The first investment decision is usually the hardest, but it is also the simplest - deciding to start.

Once you have made this decision, you may find that the path to choosing the right investment to suit your budget, lifestyle and goals isn't as difficult as you thought.

One of the aims of this website is to tell you about a type of investment that many people have found very successful - managed funds.

Managed funds are popular with those looking to grow the value of their money beyond what is possible in traditional term deposits and bank savings accounts. And they cater for all investors - from people with as little as $1,000 to invest to those with much larger sums.

Tips for successful investing.

The important thing to remember when you invest is to follow some simple tips:

Identify your investment goal.

You may be saving for a holiday in a years time or for a deposit on a house.
You may be building a long term investment portfolio to produce income which can put your children through school or give you a comfortable retirement.

Give yourself a timeframe for each investment goal.

For example, you may want to invest $100 per month for ten years, or you may want to invest $5,000 and leave it for five years or so.
Importantly, be realistic about the time for which you will commit to investing.

Understand the level of risk you feel comfortable with.

Some people prefer to give up the potential to earn a higher return for the knowledge that the value of their money is highly unlikely to fall.
Others accept that the value of their money may go up and down over short periods of time (eg one year) but that they have the potential to earn a higher return over a longer period of time.
It all depends on your own needs, goals and timeframe.

Be patient.

In volatile markets many people try to take things into their own hands, moving in and out of investments or markets.
Quite often they regret the decisions they make.
A successful investor is one who has committed themselves to investing a certain amount of money for a set period of time, and is prepared for the short term ups and downs typical of the type of investment they have selected.

Leave it to the experts.

Keeping on top of current market movements, new investment opportunities and issues including tax and superannuation can become a full-time job for many people.

Most successful investors leave this to the experts using the resources and expertise of a professional fund manager to manage their investment, and the advice of their independent financial adviser to monitor their portfolio and keep them informed.