Apparently young people are afraid of stocks. This comes as a bit of a surprise to me, but maybe anyone who starts learning about investing at age 8 would tend to be comfortable in any market. Not only are 52% of young people afraid to put their savings in the stock market, they are even giving up company matches by not participating in 401(k) plans at work. That is giving up free money.
After watching the recession greet their entry into adulthood and now absorbing the constant financial fear-mongering in the news, it is easy to see why one might be nervous about the future. This is bad news though. The stock market can be a savings vehicle, appropriate for long term or carefully managed savings. Historically, the stock market has provided the best returns on invested money.
To not consider investing or to not participate in employer match benefits is to give up your best option for comfortable retirement. This is easy for me to say, as an aggressive saver and an investment advisor, but I am not the only one who is excited about the prospects of investing.
Don't be afraid, get in touch with a Registered Investment Advisor to get a careful manager of your savings.