Why I Take Risks and Invest in the Stock Market

I decided to write about why I invest so that my readers can get an idea of my end goal, and the overall benefits of investing. For me, my financial journey began a little later in life so I’m consuming financial literacy voraciously. After feeling like I should have learned this stuff in high school, I decided to take matters in my own hands and embed financial literacy to my high school program’s curriculum to make a difference. Now I’m on a journey to create financial wealth, and take others with me.

But what is the point of this journey? At the end of the day, what am I seeking? What is the purpose of my wealth creation journey? What is my WHY?

These questions are the foundation to any financial journey, and I seek to answer them here. Now, let me preface that with everything in life there are no guarantees. The same applies to my wealth-building journey. We can get attacked by aliens or something crazy may happen which can affect my investments. However, I rather take a risk on what I’m trying to build, than live a life of desire and possibly regret. Growth happens when we take risks. 

Read on to see what I’m hoping this financial journey will provide me.

Reason 1: Financial Stability

My humble beginnings include a childhood of poverty, so financial stability is important to me. Having the security and peace of mind that I can afford the things I need and want is important to me. Growing up in an environment of deprivation has left me reaching for security and safety, and wealth creation can give me that. 

Reason 2: Peace of Mind/Mental Health

We don’t talk about this a lot, but financial instability deeply affects mental health. Even as a child I remember the stress of my environment when there wasn’t enough money. That stress eats up years of your life and affects your overall health. I don’t want any of that stress; I want peace of mind. Not worrying about money is one less thing that will impact my mental health. 

Reason 3: Ability to take care of others

I come from a culture where family is important, and taking care of your elders is something we do. I don’t have to do this, but I want to. As my grandmother ages, I want to be able to provide financially if she needs it. 

Reason 4: Travel

Traveling has always been a hobby and passion of mine, but as you know traveling requires money. Even though I’m traveling now in my younger years, I want to be able to continue traveling in my golden years, without worrying about expenses. 

Reason 5: Dignified retirement

When I retire, I want to know I will be able to afford a dignified life. I want to be able to afford my medical bills and live comfortably without the worry of running out of money. Even though I live my life to the fullest now, I don’t want that to change just because I’ve entered retirement. I want to maintain my lifestyle and possibly a little extra. 

Reason 6: Generational Wealth

When it’s time for me to go, I want to be able to leave something for those left behind. I would like to be the first to start a legacy of wealth building, so those that come after me don’t have to struggle as I did. I want it to get easier for each generation. 

Reason 7: Impactful contributions

Even though I make an impact every day in my current job, I want to have the ability to make impactful contributions to causes I believe in. Equity and social justice issues are something I believe in, so I want to create wealth to invest in these causes. 

Reason 8: Time and Freedom

Time to do whatever I want when I want! Even though I don’t plan to retire anytime soon, the idea that  work could be optional or that I could possibly take a break from work to explore and travel is super alluring. This ties into freedom. When you have freedom, you can essentially do whatever you want with your time! 

Reason 9: I want to be a role model

I didn’t know what investing was until my 30’s. The little I did know about investing was what I saw on movies and commercials, which many times depicted white men. Representation and mentorship was something I sorely lacked in my younger years, so I would like to change that. I own the fact I’m an investor, so that others that look like me can see it is possible. I want other first-gen folks to know they do belong, and to take up space!

As you can see from my list, my wealth building journey isn’t about riches or material things. If yours is, go ahead and do you! No judgment here. Everyone has their own “why’s” and they’re an important foundation of any financial journey. If you don’t have your “why I invest” list, set some time aside for some deep reflection. You’ll feel inspired, motivated, and happy you did! Your “why” is what gives your journey, and your money purpose!