Stocks, while more volatile than other investment options, can also yield great returns. There are some essential rules that you need to follow to minimize the risk you take and maximize your chances of gaining from the investment. 

Depending on whether you set aside part of your income to invest or invest from any surplus income, it is important to first recognize the risk and uncertainty you’re willing to handle.

Decide who manages your stocks
Depending on how much you’re investing, and how much time you have to study the stocks, companies, and the market, you need to decide if you’ll manage the stocks yourself, or have a broker or organization do it.

Manage your expectations
The most important step in investing is to manage your expectations of gains and losses. While the market can be volatile at times, there are plenty of stocks that have stability and steady growth. Expect neither great gains nor large losses, and invest in a broad portfolio of stocks which will protect you from both.

Let discipline be your mantra
Both in investing and managing your stocks, maintain a disciplined approach. Don’t make rash decisions based on market trends, advice from fellow investors, or advice from investment gurus. Analyze your interests, knowledge, and understanding of a situation before buying or selling a particular stock.

Monitor and make decisions
Monitor the company’s news, updates and performance as well as the industry’s and make decisions related to your stocks even if using a broker. Don’t rely solely on the third-party you’ve hired, as they often have set procedures to follow in how investments are made.

These are simple rules to follow when investing in stocks and they can go a long way in ensuring you don’t take unnecessary risks while trading. Just as important is to constantly evaluate your needs, and manage the amount you have invested at a given time. Investing is not only about trying to make money off the market but is also a way to maintain a broad investment portfolio keeping you at relatively low risk while handling your finances.