Sylvia Kwan has nearly 35 years in the investing industry, as well as a PhD in engineering economic systems from Stanford, and she helped build Ellevest from the ground up as our Chief Investment Officer. So you could say she knows a thing or two about investing. We decided to bottle up some of that golden knowledge for you in our new video series, “Hey Sylvia, Quick Question.”

Up first: What should I invest in?

Sylvia’s answer:

Any time someone asks me that question, what they’re really looking for is a hot stock tip or two. Sorry to disappoint, but unlike Jim Cramer, I just don’t think that investing in a hot stock or two is the smartest way to invest. And that’s because no one — and I really mean no one — can predict how markets will perform in the future, let alone a particular stock.

So instead, invest in a diversified investment portfolio. The simplest, easiest way to do this is through exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, and that's what we do here at Ellevest.

Make sure the ones that you choose have low costs; some charge less than a fifth of a percent on assets. And make sure you choose ETFs that invest in a large number of stocks and bonds, both US and internationally. It’s really just that simple to invest.

Disclosures