Learn investing

Our goal is to empower private investors with practical, trustworthy guidance—built on long-term strategies, safe brokers, and proven principles used by the world’s leading professionals.

Explore our key learning cards

How to take the first steps in your investing journey
What investment products should you consider buying
The Psychology of Investing: How to Stay Disciplined​
Seven most common myths about investing busted
Why is investing important for your financial prosperity
Why ETFs are the key to lower risk and guaranteed long-term returns
Intro to your investment goals and portfolio allocation
How to analyse a public company like a professional investor
How to reduce your investment risks, a step-by-step guide

How to take the first steps in your investing journey​

Define Your Life Goals

Start by thinking big: what do you want out of life, and how can money help you get there? Consider your age, retirement goals, and lifestyle needs to guide your financial roadmap.

“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

— Warren Buffet, Value Creation Fund Manager, USD 1.1 trillon under management

Set Your Investment Horizon

Investing is for the long haul. Only commit money you won’t need for at least 6–12 months. Long-term thinking reduces risk and increases your chances of better returns.

“The most important thing you can have as an investor is a long-term orientation.”

— Mark Andreessen, Venture Capital Investor,  USD 46 billion under management

Choose a Vetted Broker

A good broker protects your assets and offers fair pricing. Use our Compare page to find trusted, regulated brokers who meet your needs—handpicked by Private Investor Alliance.

Open Your Broker Account

Opening an account takes just 1–3 days with most European brokers. Expect a smooth digital onboarding process, including identity checks and basic financial questions (KYC).

Select Simple Instruments

Focus on simplicity and safety. ETFs and index funds offer easy diversification. A smart mix might include 60% ETFs, with the rest in blue-chip stocks and bonds.

“The single best decision I ever made was to invest in low-cost index funds.”

— Bill Ackman, Public Equity Investor

USD 16 billion under management

Make Your First Investment

Start with up to 5 well-researched investments. Don’t over-diversify too soon—keep it manageable so you can monitor performance and build confidence over time.

Repeat Monthly

Consistency is key. Invest the same amount into the same assets each month to steadily grow your portfolio and take advantage of long-term compounding.

What investment products should you consider buying

“Investing should be more like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. It should be booring”

— Paul Samuelson, American Economist and Nobel Prize Winner

It is easier than you think

Forget flashy promises, smart investing should be steady and uneventful. Boring doesn’t mean bad; it means safe, long-term, and proven. Your portfolio should work for you quietly in the background.

Question: What products to buy?

Answer: ETFs, Shares
Bonds

Responsible Investing

These are the three foundational building blocks of a responsible portfolio. ETFs offer diversification, shares offer ownership, and bonds offer income and stability. Master these before considering anything else.

Stick to Simplicity

Other investment products promise faster gains but come with higher risk, complexity, and jargon. Most beginners lose money here. Stick with basics for steady, compounding growth.

“If you don’t understand it, don’t invest in it.”

— Warren Buffet, Value Creation Fund Manager, USD 1.1 trillon under management

ETFs – What Are They, Really?

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are like a basket of investments, holding many shares or bonds in one product. Think of it as a fruit basket: buy one ETF and own apples, oranges, and bananas (companies) all at once.

Popular ETFs to Know

S&P 500 ETF: Tracks top 500 US companies

The Dow Index: 30 largest US companies

EuroStoxx 50: Tracks large European firms

MSCI World ETF: Global market exposure

Biggest ETF Issuers:
iShares (BlackRock), Vanguard, Invesco, and Lyxor

These firms manage billions in investor funds and follow strict regulatory rules, offering reliable access to major markets.

How to Find ETFs on Your Broker

In your broker account, search for names like “S&P 500”, “MSCI World”, or trusted issuers like “Vanguard” or “iShares.” Select based on size, cost, and performance.

What Are Shares, Really?

Shares are like owning a slice of a company, if the company grows, your slice becomes more valuable. Think of it like owning one table in a restaurant chain: if the restaurant thrives, so do you.

Risk in Shares vs. ETFs

Unlike ETFs, shares carry risk tied to a single company. There are over 4,000 stocks in the US and ~100 in the Netherlands, ranging from tiny startups to trillion-euro giants. Larger companies tend to be less volatile.

Bonds: Safe and Steady Income

Bonds are like loans you give to governments or companies. In return, you earn interest. Example (Govt): Dutch 10-Year Treasury Bond. Example (Corp): Shell or Unilever Bonds. Corporate bonds pay more but carry more risk. 

Keep It Simple, Always

ETFs, shares, and bonds are enough for a complete long-term strategy. Don’t complicate your portfolio with products you don’t understand. The best portfolios grow slowly but surely.

The Psychology of Investing: How to Stay Disciplined

Emotions Drive Decisions

Investing isn’t just numbers, it’s emotion. Fear, greed, regret, and impatience can push you into poor decisions. Understanding this is step one to becoming a better, more rational investor.

“Individuals who cannot master their emotions are ill-suited to profit from the investment process.”

— Benjamin Graham, Writer, Investor, Economist (wrote The Intelligent Investor)

Emotion #1: Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

When prices soar, people feel left behind and rush in at the worst moment. Markets are cyclical, what goes up fast can crash even faster. Don’t chase hype. Stick to your plan.

Emotion #2: Loss Aversion

We feel the pain of loss twice as strongly as we enjoy gains. This can cause panic selling or risk-avoidance when the opposite is needed. Emotions distort your risk tolerance.

Emotion #3: Recency Bias

Recent market moves feel more important than long-term trends. But the last 3 months don’t define your future. Investing is a marathon, not a sprint!

Emotion #4: Overconfidence

Thinking you can “time the market” or always pick winners is dangerous. Data shows most retail investors underperform due to overactive trading and emotional timing.

“The investor’s chief problem—and even his worst enemy—is likely to be himself.”

— Benjamin Graham, Writer, Investor, Economist (wrote The Intelligent Investor)

Emotion #5: Anchoring to the Past

Buying because something is “down 30%” or refusing to sell because it’s “almost back to what I paid” are common traps. Price alone isn’t a strategy, value and context matter.

Emotion #6: Listening to the Noise

Markets are noisy. News headlines, social media, price tickers, they fuel anxiety. Set a strategy and turn down the noise. Check your portfolio monthly, not hourly.

“You need to control the urges that get other people in trouble”

— Warren Buffet, Value Creation Fund Manager, USD 1.1 trillon under management

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Private Investor Alliance (PIA) helps individuals learn about leading frameworks and tools to succeed in investing. We advocate for diversified and long-term investments using vetted and safe online brokers and platforms.

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