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Find any page or article on CheckFirst as well as news releases, investor alerts, enforcement hearings, decisions and orders from the Alberta Securities Commission website.

Planning investments

There are a lot of things you can do with your money today. Investing is one option that can play an important role in your future goals and retirement. Knowledge is power, and the more you know and understand the financial world, investing and most importantly yourself, the better success you will have in achieving your financial goals.

Planning on becoming an investor

When planning on becoming an investor, there are many things you need to consider, including:

  • Where you are in your life, or life stage
  • Expected and unexpected life events
  • Investment time horizon (long- versus short-term)
  • Risk tolerance
  • Investment/ financial knowledge
  • Financial goals and expectations
  • Budget and financial plan that’s appropriate for you
  • How to research investments and check registration
  • Whether to use the services of a financial adviser
  • The importance of reviewing and adjusting your investments
  • How to identify potentially fraudulent investments
  • Where you’re getting your information from and if it’s credible. (Meme stocks are a great example).

Now is the time to lay the right foundation of financial knowledge and to develop a financial plan that meets your goals at every stage of your life.

life-stages

Life stages

Where you are in your life is a key factor in choosing the proper investments that are right for you. Understanding what stage (or stages – we don’t all fit neatly in any one description) you are at can help you sort through priorities and understand the amount of risk you are willing to take on.

Understanding yourself

There are many options that put your money to work for you here in Alberta. The best way to narrow them down, and zero in on other choices you’ll have to make on an investment journey, is to understand what is important to you.

understand-yourself
research

Researching investments and your adviser

The name of this website gives you a big clue as to what we encourage you to do before investing your money – check first.  Research is the key when choosing the right investment for you and avoiding investment fraud.