Investing means putting money into financial assets (for example shares, bonds, ETF’s) with the aim of increasing its value or earning income over time. Unlike saving, the value of an investment can go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you invest.
Instead of leaving all your money on a savings account, investing can give you exposure to companies, governments and financial markets. That can create opportunities for growth, but it also introduces uncertainty and risk.
For example, investing can mean that your money is used to:
In return, you may receive gains or income but you can also face losses, and prices can move up and down along the way. Depending on the product, there may also be costs and taxes, and you might not be able to access your money immediately without selling at an unfavorable time. There are no guarantees and being honest about that matters.
A simple way to look at it:
Both can play an important role in a healthy financial plan, depending on your goals and how comfortable you are with risk.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Why do people choose to invest?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Some people invest to try to reach long‑term goals. Others prefer to only invest a small amount, especially if they may need the money soon or if they are not comfortable with potential losses.","richBody":{"value":"Common goals include:
Another reason is inflation. Over time, prices tend to rise, which means money held in cash may slowly lose purchasing power.
Investing is one way people aim to help their money keep up with inflation and work towards future goals, but returns can be negative and outcomes are uncertain.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"“But investing feels risky…”"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"That feeling is completely normal. Investing does involve risk and outcomes are uncertain. The goal of learning about investing is not to “make risks disappear”, but to understand what risks exist and whether you can live with them.
Here are three realities that can help put investing into perspective (including the parts that are less comfortable):
Not all investments are equally risky, and spreading money across different assets can reduce the impact if one investment performs poorly.
This is called diversification. However, diversification does not eliminate risks. Markets can fall, and many investments can decline at the same time.
Besides market risk, there are other risks depending on what you invest in — such as interest‑rate risk, currency risk (if you invest abroad), and issuer default risk (for certain instruments).
Investing works best when you think long term. Short term ups and downs are normal. Time can help, because it may give markets room to recover from downturns but it is not a guarantee. There can be long periods where investment values stay below the amount invested, and substantial losses can still happen, even over many years. That’s one reason why investing is usually discussed as a long term decision.
You decide how much you invest, how often and whether you pause, change or stop. You don’t need to “time the market” or watch it every day.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Common misconceptions (and the reality)"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"“Investing is only for rich people”
→ You don’t need to start with a large amount. Some people invest small, regular amounts but it’s still important to keep enough cash for emergencies and near‑term spending.
“I need expert knowledge”
→ You don’t need to be an expert, but you do need to understand the basics: what you’re investing in, the main risks, how you can access your money, and what costs and taxes may apply.
“I could lose everything”
→ Losing everything is uncommon in a broadly diversified approach, but it is possible to lose a substantial part of your investment value. Individual shares or concentrated portfolios can fall dramatically, and even diversified portfolios can decline significantly in market downturns.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Getting started with investing: first steps that can help"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"If someone decides to invest, they often choose an approach that is easy to follow and matches their time horizon and risk tolerance. For many beginners, that means keeping things simple and avoiding frequent changes.
A routine can help limit impulsive decisions, but it does not remove risk. Markets can still fall, and sticking to a plan can be emotionally difficult.
For example:
For some people, this structure makes investing feel more manageable. For others, it may still feel uncomfortable, especially during volatile periods, and that’s a valid signal to slow down, learn more, or reconsider.
To be transparent, investing is not a get‑rich‑quick scheme, nor a guarantee. It’s also not about reacting to headlines every day. In fact, a disciplined investing approach is often steady and uneventful.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"So… is investing right for you?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Investing may be worth considering if:","richBody":{"value":"If that sounds like you, learning more could be a good next step. Learning and reflecting is already a valuable step.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"One last thought"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"You don’t need to be an expert to start investing. You just need balanced information, a clear view of the risks, solutions that fit your comfort level and a long term perspective.
At ING, we believe investing should feel understandable, accessible and supportive — so you can take care of your financial health with confidence.
"}}]},"legalZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Important information","richBody":{"value":"This article is for general information and education only. It does not take into account your personal situation and is not investment advice or a recommendation. Investing involves risks, including the risk of loss (you could get back less than you invest). The value of investments can go down as well as up. Consider whether investing is right for you and, if needed, seek professional advice.
If you decide to invest, make sure you understand the product’s features, costs and charges, and key documents (where applicable) before investing.
"}}]}}}