Investing—be it in the form of buying stock, lending money in the form of a bond, or purchasing cryptocurrency assets—will always come with its own set of risks. As such, it’s important for any would-be investor to understand their risk tolerance before they commit their resources to any form of investment.

Risk tolerance refers to one’s capability to withstand fluctuations in the value of their investments. If you’re the one doing the investing, this will play a crucial role in determining the mix of assets in your investment portfolio.

Generally, risk tolerance is categorized into several levels, ranging from conservative to aggressive. Conservative investors prioritize capital preservation and prefer low-risk investments like savings accounts and bonds, while aggressive investors often pursue long-term growth and are willing to invest primarily in high-risk assets like stocks, real estate, and perhaps even cryptocurrency like Monero (XMR).

Moderate investors, on the other hand, seek a balanced mix of investments. There are also categories that put investors between the spectrum of moderately conservative and moderately aggressive in terms of their risk tolerance.

In your case, are you more comfortable investing in low-risk securities? Or are you perfectly fine with the higher level of risk that comes with investing in assets like crypto coins? Before purchasing bonds to add to your portfolio or XMR coins for your Monero wallet, make sure to find out where you lie in the risk tolerance spectrum. Here are some tips to help you find out your actual risk tolerance:

1) Assess Your Financial Goals

Your financial goals collectively serve as a compass for your investment decisions. What’s your goal? Are you perhaps saving for retirement, buying a house, or funding a loved one’s education? Or are you looking to build upon the wealth you currently have?

Put simply, your objectives influence your willingness to take on investment risk. If you have long-term goals, such as retirement savings, you may be more inclined to tolerate higher levels of risk, as you have more time to ride out market fluctuations. On the other hand, if your goals are more short-term, like purchasing a home in the next few years, you may prefer lower-risk investments to protect your capital.

2) Evaluate Your Time Horizon

The length of time you plan to invest your money before you touch it again is your investment horizon. Longer time horizons are more tolerant of aggressive investment strategies because they present more time to recover from market downturns.

If you’re planning to give your investments more time to recover from fluctuations, you may be more comfortable investing in assets with higher volatility. However, if you have a shorter time horizon, such as saving for a near-term expense, it makes sense to be inclined towards stabler investments to minimize the risk of loss.

3) Consider Your Financial Situation

Your current financial situation, including factors like your income, expenses, debt, and savings, will also greatly influence your risk tolerance. If you have a stable income, manageable debt levels, and sufficient emergency savings, then you may be more willing to take on a greater amount of investment risk. Conversely, if you’re facing financial uncertainty or have limited savings, you’ll want lower-risk investments to protect your current financial stability.

4) Understand Different Types of Investments

Educate yourself about various investment options, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, and alternative investments. Each asset class carries its own level of risk and potential return.

Stocks, for example, tend to be more volatile but offer higher long-term returns, while bonds provide more stability, but lower returns. Knowing the risks and potential rewards associated with different investments will allow you to choose which ones align best with your current level of risk tolerance and financial goals.

5) Take a Risk Tolerance Questionnaire

Many financial advisors and online investment platforms offer risk tolerance questionnaires to help assess your comfort level with different levels of investment risk. These questionnaires typically ask about your investment goals, time horizon, financial situation, and emotional temperament.

If you get the chance to take a questionnaire like this one, make the effort to answer these questions honestly. That will allow you to gain valuable insights into your tolerance for risk and use this information to guide your investment decisions.

6) Consider Your Emotional Temperament

Your emotional temperament affects how you invest. Reflect on how you typically react to market volatility and fluctuations in the value of your investments. Are you comfortable with uncertainty, or do you prefer stability? If you tend to get anxious or panic during market downturns, you may have a lower risk tolerance and prefer more conservative investments. But if you can tolerate short-term fluctuations and remain focused on your long-term goals, you may have a higher risk tolerance and be willing to accept more volatility in your portfolio.

7) Start Small

If you’re unsure about your tolerance level, consider starting with a small investment and gradually increasing your exposure to riskier assets as you become more comfortable investing. Starting small allows you to test the waters and gain confidence in your ability to tolerate investment risk.

You can gradually adjust your investment strategy over time as you gain more experience and a better understanding of what affects your risk tolerance.

8) Seek Professional Advice

Consult a financial advisor or investment professional who can provide personalized guidance based on your individual circumstances and risk tolerance. A financial advisor can help you assess the particulars of your tolerance level, develop an appropriate investment strategy for different assets, and get you through the complexities of market volatility. They can also provide ongoing support and guidance to help you stay on track towards your financial goals.

9) Revisit Your Risk Tolerance Regularly

Lastly, remember that your risk tolerance may change over time due to changes in your financial situation, goals, or life circumstances. It’s essential to reassess your tolerance for risk periodically and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

Regularly review your risk tolerance to ensure that your investment portfolio remains aligned with your financial goals and comfort level. This can help you make smarter investing decisions and avoid taking on more risk than you can handle.

Knowledge and control over your risk tolerance can help you navigate market volatility, stay disciplined during periods of uncertainty, and ultimately achieve a more satisfying and successful investment experience. Before jumping into a new type of investment opportunity, determine your risk tolerance and use it as the basis of an investment strategy that meets your needs.