If investing is part of your 2026 New Year’s resolution, you may be wondering whether now is a good time to start. This article covers what to consider. All investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

Is There a Right Time to Start?

Many people ask whether they have missed the boat. No one can predict how markets will perform, and there is no guarantee that any starting point will turn out well or poorly. Markets can be volatile, and investments can lose value. What matters for many investors is whether investing fits their goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance.

You also do not need a large amount of money to begin. Some apps offer fractional shares, and on Alinea you can start with as little as $1.

Building a Foundation

Starting early can matter because of compounding, where returns on your investments begin generating returns of their own. Investment returns are not guaranteed and can be negative, so compounding can also work against you if your investments lose value.

1. Define your goals. Are you saving for retirement, a home down payment, or something else? Your goals can help you decide which investments may be appropriate.

2. Understand your risk tolerance. Think about whether you prefer higher potential returns with more risk or a more conservative approach.

3. Choose a platform. Pick one that matches your needs and provides clear information about its features, fees, and risks.

Market Volatility

The stock market can be volatile, and it is natural to feel anxious during downturns. Some investors invest a fixed amount on a schedule instead of trying to time the market, an approach known as dollar cost averaging. It does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. Spreading money across different investments can reduce the impact of any one falling, but diversification can’t guarantee against loss [1].

Alinea’s Features

Alinea Invest, Inc. offers a mobile investing app. Investment advisory services are provided by Alinea Advisory Services LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of Alinea Invest, Inc. SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

• Model portfolios. Alinea asks about your risk tolerance and assigns you one of four risk-based model portfolios of ETFs by algorithm. Alinea rebalances it monthly. The portfolios are the same for every investor at a given risk level.
• Investing Playlists. Playlists are collections of stocks and ETFs organized around themes or interests. Some Playlists have their weights set by AI on a schedule, with no human review of the changes. Alinea oversees the algorithm and monitors it for anomalies. Themed portfolios may be less diversified and more volatile.
• Recurring investing. You can set a fixed amount to invest on a schedule, an approach known as dollar cost averaging. It does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.
• Allie. Allie, Alinea’s AI assistant, is available in the Alinea app. It can explain your holdings, market news, and financial terms in plain language. At your request, Allie can also start a deposit, withdrawal, buy, or sell, and you confirm every transaction before it runs. Allie provides educational research and feedback only, does not provide investment advice or recommendations, and can make mistakes.

Brokerage accounts are held at DriveWealth LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, which is not affiliated with Alinea. SIPC protects securities customers of its members up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for claims for cash) if the brokerage firm fails financially. It does not protect against a decline in the market value of your securities [2]. Bank accounts are linked through Plaid, Inc., a third party not affiliated with Alinea, and we do not store your online banking credentials. SSL and 256-bit encryption help protect your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a New Year’s resolution related to investing?

It is a goal set at the start of the year, such as starting to invest or improving how you invest.

How long does it take to see returns on stock market investments?

There is no set timeline. Returns depend on the investments you choose and market conditions, and they are not guaranteed. Investments can lose value, including over long periods.

What makes an investing platform useful for new investors?

Many new investors look for clear explanations, simple setup, and tools that match how involved they want to be. Whether a platform is suitable depends on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance.

What mistakes should I avoid when starting to invest?

Common pitfalls include investing money you may need soon, not having a clear goal, putting everything into one investment, and making impulsive decisions based on short-term market moves. Diversification can’t guarantee against loss [1].

Is it too late to start investing in 2026?

No one can say. Markets are unpredictable, and there is no guarantee that any time to start will work out well. Consider your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance, and only invest money you do not expect to need soon.

Disclosure

Advisory services are provided by Alinea Advisory Services LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of Alinea Invest, Inc. SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Brokerage and custody services are provided by DriveWealth LLC, an unaffiliated registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any security. All investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Allie is educational only, does not provide investment advice, and can make mistakes. Some Playlists have their weights set by AI on a schedule, with no human review of the changes, and can be wrong. Alinea oversees the algorithm and monitors it for anomalies. Themed portfolios may be less diversified and more volatile. Alinea is not affiliated with the sources listed below, and their inclusion is not an endorsement. Alinea charges a subscription fee for its advisory services; see Item 5 of Form ADV Part 2A. Alinea’s support team handles questions about using the service only and does not provide investment advice.

See our Form ADV Part 2A, Wrap Program Brochure, and Form CRS at www.alinea-invest.com/legal/home. For more on Allie, see AI Allie – Disclosures & Terms of Use at www.alinea-invest.com/legal/ai-allie-disclosures-terms-of-use.

Sources

[1] U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Investor.gov, “Diversify Your Investments.”

[2] Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), What SIPC Protects (sipc.org).

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