Open a brokerage, pick one broad index fund, automate $25 — no stock picking
The most searched money question after budgeting: how do I actually start investing? Open a reputable brokerage, verify identity once, buy one low-cost total-market or S&P 500 index fund with $100, set a recurring transfer, and understand what you own in plain English. Not crypto, not day trading, not financial advisor fees.
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Investing $100 while carrying 24% credit card debt is backwards — pay the card first. Keep $500+ cash for flat tires.
This $100 is money you won't touch for 5+ years. If you'd panic-sell when it drops 15%, keep it in savings until you've read what volatility means.
An index fund owns hundreds of companies in one purchase. You get diversification without researching 50 tickers.
Look for: 'Total Stock Market' or 'S&P 500' in the name. Expense ratio under 0.10% (0.0010). That's the annual fee — lower is better.
Pro tip. Ignore hot stock tips from coworkers. Your first purchase should be boring enough to yawn at.
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