I just noticed your question. I hope my advice helps you.
Lots of people believe that they can outsmart the stock market. Investment advisers and mutual funds will tell you how they can outsmart the stock market. They talk about market timing, staying ahead of the information curve, and all sorts of garbage. Too many investment advisers are less honest than a used car salesman.
Here is an example:
INVESTMENT ADVISER: I can help you get above market returns. I can guide your through the peaks and valleys of market trends.
ME: So how do I know that you are better than any other investment adviser?
INVESTMENT ADVISER: I get lots of recommendations from other investors.
ME: Do you have any quantitative data to support your claim?
INVESTMENT ADVISER: NO
ME: Do you have any evidence that your advice is more valuable than the commission that you earn from selling me this stuff?
INVESTMENT ADVISER:
Mumbo jumbo garbage with a bunch of fancy words.
ME: I do not have a clue about what you were just saying.
INVESTMENT ADVISER: That is why I am here to help.
ME: I do not invest in anything that I do not understand. I do not understand you. Therefore, I will not do business with you. Thank you. Have a good day.
INVESTMENT ADVISER: Good luck with that.
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The essence of the above conversation actually took place in real life. My employer was hanging on to some of my money and I had to go through this jerk to get it.
Here are my suggestions.
First, I would suggest that you visit Vanguard.com and read the homepage. The funds are set up to avoid the conflict of interest that I illustrated in the above conversation.
Second, think about your risk tolerance. If you need to know that your money will be absolutely safe, then buy bonds. If you feel like taking some risk, then buy stocks. I personally like to live a bit on the wild side. I invest 80% stocks and 20% bonds. The bonds exist to cover emergency expenses. I will probably go to 100% stock within a year because my risk tolerance is increasing.
Third, if you invest in stocks then you need to be ready for some wild swings in value of your investments. The coronavirus just decreased the value of my stocks by 30% over the last month. I have no idea if the stock market has hit bottom. I could loose lots more money. Still, I will probably recover these loses within 5 years. In a worst case situation, I might need 10 years to recover my losses.
Fourth, the upside potential of stocks in the long run (20-30 years) is very high. You should expect to quadruple your investment in less than 30 years. This is after inflation and after taxes.
I am primarily saving my money for the benefit of my autistic son after I die. So, I am a very long term investor.
I hope that helps. Please feel free to ask more questions.