Stop Making Stocks Confusing — They’re Not (And They Could Be Making You Bank)

So you’ve decided 2025 is going to be the year you enter your ~finance era~ but you aren’t sure where to start. Well, aside from good ol’ fashioned saving, you might always to look at investing, which means putting money into something with the hope of your stake becoming more valuable.

One way to invest your money is to buy stocks. (Another way is to buy ETFs, which you can read about here). Stocks are a piece of a company that you can buy. When you own a stock, it’s like owning a tiny part of that business and you get to share in its success.

“I have invested in stocks for as long as I can remember,” says Victoria Harris, co-founder of The Curve, a platform with finance courses that give you the tools to reach financial freedom.

"My mother bought me my first shares when I was about eight. I love being able to ‘vote with my wallet’ and invest in companies that I want to see be bigger and better in the future. However, directly picking stocks takes time and effort, so most my portfolio is in ETFs and a small percentage is in individual companies – stocks.”

Here, Harris shares all the basics to know to get you started investing in stocks.

What is a stock?

One way to think about stocks is to imagine that a company was a pizza and a stock was one of each its slices, says Harris.

“The more slices you own, the bigger your share of the pizza,” she says. “If the pizza grows – in other words, your company does well – your slice becomes more valuable.”

“But there’s a catch: if the company isn’t doing well, the value of your stock can drop and you could lose money. So owning a stock is like saying: ‘I believe in this company and want to grow with it.’”

How can you buy and sell stocks?

Harris says getting started with stocks is simpler than it seems. First, you want to think about your financial goals. Are you investing for long-term wealth, like retirement? Or short-term goals, like a big purchase?

“This will shape your strategy,” says Harris. “Investing in stocks should only be for those long-term, greater-than-five-year financial goals.”

Next, choose a beginner-friendly platform to buy and sell stocks. Harris suggests Sharesies or Stake which have low fees and are easy-to-use. Also, you want to start small with investing at first – putting in an amount you’re comfortable potentially losing.

Another thing Harris says to note: don’t put all your money into one stock or blindly follow hype or FOMO. Spread your investments and understand the companies you’re investing in.

“Once you’re ready, focus on businesses you know and trust, like big household names or companies of products you use regularly,” says Harris. “And remember, investing is a long-term game. Resist the urge to constantly check your investments.”

What can you expect with stocks?

Like with any investment, you want to set realistic expectations with stocks. Harris stresses investing in stocks isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. They’re best for long-term growth – not instant wealth. “Patience truly is a virtue when investing in the stock market,” says Harris.

Another thing to keep in mind with stocks: avoid emotional decisions. Don’t panic-sell or try to time the market. “Steady, consistent investing is the best way to grow your wealth over time,” says Harris.