You Don't Need to Be Rich to Start
"I'll start investing when I have more money."
Sound familiar? It's one of the most common—and costly—excuses. Let's bust this myth wide open.
The Old Days vs. Now
20 years ago:
- Minimum investments: $1,000-$3,000
- Trading fees: $10-30 per trade
- Had to call a broker
Today:
- Minimum investments: $1 (yes, one dollar)
- Trading fees: $0 at most brokers
- Invest from your phone in seconds
The Gym Membership
Saying "I'll invest when I have more money" is like saying "I'll go to the gym when I'm already fit."
You don't get fit by waiting—you get fit by starting. Same with wealth. You don't get wealthy by waiting to invest—you get wealthy by investing, even small amounts, consistently.
What You Can Actually Do With Small Amounts
$25/week ($100/month)
- Buy fractional shares of any company
- After 30 years at 8%: ~$150,000
$50/week ($200/month)
- Build a diversified portfolio
- After 30 years at 8%: ~$300,000
$10/week ($40/month)
- Still meaningful!
- After 30 years at 8%: ~$60,000
Fractional Shares Changed Everything
You don't need $500 to buy one share of a company. Most brokers now let you buy $5 worth of any stock. Want to own a piece of Amazon, Google, or Apple? You can start with your coffee money.
The Latte Factor
You've probably heard this before, but it's worth repeating:
| Daily Expense | Monthly | Invested for 30 Years (8%) |
|---|---|---|
| $5 coffee | $150 | $225,000 |
| $10 lunch | $300 | $450,000 |
| $15 combo | $450 | $675,000 |
We're not saying never enjoy coffee. We're saying: small amounts matter more than you think.
Key Takeaways
- You can start investing with as little as $1
- Most brokers charge $0 in trading fees
- Small, consistent investments grow into significant wealth
The Real Barrier Isn't Money
If you have a smartphone and $10, you can invest today. The real barriers are:
- Not knowing how (that's why you're here!)
- Fear of losing money (we'll address this)
- Procrastination (the most expensive habit)
How to Start Today
- Pick a brokerage app (Fidelity, Schwab, Robinhood, etc.)
- Open an account (takes 10 minutes)
- Set up automatic investing ($25/week, $50/month—whatever works)
- Buy a diversified fund (like a total market index fund)
- Forget about it (seriously, don't check daily)
Avoid These Traps
- Waiting for the "perfect time" to start (it doesn't exist)
- Thinking you need to understand everything first
- Comparing yourself to people who started earlier
The Best Time to Start
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.
Every day you wait, you're leaving compound growth on the table. Start with whatever you can—even $10—and increase it as you're able.
Next up: Let's set realistic expectations so you know what to actually expect from investing.