ASX Week: Helen Chong’s top tips for successful investing in Australia

Bryce: [00:00:31] Welcome to get started investing in this podcast, we cover all the basics you need to start your investing journey. Are you joining us for the very first time? Is this the very start of your investing journey? Well, before you dive into this episode with us, our feet is designed to go from the very beginning, so we strongly recommend that you scroll up and start from episode one. However, if you're feeling brave and just want to dive in, then don't let us stop you here, Jay. So we unpack all the jargon and the confusing bits. We hear your investing stories with the goal of making investing less intimidating, and we want to have a good time along the way. My name is Bryce and as always, I'm joined by my equity buddy Ren. How are you going? [00:01:07][35.4]

Alec: [00:01:08] Very good, Bryce. Great to be with you. Very excited. Not just for this episode, but for this week. Christmas might come once a year, but the ASX Investor Day comes twice. It's twice the fun and you know, we love here on Equity Mates and Get Started Investing feed to celebrate this, this milestone this time of the year with ASX week. And that's what we're doing in this episode, and that's what we're doing throughout the week on this podcast feed and on the main Equity Mates podcast feed. [00:01:38][30.4]

Bryce: [00:01:39] That's it. We have a great episode lined up today, but stick around over the week. On Wednesday, we have another episode with John Caulfield from Vanek looking at five common mistakes when investing in ETFs. And then on Friday, we sit down with Gemma Dale from NAB Trade, talking about all things to do with building a portfolio. But today is all about the Australian Securities Exchange, the ASX. You would have heard about it if you've started your investing journey. Don't worry if you haven't because we're about to unpack it all now, and it is our absolute pleasure to welcome Helen Chong from the ASX to Get Started Investing feed. Helen, welcome. [00:02:14][35.3]

Helen Chong: [00:02:15] Thank you very much, Bryce and Alec. Great to be here. [00:02:17][2.2]

Bryce: [00:02:18] So Helen is a business development manager of investment products at the ASX. And today we're going to be covering the role of the ASX, the changing nature of investors in Australia. And then a few tips and tricks to help you on your investing journey. Helen's an expert. So before we kick into it, Helen, are you able to give us a rundown on what the ASX Investor Day is and what we can expect from it? [00:02:42][24.2]

Helen Chong: [00:02:42] Yes, certainly so. ASX Investor Day is our key ASX investor education roadshows, and we're very proud of having to run this, you know, for for a couple of years now. And traditionally, we run this around the country, so typically twice a year, and in May and November, it was really great to have you both there. In May this year, we managed to squeeze that in just before the lockdown and traditionally run us a four day programme. And what we really want to give investors is a taste of, you know, all things investing. So ranging from investment basics to your market updates, how to build a portfolio, how to pick a stock. So there's there's a wide range of content there for everybody. [00:03:23][40.8]

Alec: [00:03:24] Yeah. So traditionally you guys go around the country, you deliver it. In most major capital cities this year because of COVID, it's all online. So if people want to watch any of the sessions for free, head to the link in the show notes it's all there, including Helen moderating a session, so that's one not to be missed. [00:03:41][17.6]

Helen Chong: [00:03:42] Thanks for the plug. Much appreciate it. Yes, sir. So in addition, you know, my team, we've got the wonderful Anastasia as well from ASX, who is moderating a chat on investing on income along with a lot of other really great experts. And I know some of you will also be able to hear from the experts in the coming weeks. [00:04:01][18.5]

Bryce: [00:04:01] Yeah, I love it that it's broken into, you know, the type of stage you're at as an investor, but going into intermediate and advanced. And as you said at the top Alec, we've got five episodes over on the Equity Mates feed all of this week as well that going to a bit more detail around some pretty interesting investing thematic. So go over and have a listen to those if you're interested in going a little bit [00:04:21][20.0]

Alec: [00:04:21] deeper and there's a heap of stock picks as well that come out of this week. The ASX week on the Equity Mates podcast, but also in the sessions that we didn't get to cover. But you can see on the ASX website, so that's probably enough of a plug. Let's let's talk about the ASX and Helen. This podcast is for the very basics of investing, you know, very much investing 101. So we wanted to start this conversation at the very beginning. Tell us about the ASX. What is it and what role does it play in Australia? [00:04:51][29.9]

Helen Chong: [00:04:52] Yeah, I think it's a great question to start. You know, we always hear ASX and ASX basics down and what does it all mean? I guess it stands for Australian Securities Exchange, so thank you very much for the intro earlier. So it's actually created by the merger of the Australian Stock Exchange and the Sydney Futures Exchange in July 2006. So ASX is one of the world's top 10 listed exchange groups measured by market capitalisation. We are actually more than just the share market, so obviously we are the primary exchange here in the country. But we also operate in the market. We offer a wide range of services and this includes listing. So as you all know, that the companies listed. On the ASX, but we also offer a trading clearing and settlement technology and data services. [00:05:34][42.2]

Bryce: [00:05:36] So we'll unpack that in a little bit. But are there any myths about the ASX that you want to bust? Or perhaps you know anything that you believed about the ASX before you started working there that you know you've since realised you're wrong about? [00:05:50][14.4]

Helen Chong: [00:05:51] Yes. For starters, Australian stock exchange, that's a big no. No. I think many of us have that just in our heads, that it is the Australian stock exchange. But in fact, this is the Australian Securities Exchange. And yes, that's definitely true in right now. And I had the idea that we were mainly a place to just buy and sell shares. And it's not the case. As I mentioned before, we've got a wide range of different services that we offer perhaps would be worth taking this time to go into a bit of detail in each of those business services that we offer. So first off, we have listings and that's the, you know, the exchange. Our role is to provide a place for companies to list their shares and raise capital. And, you know, reasons for that could be to grow that business, to raise that profile, know in hopes of improving the valuations. So once the companies are listed on the ASX, we then provide a market for investors to come and buy sell shares in these companies using their stockbroker or financial adviser or an online platform. So we're not a broker. And contrary to popular belief and then another role we offer is that we have investment products as well. So looking beyond those two thousand stocks, we actually have over 600 products on top of that, and that includes ETFs as well to help investors diversify. We have a clearing and settlement business, so you know what that means is beyond looking at the role of the exchange to have a marketplace for people to come and buy and sell shares. We also offer the clearing and settlement of transactions in these products. So once the product has settled, so say if you bought a stock or an ETF and not settled that was sit on your holder ID number was thin. So to those of you who are familiar with trading through a broker, that's where the clearing and settlement that comes into to confirm that transaction. So, so that's three of the businesses. And then finally, we have a data business, so we help to provide data to information vendors and software developers as well, and that helps them with servicing their own clients on their trading platforms, software and research tools. So, you know, ASX is more than just a place where people come together to buy and sell shares. Yeah. And I suppose the other thing that you know, when I started, I was so excited about was that I thought we had a physical trading floor. And I think back when we first met and we had a chat, you were quite keen to come and see the trading floor. But unfortunately, that's no longer there has been many years ago since they got rid of it. Yeah. [00:08:14][143.7]

Alec: [00:08:15] Bryce and I were pretty keen to do like a live event on the trading floor, and we thought it would be a great experience. But unfortunately we can't do it. Yeah. [00:08:22][7.4]

Helen Chong: [00:08:23] Well, I mean, I can certainly see what I can do internally, but you know, when people think stock exchanges or securities exchanges, do you think New York Stock Exchange, you know, like Wall Street and it's all very, very exciting and you see all of that hustle and bustle, but we actually got rid of those quite a few years ago. You know, as I mentioned with the history of ASX, you know, there was merger happening and then there were actually three trading floors that happened at the time. So there was the equity trading floor. There's an options trading floor and also Sydney Futures Exchange trading floor. And we've just floated face them out due to the improvement in technology. So we actually have a data centre out in hill as well. [00:09:05][41.3]

Alec: [00:09:05] That's exciting, not quite as sexy. I will not be trying to pitch a live event for the data set up. [00:09:10][5.4]

Bryce: [00:09:11] Look, I'd love to say that [00:09:12][1.0]

Alec: [00:09:14] I Bryce Afterpay to serve up just about a million millions. [00:09:16][2.6]

Helen Chong: [00:09:18] It's quite cool. But you know, it's it's not as exciting, of course, as having a trading life trading. Yeah, yeah. But yes, that's why all the trading happens on servers. Yeah. [00:09:27][9.0]

Alec: [00:09:28] Yeah. So a lot of businesses for the ASX, but I think probably the thing that I'm most excited about talk about today, especially for an audience of young, young and beginner investors, is something that the ASX doesn't make any money from. It's not a business unit, but it is incredibly valuable, and that is the educational resources that the ASX provides. I think a lot of people probably are familiar or know of the share market game. A lot of schools encourage school kids to play it where you get fake money and you learn to invest. Or if you like Bryce, you just punt it all on one stock and say [00:10:04][36.1]

Bryce: [00:10:04] you can't do that in the rules of the stock [00:10:06][1.7]

Alec: [00:10:06] market. That was a [00:10:07][1.1]

Helen Chong: [00:10:08] very good year for you. Familiar with the rules then? Yeah, I play it. [00:10:11][3.0]

Bryce: [00:10:13] Roles. [00:10:13][0.0]

Alec: [00:10:15] But Helen, if you could give us an overview of all of the educational resources that the ASX offers that would [00:10:21][6.1]

Helen Chong: [00:10:22] serve the sharemarket game really in one line? Great way to learn to invest in shares without spending your own money. And I think it's a very safe. For a safe environment for you to really understand. And you have put your knowledge into practise, essentially, so you get the $50000 virtual fake cash, as you said, and you can trade in 200 stocks, that's now 45 new ETFs in the game. And it's great because you get to play using live prices. So, you know, it's it is like the real world situation and you know, you won't be burned by it. Yes. So there's prises to be won, as well as a sweetener and as an individual as if you want to play in the league. I think we were on a couple of these games throughout the year, but I think the next game in 2022 will start. The registrations will start in early [00:11:11][48.8]

Alec: [00:11:11] February, I believe, to two games open to the general public, to games open opened. Yes, that's [00:11:17][6.0]

Helen Chong: [00:11:17] right. That's right. [00:11:18][0.7]

Alec: [00:11:18] So on top of the share market game, and I should say the Investor Day, which is a great educational resource, what other resources to the ASX so far? [00:11:27][8.9]

Helen Chong: [00:11:28] Yes. So for those who are keen for online tutorials, we have free online courses on shares on ETFs and any other products. It is a really great way to learn because you get to know instantly whether you got it right on on it. So I think it's a really good way to really validate that knowledge as well. We produce a monthly investment products report, which to me, it's very, very exciting. Essentially, it's a monthly data that we push out to through everybody's available to the public on each product's performance and trading activity. And I think it's a really, really important resource when you're really trying to understand what you're investing in and how it's going. We run a monthly podcast as well. So I just want to [00:12:09][41.1]

Bryce: [00:12:10] let you know the facts are [00:12:13][3.4]

Helen Chong: [00:12:13] we? We do have a monthly podcast that's hosted by one of our team, Martin Dean. He's our senior product specialist here, ASX. He's fantastic, and he talks to a lot of experts as well to get an idea of the different ways to invest using investment products. It's called the Ideas Exchange and find us on your favourite podcast platform. It's great. It's a monthly podcast, so you know it's about half an hour, 40 minutes or so. It's a great way to get some more information, and it's a great conversation starter. On the newsletter side, we have a monthly investment newsletter called the ASX Investor Update for the latest insights. You can subscribe now on our ASX website. And then we've got Investor Day, which is our key investor education initiative. [00:12:54][40.3]

Bryce: [00:12:54] Well, speaking of Investor Day, what do you really hope that, you know, not only the Equity Mates community, but broader Australians get out of the event that you put on? [00:13:02][8.1]

Helen Chong: [00:13:03] This is really, really important. And you know, this is why we do what we do. What I really hope people can get out of the programme, you know, Equity Mates community or any of our investors is that you don't need to be afraid to start investing. And there's actually a whole world of knowledge out there. And you know, we have condensed into a day full of investment insights. And really, my hope is that you can get out of that day. Some really great investment ideas really brush up on your knowledge if you are unsure about certain things or trading strategies and the different ways to look at the technical analysis, for instance, and get really get into the weeds of investing. We've got something there for you and you really build your confidence to invest. And, you know, I really believe that we've designed a programme that has something for everyone. And so I think it's very important that, you know, we continue to promote this as a community and just let them know this free resource. They're ready for you. [00:13:58][54.7]

Alec: [00:13:58] Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it is. It is a great resource. It's great that you've got so many speeches to give up their time to come and share that knowledge. I guess that's the pull of the ASX, a few speakers that we can't quite get on the podcast. But when you flush the ASX brand, I guess you can open a few doors, [00:14:14][15.8]

Helen Chong: [00:14:14] so perhaps you can give me a list of those and we see what we can do. [00:14:17][2.9]

Alec: [00:14:18] So I think it's a it's a great I mean, it's free. So why wouldn't people check it out? But it's it's pretty much in terms of the insight you can get. So Helen, speaking of insights, there's plenty of insights that the ASX has well can offer outside of investor day. And a key one is the ASX investor study. It's probably the biggest survey of Australian investors that's carried out carried out every couple of years by the ASX, and you've brought a whole bunch of insights from the 2020 investor study. So tell us about the study, tell us what we can learn from it and what were some of the key takeaways from the most recent one? [00:14:57][38.4]

Helen Chong: [00:14:57] We actually started serving Australian investors over 30 years ago, and it was it started out as the share ownership study. So as the name suggests, we just wanted to know what investors were holding in terms of shares. But over the last few editions, markets have changed and we've really seen a rise in different investment products. And so we've actually expanded that range to cover all of those products, you know, ETFs, unlisted managed funds, hybrids and warrants and so on. So in 2020, we also did this survey back in. The start of the year, and then if we all recall the events that have taken place after that, Covid hit pretty hard and we then went out with the second set of surveys to really just understand what investors are doing in response to the pandemic. So personally, I feel that this was a really, really great time to delve into the mindset of the investors and how they were responding to that. The Australian investor study in 2020 is caught out a couple of things. Some established but also emerging demographics, and toss us through a little bit about their approach to investing. So in a nutshell, that's been a growing number of new investors over the last few years. And special call out is we've seen a rise in women and also younger Australians actively investing. This trend looks to continue as this new wave of investors come onto the market. And of course, a sizeable of older Australians have really cemented their place as our country's high value individual investors. So there's no surprise there. And with larger portfolios and high trade volumes, many of them tend to execute the trades using a self-managed super fund. So one of the really interesting areas I thought I could share with you today is on the next generation investors, you know, a quarter of new investors in this age group. And when we say next gen, we're talking about the 18 to 24 year olds in Australia and the last two years have seen a real influx of investors coming onto the market most likely to hold ETFs and are using ETFs as a starting point. So there's less of an emphasis on traditional investments, like shares on residential property, you know, given how house prices are going. [00:17:05][128.0]

Alec: [00:17:06] I was given my choice. [00:17:08][1.8]

Helen Chong: [00:17:08] Yeah, probably not by choice. But you know, a real estate investment trust will raise your affordable exposure to property as well. So I would say, I think the stats say something like one in 10 younger investors are currently holding that. [00:17:21][13.1]

Alec: [00:17:22] Yeah, I think it's really positive to say that 18 to 24 year olds are starting their investing journey with ETFs like just [00:17:29][7.3]

Bryce: [00:17:29] starting in general. [00:17:30][0.6]

Alec: [00:17:30] Well, of course, starting in general is great, but not feeling like they have to start with an individual share and find. Realising they can do their toe in the water like that is a really pleasing thing to say. [00:17:42][11.7]

Bryce: [00:17:42] Yeah, I often think about that, like if they were as prolific as they are now. Back when we were playing, the share market gained 10 years ago. Would our approach have been somewhat different because they they no doubt existed, but they were nowhere near as like tuned in to the semantics that mattered to a 20 20 year old and available, as you know, as easily available now. And and everything that we'd learnt up to that point had really been that like asset. Choose a stock that's undervalued, you know what I mean? And yeah, I think it's yeah, to your point, Ren really good to say, particularly if you started at 18 and you're not you're not going to start when you're 40. That period of compounding is epic. [00:18:29][46.7]

Helen Chong: [00:18:30] Yeah, really. Something to be said about power of compounding. You know, I think ASX, we've seen a really rising popularity of adoption of ETFs, particularly around the new new investors in the market. You know, we see it really as a low cost way to diversify. And you know, you can have $500 to invest. You can buy a stock show, a company or share, but you can also spend the 500 bucks into, you know, one of the ETFs that gives you hundreds of exposures in one try. So yeah, there's something quite beautiful about that. [00:19:03][33.5]

Alec: [00:19:03] There is there is. Were there any other key takeaways from the investor's study that you think are worth sharing with the audience? [00:19:11][7.6]

Helen Chong: [00:19:12] Yeah, I think it would be worth probably highlighting the female demographics as well in the study. So that was that was definitely another quite interesting takeaway for me when we did this last year of those who started investing in the last 12 months. Forty five percent were female, and that's up from 30 percent also from those who start at five to 10 years ago. So with female investors, they tend to approach investing a little bit more cautiously. So that's what they're telling us than men, and almost two thirds prefer guaranteed or stable returns. They typically have smaller portfolios compared to men, but still, it's quite encouraging to see a rise in female investors in a market. [00:19:53][41.1]

Bryce: [00:19:54] Yeah, it is great to see. So, Helen, you've got the inside scoop at what's going on with all investors, and we're going to pick your brain on some of the tips and tricks that you're saying. But before we do, we're just going to take a quick break to hear from our sponsors. All right, Helen, so it's that point of the conversation where we're going to hear some tips and tricks straight from the ASX. So based on the study. What are some of the common mistakes of some observations that you've seen beginner investors make? [00:20:20][26.5]

Helen Chong: [00:20:21] Probably not so much mistakes, but maybe we should reframe that and talk about some of the findings we've got from the investor study. And you know, when we're out there talking to investors and shares, just kind of what they're telling us, the first one is where you get information from. And when we asked investors what kind of information sources are they using to make decisions about investing for the next gen investors, the number one source is family and friends. While that is also good that your networks are there to help you and talk a little bit about what they're doing and what's done well for them, it's still really important to educate yourself and do your own research so you understand what you're investing in. From the study, over half of the next gen investors tell us they prefer to get their information on online reading materials, tutorials, videos or podcasts. So use those around you. You know it's available. There's an abundance of it to make your own decisions. And I think the second one is around the concept of diversification for your portfolio. So when I say diversification, you know, I just mean investing in a variety of products and asset classes to help you reduce the overall risk to your investments. So you know, when you're getting started, don't put all your eggs into one basket. So if you have a diversified portfolio, often you can offset the losses on some investments as you gain on others. An example of this is, you know, last March, when know sharemarkets fell by, you know, 30 percent or so we saw that people who held bonds were able to cushion their falls. So there's something to be said about, you know, just picking a variety of different products to diversify your portfolio. So 60 percent tells us they have a diversified portfolio from all study. But more than half of them, about 58 percent, have all of their money and one or two types of investment products. So, yeah, I think it's something really to consider. That's interesting. And I think the third one is, I think it's just life advice is all in general, but don't be afraid to start investing. Often, you know, when we work with different investors at events, I hear that a lot of younger investors, they tell us that I think they've got enough to stop investing in Australia. We're very fortunate to have a system in place where you can invest with very small amounts. You can start with 500 bucks [00:22:35][134.2]

Alec: [00:22:35] and a brokerage account. Yeah. Well, these days with micro investing, I can start with even less even fear. [00:22:40][4.5]

Helen Chong: [00:22:40] Yeah, exactly right. So something to be said about, you know, having your time in market. [00:22:44][3.7]

Alec: [00:22:45] Yeah, the market, I think that's so important. We are starting to record our summer series. We get started investing and we're speaking to a whole bunch of people from the community and we ask them, what's one thing they wish they knew when they got started? Or what's one myth they believed when they got started and the number one with a bullet? So many people are saying it. I didn't think I had enough money to start investing. And if there's one myth that we can bust, I think that's a really important one. [00:23:11][26.4]

Helen Chong: [00:23:12] Yeah, absolutely. That's your one key takeaway from listening to this episode. Guest on it. Get Started Investing feed [00:23:17][5.6]

Alec: [00:23:17] Bryce is so important. We know in the podcast after it's [00:23:21][3.1]

Helen Chong: [00:23:22] true to label. [00:23:22][0.3]

Alec: [00:23:23] Yeah, if that's one of the big myths that we hear, the number one question that we hear here at Equity Mates is What broker should I sign up with now? The ASX isn't a broker and we don't want you to pick favourites, so we don't want you to tell us which one we should sign up with. But from the ASX perspective, how would you approach that question? What would you think about what are some of the considerations and how do we sort of narrow our options down? [00:23:47][24.6]

Helen Chong: [00:23:48] Yeah, I think yeah, obviously thank you. I don't know everybody's situation, so I can't tell you exactly who, but I can tell you some important questions you should be thinking about to help with that decision. So I guess firstly, how much do you have to invest? What do you want to invest in and do you need advice or recommendations from a professional? And I think about this in sort of a decision tree. I guess if you like so say you're happy to invest online, you can choose between an online or a circle, so I can break that down for you a little bit more. So with the online brokers say you're very confident in your knowledge and you're interested in low cost trading, and you may prefer an online stock broker if you're looking at online brokers. There's also a few things you need to think about. So what's that online experience look like? The Portal? What's your access to research and what tools or education they might have? And then another consideration is how your assets being held. So is it held on to him a holder ID number or custodial model? So the hidden essentially just means your name is on the title when you invest in that way and all of your investments are in one place with a full service broker or advisor, they can help you think about your goals and what you want to achieve, and they'll help you set those goals and give you a. Pilot plan. So one of the benefits of using a full service broker is that you can talk to someone you know, get get some ideas with, get somebody going and get some access to research or even a level of advice, or whether it's just an execution type of advice or if you want a tailored investment plan. So we've got a list of online and full service brokers on ASX website to help you with that as well. [00:25:30][102.2]

Bryce: [00:25:31] So for a lot of people you mentioned, Helen, you know, some people feel like they need to get professional help. And, you know, we encourage people to make their own decisions and do your own research. But sometimes having that professional there to help you is really positive part of your investing journey. So what do you think is the value of a financial advisor and that flows on to how do you find the right one for you? Depending on where you're at in your investing journey? [00:25:57][25.9]

Helen Chong: [00:25:58] Yeah, I think first of all, you know, financial advisors can, as I mentioned before, can really help you assess your situation and then help you set your goals. These are, you know, qualified professionals who recommend investments that's tailored to your needs and help you explore your options. When we think about the value of advice from the investor study, this is what investors have told us. So 84 percent of respondents who are already getting advice found their advisor to be really helpful. When the COVID pandemic hit the hardest on portfolio areas last year and 63 percent of Australians actually open to receiving financial advice in the future. And mother and a quarter of them, about twenty seven percent, have used an advisor, stockbroker or manager in the last year. So it seems that for those investors who are getting advice, they're more likely to capitalise on different investment opportunities during COVID because there's a vast majority of them. About sixty eight percent have made changes to their portfolio to respond to the pandemic, and most had agreed that their advice to have been really helpful. So I think the value of advice when we think about, you know, what's the role of financial advisor is to help you navigate those situations. So there's been a renewed interest in getting advice due to the way people saw how markets played out last year and you know what they needed to do with their investments. But when it comes to looking for an advisor, a quarter of them tell us they don't know how to find a suitable advisor. So that's why ASX comes in and hoping that we could help help you solve for that. Potentially so we've recently launched the ASX Find an Advisor website with just a few clicks, and you can tell us where you're located and how much you have to invest. We can link you up with advisors to start that initial conversation. [00:27:40][102.1]

Alec: [00:27:41] I had a look on the website before this interview, and I think it's great. You know, there's a couple of other like find an advisor services. I think the government has one asset or one of the agencies has one. But the thing I really like about the ASX is one is you can say how much money you have because that's the biggest challenge when people in the community ask us, How do I find an advisor? It's often followed up with I only have a few thousand dollars to invest or something like that and to so many advisors that they can't take clients with that small dollar amount. So being able to stipulate the amount you have when you're searching for an advisor, I think is pretty valuable. Yeah. So it's a good, it's a good service. It's great [00:28:23][42.2]

Helen Chong: [00:28:23] feedback. Thank you very much. Yeah, know. I think hopefully your community will find it useful as well. Everything's sitting on the ASX website. [00:28:30][7.6]

Alec: [00:28:31] Yeah, yeah. If you have an advisor, it doesn't mean you don't have to do the work. We've heard plenty of advisors give some strange advice. My parents had some strange advice from advisors. So do the work. Ask the hard questions of your advisor. But you know there's a reason that they're a professional and that can help [00:28:48][16.9]

Bryce: [00:28:49] thinking about what you've learnt at the ASX and the people that you've learnt from. What advice would you give your younger self when you are just starting your investing journey? [00:28:57][8.2]

Helen Chong: [00:28:58] Yes, a Bryce. I guess some still advice that I give to my current self. But you know, when we're just starting out as an investor, I would say, get started out of it. I don't mean to be funny, but yeah, get started. Investing is very important. Get started early. Start small. Don't be afraid to start because there are a lot of ways, as we've talked about earlier, that you can get involved and you can start investing. Be very clear about your goals and what you want to achieve, and I think it's critical to have a long term investment horizon and keep it simple you can. So make sure you educate yourself. I know I kind of hopped on a little bit about, you know, do your research and understand what you're investing in, but also don't get too caught up with all the information out there because it can be overwhelming. [00:29:42][43.8]

Alec: [00:29:42] Yeah, that's a really I think that's a really important note to end on, and it's a really difficult balancing act and no one ever gets it right between having enough information and not being overwhelmed. So I think trying to educate yourself, but also not stopping that getting started is a really important message to end with. [00:29:58][15.6]

Bryce: [00:29:58] Well, Helen, it's been a great way to kick off the ASX investor week here on get started investing. So thank you very much. Thank you for everything that you're doing over at the ASX. Educating investors, no matter what level of experience they have. A reminder to all of the Get Started Investing feed community to head across to the ASX website. There will be a link in the show notes to take you through to all of the amazing presentations that have been put up for the next three weeks. From today, they will be available for free so you can go and watch them all weekend. Forget bingeing Netflix binge the ASX listed. [00:30:32][34.3]

Helen Chong: [00:30:33] That's probably the best promotion I can get. Thank you very much. Really appreciate [00:30:38][4.9]

Bryce: [00:30:38] it. It was a pleasure and thank you very much. [00:30:41][2.8]

Helen Chong: [00:30:41] Thank you. Pleasure to be here. [00:30:41][0.0]

[1765.3]