Start small, think big 💸 

Life is expensive at the moment. It means it’s even easier to move investing into the ‘not right now’ pile, and avoid getting started. But you cannot deny the power of time in the market. Plug your details in here and see the compounding effect of consistent investments, no matter how small. We often reflect on our early investing days and wish we’d just automated into market-tracking index ETFs, instead of putting it all in on riskier choices. Why? Because small, regular contributions can lead to substantial wealth over time.

Still, if you’re finding it hard to get started, here’s some things to keep in mind:

Find a platform that makes it easy
Gone are the days when you need $$$ to get started investing. Some brokers let you start with essentially the coins in your pocket. If you’re worried about not having enough money, have a listen to this episode where we go through the considerations you need to think about when choosing a platform, and also give you some ideas about how to get started.

Embrace the power of compounding
Challenge yourself to save small amounts of money (on coffee, meals out, cancel Netflix) just for one month, and put the amount in your brokerage account. Getting started and experiencing the power of compounding will help you experience how those small steps might lead to significant financial gains in the future.

Adapt and forgive yourself for life getting in the way
Life comes with unexpected expenses, such as rent increases, weddings, children… even vet bills. We’ve all had to adjust our investment strategies during challenging times to prioritise our changing financial goals. It’s ok if you’re not investing as much as you wanted to - it’s more important to be flexible and adapt to your current financial situation.

Join us, start small, and think big. Remember the seed you plant today, will grow into a giant (money) tree of the future.

3 ways to take action this week…

Momentum is built through baby steps. Why don’t you take up our challenge and commit to these three things this week?

1. Block out a ‘no spend week’: Look in the diary and find a week where you can commit to completely cutting out spending on non-essential items. This means avoiding shopping for clothes, gadgets, or dining out and ear-mark the money for your investing account.

2. Cancel unnecessary subscriptions: It’s the beginning of the year! Set aside an hour and go through your monthly subscriptions, such as streaming services or gym memberships, and cancel any that you're not using regularly. Redirect the money saved into your investment account.

3. Cook at home: challenge yourself to cook at home for the entire week instead of dining out or ordering takeout. Not only will you save money, but you'll also strengthen those culinary skills. Our top picks for affordable and delicious options? Recipe Tin Eats and Jasmin Eats.

What actions are you taking this week to have a brilliant 2024? Let us know at [email protected].

Happy investing!

Equity Mates team