Investing has been and will be again one good way to make your money work for you. The markets are up again and it is looking slightly brighter in a what has been a dim economy. But does that mean you need to invest today?

Your financial plan should include investing in the markets. But your plan must also include having  an emergency fund, paying off your debt, having appropriate insurance coverage, having appropriate health coverage, and a savings account. When you decide to do all of these things on your financial plan is up to you but here are a couple of tips to think about.

Some of these financial steps can happen simultaneously if you are disciplined. For instance, you can pay down on your debt then take the extra money in your budget and divide it between a savings account and the stock market. If you are employed and can participate in a retirement plan, then that is a form of investing. Although you may not be picking specific markets, you are deciding on the percentage of your income you want to put in this account. This is a great way to hold stocks or bonds but continue with your complete financial pathway.

Do your research now and as the economy improves and  you feel more secure consider investing as an option. Your assignment this week is to pick one stock and investigate the price of a single stock, how much you need to invest to get started, and plan a date when you feel you will be able to start. Happy planning.