OUR INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE DEPENDS ON SEVERAL FACTORS, INCLUDING OUR RISK TOLERANCE, OUR INVESTMENT HORIZON AND OUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. HERE ARE SOME STEPS TO CONSIDER:

DEFINE YOUR INVESTMENT GOAL: DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE WITH YOUR INVESTMENTS. THIS MAY BE SAVING FOR RETIREMENT, BUYING A HOME OR FINANCING YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

DETERMINE YOUR INVESTMENT HORIZON: HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE UNTIL YOU NEED THE MONEY? THIS WILL HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT ASSET ALLOCATION AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY.

ASSESS YOUR RISK TOLERANCE: HOW COMFORTABLE ARE YOU WITH MARKET VOLATILITY AND POTENTIAL LOSSES? THIS WILL GUIDE YOUR ASSET ALLOCATION AND HELP YOU CHOOSE INVESTMENTS THAT MATCH YOUR RISK TOLERANCE.

CREATE AN INVESTMENT PLAN: BASED ON YOUR INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, YOUR HORIZON AND YOUR RISK TOLERANCE, DEVELOP A DETAILED INVESTMENT PLAN. THIS SHOULD INCLUDE YOUR ASSET ALLOCATION, YOUR INVESTMENT CHOICES, AND A TIMELINE FOR EXECUTING YOUR PLAN.