If you’ve been telling yourself, “This is the year I’m finally going to start investing,” but somehow another month goes by and you still haven’t done anything, this episode is for you. Investing hesitation is almost never about intelligence. It’s about uncertainty. What if you pick the wrong thing? What if the market drops? What if you should be doing something else with the money first? And when every decision feels high-stakes, it’s easy to stay stuck in research mode and call it being responsible. In this episode, Shari Rash, founder of GWA Wealth, breaks down where to actually start if you want to invest this year. You’ll learn the investing order of operations, why cash reserves matter before you start putting money into the market, how to think about employer matches, IRAs, Roth IRAs, taxable brokerage accounts, and why consistency usually matters more than picking the “perfect” investment. You’ll also hear why sitting on too much cash can quietly cost you, how to think about investing when you still have debt, and why the goal is not to become obsessed with investing — it’s to build a plan you can actually stick with. You’ll hear: Why smart women delay investing even when they know they “should” start The three-question filter to help you know what money is ready to invest The investing starter path: cash base, employer match, IRA or Roth IRA, and taxable brokerage Why time in the market matters more than trying to time the market How to stop letting fear of the wrong move keep your money sitting on the sidelines If you want help building a personalized investing plan for your actual life — your income, your taxes, your goals, your timeline, and your real-world decisions — learn more at gwawealth.com. This is exactly the work Shari does with women who are doing well on paper but want to feel more confident and in control of their money. Talkin’ Points → where your money gets smarter. Real talk, practical tips, zero guilt straight to your inbox. Sign up here.  Be sure to like and follow the show on your favorite podcast app!Keep the conversation going on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney This episode is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The information discussed is general in nature and may not be appropriate for your specific financial situation, goals, risk tolerance, or time horizon. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. References to retirement accounts, Roth IRAs, traditional IRAs, taxable brokerage accounts, employer retirement plans, dollar-cost averaging, asset allocation, or other financial strategies are intended as general education and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security or investment product. GWA Wealth is a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are offered only to clients or prospective clients where GWA Wealth and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from registration. Nothing in this episode should be considered an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or advisory services. For more information about GWA Wealth, including services, fees, and conflicts of interest, please review the firm’s Form ADV Part 2A and related disclosures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices