Wait, so how do I become an investor? Well, as an individual investor, you can’t simply go onto the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and purchase stock. What you can do is go through a broker to purchase stocks. This can be a licensed broker that you call to make an order, or an online broker such as eTrade or Charles Schwab.

To break it down for you:

We like to say that there are two types of investors in this world: the DIY (do-it-yourself) investor and the investor on a guided tour. So, which are you?

To summarize, the DIY investor likes to handle things themselves, while investors on a guided tour prefer to set it and forget it.

Financial Beginnings is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers youth and adults to take control of their financial futures. Their educational programs incorporate all aspects of personal finance to give individuals the foundation they need to make informed financial decisions. Financial Beginnings reaches more than 200 K-12 schools and colleges and more than 100 community-based organizations annually, serving all groups with special focus on populations most in need. For more information, visit www.financialbeginnings.org.