Research Guides: Financial Literacy: Investing in your Future (2024)

Investing Basics

Investing allows individuals to grow their money and receive long-term financial security. However, investing also carries risks as well, as you can lose money depending on the type of investment and changing economic and market conditions. Investment options fall into three major categories: Stocks, Bonds, and Cash/Cash equivalents.

Stocks: "A stock — also known as a share or equity — is a type of investment representing ownership in a company. Companies sell stock to raise money to fund their business. You become a shareholder and own part of the company when you buy stock. Stocks carry the most risks and highest returns."

Bonds: "A bond is an investment representing a loan made by an investor to a borrower — typically a business or government entity. The borrower promises the debt will be paid back with interest at a specific time. Bonds are typically issued by companies, municipalities, states, and sovereign governments to finance projects and operations. Bonds are generally less volatile than stocks but offer more modest returns."

Cash: "Cash and cash equivalents such as savings accounts, money markets, and certificates of deposit (CDs) are intended to be relatively safe and accessible. They tend to offer relatively low yields and returns because there’s not as much risk associated with these products, like with stocks or bonds. This typically makes cash and cash equivalent products a poor choice for long-term goals because many of them won’t even keep up with inflation. Cash and cash equivalents are the safest investments, but offer the lowest return of the three major asset categories."

Source: Investor.gov; finred.usalearning.gov

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Research Guides: Financial Literacy: Investing in your Future (2024)

FAQs

How will financial literacy help you in the future? ›

A strong foundation of financial literacy can help support various life goals, such as saving for education or retirement, using debt responsibly, and running a business. Key aspects of financial literacy include knowing how to create a budget, plan for retirement, manage debt, and track personal spending.

How will financial literacy impact your future career? ›

The Professional Advantage of Financial Literacy

Those who understand the fundamentals of finance are better equipped to make strategic decisions that drive business growth and profitability. They can analyze financial statements, evaluate investment opportunities, and manage budgets and cash flow more effectively.

What are the 5 key components of financial literacy? ›

The U.S. FLEC highlights five principles as the building blocks of financial literacy, known as the MyMoney Five.
  • EARN.
  • SPEND.
  • SAVE & INVEST.
  • BORROW.
  • PROTECT.
Apr 17, 2024

What is the relationship between financial literacy and investment? ›

Findings suggest that millennials with higher levels of financial literacy tend to exhibit more proactive investment behaviors, such as saving for retirement, diversified portfolio allocation, and increased participation in the stock market.

What are the four pillars of financial literacy? ›

Financial literacy is having a basic grasp of money matters and its four fundamental pillars: debt, budgeting, saving, and investing. It's understanding how to build wealth throughout one's life by leveraging the power of these pillars.

What is a famous quote about financial literacy? ›

Harv Eker. “The number one problem in today's generation and economy is the lack of financial literacy.”

What is future value in financial literacy? ›

Future value (FV) is the value of a current asset at a future date based on an assumed growth rate. Investors and financial planners use it to estimate how much an investment today will be worth in the future. External factors such as inflation can adversely affect an asset's future value.

How would financial literacy improved quality of life? ›

The ability to make and execute informed financial decisions results in greater monetary stability, less stress and a higher quality of life. Financial literacy gives you control over your finances to make knowledgeable choices to achieve your life goals.

What are the disadvantages of financial literacy? ›

The study found that financial literacy decreases preference for the present, suggesting a positive effect on decision-making and saving behavior. The negative effects of financial literacy include taking too many risks, overborrowing, and holding naive financial attitudes.

What are the three C's in financial literacy? ›

Students classify those characteristics based on the three C's of credit (capacity, character, and collateral), assess the riskiness of lending to that individual based on these characteristics, and then decide whether or not to approve or deny the loan request.

What are the 5 pillars of financial literacy? ›

It's not about earning a certain amount of money or having a specific figure saved; it's about your knowledge and comfort with the financial system. Financial literacy has five components: earn, spend, save and invest, borrow, and protect.

How do I teach myself financial literacy? ›

6 ways to improve your financial literacy
  1. Subscribe to financial newsletters. For free financial news in your inbox, try subscribing to financial newsletters from trusted sources. ...
  2. Listen to financial podcasts. ...
  3. Read personal finance books. ...
  4. Use social media. ...
  5. Keep a budget. ...
  6. Talk to a financial professional.

What does investing mean in financial literacy? ›

An investment is a payment made to acquire the securities of other entities, with the objective of earning a return. Examples are bonds, common stock, and preferred stock.

What is the role of financial literacy in investment decision making? ›

Financial literacy equips individuals with the tools to evaluate the potential risks associated with different investment opportunities and assess the potential returns. It helps individuals make informed choices by balancing risk and reward according to their personal circ*mstances.

How does financial literacy affect my financial success and happiness? ›

Financial literacy is essential for managing day-to-day expenses, budgeting effectively, and avoiding debt traps. Understanding concepts like interest rates, credit scores, and budgeting allows individuals to make sound financial decisions that align with their goals.

How can financial literacy help you in your daily life? ›

Financial literacy also promotes better decision-making in everyday life. From choosing the right bank account to understanding the terms of insurance policies, mortgages, and other financial products, having a solid understanding of financial concepts empowers you to make choices that align with your best interests.

What are the benefits of financial literacy? ›

Financial literacy helps you manage your money wisely, make sound financial decisions, and achieve financial stability in life. On top of this, financial literacy also helps you get through the unexpected moments in life – like a medical emergency or a sudden loss of employment.

How can financial literacy help you as a student? ›

With that said, financial literacy enables them to navigate student loans, scholarships, and work-study opportunities, ultimately reducing the burden of student debt.

Why is it important to have strong financial literacy? ›

Financial literacy is important because it supports financial well-being, or a confidence in your ability to manage your money well. Everyone experiences financial ups and downs, but financially literate people may be more likely to: Manage money with a budget. Save more money for the future.

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