personal investing 101

target audience - noobs

This course is for total noobs with no investing exprience. They want to learn basic introduction and understadning of stocks and shares, investments, the stock market and types of personal investments

prerequisites

• No prior investing knowledge required
• Basic understanding of financial concepts is a plus
• Awareness of current events and market trends is helpful
• A willingness to learn and ask questions

learning objectives

• Understand fundamental concepts of personal investing, including stocks, shares, and the stock market.
• Identify different types of personal investments and their characteristics.
• Develop basic skills for evaluating investment options and making informed decisions.
• Recognize the importance of market trends and how they impact investment strategies.
• Gain familiarity with basic financial terminology related to investing.
• Learn to create a simple investment plan tailored to personal financial goals.
• Cultivate a proactive mindset for continuous learning in the investment landscape.

course outline

chapter 1 - introduction to personal investing

• objectives: Introduce the concept of personal investing and its relevance in today’s financial landscape.
• outline:
  • Defining personal investing
  • Importance of investing for individual financial growth
  • Overview of the investment landscape

chapter 2 - understanding stocks and shares

• objectives: Provide a basic understanding of what stocks and shares are and how they function.
• outline:
  • Definition of stocks and shares
  • Different types of stocks (common vs. preferred)
  • How stocks are traded on the stock market

chapter 3 - exploring the stock market

• objectives: Understand how the stock market operates and its role in personal investing.
• outline:
  • Structure of the stock market
  • Major stock exchanges (NYSE, NASDAQ, etc.)
  • How to read stock market data and indices

chapter 4 - types of personal investments

• objectives: Identify and distinguish between various types of personal investments available to investors.
• outline:
  • Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
  • Real estate and its investment potential
  • Alternative investments (precious metals, cryptocurrency, etc.)

chapter 5 - evaluating investment options

• objectives: Develop skills for assessing investment opportunities and making informed decisions.
• outline:
  • Factors to consider when evaluating investments
  • Basic financial metrics (P/E ratio, dividend yield, etc.)
  • Risk and return analysis

chapter 6 - understanding market trends

• objectives: Recognize the significance of market trends and their impact on investment strategies.
• outline:
  • What are market trends?
  • How to identify bullish and bearish markets
  • The role of economic indicators in predicting trends

chapter 7 - financial terminology for investors

• objectives: Familiarize learners with key financial terms associated with investing.
• outline:
  • Glossary of important terms (capital gain, diversification, portfolio, etc.)
  • Understanding financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement)
  • How to navigate financial news and reports

chapter 8 - creating an investment plan

• objectives: Guide learners in developing a personalized investment plan based on their financial goals.
• outline:
  • Setting realistic financial goals
  • Determining risk tolerance
  • Allocation of assets and choosing investment vehicles

chapter 9 - the psychology of investing

• objectives: Cultivate a proactive mindset towards personal investing.
• outline:
  • Importance of emotional discipline in investing
  • Common psychological barriers (fear, greed, etc.)
  • Strategies for maintaining a long-term perspective

chapter 10 - resources for continued learning

• objectives: Encourage ongoing education and exposure to investment opportunities.
• outline:
  • Recommended books, websites, and podcasts
  • Joining investment clubs or forums
  • Utilizing financial news and data services

chapter 11 - avoiding common investing mistakes

• objectives: Highlight common pitfalls new investors face and how to avoid them.
• outline:
  • Overtrading and the impact of fees
  • Lack of diversification
  • Chasing performance and reactions to market fluctuations

chapter 12 - next steps in personal investing

• objectives: Prepare learners for taking action and exploring further in their investment journey.
• outline:
  • Setting up investment accounts (brokerage, retirement)
  • Beginning with small investments
  • Emphasizing the importance of patience and consistency in investing