Geldanlage: Zehn Dinge, die ich als Anfänger über ETFs gelernt habe

One of the key lessons I learned about investing in Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) as a beginner is that the theory is simple, while the practice can be quite complex. Numerous ETF advisor guides for beginners essentially say the same thing: choose a direct bank (due to lower fees), set up a savings plan with a well-diversified ETF, check in once a year, and avoid touching it otherwise.

However, in practice, I found the process far from straightforward. Deciding which direct bank to use, whether to buy ETFs outright or through a staggered plan, and which bank would accept the lump-sum payment were just a few of the many questions I had to grapple with. I learned that the real challenge lies in understanding what truly matters to me in the long run.

The process resembled learning to drive a car: I knew what needed to be done to make it work, but I didn't fully comprehend the intricacies happening under the hood. Nevertheless, I dedicated more time to ETFs than I did to my previous private pension insurance. Secondly, I discovered that ETFs are never green enough. While many guides focus on understanding the ETF principle, the real task is finding suitable green ETFs.

Forums and websites like www.ecoreporter.de and www.faire-fonds.info helped me strike a balance between my conscience and the need for security. The extent to which an ETF is green depends on individual criteria. While a MSCI World ETF includes nearly 1500 positions, the Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) version only has around 400.

I realized that it's never truly green, but a balance between greener and less green ETFs is necessary. Some of my ETFs performed well with tech companies like Apple and Meta, while others had to be shed. Additionally, I weighted Europe slightly more and included non-industrial nations as well. Whether this strategy was the right one remains to be seen, and I won't openly share my choice due to the inevitable criticism I'm sure I'll receive.