Getting Started

Starting out investing can be a bit daunting. Here are pointers for getting started.

1. Read this article about what sort of investor you are. Do you want your portfolio to be high risk and high return or more conservative?

2. Generally we recommend that you start with 3 ETF's, a global shares ETF, an Australian shares ETF and a fixed interest ETF. Click on those links to see the ETF's that we recommend in each category.

3. A balanced $10,000 portfolio might be $3000 in a global shares ETF, $3000 in an Australian shares ETF and $4000 in a fixed interest ETF.

4. If you are investing for the long term, ie. for more than 5 years, You should consider a portfolio with a high proportion of growth assets like shares and a lower proportion of defensive assets like fixed interest.

5. A good way to start on a long term growth oriented portfolio is to purchase a "core" first and then think about "satellites".

6. A "core" should be some well diversified share funds, look for global shares and Australian shares. The core of your portfolio should be 60% to 80% of the value of your portfolio. Purchase and leave it alone.

   1. Your "satellites" can be more adventurous. Look for sectors of the market that might be interesting at present, like healthcare or gold or Asia.

7. There are lots of choices for your "satellites". Make this a smaller part of your portfolio and you can change it more often.