Written by Benjamin Clanton, Government Publications
Most of us have heard terms associated with investing as a part of our daily lives (or just in passing). The stock market and Wall Street. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Growth versus value investing. Treasury bonds and real estate. Bull markets and bear markets. Commodities and futures. And one of the newer topics, Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. It can truly make your head spin. But what does it all mean? In 2021, many Americans, including myself, became more interested in this world during what is known as the “Gamestop Saga,” which shone a light on such players as retail investors, hedge funds, and a Reddit community known as Wall Street Bets.
Though this event dealt largely with niche investing, it also led some, including myself, to begin educating themselves on how to invest for their financial future. Luckily, there are a ton of resources available to help you with this journey. The federal government itself makes a point of teaching its citizenry about investing as a part of a larger initiative known as financial literacy. Many of you probably already invest in some form through the workplace, either in a 401(k) or another type of retirement account. However, if you are interested in becoming a bit more proactive and hands-on, I have compiled some websites and books that may help.
A quick reminder before you get started: Many types of investing, especially certain aspects of the stock market and basically all cryptocurrency, come with inherent risks that you need to be informed about; like so many things in life, education and taking it slow are important when investing on your own. And there are any number of investment styles that can cater to you as an individual. So, after all of that, if you still want to explore this surprisingly interesting world, or just want to read up on events and figures that have shaped the way markets operate, take some time to peruse these resources on offer through the Government Publications Department and the University Libraries. At minimum, it could help you better understand what the heck is actually going on when you watch movies like “Wall Street” or “The Big Short.” Enjoy!
Online Government Resources
Government Documents
For the Beginning Investor
Wall Street Stories
Market Movers and Shakers
Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, and the Future of Finance
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