How to Invest With
A complete guide to help you get started. Practical advice, not fluff.
This guide covers everything you need to know. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to level up, the steps below will get you there.
Getting Started
The first step is always the hardest. Start small and build momentum. Don't try to learn everything at once. Pick one concept, master it, then move on to the next. Consistency beats intensity every time.
Key Strategies
- Start with what you know and expand from there
- Set realistic goals and track your progress
- Learn from others who've done it before you
- Avoid common pitfalls by doing proper research
- Be patient — results take time to compound
Tools and Resources
Use our free calculators to help plan your strategy: Compound Interest Calculator to see how small actions add up over time, and our Investment Calculator to project long-term results.
Next Steps
Take action today. Read one article. Set one goal. Make one change. The perfect time will never come — start where you are with what you have.
📈 Calculator
Plan your growth.
You absolutely can start investing with $100 — and you should. Here's the exact game plan.Step 1: Choose a Brokerage
Use a commission-free broker like Robinhood, Fidelity, Schwab, or Webull. These platforms allow fractional share purchases, meaning your $100 buys a piece of an expensive stock like Amazon ($180+/share) or Apple.
Step 2: Buy an Index Fund ETF
The smartest first investment is an S&P 500 index ETF like VOO or SPY. With $100 you can buy fractional shares. The S&P 500 has averaged ~7-10% annual returns over decades. This single purchase gives you ownership in 500 of America's largest companies.
Step 3: Keep Contributing
Add whatever you can each month — even $25. The power of compound interest means small regular contributions grow significantly over time. At 8% average return, $100/month for 30 years grows to over $146,000.
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