Here's a slightly uncomfortable truth about investing: buying ASX shares shouldn't always be your first move.
In fact, for some Australians, it might be closer to the last. The secret isn't necessarily finding the perfect ASX shares, it's getting the order of your financial priorities right.
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First, buy yourself some breathing room
Before putting money into ASX shares, build an emergency fund.
Three to six months of living expenses might not sound exciting, but it could stop a financial emergency from becoming an investing disaster.
If the car suddenly gives up, the roof starts leaking or your job disappears, having cash available means you may not have to sell ASX shares while the market is having one of its tantrums.
Next, make the tax system work for you
Australians have access to some potentially valuable tax concessions that shouldn't be overlooked simply because blue chips like BHP Ltd (ASX: BHP) and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) are more exciting.
Making additional concessional super contributions, for example, can offer tax benefits for eligible investors. The First Home Super Saver Scheme may also help eligible first-home buyers use super to save towards a deposit.
The rules and limits matter, so investors should check their circumstances before making contributions.
But the broader lesson is simple: don't ignore a legitimate tax advantage while chasing ASX shares.
Then, avoid unnecessary tax
Tax can quietly nibble away at investment returns.
Frequent trading, choosing an unsuitable ownership structure and failing to understand capital gains tax can all create unnecessary costs.
That doesn't mean investors should avoid selling ASX shares when there's a good reason. It means understanding the potential tax consequences before hitting the sell button.
A few minutes of planning could potentially save far more than another hour spent hunting for the next ASX winner.
Finally, buy the ASX shares
Now comes the fun part. Once you've built a suitable cash buffer and considered your tax position, you can put your long-term investment money to work.
That could mean buying quality ASX shares, diversified ETFs or other growth assets suited to your goals and risk tolerance.
The point isn't to avoid ASX shares. Far from it. It's to make sure you're financially prepared to stay invested when markets inevitably become uncomfortable.
Foolish takeaway
Everyone wants to know which ASX shares could double next. But a better question might be: have I put my finances in the right order first?
Build the emergency fund. Consider sensible tax advantages. Understand your tax obligations. Then invest.
Because the best ASX portfolio in the world won't help much if you're forced to sell it at the worst possible moment.
