but I've learned so much. My most important advice for any single mom like me? Start where you are, and do what you can.

As with all other aspects of life, your investment journey is uniquely your own. What works for someone else may not be the best fit for your financial goals. So, take the time to learn, take some risks, and above all, make sure that you dedicate yourself to building your finances for the long haul.