here’s no reason why you can’t buy mutual funds and also buy stocks on your own. And it doesn’t have to be a big deal. According to a survey, fund investors typically own just three funds and stock investors typically hold just three stocks. However, before you begin any investment program, you might want to consider taking the following steps:

Step 1: Fully fund your IRA, Keogh, 401 (k), and other plans that let you use pre-tax dollars to earn tax-deferred interest. If you’re in your twenties or thirties, this should be your absolute number-one priority. By being an “early investor,” you’ll reap the benefits of long-term, tax-deferred compounding.