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Would you lose sleep over the amount you plan to invest if it got wiped out in a market crash? If your answer's 'yes, it would devastate me emotionally and financially', think again about whether you're ready to invest

That's not a bad rule for novices to bear in mind, even though there are more exact pounds and pence answers to what sum you need to get started

We take a look at what amount of seed money is ideal, how long you should be prepared to lock it away, and what the general state of your finances should be before you take the first steps into the world of investing

Getting started: How much seed money do you need to enter the world of investing?How much money should you have before investing?If you plan to invest regularly be prepared to put in £50 a month, and if you want to invest a lump sum then £1,000 is a good starting point, according to Gavin Haynes, managing director of financial adviser Whitechurch Securities

'Traditionally people will go down the route of investing in funds as their first port of call

It can provide a good level of diversity through collective investing, and you get the expertise of a professional manager,' he says

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How to invest in funds, investment trusts and ETFs - and. Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) DIY investing Isa - and our pick of the platforms But Haynes cautions that if you plan to kick off investing in just one fund, then make sure it is well diversified across asset classes - shares, government and corporate bonds, property and so on

 Adrian Lowcock, investment director at asset manager Architas, says the minimum investment levels on online platforms serve as a guide to how much money you need to get started

He agrees with Haynes that £50 a month is preferable if you want to invest regularly

When it comes to lump sums, he thinks it's fine to start with £500 if you want to invest in funds because you don't have dealing costs

However, he reckons you should have at least £1,000 if you want to buy shares because that involves shelling out fees every time you make a transaction

How long should you be prepared to invest for?The rule of thumb usually given by investing experts is at least five years, because in theory that should allow you to ride out any losses at the outset

But Lowcock puts the emphasis on 'at least', and believes investors should really be prepared to tie up their money for longer

'Think decades, not five years, It's your long-term future, not saving a deposit for a property

Five years is the industry standard, but is fairly short term if you look at what goes on in markets in terms of volatility and economic cycles

'Hopefully, that will then grow over time with the benefit of compounding returns, especially if you are prepared to reinvest any dividend income

 How frequently should you invest?Fledging investors are generally advised to 'drip feed' money into markets once a month, rather than risking a lump sum at what might turn out to be a bad time

Gavin Haynes: 'Long term investors shouldn't try to second guess market movements, because even seasoned professionals find that is a thankless task

'This also forces you to buy even during market bloodbaths when stocks are cheap, not just during rallies when they are expensive

For first-timers, investing a lump sum just before a market correction can be pretty demoralising, but drip feeding means that the impact of falls won't be as pronounced, explains Haynes

'Don't try to time the market,' he advises. 'Don't wait for the market to fall to invest

Long term investors shouldn't try to second guess market movements, because even seasoned professionals find that is a thankless task

'Lowcock adds that drip feeding has behavioural benefits, because you won't miss money you never had if you set up a direct debit to your investment account on your monthly payday

He says that even if you suddenly come into a sum of money and want to invest it, it's better to phase it in as an 'active drip feed'

Get a financial plan and invest for your future If you want to build a financial plan for a wealthier future - and start investing for it - then professional help can be invaluable

Busy people may want to invest but often find that they do not have the time to build a portfolio themselves

A good financial adviser can help you work out your goals and how you plan to get there - and then make sure you stick to your financial objectives

Whether you are investing to help your children, want to retire early, or simply build your lifetime wealth, good advice can ensure you make the most of your money - and avoid pitfalls

This is Money has teamed up with Timber to offer readers easy access to carefully selected financial advisers who you can trust, with fair and affordable charges

> Find out if Timber could help you How much should you have in an emergency fund before investing?The conventional wisdom is to hold at least three months' worth of your net salary in cash so you can cope with surprise expenses

The idea is to have liquid funds available at all times. Keeping a sum like this in reserve is also a good bulwark against worrying about investing losses

What if you have debts?Aim to pay off any expensive debts before you start investing, advises Lowcock

This is because there is a trade-off between interest payments and your returns from investments or savings

You can end up needlessly shelling out more in interest than you are making elsewhere, if you don't use any money you have available to get shot of the debt first

 People tend to feel better about their finances when they are debt-free and it also improves cash flow, adds Lowcock

He says it's fine to have mortgages and student loans - those taken out in earlier years, before the interest rate shot up - while investing but everything else like car loan, emergency loans, and credit cards should be cleared entirely or paid down to a low level

 What else should novice investors bear in mind?Use up your Isa allowance, which is now £20,000 a year and provides a decent nest egg if you can afford to put aside the full amount, says Haynes

You can split your money between cash and investment Isas, and transfer it between them if you wish, he points out

When it comes to monitoring investments, he says you should look at things like how your funds are doing compared with their peer groups, but warns against getting obsessed with short term performance

He adds: 'Don't commit money if you are going to be worried, and it's going to cause you anxiety

The one certainty is there will be periods when prices will fall.'Lowcock says: 'Don't expect growth in the short term, This isn't gambling

You are not going to double your money overnight. It's going to take a long time

Once you have started getting invested, don't expect an overnight wonder. It's a long term game

' HOW TO INVEST: A STARTERS' GUIDE If you decide to take the plunge, you will need to research funds and shares and take some practical steps towards getting yourself set up with an investing account

Some people pay a financial adviser to help them, while others baulk at the cost or simply prefer to go it alone

Either way, a great starting point for understanding investing is to read This is Money's 40-page 'How to be a successful investor' guide, written by Editor Simon Lambert

This is Money also offers a range of guides to different aspects of investing, which you might also find useful

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