Having a savings account isn’t enough
Saving money is important, but it’s only part of the story. Smart savers start by building sufficient emergency savings within a savings account or through investment in a money market account. But after building three to six months of easy-to-access savings, investing in the financial markets offers many potential advantages.
Why is investing important?
Investing is an effective way to put your money to work and potentially build wealth. Smart investing may allow your money to outpace inflation and increase in value.
The greater growth potential of investing is primarily due to the power of compounding and the risk-return tradeoff.
The power of compounding
Compounding occurs when an investment generates earnings or dividends which are then reinvested. These earnings or dividends then generate their own earnings. So, in other words, compounding is when your investments generate earnings from previous earnings.
If you invest in a dividend-paying stock, for example, you might consider taking advantage of the potential power of compounding by choosing to reinvest the dividends. To help increase the potential benefits of compounding, start investing as soon as possible and automatically reinvest your dividends and other distributions. Read about the power of compounding and the cost of waiting.
The risk-return tradeoff
Different investments offer varying levels of potential return and market risk.
- Risk is an investment’s chance of producing a lower-than-expected return or even losing value.
- Return is the amount of money you earn on the assets you’ve invested, or the investment’s overall increase in value.
Investing in stocks, for example, has the potential to provide higher returns. In contrast, investing in a money market or a savings account likely won’t offer the same return potential but is considered less risky than investing in stocks.
The amount of risk you carry depends on your appetite — or tolerance — for risk. Only you can decide how much risk you’re willing to take for the potential of higher returns. But if you’re seeking to outpace inflation, taking on some risk may be necessary. An increase in risk may provide more potential for your money to grow.
Diversification can reduce risk
Learn the basic investing types
When it comes to investing, you have many options. Before deciding which investment vehicles are appropriate for you, it'll help if you know what they are, how they work, and why they may be a good fit for your needs.
Learn about investment types >
Stocks are subject to market risk, which means their value may fluctuate in response to general economic and market conditions, the prospects of individual companies, and industry sectors. Investments in equity securities are generally more volatile than other types of securities.
Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.
Dividends are not guaranteed and are subject to change or elimination.
Investment and Insurance Products are:
- Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency
- Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate
- Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested
Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors. Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (WFCS) and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Members SIPC, separate registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company.
Retirement Professionals are registered representatives of and offer brokerage products through Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (WFCS). Discussions with Retirement Professionals may lead to a referral to affiliates including Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. WFCS and its associates may receive a financial or other benefit for this referral. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is a banking affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
Insurance products are offered through non-bank insurance agency affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company and are underwritten by unaffiliated insurance companies.
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is a bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
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FAQs
Investing is an effective way to put your money to work and potentially build wealth. Smart investing may allow your money to outpace inflation and increase in value. The greater growth potential of investing is primarily due to the power of compounding and the risk-return tradeoff.
Should I invest with Wells Fargo Advisors? ›
Wells Fargo Advisors is a good business for investors and those seeking financial advice. It helps that the company is an affiliate of the well-established Wells Fargo Bank — it's easier for people to trust a name they already know. Clients who already bank with Wells Fargo can save on Wells Fargo Advisors services.
Why is investing important? ›
As savings held in cash will tend to lose value because inflation reduces their buying power over time, investing can help to protect the value of your money as the cost of living rises. Over the long term, investing can smooth out the effects of weekly market ups and downs.
Why is investment important in the economy? ›
Investment Importance
Investment indirectly leads to the growth of an economy. When a company makes an investment - for example buying a new production machine - it naturally enhances its production process. This enhanced production process results in more efficiency.
What is the primary purpose of investing? ›
Investment definition is an asset acquired or invested in to build wealth and save money from the hard earned income or appreciation. Investment meaning is primarily to obtain an additional source of income or gain profit from the investment over a specific period of time.
Is my money safe with Wells Fargo Advisors? ›
Wells Fargo, along with thousands of other financial institutions, is FDIC-insured. FDIC insurance limits cap at $250,000. The FDIC insures certificates of deposit and money market accounts, along with traditional checking and savings accounts.
Are Wells Fargo advisor fees high? ›
Wells Fargo Advisors' cons
Higher than average fees: With fees generally ranging between 2% and 2.50% for its investment management programs, The firm's fees tend to be higher than the industry average rates, which generally fall between 0.50% to 1.25% of assets under management.
What are the three main reasons for investing? ›
Why Consider Investing?
- Make Money on Your Money. You might not have a hundred million dollars to invest, but that doesn't mean your money can't share in the same opportunities available to others. ...
- Achieve Self-Determination and Independence. ...
- Leave a Legacy to Your Heirs. ...
- Support Causes Important to You.
Choose the right career
And one crucial detail to note: Millionaire status doesn't equal a sky-high salary. “Only 31% averaged $100,000 a year over the course of their career,” the study found, “and one-third never made six figures in any single working year of their career.”
Is it better to save or invest? ›
Investing provides the potential for (significantly) higher returns than saving. As your investments grow, they allow you to take advantage of compounding to accelerate gains. Investing offers many different access points and strategies, from individual stocks and bonds to mutual or exchange-traded funds.
Your investments can make money in 1 of 2 ways. The first is through payments—such as interest or dividends. The second is through investment appreciation, aka, capital gains. When your investment appreciates, it increases in value.
When should I start investing? ›
When it comes to retirement, the recommendation is to start as early as possible, even if it's with small amounts, and aim to save around 10% to 15% of your income. For non-retirement investments, ensure you're in a stable financial position and ready to handle the inherent risks of investing.
How to invest your money wisely? ›
First, open an investment account based on whether you are investing for retirement, education, a kid or another goal. Select investments—such as stocks, bonds, funds or real estate—that match your risk tolerance. Minimize your exposure to risk by spreading your money across a range of asset classes.
What is the importance of investing? ›
Investing is an effective way to put your money to work and potentially build wealth. Smart investing may allow your money to outpace inflation and increase in value. The greater growth potential of investing is primarily due to the power of compounding and the risk-return tradeoff.
What is the goal of investing? ›
Safety, income, and capital gains are the big three objectives of investing but there are others that should be kept in mind as well.
What is the main point of investment? ›
Key Takeaways
An investment involves putting capital to use today in order to increase its value over time. An investment requires putting capital to work, in the form of time, money, effort, etc., in hopes of a greater payoff in the future than what was originally put in.
Can Wells Fargo Advisors be trusted? ›
Wells Fargo Advisors is not a trusted broker because it is not regulated by a financial authority with strict standards. We recommend you open an account only with brokers that are overseen by a top-tier and stringent regulator.
Is investing with an advisor worth it? ›
The right decision is going to depend on your unique financial situation and how much you can afford to pay an advisor. If all goes well then the length of time shouldn't be an issue to you, financially, because the returns can more than pay for the advisor's contributions.
Can you get money from Wells Fargo Advisors? ›
Only you can add or withdraw funds from your account, or request Wells Fargo Advisors to do so on your behalf. The one exception is the annual advisory fee of 0.35%, which is divided into a quarterly amount and subtracted from the cash portion of your account.
Is it safe to invest with a financial advisor? ›
Most reputable financial advisors never take possession of your money. Giving them direct access makes it easy for them to steal funds. Avoid doing that unless you're 100% certain that you can trust the person you're working with.
