Thinking About Starting in Stocks for the First Time… Advice?

General
1

Hey everyone,

I’m Ethan, 23 years old. I have a full-time job and a growing Roth IRA (still small, but it’s getting there). I’m considering getting into stocks with a long-term view (10+ years) and could really use your input.

The market seems pretty high right now, so I’m not sure if I should wait for a dip or jump in now. I have $15,000 ready to invest as soon as tomorrow (11/18/24).

These are the stocks on my watchlist:

  • Nvidia (NVDA)
  • Meta (META)
  • Apple (AAPL)
  • Google (GOOGL)
  • Amazon (AMZN)
  • Tesla (TSLA)
  • Shake Shack (SHAK)
  • CAVA (CAVA)
  • Palantir (PLTR)
  • Alpine 4 Holdings (APLD)

Should I wait on any of these, or is now a good time to start? If you have any other stock suggestions for long-term growth, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for the help!

2

Check out this link on the three-fund portfolio approach: Three-fund portfolio

3

I just started too. Don’t let FOMO push you into anything. Make sure to do your research and decide what works for you. This forum is good for ideas, not as financial advice. Noticed you mentioned PLTR—just a heads-up.

4

Honestly, I’d stop at Amazon on that list. If you’re feeling risky, go with Tesla. Stick with the top stocks, then sit back and see where you are in a year, two, three. They should all be up in the long run.

5

Put my college aid into Nvidia. Just kidding—good for you! I spent mine on collectible cards.

6

Forget individual stocks. Go for a global equity ETF or the S&P 500 and just relax.

7

I’d add some well-known ETFs to your list since they can provide steady growth and aren’t as unpredictable. Check out the S&P 500 and see what other ETFs might fit your goals. Once you’re comfortable, then look at individual stocks. I’d probably still go for TSLA and NVDA.

8

@Vail
Take a look at YouTube channels like Graham Stephan or Andrei Jikh—they explain investing in an easy-to-understand way. Mark Tilbury is worth a watch too.

9

Investing in individual stocks isn’t the best move if you’re new at this. Start with a broad market fund and stay there until you learn more. I’d go for a Target Date Fund or something like VT. When you’re ready for more risk, you can move forward. But start simple.

10

Your safest bet is a broad market ETF like VTI. If you want, you can play around with 5-10% of your money in individual stocks or even crypto if you’re feeling adventurous. Even seasoned investors struggle to beat the market with stock picks. If you manage to, it’s mostly luck.

11

Take it slow and do your research. Only start when you’re comfortable.

12

Right now, I’d consider preferred bank stocks with around 6% yield. Once we know how the market reacts to recent political moves, it’ll be clearer.

13

Hey Ethan (I mean, not a bot right?). A 23-year-old totally wrote this.

14

Brook said:
Hey Ethan (I mean, not a bot right?). A 23-year-old totally wrote this.

Yeah, I’m real, and I’m really 23 :joy:

15

Maybe take a step back and think about diversifying before picking specific stocks.

16

Vale said:
Maybe take a step back and think about diversifying before picking specific stocks.

Good point. Diversification is key.

17

Vale said:
Maybe take a step back and think about diversifying before picking specific stocks.

Agree. Makes sense to spread your investments.

18

Buy some BTC while you’re at it.