Investing lessons: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What investing lessons is

Investing lessons explain concepts such as risk, diversification and account types, in general educational terms and not as personal financial advice. Adults use them to understand the terms they hear at work or from their bank, and parents sometimes book them for young adults who are starting to save.

Signs you need it

  • You keep hearing terms like diversification and index funds and do not know what they mean.
  • You are opening a retirement or savings account and need to understand the choices in general terms.
  • You want to learn how risk works before you put money into anything.
  • You feel unsure about what questions to ask a financial professional before you meet one.
  • You want to set up a learning plan for the next few months and see what you need to know first.

What the pro does

  • Start with a short check of what you already know about saving, debt and account types.
  • Explain risk, return and time in plain words, with examples that do not recommend specific products.
  • Walk through the general differences between common account types, such as taxable and tax-advantaged accounts.
  • Teach how diversification works and why it is discussed so often, using a neutral example.
  • Give reading and questions to bring to a financial professional, so the next conversation is clearer.

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • One-on-one lessons compared with group workshops
  • How many sessions you book and how long each one runs
  • Whether the focus is basic concepts, account types or a specific topic
  • Whether the teacher has teaching experience in personal finance or a background in finance
  • Whether the lessons include written material or a review of your questions between sessions
  • Whether sessions happen online or in person

What a written quote should spell out

  • The topics the sessions cover and what is not covered
  • The number of sessions, length and schedule
  • A clear statement that the lessons are educational and not personal financial advice
  • The materials provided and whether you must buy a book
  • The cancellation and rescheduling policy

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you give advice about what I should buy, or only explain how things work?
  • What is your background in finance or teaching, and do you hold any license?
  • How do you explain risk, so I understand it without being pushed toward a product?
  • Can you help me prepare questions for a financial professional, and what should I ask them?
  • If you are booking for a young adult, what is your policy on background checks, the sessions and any personal information shared?

Red flags

  • A teacher who names specific investments to buy or promises returns.
  • Lessons that push you to open an account or buy a product during the session.
  • A teacher who will not say what their background is or whether they hold a license.
  • Pressure to sign up for a long package or a paid program before a first session.

What you can do yourself

You can read introductory material from public sources, take notes on the basic terms and write down the questions you want answered on your own. Hire a teacher when you want someone to explain the concepts in order, check your understanding and help you prepare for a conversation with a financial professional.

Licenses and permits

General investing education usually does not require a license. Personal investment advice is regulated, and rules for who may give it vary by state and by type of advice, so check with your state or local licensing agency before a teacher gives any advice about specific choices.

Investing lessons questions

Will a teacher tell me what to invest in?

A teacher should explain concepts and risks in general terms. Personal recommendations come from a licensed financial professional who knows your situation.

Can a parent book investing lessons for a young adult?

Yes. Ask about background checks, the lesson policy, whether a parent can attend and what the teacher will and will not advise on before you book.

How do I find an investing teacher here?

Describe your goal and what you want to understand, then pick the teachers you want by name. Only the teachers you pick see your request, and it is free for you.

Pro reviewers

Pros who offer investing lessons remotely can improve this guide, like Wikipedia. We check every edit before it goes live. Every approved edit is credited in the edit history and on the pro's profile.

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