Find Out What Type Of Investor You Are

What Type of Investor Are You? | MoneyMode

The Money Class You Never Got in School

What Type of Investor Are You? (And Why It Matters)

Investing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your age, mindset, comfort with risk, and goals all play into how you should invest. So instead of copying TikTok investing tips blindly, ask yourself: what kind of investor am I, really?

This post breaks it down into 4 starter profiles to help you figure out your investor vibe—so you can build a plan that actually fits you.

1. The “Safety-First” Saver

Vibe: You hate the idea of losing money. You’d rather make slow progress than deal with risk.

Traits:

  • Wants guarantees
  • Probably still uses a savings account as their “investment”
  • Wants to avoid stress or checking the market daily

Good fit:

  • High-yield savings accounts
  • CDs (Certificates of Deposit)
  • Government bonds
MoneyMode Tip:
Even if you’re conservative, don’t ignore inflation. Consider putting a small portion (10–20%) into low-risk index funds.

2. The “Chill but Growing” Investor

Vibe: You’re ready to invest but don’t want to be glued to the stock market. You want slow and steady growth with minimal effort.

Traits:

  • Likes the idea of passive income
  • Wants to invest monthly and not think about it too much
  • Okay with market ups and downs—within reason

Good fit:

  • Roth IRA + target date funds
  • Index funds (like S&P 500)
  • Dividend stocks or ETFs

This is the **"set it and forget it"** investor. Think of it like planting seeds every month—you don’t watch them daily, but you know they’ll grow.

3. The “Calculated Risk-Taker”

Vibe: You’re curious about the market. You like strategy. You’re okay with short-term dips as long as the long-term picture looks good.

Traits:

  • Reads up on stocks and crypto
  • Has a budget and goals
  • Comfortable testing things out

Good fit:

  • Stock picking (in moderation)
  • REITs (real estate funds)
  • Robo-advisors with adjustable risk levels

You don’t panic-sell, but you also don’t go in blind. You want your money to move—and you're not afraid to learn along the way.

4. The “High-Risk, High-Reward” Hustler

Vibe: YOLO. You want to flip money fast, find hidden gems, and brag about your wins. You’re okay with losing some, if the upside is huge.

Traits:

  • Follows financial influencers
  • Wants to beat the market
  • Willing to take big swings

Good fit:

  • Crypto (with caution)
  • Individual stocks
  • Startup investing or side hustle reinvestment
MoneyMode Warning:
Don’t invest more than you can afford to lose. Set a limit, and still keep a stable foundation underneath the risky stuff.

How to Figure Out Your Type

You might see yourself in more than one category—and that’s okay. Most real investors are a mix.

Ask yourself:

  • Do I want safety or growth?
  • Would I freak out if I lost 20% temporarily?
  • Do I want to check my investments weekly or yearly?

Your answers help determine your risk tolerance and strategy.

Prompt to Use With ChatGPT:

“I’m trying to figure out what type of investor I am. Here’s my age, income, savings, and how I feel about risk: [paste details]. Can you recommend a basic investing strategy and asset allocation based on that?”

This will help you get a personalized starter strategy—whether you’re ready to buy your first stock or just starting with a Roth IRA.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to have it all figured out today. Start small. Learn what kind of investor you are. And build your confidence one move at a time.

You’re in MoneyMode now. Let your strategy match your style—and your goals.

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Make a Monthly Money Plan in 3 Prompts or Less (Using ChatGPT)