Xavier Lorenzo via istockphoto
Taking advantage of a low barrier to entry? Earning compound interest on returns over decades? Avoiding the temptation of splurge spending? For all of these reasons, young people are encouraged to invest their money. Moreover, a 2017 study by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors found a correlation between college education and investing in the stock market at an earlier age and at a faster rate. Yet, speaking with first-year Vanderbilt students, I found their views on playing the market mixed. I asked them the question: “Have you, in your own time with your own research, invested in the stock market?”
Responses varied from the bullish:
“Yes . . . I was bored during Covid, and I wanted to watch my money grow.” Sophie Ghobriel, a student majoring in Human and Organizational Development within Peabody College.
“Yes. I want to make money…it’s like having a job with an income that fluctuates based on your skill and luck.” Edwin Hou, a student majoring in Mathematics through the College of Arts and Sciences. Hou particularly likes “meme-stocks”: “You can lose 100% but can gain 2000%. High risk, high reward.”
To the bearish:
Addie Sanders, a student majoring in Biomedical Engineering in the School of Engineering, stated “No… I wouldn’t see the return on the money because I don’t know how any of it works.”
Kendrick Davis, a student majoring in Music Education within the Blair School of Music, responded “No,” and emphasized his concerns by stating he felt “If I did, I would lose my money. I wouldn’t know what to invest in.”
Lily Grouf, a student majoring in Special Education through Peabody College, answered “No,” and expressed “I am scared of doing it without a full understanding.”
The difference between the two sets of responses? Confidence. It doesn’t help that searching the web for guidance leads to fee-based resources. Luckily, there is help for those looking to build confidence without having to spend a dime.
Here are a few to try:
Investor.gov: It may not be in the most fun format, but the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) “introduction to investing” has valuable resources, including a glossary for confusing jargon, financial calculators, and information geared to different age groups.
Investopedia: This website is a wealth of information for personal financial planning and investing. Its “How To Start Investing in Stocks in 2025 and Beyond” is a quick 7-step guide to getting into the market including understanding the different types of stocks and choosing the right ones to reach your personal goals. (A word of caution: while there is no fee to access the site’s resources, Investopedia may receive a commission when you click on partner links.)
Forbes.com: It recently published its list of the “10 Best Online Brokerages for 2026.” The list provides reviews of each platform, delineates pros and cons, and categorizes sites based on their attributes. For example, while its “Best Overall Online Broker” is Charles Schwab, its “Best Mobile Trading App” is E*Trade, and its “Best Broker for Social Investing” is eToro. Of particular interest for beginners may be its ranking for “Best Broker for New Investors,” which is Robinhood. The article’s FAQs are also informative. (Again, they receive a commission when you click partner links, but claim their methodology for ranking is independent.)
Kiplinger.com: Similar to the Forbes list, its list of “The Best Online Brokers and Trading Platforms for 2025” breaks down different sites by attributes. Of particular interest may be its pick for “Best for investors just getting started.” It chose Fidelity because “for as little as $1, you can buy slices of more than 7,000 stocks and exchange-traded funds.” (Once again, they may receive promotional fees when you click on partner links.)
With summer jobs fast approaching and with them, extra income, it could be an ideal time to learn about making that money grow. Developing confidence in investing can lead to a lifetime of financial success, but don’t take my word for it. In the words of the Oracle of Omaha:
“I made my first investment at age eleven. I was wasting my life up until then.” – Warren Buffet