Isn't getting the best return for the least risk always the best idea regardless of age?

 

 

No risk ==> low returns.

Higher returns ==> more risk.

 

If someone tells you something about high returns with low risk, that's a red flag right there. If it weren't the case, more people would doing it.

 

If you are young, you should really not worry as much about taking slightly more risk. Even if you lose, you have many more years to make up for it. If you put things all too conservatively, imho, you'll have a bigger risk of being eaten alive by inflation. (Taking slightly more risk doesn't mean being completely foolish and betting the house on one fund).

 

I have a book to recommend you read. It's called the Four Pillars of Investment by William J Bernstein. It's for most people (including average joe me). Others more savy might have other recommendations.