Investing Unit 4: Action Steps

• Introduction
• Unit 1: Basic Building Blocks of Successful Financial Management
• Unit 2: Investing Basics
• Unit 3: Finding Money to Invest
• Unit 4: Ownership Investments

• Common Stocks
• Real Estate
• Equity Unit Investment Trusts
• Equity Mutual Funds
• Exchange-Traded Funds
• Collectibles, Business, Commodities
• Equity Investments
• Diversification
• Summary
• Action Steps
• About the Author

• Unit 5: Fixed-Income Investing
• Unit 6: Mutual Fund Investing
• Unit 7: Tax-Deferred Investments
• Unit 8: Investing Small Dollar Amounts
• Unit 9: Getting Help: Investing Resources
• Unit 10: Selecting Financial Professionals
• Unit 11: Investment Fraud

• Study Guide
• Action Steps
• Monthly Investment Messages
• Glossary

Action Steps

Make a list of financial goals so you can match them with appropriate equity and other investments.

Read about equity investments in the financial press (e.g., business page of local paper).

Investigate equity investments (e.g., stock funds) available through employer plans [e.g., 401(k)].

Obtain additional investment information from Cooperative Extension or financial services firms.

Identify equity investments that match your goals and available cash flow.

Research these investments and compare at least three specific products (e.g., stocks).

Reduce household expenses to free up money to invest.

Calculate the percentage of your portfolio allocated to equity investments.