Investments can seem tricky and is by far one of the most daunting aspects of finance. People often get overwhelmed at the thought of investing, it feels like there is so much information to absorb and most of it can be confusing. There is a lot of doubt and fear that comes with the idea of just ‘getting started’ and part of the problem is that investments have so many misconceptions surrounding them.
Common myths about investments can be hard to distinguish from reality because they are hidden behind facts and mask themselves as half-truths. Take a look at this scenario. A friend asked you if you can drive. You responded, ‘I do not have a car’. While that statement may be accurate, you did not answer the actual question and thus have misled your friend, even with a truthful statement since you have a driver’s license and in fact, can drive.
In the same way, it is easy to mix up facts about investments with half-truths, misconceptions, and myths. First-time investors are crowded with various persuasive myths out there that they end up making absurd investment decisions or decide not to invest at all. Today in this article, we’ll be debunking five of the common investment myths. Let’s separate fact from fiction.
Myth 1: Investing is for the rich
This is one of the most common myths about investment. We believe some people still think this is true. “You need to have lots of money”, “Investment is for big people”, “It is a rich man’s idea’’, “Investment has nothing to offer me as a small business owner’’. Let’s debunk this one, shall we? Investment is meant for everyone and in recent years, it is available for everyone. Several platforms allow you to invest with very little amounts with great interest rates. At BizVest, we have the minimum amount of N50,000 at 10% — 15% p/a. As a small business owner, it is a great way to save towards specific projects on a predefined tenor basis and it helps instill discipline and focus.
Myth 2: Investing is not for young people
We do not know where the idea that investment is a retirement plan came from, but that is an absolute half-truth. We know young people love to live in the moment but we also know that there is a future you want to be prepared for. Investing is a great way to look out for your financial future and even now, the moment. Time is of great advantage when it comes to investing, however, not all investments are long-term based, there are safe ways to build your income in the short run. And when you want to protect your future, investment can work for you by yielding compounding interest. Don’t sleep on a moving train people, again we say, investment is for everyone.
Myth 3: Investing is for experts
We have heard this one a lot and while there is some truth to it, it can be misleading. You have to educate yourself on investing; don’t get us wrong, you cannot go into any new industry without some information. However, basic knowledge is different from expert knowledge. The idea that you have to be an expert before investing is false. A half-truth is a whole lie, as they say. Several investment options do not require you to be able to interpret the stock market. Some platforms even do that for you. Do not let the enormous stereotype that only people with MBAs or a certain degree should invest deter you. Get informed on the basic types of investment and start your journey, access to expert financial advice has never been easier. At BizVest, we offer advisory services to businesses on managing and growing their finances better.
Myth 4: Investing is a quick way to make money
Could anything be further from the truth? There are no get-rich-quick schemes, and if anyone comes at you with that, you should be wary. The truth is the market rewards long-term investments more, there is patience and discipline required. Investing for the long term is more likely to lead to substantial returns because it has been built up over time. Investing is not a quick way to make money even with short-term investments, it takes a period to gain interest. Wealth creation does not just happen overnight, you can start your process with long-term investments using BizVest.
Myth 5: Investing is too time-consuming
This comes from the misconception that you have to monitor your investments daily, be kept abreast of financial news, and literally stay glued to the markets. Of course, when you consider doing all of these, investing would be time-consuming and feel like a full-time job. However, it is not and should not be so overwhelming. Many times, long-term investments require minimal monitoring and are even operated by professionals. There are similarly certain types of low- maintenance investments that are easy to operate. Familiarize yourself with the basics of investing, make use of platforms that assist you in the process, and spend less time worrying.
Investing isn’t as complex, time-consuming, or selective as you may assume. With a reliable financial advisor which we provide on BizVest, you can put together an investment portfolio that suits your financial needs. Visit us today at www.bizvest.co and let’s get you started.
