Top 5 Platforms to help you get started with Investing

One of the most crucial things to do before you start investing is to gather a list of resources that could be useful for you as you begin your investing journey. Because, well, heeding the advice of users on your Reddit app or Googling “what stocks to buy today” whenever you feel the urge to grow your wealth isn’t the most reliable way to go about it. Especially if you’re unsure of what to do in times of a volatile market. So, we’ve compiled a list of 5 platforms that serve to break down the basics for beginner investors and provide valuable information for your initial investments!

The Motley Fool

If you’re ready to start investing but don’t know which stocks to go for, you can begin by browsing through The Motley Fool. It’s one of the most well-established investment blogs out there. Starting out as a newsletter in 1993, it has since evolved into a financial website, used by both beginners and seasoned traders alike.

Their Investing Basics series covers a wealth of useful information, like how to invest in stocks, ETFs, and even real estate. The Motley Fool also stands out for its in-depth investment software reviews.

If you’re looking to take your investment game a little more seriously, consider their Stock Advisor subscription. At $99/year for first-time subscribers, and $199/year thereafter, you’ll have access to a library of expert stock recommendations, vetted for every investment style. Over the past 20 years, the service has outperformed the S&P 500 by 3-to-1 in total average returns.

If you're ready to start investing in the stock market but need some ideas for what to go for, we’d recommend trying it out. For the quality of investment advice you’ll be receiving, it’s a pretty good bargain. Typically, similar subscription services don’t provide a “starter stocks” list and also include only one monthly stock pick.

Barron’s

Barron’s is an American weekly investment news magazine published by Dow Jones & Company. It’s highly regarded as a good source for up-to-date news in the financial market, strategic insights, as well as weekly stock market recommendations.

Readers can choose to go for the online or print subscription, which includes five new investment ideas every week, chosen by their stock-picking team.

Barron’s also follows a content format akin to the one used by The Wall Street Journal, as the two publications are under the same parent company. The difference is that Barron’s focuses more on stock investing, while The Wall Street Journal mainly covers current affairs and business-focused news.

While it provides research-backed strategies and helpful data tools, it lacks a portfolio analysis tool like some of the other features on this list.

However, if you're looking for a good source for in-depth analysis of financial trends, and a solid understanding of the fundamentals of companies to potentially invest in, Barron’s is definitely a good investing platform to frequent.

Yahoo Finance

Yahoo! Finance has been dubbed a credible source for market news and stock information for years, and for good reason. On the website, you’ll have access to a range of the latest news to get a sense of market conditions around the world. The information is put out pretty quickly, almost in real-time, so you won’t be short on knowledge for your investment decisions. Just make sure you do your due diligence and seek opinions on other platforms as well, as the sentiments there can sometimes lean towards the bull and bear extremes.

You can also filter the articles by industry or investment type to improve your navigation experience, as the free version can get a bit cluttered by ads.

If you are looking for a more robust experience, you can opt for Yahoo! Finance Plus. Within this premium platform, you’ll find extra tools and streamlined insights to help you build your portfolio. You can even set custom alerts, gain access to monthly educational webinars, and peruse through the site with an ad-free experience.

Make sure to take advantage of their 14-day free trial to have a go at it before committing to the monthly or annual paid subscription!

Investopedia

Investopedia is another great investing platform if you need an introduction to key financial terms, and education on investment laws and terms. They also have several courses that cater towards beginners, covering topics such as personal finance, trading, and cryptocurrency.

A standout feature it has is the simulator tool, which allows users to practice stock trading  without the risk, by using virtual money. It’s a great way to build your confidence, especially if you’re completely new to trading. The best part? It’s completely free to use.

On top of this, the site also publishes news and trends across topics like personal finance, government, and the markets themselves.

Kiplinger

Last but not least is the financial magazine, Kiplinger. This publication focuses on personal finance, and provides investment and money management tips catered to users of all ages. Every month, you’ll get a curated list of stocks, ETFs, bonds, and mutual funds to consider buying, and investment ideas from various columnists.

Many of the articles on their site can be accessed for free, and for those interested in investing in individual stocks, check out James Glassman’s column. He typically presents a different investing theme every month.

The annual subscription costs an affordable $29.95, and although it won’t provide the same in-depth stock analysis as some of the other picks on this list, it’s still a good starting point for beginner investors.

We hope you found this beginner's guide to investing helpful. As usual, it’s important to do thorough research and not rely on one source of information for your investment decisions. You can also seek a balanced view by using several of these platforms together!