7 Lazy-Girl Approved Investment Strategies

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If you’re new to investing, chances are you’ve felt overwhelmed by charts, jargon, and advice that sounds like it’s meant for Wall Street pros—not real people with real lives.

The good news?


You don’t need to be an expert to start investing wisely.

Below are 7 beginner-friendly investment strategies that are simple, flexible, and realistic—whether you’re investing your first $50 or building long-term wealth.

Let’s break them down 👇

Before You Start: Choose the Right Investment Account💡

Before picking a strategy, it’s important to know where you’re investing.

🇨🇦 If You’re in Canada

  • TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account):
    Best for beginners. Your investments grow tax-free, and withdrawals are tax-free.

  • RRSP: Better for long-term retirement investing and tax deductions.

  • Non-Registered Account:
    Used after TFSA/RRSP limits are maxed.

🇺🇸 If You’re in the U.S.

  • Roth IRA: One of the best beginner accounts. You invest after tax, but growth and withdrawals are tax-free.

  • Traditional IRA / 401(k): Pre-tax contributions, ideal for long-term retirement.

  • Taxable Brokerage Account:
    Flexible, but less tax-efficient.

👉 Beginner tip:
Start with TFSA (Canada) or Roth IRA (U.S.) if you qualify.

Ready to start investing? 🎉
Open your brokerage account through my link below and get $25 free to begin your investing journey!

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1. The Lazy Girl Portfolio

The Lazy Girl Portfolio is perfect if you want solid returns without constantly watching the market.

This strategy uses a small mix of diversified funds, usually:

  • A total stock market fund

  • An international stock fund

  • A bond fund

The idea is simple: diversify once, rebalance occasionally, and let time do the work.

Why beginners love it:

  • Minimal effort

  • Low stress

  • Easy to manage long-term

👉 Ideal if you want to invest and then live your life.

2. Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA)

Dollar-cost averaging means investing a fixed amount of money on a regular schedule, no matter what the market is doing.

Instead of trying to “time the market,” you invest consistently—weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

Why it works:

  • Reduces emotional investing

  • Smooths out market ups and downs

  • Makes investing feel automatic

👉 Perfect for beginners who are scared of investing at the “wrong time.”

➡️ Download my FREE Net Worth Tracker to stay organized and motivated on your financial journey.

3. Thematic Investing

Thematic investing focuses on big trends shaping the future, such as:

  • Clean energy

  • Artificial intelligence

  • Technology innovation

  • Healthcare advancements

Instead of buying individual companies, beginners often use thematic ETFs that track an entire trend.

Why beginners like it:

  • Feels exciting and forward-thinking

  • Easy way to invest in trends you believe in

  • Can be combined with safer strategies

👉 Best used as a portion of your portfolio, not the whole thing.

4. Dividend Investing

Dividend investing focuses on companies that pay you regular cash payments (dividends) just for owning their stock or fund.

You can:

  • Reinvest dividends to grow faster

  • Or use them as passive income.

Why it’s beginner-friendly:

  • Creates steady income

  • Less dependent on market timing

  • Encourages long-term thinking

👉 Great if you like the idea of your money paying you back.

5. The Core & Satellite Strategy

This strategy combines stability + growth.

  • Core: The majority of your portfolio goes into low-cost index funds

  • Satellite: A smaller portion goes into higher-risk or specialized investments (themes, dividends, individual stocks)

Why it’s smart:

  • Keeps your foundation strong

  • Still allows flexibility and creativity

  • Limits risk while allowing upside

👉 Perfect for beginners who want structure and freedom.

6. Index Fund Investing

Index fund investing means putting your money into funds that track an entire market or index.

Instead of betting on winners, you invest in everything.

Why it’s one of the best beginner strategies:

  • Extremely diversified

  • Low fees

  • Proven long-term performance

👉 This is often the first strategy financial experts recommend for beginners.

Photo by Hanna Pad

7. The Barbell Strategy

The barbell strategy balances very safe investments with higher-risk opportunities—and skips the middle.

For example:

  • One side: bonds or cash-like investments

  • Other side: growth stocks or innovative funds

Why beginners use it:

  • Limits downside risk

  • Keeps growth potential

  • Forces intentional decision-making

👉 Best for beginners who want safety and growth—clearly separated.

Where Beginners Can Invest: Best Platforms to Get Started

Choosing the right investment platform is just as important as choosing the right strategy. The best platform for beginners is one that is easy to use, low-cost, and supports tax-advantaged accounts like a TFSA or Roth IRA.

Below are beginner-friendly platforms in Canada and the U.S. 👇

🇨🇦 Best Investing Platforms for Beginners in Canada

WealthSimple

Wealthsimple is one of the most popular investing platforms for beginners in Canada — and for good reason.

Why beginners love it:

  • Very easy to use (great first platform)

  • Supports TFSA, RRSP, and taxable accounts

  • No commission on stock and ETF trades

  • Option for automated (robo-advisor) or self-directed investing

Best for:

  • First-time investors

  • Lazy Girl Portfolio users

  • Dollar-cost averaging

  • Hands-off investors

👉 Ideal if you want simple, stress-free investing.

Questrade

Questrade is a powerful platform that still works well for beginners who want a bit more control.

Why beginners choose it:

  • ETFs can be bought commission-free

  • Supports TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, and taxable accounts

  • More advanced tools than Wealthsimple (but still manageable).

Best for:

  • Index fund investing

  • Core & Satellite strategy

  • Long-term investors who want flexibility

👉 Great if you want low fees with more customization.

🇺🇸 Best Investing Platforms for Beginners in the United States

Fidelity

Fidelity is one of the most beginner-friendly and trusted platforms in the U.S.

Why it’s great for beginners:

  • No commission on stocks and ETFs

  • Excellent index funds with low fees

  • Supports Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, and taxable accounts

  • Strong educational resources

Best for:

  • Roth IRA investing

  • Index fund investing

  • Long-term beginners

Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab is a solid, well-rounded platform that works well as your investing experience grows.

Why beginners use it:

  • No trading commissions

  • Easy-to-use platform

  • Supports all major retirement accounts

  • Good customer support

Best for:

  • Core & Satellite strategies

  • Long-term retirement investing

Vanguard

Vanguard is known for low-cost, long-term investing and is highly respected among passive investors.

Why it’s beginner-friendly:

  • Extremely low expense ratios

  • Ideal for index fund investors

  • Supports Roth IRA and taxable accounts

Best for:

  • Index fund investing

  • Lazy Girl Portfolio

  • Hands-off, long-term strategies

⚠️ Interface is less “pretty,” but very effective.

How to Choose the Right Platform as a Beginner

Ask yourself:

  • Do I want hands-off or self-directed investing?

  • Do I need a TFSA or Roth IRA?

  • Do I care more about simplicity or flexibility?

Quick rule of thumb:

  • Want simplicity → Wealthsimple (Canada) or Fidelity (U.S.)

  • Want more control → Questrade or Schwab

  • Want ultra-low-cost long-term investing → Vanguard

Beginner Tip💡: Platform Matters Less Than Starting

Many beginners delay investing because they’re afraid of choosing the “wrong” platform.

Here’s the truth:


👉 Starting matters more than optimizing.

Most platforms allow you to:

  • Transfer accounts later

  • Change strategies

  • Adjust investments over time

The best platform is the one that gets you started today.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Choose Just One

Here’s the secret most beginners don’t know:

👉 You can combine strategies.

Many investors use:

  • Index funds as a core

  • Dollar-cost averaging for consistency

  • A small thematic or dividend portion for growth or income

The best strategy is the one you can stick with long-term.

If you’re just starting out, focus on:

  • Simplicity

  • Consistency

  • Long-term thinking

Your future self will thank you.

Written by:

Anabel Gonzalez

About me

Hi there 👋! I’m Anabel, and this is my blog. I love the beach, traveling, and dancing 💃.

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