"Common misconception is that it's like gambling, it's like red or black, but that's not how the stock market works," says Chief Investment Officer of Whelan Financial, Taylor Whelan.

Whelan is setting the record straight, and there are steps you can take to manage the risk.

"If you invest in a conservative and diversified way, the odds are in your favor," says Whelan.

Picking an individual stock isn't necessary.

Whelan says, "You can go out and buy something that's an ETF or a mutual fund that spreads your dollar over many, many different companies and what that allows you to do is diversify. So, you're not reliant on one single company to do well or lose all of your money."

Fractional shares help buy expensive ETFs with smaller amounts, and as long as you're not selling when things

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