Here’s How You’re Going To Start Investing This Month
The hardest part about investing is starting, and we all know it. So many of us in the She’s on the Money community (and yes, even our team) have spent ages thinking about investing before actually doing it. That first step, making your very first investment, can feel huge, but once you’ve done it, you realise it’s nowhere near as scary as it seemed.
Because here’s the thing: you’re not investing your entire life savings. You’re investing a small portion of your money for your future self. That means only investing money you won’t need to touch for at least five to ten years. If you’re saving for a house deposit or planning to use that money soon, it stays put. Investing is all about the long game and letting time do the heavy lifting.
So, let’s start simple and figure out what your goals actually are for investing.
Step 1: Have a goal
Having a goal when it comes to investing doesn’t mean you need to set a huge target like “I want to have $100,000 invested.” Your goal might simply be to start investing consistently. That could mean investing $5, $20, or $500, whatever amount feels realistic for you, on a regular basis.
It’s not about how much you invest, it’s about building the habit. Consistency is what helps your money grow over time. So whether you choose to invest weekly, monthly, or quarterly, the key is to make it something you can stick to.
Goal idea: “I want to invest $50 every payday for the rest of the year.”
Step 2: Pick your platform
If you’re reading this and thinking, wait, I don’t even know where to start, don’t stress. We’ve got you. There are plenty of free podcast episodes on She’s on the Money that walk you through what investing actually is and how to get started.
When you’re ready to take the next step, it’s time to pick an investing platform. This is simply the app or website you’ll use to buy your investments.
When comparing platforms, look for:
Low brokerage fees and clear pricing
A simple, easy-to-use app or dashboard
The ability to invest small amounts regularly
CHESS sponsorship if you prefer to directly own your shares
Step 3: Choose what to invest in
Choosing what to invest in is one of the most important parts of your journey. When you’re starting out, the goal is to be diversified, which simply means spreading your money across different companies or industries so you’re not relying on just one to perform well.
There’s some powerful data that shows why staying invested over time matters. Historical stock market research from 1926 to 2023 found that if you’d invested for just one year, there was around a 25% chance of recording a loss. Stay invested for five years, and that drops to about 12%. Stick with it for ten years, and your probability of a loss falls to just 4.9%. And if you stayed invested for twenty years, the probability of recording a loss was 0.0%.
In other words, the longer you stay invested, the more time your money has to recover from short-term dips and grow. It’s about time in the market, not timing the market.
That’s why diversified investments, like exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or index funds, can be great starting points. They allow you to invest in hundreds of companies at once, giving you instant diversification without needing to research or pick individual shares.
Step 4: Be consistent
Consistency is where the real magic happens. Whether you’re the kind of person who likes to set and forget or you prefer to be a bit more hands-on, the key is to invest regularly.
If you’re someone who loves automation, setting up a direct debit or using features like Auto-Invest can make staying consistent effortless. You’ll choose the amount, the frequency, and where it’s invested, and your platform will take care of the rest.
If you prefer a more manual approach, that’s completely fine too. Just set a reminder in your calendar, maybe the same day you get paid, to log in and make your investment. The goal is simply to build a rhythm that works for you.
Remember, consistency doesn’t just build wealth, it builds confidence. The more you invest, the more comfortable you’ll feel with the process.
Step 5: Create a reward system for yourself
Investing doesn’t have to be all spreadsheets and serious faces, it should feel good too. Building new habits takes time, so give yourself something to look forward to.
Maybe you set a small goal like “If I invest five times this year, I’ll treat myself to a nice dinner” or “Once I hit my first $1,000 invested, I’ll buy that book I’ve been wanting.” Little rewards keep the momentum going and make the process more enjoyable.
And if you still don’t feel confident enough to start investing just yet, that’s completely okay. Our Investing Masterclass is there to help guide you through every step. If the cost feels out of reach, you can apply for a scholarship. We give out a bunch every quarter to make sure our community has access to the education and support they need.
Otherwise, we’ve got plenty of free resources to help you keep learning and building your confidence at your own pace.
***Please remember our blogs aren’t intended as financial advice - they’re intended only as a starting point to give you a little extra info! For more in-depth advice catered to your personal financial position, please see a certified financial advisor.