4. You Have Some Control: Finding Your Ideal Risk Level for Investing Success

Investing in the stock market involves risk, but managing that risk is key to reaching your goals—and to sleeping well at night. Knowing your comfort level with risk is essential, and once you become an SMI member, we’ll guide you through a detailed risk-tolerance questionnaire available in the "Start Here" section of our website.

Another factor in determining your risk level is the time you have to achieve your goals. If you’re investing to build a retirement nest egg, defining your target retirement date is essential. The longer your time frame, the more risk you can generally afford to take.

Together, your risk tolerance and investing time frame help shape the level of portfolio risk that suits you best, setting you up for a tailored, confidence-building investment experience.