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Fundamentals of Investing

This is primarily aimed at novice investors who want to better understand the concept of investing and how it can fit into their overall financial plan. Taught by a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, this course will cover different investment vehicles, risk tolerance, diversification, and the difference between active and passive investing, as well as investment fees and taxes.

Whether you are just getting started investing or want to play a more active role in your investment decisions, this course can provide you the knowledge to feel comfortable in the investing decisions you make for yourself and your family. This course is geared towards learners in the United States of America.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Understanding the Different Types of Investments

This module will help you understand different types of investments including stocks, bonds, derivative products, and pooled investments. It will help set the foundation to have a better understanding of investing.

Balancing Risk and Return

This module will help you understand the concept of risk and return, as well as ways to measure both. It will also help you have the tools to evaluate your own risk tolerance.

Developing an Investment Strategy

This module will help you understand how your time horizons impact your investing strategy. It will also help you understand the difference between passive and active investing.

Understanding Taxes and Fees

This module will help you understand the role of fees and taxes in investing.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Good for beginners interested in financial planning

Covers basic investment concepts and strategies

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Reviews summary

Fundamental investing overview

Learners largely view this course as informative and well-organized. Many beginners recommend it for learning the basics of investing. The course is beginner-friendly, provides practical information, and may be useful for novice investors. However, some learners found the content to be basic, repetitive, and too US-centric.

Course provides practical info.

"Has all the basics"

"The course provides good information on Stocks, bonds, ETFs"

Beginners appreciate course basics.

"awesome course for newbies"

"Great Course. Learned a lot."

"Informative course for novice investors."

Course is too basic for some.

"Very simple and basic course."

"Very common course and some info is applicable only to the US."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Fundamentals of Investing with these activities:

Review Basic Financial Concepts

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Strengthen your foundational knowledge for a better understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on Investing

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Review books or articles on basic finance.
Enroll in an online course or attend a workshop.
Practice solving problems related to financial concepts.

Read: The Intelligent Investor

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Gain insights into fundamental investing principles.

View The Intelligent Investor Third Edition,... on Amazon

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Choose a quiet place to read.
Break down the book into smaller sections.
Take notes on key concepts.
Discuss your learnings with a friend or mentor.

Organize Your Course Materials

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Stay organized and improve your ability to locate information.

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Create folders for different topics.
File notes, assignments, and readings in their respective folders.
Use color-coding or other visual cues to categorize materials.

Six other activities

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Show all nine activities

Follow an Introduction to Investing Course

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Build a solid foundation in investing concepts.

Browse courses on Investing

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Enroll in a reputable online course.
Watch video lectures.
Complete practice exercises.
Ask questions in discussion forums.

Connect with a Financial Advisor

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Seek guidance from an experienced professional.

Browse courses on Investing

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Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues.
Interview potential advisors to find the right fit.
Set clear goals and expectations for your relationship.

Use an Investment Simulator

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Gain practical experience in investing without risking real money.

Browse courses on Investing

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Find a reputable online investment simulator.
Set up an account and create a virtual portfolio.
Research and select stocks or other investments.
Track your performance and make adjustments as needed.

Join an Investing Discussion Group

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Exchange ideas and learn from peers in the field.

Browse courses on Investing

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Find online forums or meet-up groups focused on investing.
Attend meetings or engage in online discussions.
Contribute your own knowledge and experiences.

Write a Blog Post on Investing for Beginners

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Engage with the material and reinforce your understanding by teaching others.

Browse courses on Investing

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Choose a specific aspect of investing to focus on.
Conduct research and gather information.
Create an outline and write a draft.
Edit and proofread your post.
Publish your blog post and share it with others.

Start a Small Investment Portfolio

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Apply your knowledge and start building your financial future.

Browse courses on Investing

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Set financial goals and determine your risk tolerance.
Research different investment options.
Choose a brokerage account and open an account.
Make your initial investments.
Monitor your portfolio and make adjustments as needed.

Career center

Learners who complete Fundamentals of Investing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts predict future financial performance, typically for corporations. To do this, they must be able to interpret past performance, assess key risks, and have a firm understanding of different investment vehicles and diversification strategies. This course, which covers topics such as stocks, bonds, derivative products, balancing risk and return, and developing an investment strategy, could therefore be highly valuable to someone looking to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers provide advice to companies on mergers and acquisitions, as well as help them raise capital. They must have a deep understanding of the financial markets, as well as the ability to evaluate and manage risk. This course covers topics such as understanding different types of investments, balancing risk and return, and developing an investment strategy. It could therefore be a useful addition to the preparation of someone hoping to become an Investment Banker.

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Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers oversee the investment portfolios of individuals and institutions. They must have a strong understanding of investment strategies, as well as the ability to manage risk. This course covers topics such as understanding different types of investments, balancing risk and return, developing an investment strategy, and understanding taxes and fees. It could therefore be highly beneficial to someone looking to become a Portfolio Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager

Financial Advisor

Financial Advisors provide financial advice to individuals and families. They must have a strong understanding of investment strategies, as well as the ability to assess risk tolerance and develop personalized financial plans. This course covers topics such as understanding different types of investments, balancing risk and return, and developing an investment strategy. It could therefore be a useful foundation for someone looking to become a Financial Advisor.

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Stockbroker

Stockbrokers execute trades for clients on the stock market. They must have a strong understanding of the financial markets, as well as the ability to assess risk and provide investment advice. This course covers topics such as understanding different types of investments, balancing risk and return, and developing an investment strategy. It could therefore be a valuable resource for someone looking to become a Stockbroker.

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Investment Consultant

Investment Consultants provide investment advice to individuals and institutions. They must have a strong understanding of investment strategies, as well as the ability to assess risk tolerance and develop personalized financial plans. This course covers topics such as understanding different types of investments, balancing risk and return, and developing an investment strategy. It could therefore be useful for someone looking to become an Investment Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Consultant

Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify and manage risks for organizations. They must have a strong understanding of risk assessment and management techniques. This course covers topics such as balancing risk and return, and developing an investment strategy. It could therefore serve as a helpful introduction to risk management for someone looking to become a Risk Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families plan for their financial future. They must have a strong understanding of investment strategies, as well as the ability to assess risk tolerance and develop personalized financial plans. This course covers topics such as understanding different types of investments, balancing risk and return, and developing an investment strategy. It could therefore be a useful resource for someone looking to become a Financial Planner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Planner

Insurance Agent

Insurance Agents sell insurance policies to individuals and businesses. They must have a strong understanding of insurance products and the risks they cover. This course covers topics such as understanding different types of investments and balancing risk and return. It could therefore be a useful resource for someone looking to become an Insurance Agent.

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Real Estate Agent

Real Estate Agents help clients buy and sell real estate. They must have a strong understanding of the real estate market, as well as the ability to assess risk and provide investment advice. This course covers topics such as understanding different types of investments and balancing risk and return. It could therefore be a useful resource for someone looking to become a Real Estate Agent.

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Loan Officer

Loan Officers evaluate loan applications and approve or deny loans. They must have a strong understanding of lending criteria and risk assessment techniques. This course may be helpful for someone looking to become a Loan Officer in that it provides an introduction to concepts such as balancing risk and return, and understanding taxes and fees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Loan Officer

Tax Accountant

Tax Accountants prepare and file tax returns for individuals and businesses. They must have a strong understanding of tax laws and regulations. This course covers topics such as understanding taxes and fees. It may therefore be a useful resource for someone looking to become a Tax Accountant.

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Auditor

Auditors examine financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations. They must have a strong understanding of accounting principles and auditing procedures. This course may be helpful for someone looking to become an Auditor in that it provides an introduction to concepts such as balancing risk and return, and understanding taxes and fees.

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Actuary

Actuaries use mathematical and statistical techniques to assess risk and develop insurance policies. They must have a strong understanding of probability and statistics. This course may be helpful for someone looking to become an Actuary in that it provides an introduction to concepts such as balancing risk and return, and understanding taxes and fees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary

Data Analyst

Data Analysts use data to identify trends and patterns. They must have a strong understanding of data analysis techniques and software. This course may be helpful for someone looking to become a Data Analyst in that it provides an introduction to concepts such as understanding different types of investments, and understanding taxes and fees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Fundamentals of Investing.

The Intelligent Investor Third Edition, Unabridged...

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This classic text provides a comprehensive overview of fundamental investing principles and is considered a cornerstone of investment literature. It is highly recommended for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of value investing and sound investment practices.

Fundamentals of Investing

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Fundamental investing overview

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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