Knowing you have a comprehensive plan in place that truly reflects your personal goals, and a competent advisor to lead your forward—one who places your needs first—can go a long way toward helping you weather any market climate with confidence.

Real wealth is built when you own assets that produce an income and building wealth is different from building traditional savings. Serious wealth-building can require a great deal more risk than simply stashing away money in your tax-free savings account for a rainy day.

So, you’ve landed your first “real” job! Now’s the perfect time to create your first investment plan First, let me congratulate you on getting through school and starting your first “real” job. You’ve worked hard to get here, and I’m sure there are many things you’ll want to spend your new paycheque on. An apartment of your own, some decent takeout (not from a student cafeteria), maybe a little travelling. You should do those things, as long as they fit into your budget. You’ve earned a little breathing room. But now that you have some stability, you should also start thinking about investing for your future. Here are three ways to get started.