How Do I Invest?

Start with what you owe.

High-interest debt can be a roadblock to a strong financial outlook. Compounding interest can actively work against accumulating the necessary capital to begin investing.
Whenever interest is added to a loan, the higher balance becomes the new baseline value. Compounded interest uses the resulting larger balance to calculate the next interest amount. Over time compounded interest can dwarf the size of the principal, so it can be smart to pay down high-interest debt before investing.

Continue with what you can invest.

It's a good idea to set a realistic monthly budget for investing without pulling from your rainy-day emergency savings. If you have additional savings, you can use it as investment capital and establish regular, modest and monthly savings contributions. A balanced approach can help keep you on track and still leave you with discretionary income.

Start with the end in mind.

Setting an investment goal is arguably the most important step you'll take and can help you launch your plan into action. Make goal setting simple with our planning tools:

• College Planner: Forecast the cost of college for specific schools.
• Retirement Planner: Build a solid retirement plan with an array of resources.
• Goal Planner: Create your own scenarios and predict potential outcomes.

Set your pace.

Set a timeline for your goals. Even if retirement is the common goal, a 30-year-old investor will need a different approach than one who is 50.

Determine your risk profile.

Remember, investing carries with it a certain amount of risk. Your tolerance for risk will help determine the right investment mix.

ALL TOOLS AND CALCULATORS

Now that you've established your goal, it’s time to pick some investments. Start by choosing an account type, then examine which funds could be right for you.

Which account?

Retirement accounts, non-retirement investment accounts and accounts for children each have their own characteristics and tax implications. The range of investment possibilities offered by Janus Henderson allows an investor to tailor a plan to fit his or her unique needs. For more on your options, read about all Janus Henderson Account Types.

Which funds?

Each Janus Henderson fund is different. Some funds focus on capital preservation, while others are devoted to income or capital appreciation. You can learn a lot about Janus Henderson funds by reading each fund’s prospectus and reviewing our online fund pages. Here are a few key terms to know:

• Investment Objective states a fund’s desired goal. Use the objectives to map your goals to a fund’s goals.
• Annual Expense Ratio describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. These are normal, but should be understood. An annual expense ratio reflects the fund’s operating expenses for a fiscal year and includes fees for portfolio management, maintenance of shareholder accounts, distribution and shareholder servicing (if applicable), accounting and other services. Investors do not pay these fees directly; these costs are borne indirectly by each shareholder of the fund as a percentage of the value of their investment. Mutual fund expenses fluctuate over time.
• Principal Investment Strategies explain how a fund pursues its investment objective by investing in certain securities.
• Risk Tolerance Spectrum helps you identify the risks associated with the fund and match it with the level of risk you are willing to take and can afford.
• Performance Information gives the fund’s track record, if applicable. It provides some indication of the fund's and the market's volatility by showing how a fund’s performance has varied over time as compared to a benchmark index. However, remember that past performance is not indicative of future returns.

ALL JANUS HENDERSON FUNDS

Once you've chosen your account type and funds, now it's time to put the rubber to the road and start investing – and it's easier than you think. The table below illustrates the minimum starting amounts for each type of account.

Download the application for the account that fits your needs in Account Types. You will need your mailing address, banking information, which includes the routing number, and Social Security information. Call a Janus Henderson Representative at 800.525.3713 if you have questions.

Once accounts are created, it’s easy to view and manage them online. Good investing requires a certain amount of vigilance, and smart investors regularly monitor their portfolio activity. Periodically evaluate your strategy and contact Janus Henderson to have a conversation about the funds or to explore more investing options.

OPEN A NEW ACCOUNT

An easy way to make a difference over the long term is by investing at regular intervals with an automatic investment plan. This is a simple way to ensure steady contributions, regardless of any emotional evaluations of the market and its volatility. You can invest for as little as $50 a month on a schedule you choose.

Because each purchase is a set amount, automatic investing allows you to buy more shares when prices are lower and fewer when they are higher. The objective is to reduce your average cost per share over time. Instead of selling assets to rebalance your portfolio, you can also use an automatic investment to build up an asset class you want to increase.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AUTOMATIC INVESTING