15 Important Investing Moves to Stop Putting Off

Investing your money can grow it into a larger sum over time. And investing could also be your ticket to meeting your financial goals. Therefore, if you've been holding off on any of these things, it's time to get moving.

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The sooner you start funding an IRA or 401(k) plan, the sooner you can begin building retirement wealth. Furthermore, IRAs and 401(k)s offer tax benefits that could save you money. And that alone is a good reason to start contributing.

ALSO READ: Choosing the Best Retirement Plan for You

It pays to put money into an IRA or 401(k) for the tax breaks involved. But it's also a good idea to invest money in a traditional brokerage account. That way, you can own assets outside of a retirement plan and have more options for tapping them earlier in life.

You shouldn't just throw your money into different stocks and hope for the best. Instead, you should develop a strategy that lends to meeting your specific goals. That may involve investing in a range of market sectors, loading up on growth stocks, or focusing on value stocks.

ALSO READ: Investing in Value Stocks

It's hard to push yourself to keep investing when you're not sure what you're doing it for. That's why it's smart to establish some goals. Maybe you want to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Or maybe you want to put your kids through college. List those goals so you can keep your eyes on the prize.

Playing it too safe with your investments could leave you with lower returns than you're hoping for. Don't be afraid to take on some risk in your portfolio, especially if you're saving and investing for a far-off milestone, like retirement. If you stick to safer assets like bonds, you could wind up disappointed.

5 Stocks Under $49
Presented by Motley Fool Stock Advisor
We hear it over and over from investors, "I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by The Motley Fool. I'd be sitting on a gold mine!" It's true, but we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Click here to learn how you can grab a copy of "5 Growth Stocks Under $49" for FREE for a limited time only.

Buying individual stocks is a great way to build wealth. But it's important to choose the right ones, and that doesn't just mean investing in companies you hear about on the news. Instead, take the time to learn how to research stocks so you can approach your decisions with more confidence.

ALSO READ: How to Research Stocks

Your investment portfolio should contain a mix of assets. You shouldn't only buy stock, or bonds, or real estate, but rather, different asset types. Read up on asset allocation so you're better equipped to spread your money around.

I Bonds are government bonds with interest rates pegged to inflation. Right now, inflation levels are high, so I Bonds are paying generously. That may not always be the case, though, so if you're looking for a safer place for your money, I Bonds are worth considering.

The great thing about dividend stocks is that they offer two opportunities to make money. You can benefit when your shares appreciate in value, and you can enjoy a steady stream of income from your dividend payments. Better yet, you can invest your dividend payments to grow your portfolio even more.

ALSO READ: The 1 Question You Must Ask Before Buying a Dividend-Paying Stock

It used to be that if you couldn't afford a full share of a given stock, you couldn't buy it. But these days, many brokerages offer the option to invest in fractional shares. That's a great way to diversify in your portfolio.

5 Stocks Under $49
Presented by Motley Fool Stock Advisor
We hear it over and over from investors, "I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by The Motley Fool. I'd be sitting on a gold mine!" It's true, but we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Click here to learn how you can grab a copy of "5 Growth Stocks Under $49" for FREE for a limited time only.

Index funds are passively managed, and their goal is to match the performance of the benchmarks they're associated with. The upside of index funds is getting a chance to diversify within your portfolio. Plus, they don't require the same amount of research it takes to buy individual stocks.

ALSO READ: How to Invest in Index Funds

A diverse mix of investments can help you grow wealth. It can also help protect you from losses if one specific sector of the market takes a hit. It's a good idea to own different assets in your portfolio, and also, to diversify within each asset class. So within the realm of stocks, it's smart to invest in companies from different industries -- think tech, auto, banks, energy, and healthcare, just to name a few.

Real estate is a great way to branch out in your portfolio. And you don't need to purchase a rental property or start flipping houses to go this route. Instead, you can look at buying REITs, or real estate investment trusts, which are companies that own and operate portfolios of properties.

ALSO READ: 3 Reasons to Load Your Portfolio With REITs

When you're younger, you don't want to go too heavy on municipal bonds. But it can be a good idea to put some money into them. Municipal bonds tend to be less volatile than stocks and even corporate bonds. And the interest they pay is never subject to federal taxes.

There are no income- or age-related requirements for meeting with a financial advisor. All you need to do is want the help and be willing to listen to outside advice. A financial advisor can help you map out your goals and invest in a manner that makes them achievable.

5 Stocks Under $49
Presented by Motley Fool Stock Advisor
We hear it over and over from investors, "I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by The Motley Fool. I'd be sitting on a gold mine!" It's true, but we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Click here to learn how you can grab a copy of "5 Growth Stocks Under $49" for FREE for a limited time only.

The sooner you tackle these key investing moves, the more likely you'll be to meet your biggest goals. Take the time to review these moves carefully. Giving your investments a little more attention in the near term could make a huge difference in the long term.

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