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Initializing and subsequently diversifying your portfolio should never take up an inordinate amount of your time. Even as you expand your portfolio and begin to include other financial instruments, a process known as diversification, the initial purchase of stock will be your decision. Should you decide to spend hours researching, you are perfectly free to do so. Or, you might ask a friend to give you advice. You decide to purchase the stock for whatever reason you consider important. Research is never required.
Plain English
A portfolio is a collective term for all your investments. It should consist of cash as well as different kinds of investments, such as stocks and bonds. Determining how much of each you want is a process known as diversification.