If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be investing, I’d have laughed. Investing always sounded like something for people in suits who read the Financial Times over morning coffee; not someone like me, who mostly spends mornings chasing Clarkie around the flat because he’s stolen my sock… again.
But here I am, a few years into micro-investing, building wealth literally £5 at a time. No fancy stock market knowledge, no thousands in savings; just small, manageable steps that make a difference over time. If you’re curious but intimidated by investing, let me break down how I started and what I’ve learned.
1. Starting Small – Investing Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
The first thing I learned? You don’t need loads of money to start investing. My first dip into the world of investing was through apps like Moneybox and Plum, which round up your spare change and invest it for you. At first, it was pennies here and there, but over time, I noticed my pot growing.
Then I set up an automatic £5 weekly deposit; less than the price of a takeaway coffee habit, and something I wouldn’t even notice missing. The beauty of micro-investing is that small, regular amounts add up without feeling like a huge sacrifice.
2. Choosing Where My Money Goes – Making Investing Feel Less Intimidating
One of the biggest hurdles? Not knowing where to put my money. I didn’t want to gamble it all on dodgy stocks I didn’t understand, so I stuck with low-risk diversified funds that spread investments across different industries.
Many investing apps offer ready-made portfolios based on your risk level; so if, like me, you have no clue about the stock market, they take the hard work out of it. I chose a balanced portfolio that mixes stocks and bonds, so I get growth potential without extreme ups and downs.
3. The Mindset Shift – Thinking Long-Term, Not Quick Wins
At first, I checked my investment account way too often; if it went down even a little, I panicked. But investing isn’t about making quick money; it’s about playing the long game.
Now, I remind myself: £5 here, £10 there; it all adds up over years, not weeks. Instead of stressing over daily fluctuations, I focus on consistency. I treat it like an extra savings account, but one that grows faster than letting my money sit in the bank doing nothing.
Final Thoughts
I started investing with no experience, no big budget, and no clue what I was doing. Now, thanks to micro-investing, I’ve built a small but growing portfolio that feels like a step toward financial security.
The best part? I’m still able to enjoy life in London; weekend brunches, the occasional trip, spoiling Clarkie rotten; while saving and investing without stress.
If you’ve been putting off investing because it feels overwhelming, my advice? Start small, start now, and let time do the work.
