As noted in this month’s Finance article, when starting out your adult life, the purpose of your main pathway to learning about investing is to make the best possible choices when taking advantage of your employer’s 401k program.

But that article also makes it clear that you will need a savings account, and that opening your savings account at Schwab or Fidelity Investments provides you a means to become an investor.

Buying stocks – becoming an investor – is easy.  Knowing which stocks to buy is not as obvious as it might at first seem.  Classes are available on how to invest, but ultimately, investors learn by trial-and-error, learning from their mistakes.

Investors seem to generally fall into three categories.

The first, most basic level is those who do nothing more than invest through their company’s 401k.

The second level will, in addition to the 401k, consult with a Financial Advisor, such as can be found at Edward Jones.  Such companies have good financial service, advice and packages that will increase your wealth through the years.  

The third level will, in addition to the 401k, open accounts with a company like Charles Schwab or Fidelity Investments.  These ae ideally suited for someone who considers managing his investments to be a second job.  Like any job, investors at this level should genuine.