Making your first investment is an exciting step toward building your financial future. Like any lasting structure, it starts with a solid foundation — clarity, confidence, and care. This guide walks you through each step simply and clearly, so you can invest with confidence.
1. Understanding the Investment Journey
Investing is the process of using your money to buy assets that have the potential to grow in value over time. On CUSP, you can invest in a wide range of US stocks and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). The goal is to build a collection of these assets, known as a portfolio, that aligns with your financial goals. Our platform is your partner in this journey, providing the tools and insights to help you make informed decisions.
2. Choosing Your First Investment
Deciding what to invest in can feel like the biggest hurdle, but it does not have to be. Here is a simple way to think about your options:
Stocks: When you buy a stock, you are buying a small piece of a company (like Apple, Amazon, or Tesla). If the company performs well, the value of your piece may increase. Stocks are a great way to invest in businesses you believe in.
ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds): An ETF is like a basket holding many different investments at once. For example, an S&P 500 ETF gives you a small stake in 500 of the largest US companies. ETFs are a powerful tool for diversification, which helps spread your risk across multiple assets.
For your first investment, you might consider an ETF to start with a diversified base or a stock in a well-known company whose business you understand.
3. How to Make Your First Trade
Placing your first order on CUSP is straightforward. Here’s how to do it:
Find Your Investment: Use the search bar to find the stock or ETF you want to buy.
Select "Buy": Once you are on the asset's page, tap the "Buy" option.
Choose Your Order Type: For a first trade, a Market Order is often the simplest. This instructs the platform to buy the asset immediately at the best available price.
Enter the Amount: You can choose to invest a specific dollar amount (e.g., $100) or buy a set number of shares. Thanks to fractional shares, you can start with as little as $1.
Review and Confirm: Before finalising, you will see a summary of your order. Take a moment to review it, then slide to confirm.
And just like that, you’ve made your first investment. You can track its performance directly from your portfolio dashboard.
4. Principles for a Strong Foundation
As you begin your investment journey, keep these guiding principles in mind:
Start Small: You do not need a large sum to begin. Start with an amount you are comfortable with. The habit of investing is more important than the initial amount.
Think Long-Term: True wealth is typically built over time, not overnight. Focus on your long-term goals and avoid reacting to short-term market noise.
Diversify Your Portfolio: Spreading your investments across different assets helps manage risk and can lead to more stable growth.
Stay Curious: The world of investing is vast and full of learning opportunities. Use our platform’s resources to grow your knowledge and confidence.
Your financial journey is unique — and we’re here to co-architect it with you at every stage. You’ve already taken the first and most important step. Now, let’s keep building your future with clarity and purpose.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.