Investing was viewed before as an activity that only the rich or older people do, but nowadays it turns out that younger people are also interested to venture on it.

The emerging Generation Z (Gen Z), people who are born between 1996 to 2014, are apt to invest their money, according to chief financial officer (CFO) and co-founder of stock chart app TradingView Andrew Kirillov.

“Known for their frugality and tendency to stockpile cash for the future, the members of Generation Z are actually more informed about investing than their millennial counterparts. And with one eye on their future financials, Gen Zers are already thinking of ways to stretch every dollar earned and ways to save for retirement,” Mr. Kirillov wrote in an article in financial news site InvestmentNews.

With newly-developed tools such as financial technology, or fintech, members of Gen Z — also known as Gen Zers — are living at a time when they can make informed decisions for their money in more efficient ways. As much as there is an app they can use to order a meal, buy an item, or book a ride, fintech apps are also within the reach of Gen Zers to help them manage their finances.

“Generation Z is also the best prepared for the digitization of money management and financial services given their ability to navigate new technologies,” Mr. Kirillov wrote.

Therefore, Gen Zers can tap investment as one of their means to maximize their finances and save for the future. What hurdles them, however, is an apparent fear of what might happen when money is involved, coupled with a lack of understanding of how investment works.

Nevertheless, with their attitude toward finances and with the resources within their reach, Gen Zers should not fear investment. “Today’s teenagers are in the best position to experiment with the stock market because of their youth, and they stand to benefit the most when they invest early on in their careers,” Mr. Kirillov noted.

What Gen Zers must first keep in mind is that the whole point of investing is to work smarter, not harder. As beginners, they must obtain hands-on experience and real-time feedback.

How, then, should they work smarter as investors? An important key for Gen Zers to invest is getting vital knowledge and tapping into efficient tools maximizing these things to their advantage.

“The best thing to do if you freeze at the idea of investing is to arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can. Keep learning on a regular basis. The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel,” Jill Cornfield wrote in a report published on CNBC.com.

There are various means that can be instrumental for Gen Zers to be successful investors. Mr. Kirillov listed three, namely online forums, gamified investment platforms, and micro-investing applications.

“Forums are an excellent source of information coming from people who have tried a variety of investing techniques and can speak to what works and what doesn’t,” Mr. Kirillov wrote. Discussion boards, meanwhile, serve as a venue where Gen Zers can ask questions and learn in a collaborative environment.

In addition to these, Gen Zers could also build up their investing knowledge by watching lectures and videos online, as well as picking up books on investment.

Aside from online resources, beginning investors can also learn how to invest using gamified investing tools before going straight to the stock market.

“Games are also much better at simulating a real-life trading experience than a textbook or online training course, giving Gen Zers a feel for what investing is actually like,” according to Mr. Kirillov.

Gen Zers could also practice investment by opening an account in a stock market simulator like that in financial website Investopedia. These platforms allow them to learn the basics without having to experience the real-life risks.

Micro-investing applications are also a recommended tool for Gen Zers. Fitting for on-the-go youngsters, it allows them to start with even few amounts of money at a time. Mr. Kirillov added that these applications “make it easier than ever for people to invest on the go, and they let consumers bypass the usual brokerage account minimums. This eliminates a previously expensive barrier to entry, and makes investing more accessible to younger audiences.”

Another good thing for Gen Z investors to do is be observant, keeping abreast of developments and trends which might influence rates and prices.

“The hardest thing about investing is all the variables that affect the stock market. But those variables can work in your favor,” Ms. Cornfield pointed out.

It is also recommended to look at the stocks of companies Gen Zers know and understand, as well as trace patterns of the stock’s performance.

Gen Zers are in a good position at the present to embark on investing. As long they are equipped with sufficient knowledge and they make the most out of the tools available to them, they shall find investing worthwhile and profitable. — Adrian Paul B. Conoza

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