If you're new to investing, taking a few easy steps helps you get started and makes you want to keep going. Learning how to start investing does not have to be complicated.

Looking for an easy button? Get matched with an Edward Jones financial advisor near you, who can help walk you through all the steps to get you started investing.

4 steps to start investing for beginners

1. Make sure you're building on a strong foundation
   You're more likely to be successful at investing if you give your investments time to work. This means you should have some financial stability before you begin investing. If you don't have an emergency fund or are struggling to pay down debt, you might want to think about how to balance these goals with investing. Once you have some cushion for emergencies and unexpected needs, you can look at how to benefit from the potential growth of investing.
    
2. Match your investment account type to your goal
   It's helpful to start with what you're trying to accomplish by investing. Here are thought-starters:
   • Save for retirement
   • Fund an education
   • Pay for a large future expense such as a down payment on a home

Understanding your goals can help determine which investment accounts are most helpful for achieving them.

For retirement, many people start investing by participating in a retirement plan at work. If your employer offers a 401(k) or other retirement plan, this is an opportunity you shouldn't pass up. It's an easy way to invest for your future, usually offers tax advantages and many employers match contributions.

If you don't have access to an employer plan or want to contribute more, you can consider opening either a traditional IRA or Roth IRA at Edward Jones. And if you've left a former employer, Edward Jones can help you understand your options for your retirement savings.

If you're saving for education, we generally recommend starting with a 529 fund, although there are many options you can choose from.

For other goals, brokerage accounts can offer a lot of flexibility. They let you invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds and more. They don't offer the same tax advantages as retirement and education savings accounts, but there's no contribution limit and you can withdraw funds without penalties.

3. Determine what to invest in
   There are a dizzying number of investments to choose from, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs and more. And how you combine them is just as important as the individual investments you choose. Building a diversified portfolio is one of the core tenets of successful investing. This is why the fourth step may be the most crucial of all.
    
4. Get personalized help from the right financial advisor
   At Edward Jones, our financial advisors speak in everyday terms because we place a high priority on making investing understandable. We have tens of thousands of financial advisors throughout the country, and you can take our two-minute quiz to help you find the right match for helping you achieve your most important financial goals.