Let's start with your more gobal question: "If everyone invested...." In the Western banking system, most everyone who has their savings deposited with a bank already invests. They've just turned over the responsiblity for those investment decisions to the bank.
You asked if this is "sustainable and good for the world." Those are value judgements and everyone (including professional investors) has different meanings for those terms.
My point is you're probably already investing and you're wondering how (and if it's "worth it") to align those investments more with your needs (in all senses of the word). To that question, I would say that you need to educate yourself.
Once you've learned the fundamentals of investMENT (as opposed to investING), you'll be able to determine what your goals are, what your tolerances are and which types of vehicles best addresses those items. You'll be able to discuss things like "asset allocation" (even if someone else performs this on your behalf, understand concepts like "real," "nominal," and "relative" rates of return. By grasping the magic of "compounding," you'll understand why RT Wolf advises you to "get started" as well as recognise "bubbles" as they form. Other topics of basic financial math will help you decide when it's better to buy vs. rent, lease vs. own or help you identify some of the warning signs of a bad deal or advisor.
If you're located in the U.S., I'd suggest "The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need." (it isn't but it does a great job of explaining the basics and mechanics of the investment.) It's an engaging read and pretty thorough. However, it does not tell how to invest. I also like the various books in the "Rich Dad" series for their clear-cut mesages and how they teach the reader to think about financial issues. In fact, as I read your original post, I immediately thought of the first book in the series--"Rich Dad, Poor Dad"--as being particularly appropriate for how you've described your situation.
Once you get a little knowledge under your belt, you'll not only be better prepared to think effectively about the financial decisions which Life will to you, but you can better decide how much and what kind of enegy you want to invest in your investment strategies.
I believe this is a great timme to be giving yourself this education. In dynamic environments such as our current one, a prepared investor can identify opportunities (and swindes) as they appear that unprepared people are too panicked (or otherwise) to see.
Hope this helps.
|