Ready to Invest? Here’s What Happens Next
The mechanics of actually making an investment.
3 min read · Updated June 2026
A funny thing happens to a lot of new investors. They spend weeks learning about investing. They finally decide what they want to buy. Then they realize:
“I have absolutely no idea how to actually make an investment.”
Don’t worry. That’s completely normal. The good news is that making an investment today is easier than it’s ever been.
You don’t need to be a financial expert to start investing.
Step 1: Open a brokerage account
Most investments are bought through something called a “brokerage account”. Think of a brokerage account as an investment account that allows you to buy and sell investments like stocks, ETFs, and REITs.
Some popular companies that provide brokerage accounts include Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Vanguard, and E*TRADE.
Opening an account is usually easy and can be completed online in less than 30 minutes.
Step 2: Add money to your account
Once your brokerage account is open, you’ll transfer money from your bank account. This process is similar to moving money between checking and savings accounts.
After the money arrives, it’s ready to invest.
Step 3: Find the investment
Every investment on the stock market has a “ticker symbol”. A ticker symbol is simply a shortcut used to identify an investment. For example:
- Apple = AAPL
- Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF = VTI
- SPDR S&P 500 ETF = SPY
When you enter a ticker symbol into your brokerage account, you’ll be able to view information about that investment and place an order to buy it.
Step 4: Place your order
Once you’ve decided what you want to buy, you’ll enter the ticker symbol, choose how much you’d like to invest, and submit your order.
Your brokerage company handles the rest.
Making an investment is often no more complicated than placing a quick online order.
Not all investments use brokerage accounts
While you usually buy stocks, ETFs, and even bonds through your brokerage account, some investments work differently. Things like
- Private real estate funds
- Crowdfunded investments
- Private businesses
- Physical precious metals
are typically purchased directly from the company rather than through a brokerage account.
Don’t overthink your first investment
Many people spend so much time trying to make the perfect investment decision that they never get started.
The reality is that opening an account and making your first investment is often the hardest step. Once you’ve done it, the process becomes much less intimidating.
Taking action is usually more important than achieving perfection.
Why it matters
Investing can seem complicated from the outside. But once you understand the basic process, it’s pretty straightforward.
At Firreo, we believe one of the biggest obstacles to investing is simply not knowing where to start. That’s why it’s important to understand the mechanics from the beginning.
Every experienced investor once made their very first investment.
Key takeaways
- Most investments are purchased through brokerage accounts.
- Brokerage accounts allow you to buy and sell investments online.
- Publicly traded investments use ticker symbols.
- Making an investment is often a simple process.
- Some investments, such as private real estate funds and crowdfunds, are purchased directly from the company offering the investment.
- Don’t let uncertainty stop you from getting started.
- Every investor starts somewhere.
This guide is for education only and is not personalized investment advice. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.