Did you have it on your to-do list to start investing in 2022? We definitely wouldn’t judge you if you chickened out.

The markets were all over the place, inflation made it harder and harder to stay on track with day-to-day expenses, and then with interest rates lifting you may have been asking yourself, what’s the point?

But investing has historically been a powerful tool to grow your wealth and create a financially secure long-term future, and doing it as early as you can, even in uncertain economies, really can pay off.

Even better, if you’ve made some resolutions to have a lighter footprint on our planet, or even to make some positive changes, then choosing an ethical investment strategy can be a great start.

So, here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Set clear goals: Before you start investing, it’s important to know what you want to achieve. Do you want to save for retirement, build wealth for your children’s education, or just have some extra cash on hand for emergencies? Whatever your goals, be sure to set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals so you can track your progress and make adjustments as needed.
2. Educate yourself: Investing can be complex, and there are many different strategies and approaches to consider. Take some time to learn about the different types of investments, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Consider seeking out resources like books, articles and online courses to help you understand the basics of investing. If you’re new to investing consider a micro investing app that has experts picking the stocks for you. 
3. Start small: If you’re just starting out, it’s important to remember that investing is a long-term process. Don’t try to get rich quick or make up for lost time by investing large sums of money right away. Instead, start small and gradually increase your investment as you become more comfortable and knowledgeable.
4. Diversify your portfolio: One of the key principles of investing is diversification, or spreading your money across a variety of assets to reduce risk. This can help protect you if one particular investment performs poorly, as it gives you a chance to offset those losses with gains from other investments.
5. Be patient: It’s important to remember that investing is a long-term process, and it’s rare to see big returns overnight. Be patient and resist the urge to chase after hot investments or make impulsive decisions based on short-term market fluctuations. Instead, focus on building a well-diversified portfolio and holding onto your investments for the long haul.

Starting to invest can be a powerful resolution for the New Year. By following these tips and being disciplined and consistent, you can set yourself up for long-term financial success. Happy investing!