August 10, 2025 • 14 mins
In this episode of the Wealthwise Woman podcast, Anna explains why it's crucial to start investing today. She highlights the power of starting early and how compound interest can grow wealth exponentially. Common excuses such as “not enough money” or “the wrong time” are debunked, as even small amounts and regular investing count in the long run. Anna provides practical steps, such as choosing a brokerage platform and getting started with ETFs, to get started right away. Finally, she emphasizes that investing is a path to financial independence, especially for women, and motivates listeners to take the first step today.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to the wealth Wise Woman podcast. I'm your host, Anna,
and before we dive in, a quick reminder this podcast
is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not
financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with
a licensed professional before making any investment decisions. Today, we're
(00:21):
tackling a topic that's absolutely critical for anyone looking to
secure their financial future. Why you should start investing today
not tomorrow. If you've been hesitating, waiting for more money,
more knowledge, or the perfect market moment, this episode is
your wake up call. We're going to explore why starting now,
even with a small amount, can transform your financial trajectory.
(00:45):
In this expanded episode, we'll cover the power of starting
early and how compounding works like magic, Why waiting for
the right time is a costly myth, Practical step by
step ways to start invest today no matter your budget,
Overcoming fears, excuses, and societal pressures that hold women back,
(01:08):
Real world examples and strategies to keep you motivated, long
term habits to ensure your investments grow steadily. Let's dive
in and make this the moment you stop procrastinating and
start building wealth. Part one, The power of starting early.
The biggest advantage you have as an investor is time.
(01:30):
The earlier you start, the more your money can grow
through the power of compounding. Compounding is when your investment
earns returns, and those returns start earning returns of their own,
creating a snowball effect that grows your wealth exponentially over time.
Example one, Imagine you're thirty years old and invest one
thousand dollars in a broad market ETF with an average
(01:53):
annual return of seven percent. If you leave it untouched
by age sixty five, that one thousand dollars could grow
to nearly fifteen thousand dollars. Now, If you wait just
ten years and start at forty, that same one thousand
dollars would only grow to about seven thousand, six hundred
dollars by sixty five. Starting a decade earlier doubles your
money without any extra effort. Example two. Let's say you
(02:19):
invest one hundred dollars a month starting at age twenty five.
With that same seven percent return, by age sixty five,
you could have over two hundred sixty two thousand dollars.
If you wait until thirty five to start, you'd have
about one hundred and twenty two thousand dollars. That ten
year delay costs you one hundred forty thousand dollars, and
(02:40):
that's just with one hundred dollars a month. For women,
this is especially crucial. We often face financial hurdles like
the gender pay gap, which can reduce lifetime earnings by
twenty percent or more, career breaks for caregiving, and longer
life spans that require bigger retirement nest eggs. Starting early
gives you a head start to overcome these challenges and
(03:02):
build financial independence. The takeaway time is your greatest asset.
Every year you wait is a year of potential growth
you'll never get back. Part two Why waiting for the
perfect moment is a costly mistake. I hear so many
excuses for delaying investing. I'll start when I have more money,
(03:26):
the market feels too risky right now, or I need
to learn more. First, let's debunk these myths and see
why waiting is one of the biggest financial mistakes you
can make. Myth one, I need to time the market.
No one can predict market highs and lows consistently, not
even the experts. Waiting for a dip might mean missing
(03:49):
out on gains while you sit on the sidelines. Historical
data shows that the stock market trends upward over the
long term. For example, the S and P five hundred
has delivered an average annual return of about ten percent
before inflation since the nineteen twenties. The key is being
in the market, not trying to time it. Myth two,
(04:12):
I don't have enough money. Thanks to modern investing platforms,
you can start with as little as one dollar. Many
brokerages offer fractional shares, letting you buy a piece of
an ETF for stock even if you can't afford a
full share. Waiting to have more could cost you years
of compounding. Myth three, I don't know enough yet. You
(04:37):
don't need to be a financial guru to start investing
is a skill you learn by doing. Start small with
a simple, diversified ETF and build your knowledge as you go.
Waiting to feel ready often leads to analysis paralysis. Myth
four the economy is too uncertain. The economy is always uncertain,
(04:57):
whether it's inflation, recessions, or global events, but investing consistently
through ups and downs, a strategy called dollar cost averaging
smooths out volatility by investing a fixed amount regularly you
buy more shares when prices are low and fewer when
prices are high, reducing your average cost over time. The
(05:19):
cost of waiting isn't just missed gains, it's the opportunity
to build confidence, learn and create a habit of investing.
Every day you delay is a day your money isn't
working for you. Part three. Practical steps to start investing today.
Ready to take the leap. You don't need thousands of
(05:39):
dollars or a finance degree to start investing today. Here's
a detailed, beginner friendly roadmap to get you started right now.
Step one, choose a brokerage platform. You'll need a brokerage
account to buy investments like ETFs or stocks. Look for
platforms that offer low or no commissions. Many platforms like Fidelity,
(06:01):
Vanguard or Charles Schwab offer commission free trading fractional shares.
This lets you invest small amounts in high priced stocks
or ETFs. User friendly interfaces especially important if you're new.
Platforms like Trade Republic or Scalable Capital are great for Europeans.
Research a few options, read reviews, and pick one that
(06:24):
feels intuitive. Most let you open an account online in
five and ten minutes. Step two, Open and fund your account.
Don't overthink this step. You can start with as little
as twenty five dollars or fifty dollars. Link your bank account,
transfer funds, and you're ready to invest. If you're worried
about starting small, remember the habit matters more than the amount.
(06:49):
Step three pick a simple investment for beginners. I recommend
low cost, broad market ETFs because they're diversified and low maintenance.
Some great options vou or SPY tracks the S and
P five hundred, giving you exposure to the top five
hundred US companies. VTI covers the entire US stock market
(07:11):
for maximum diversification, VXUS or IEFHA provides international exposure to
balance your portfolio. These ETFs have low expense ratios, some
as low as zero point zero three percent, and spread
your risk across hundreds or thousands of companies. Step four
automate your contributions. Set up automatic monthly transfers to your brokerage.
(07:35):
Even ten dollars or twenty dollars counts. Automation builds consistency
and takes emotion out of the equation. This strategy, called
dollar cost averaging, helps you invest through market highs and lows.
Without stressing about timing. Step five monitor, don't obsess. Check
your portfolio monthly or quarterly, not daily. Constant checking can
(07:58):
lead to emotional decisions like selling during a dip. Trust
that your investments are built for long term growth. Step
six Start small, Dream big. Let's say you invest fifty
dollars in an S and P five hundred ETF and
add fifty dollars monthly at a seven percent average annual return,
in twenty years, you could have over twenty six thousand dollars.
(08:22):
Bump that to one hundred dollars a month, and you're
looking at over fifty two thousand dollars. Small consistent steps
add up Part four. Overcoming fears and excuses. Investing can
feel daunting, especially for women who may face societal pressure
to play it safe financially, or who feel they need
(08:45):
to be experts before starting. Let's address the most common
fears and excuses and how to move past them. Fear
I might lose money. All investments carry some risk, but
diversified ETFs reduce that risk by spreading your money across
many companies. Historically, the stock market has been one of
(09:06):
the best ways to grow wealth over time, outpacing inflation
and low yield savings accounts. Plus. By investing for the
long term five plus years, you give your portfolio time
to weather market dips. Fear I don't know enough. You
don't need to know everything to start. Begin with a
simple ETF like the S and P five hundred and
(09:29):
learn as you go. Resources like this podcast, books, try
the Simple Path to Wealth by Jail Collins or reputable
sites like investipedia can guide you. Knowledge grows with experience.
Excuse I don't have enough money. With fractional shares, you
can invest as little as one dollar. Many platforms also
(09:51):
have no minimums for ETFs. It's not about the amount,
It's about starting the habit and letting compounding do the
heavy lifting. Excuse the market is too risky right now.
Markets are always volatile in the short term, but over
decades they trend upward. Dollar cost averaging investing a fixed
amount regularly reduces the impact of volatility. Waiting for a
(10:16):
safe moment often means missing out on growth. Excuse investing
is for men slash rich people. This is a harmful myth.
Investing is for everyone. Women in particular need to invest
to overcome financial disparities and secure their futures. You don't
need to be wealthy to start, You just need to
take the first step. A gendered perspective, women often live
(10:42):
longer by five seven years on average, face higher retirement costs,
and earn less over their careers due to systemic gaps.
Investing isn't just about wealth, It's about empowerment, independence, and
closing those gaps. Starting today puts you in control of
your financial story. Part five. Real world examples to inspire you.
(11:08):
Let's look at two hypothetical women to see how starting
today can change their futures. Sarah twenty eight teacher. Sarah
earns a modest salary and starts investing fifty dollars a
month in a total stock market etf VTI. She increases
her contributions by ten dollars each year as her income grows.
By age sixty five, assuming a seven percent return, her
(11:31):
portfolio could be worth over three hundred thousand dollars, enough
to supplement her pension and retire comfortably. Maria forty, freelancer.
Maria has irregular income but commits to investing twenty five
dollars whenever she can, averaging one hundred dollars a month.
She starts with an S and P five hundred ETF
(11:51):
and adds international exposure later. By age sixty five, her
portfolio could grow to over eighty thousand dollars, giving her
or a safety net she didn't have before. These examples
show that anyone can start, no matter their income or
stage of life. The key is taking that first step today.
(12:11):
Part six, Building long term habits. Investing isn't a one
time decision, it's a lifelong habit. Here are some tips
to keep you on track. Reinvest dividends. Many ETFs and
stocks pay dividends. Reinvesting them automatically boosts your compounding power.
(12:31):
Stay consistent. Even small contributions add up. Automating your investments
removes the temptation to skip a month. Keep learning, follow
financial news, Listen to podcasts like this one, and read
books to deepen your knowledge. Rebalance annually if one investment
(12:53):
grows faster than others. Rebalance your portfolio to maintain your
desired risk level. Keep an emergency fund. Never invest money
you might need in the next three five years. Keep
a separate savings account for emergencies. Celebrate milestones hitting one
thousand dollars five thousand dollars or ten thousand dollars in
your portfolio is a big deal. Celebrate these wins to
(13:17):
stay motivated. Final words, Investing is about giving your money
the chance to grow and giving yourself the chance to
build a secure, independent future. It's not about getting rich
quick or picking the next tesla. It's about starting small,
staying consistent, and letting time and compounding work their magic.
(13:38):
Here's your action plan to start today. Research and open
a brokerage account this week. Try Fidelity, Vanguard or Trade Republic.
Invest your first twenty five dollars fifty dollars in a
broad market etf like view Spy or VTI. Set up
automatic contributions even if it's just ten dollars a month.
Commit to learning. Tune into next week's episode for more
(14:00):
tips on building a portfolio that grows with you. The
best day to start investing was yesterday. The second best
day is today. Don't let tomorrow become another excuse. You've
got this and your future self will thank you. Thanks
for joining me on the wealth Wise Woman podcast. If
this episode lit a fire under you, share it with
(14:21):
a friend who needs that push to start investing. Until
next time, keep building your wealth wisely
Welcome back to the wealth Wise Woman podcast. I'm your host, Anna,
and before we dive in, a quick reminder this podcast
is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not
financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with
a licensed professional before making any investment decisions. Today, we're
(00:21):
tackling a topic that's absolutely critical for anyone looking to
secure their financial future. Why you should start investing today
not tomorrow. If you've been hesitating, waiting for more money,
more knowledge, or the perfect market moment, this episode is
your wake up call. We're going to explore why starting now,
even with a small amount, can transform your financial trajectory.
(00:45):
In this expanded episode, we'll cover the power of starting
early and how compounding works like magic, Why waiting for
the right time is a costly myth, Practical step by
step ways to start invest today no matter your budget,
Overcoming fears, excuses, and societal pressures that hold women back,
(01:08):
Real world examples and strategies to keep you motivated, long
term habits to ensure your investments grow steadily. Let's dive
in and make this the moment you stop procrastinating and
start building wealth. Part one, The power of starting early.
The biggest advantage you have as an investor is time.
(01:30):
The earlier you start, the more your money can grow
through the power of compounding. Compounding is when your investment
earns returns, and those returns start earning returns of their own,
creating a snowball effect that grows your wealth exponentially over time.
Example one, Imagine you're thirty years old and invest one
thousand dollars in a broad market ETF with an average
(01:53):
annual return of seven percent. If you leave it untouched
by age sixty five, that one thousand dollars could grow
to nearly fifteen thousand dollars. Now, If you wait just
ten years and start at forty, that same one thousand
dollars would only grow to about seven thousand, six hundred
dollars by sixty five. Starting a decade earlier doubles your
money without any extra effort. Example two. Let's say you
(02:19):
invest one hundred dollars a month starting at age twenty five.
With that same seven percent return, by age sixty five,
you could have over two hundred sixty two thousand dollars.
If you wait until thirty five to start, you'd have
about one hundred and twenty two thousand dollars. That ten
year delay costs you one hundred forty thousand dollars, and
(02:40):
that's just with one hundred dollars a month. For women,
this is especially crucial. We often face financial hurdles like
the gender pay gap, which can reduce lifetime earnings by
twenty percent or more, career breaks for caregiving, and longer
life spans that require bigger retirement nest eggs. Starting early
gives you a head start to overcome these challenges and
(03:02):
build financial independence. The takeaway time is your greatest asset.
Every year you wait is a year of potential growth
you'll never get back. Part two Why waiting for the
perfect moment is a costly mistake. I hear so many
excuses for delaying investing. I'll start when I have more money,
(03:26):
the market feels too risky right now, or I need
to learn more. First, let's debunk these myths and see
why waiting is one of the biggest financial mistakes you
can make. Myth one, I need to time the market.
No one can predict market highs and lows consistently, not
even the experts. Waiting for a dip might mean missing
(03:49):
out on gains while you sit on the sidelines. Historical
data shows that the stock market trends upward over the
long term. For example, the S and P five hundred
has delivered an average annual return of about ten percent
before inflation since the nineteen twenties. The key is being
in the market, not trying to time it. Myth two,
(04:12):
I don't have enough money. Thanks to modern investing platforms,
you can start with as little as one dollar. Many
brokerages offer fractional shares, letting you buy a piece of
an ETF for stock even if you can't afford a
full share. Waiting to have more could cost you years
of compounding. Myth three, I don't know enough yet. You
(04:37):
don't need to be a financial guru to start investing
is a skill you learn by doing. Start small with
a simple, diversified ETF and build your knowledge as you go.
Waiting to feel ready often leads to analysis paralysis. Myth
four the economy is too uncertain. The economy is always uncertain,
(04:57):
whether it's inflation, recessions, or global events, but investing consistently
through ups and downs, a strategy called dollar cost averaging
smooths out volatility by investing a fixed amount regularly you
buy more shares when prices are low and fewer when
prices are high, reducing your average cost over time. The
(05:19):
cost of waiting isn't just missed gains, it's the opportunity
to build confidence, learn and create a habit of investing.
Every day you delay is a day your money isn't
working for you. Part three. Practical steps to start investing today.
Ready to take the leap. You don't need thousands of
(05:39):
dollars or a finance degree to start investing today. Here's
a detailed, beginner friendly roadmap to get you started right now.
Step one, choose a brokerage platform. You'll need a brokerage
account to buy investments like ETFs or stocks. Look for
platforms that offer low or no commissions. Many platforms like Fidelity,
(06:01):
Vanguard or Charles Schwab offer commission free trading fractional shares.
This lets you invest small amounts in high priced stocks
or ETFs. User friendly interfaces especially important if you're new.
Platforms like Trade Republic or Scalable Capital are great for Europeans.
Research a few options, read reviews, and pick one that
(06:24):
feels intuitive. Most let you open an account online in
five and ten minutes. Step two, Open and fund your account.
Don't overthink this step. You can start with as little
as twenty five dollars or fifty dollars. Link your bank account,
transfer funds, and you're ready to invest. If you're worried
about starting small, remember the habit matters more than the amount.
(06:49):
Step three pick a simple investment for beginners. I recommend
low cost, broad market ETFs because they're diversified and low maintenance.
Some great options vou or SPY tracks the S and
P five hundred, giving you exposure to the top five
hundred US companies. VTI covers the entire US stock market
(07:11):
for maximum diversification, VXUS or IEFHA provides international exposure to
balance your portfolio. These ETFs have low expense ratios, some
as low as zero point zero three percent, and spread
your risk across hundreds or thousands of companies. Step four
automate your contributions. Set up automatic monthly transfers to your brokerage.
(07:35):
Even ten dollars or twenty dollars counts. Automation builds consistency
and takes emotion out of the equation. This strategy, called
dollar cost averaging, helps you invest through market highs and lows.
Without stressing about timing. Step five monitor, don't obsess. Check
your portfolio monthly or quarterly, not daily. Constant checking can
(07:58):
lead to emotional decisions like selling during a dip. Trust
that your investments are built for long term growth. Step
six Start small, Dream big. Let's say you invest fifty
dollars in an S and P five hundred ETF and
add fifty dollars monthly at a seven percent average annual return,
in twenty years, you could have over twenty six thousand dollars.
(08:22):
Bump that to one hundred dollars a month, and you're
looking at over fifty two thousand dollars. Small consistent steps
add up Part four. Overcoming fears and excuses. Investing can
feel daunting, especially for women who may face societal pressure
to play it safe financially, or who feel they need
(08:45):
to be experts before starting. Let's address the most common
fears and excuses and how to move past them. Fear
I might lose money. All investments carry some risk, but
diversified ETFs reduce that risk by spreading your money across
many companies. Historically, the stock market has been one of
(09:06):
the best ways to grow wealth over time, outpacing inflation
and low yield savings accounts. Plus. By investing for the
long term five plus years, you give your portfolio time
to weather market dips. Fear I don't know enough. You
don't need to know everything to start. Begin with a
simple ETF like the S and P five hundred and
(09:29):
learn as you go. Resources like this podcast, books, try
the Simple Path to Wealth by Jail Collins or reputable
sites like investipedia can guide you. Knowledge grows with experience.
Excuse I don't have enough money. With fractional shares, you
can invest as little as one dollar. Many platforms also
(09:51):
have no minimums for ETFs. It's not about the amount,
It's about starting the habit and letting compounding do the
heavy lifting. Excuse the market is too risky right now.
Markets are always volatile in the short term, but over
decades they trend upward. Dollar cost averaging investing a fixed
amount regularly reduces the impact of volatility. Waiting for a
(10:16):
safe moment often means missing out on growth. Excuse investing
is for men slash rich people. This is a harmful myth.
Investing is for everyone. Women in particular need to invest
to overcome financial disparities and secure their futures. You don't
need to be wealthy to start, You just need to
take the first step. A gendered perspective, women often live
(10:42):
longer by five seven years on average, face higher retirement costs,
and earn less over their careers due to systemic gaps.
Investing isn't just about wealth, It's about empowerment, independence, and
closing those gaps. Starting today puts you in control of
your financial story. Part five. Real world examples to inspire you.
(11:08):
Let's look at two hypothetical women to see how starting
today can change their futures. Sarah twenty eight teacher. Sarah
earns a modest salary and starts investing fifty dollars a
month in a total stock market etf VTI. She increases
her contributions by ten dollars each year as her income grows.
By age sixty five, assuming a seven percent return, her
(11:31):
portfolio could be worth over three hundred thousand dollars, enough
to supplement her pension and retire comfortably. Maria forty, freelancer.
Maria has irregular income but commits to investing twenty five
dollars whenever she can, averaging one hundred dollars a month.
She starts with an S and P five hundred ETF
(11:51):
and adds international exposure later. By age sixty five, her
portfolio could grow to over eighty thousand dollars, giving her
or a safety net she didn't have before. These examples
show that anyone can start, no matter their income or
stage of life. The key is taking that first step today.
(12:11):
Part six, Building long term habits. Investing isn't a one
time decision, it's a lifelong habit. Here are some tips
to keep you on track. Reinvest dividends. Many ETFs and
stocks pay dividends. Reinvesting them automatically boosts your compounding power.
(12:31):
Stay consistent. Even small contributions add up. Automating your investments
removes the temptation to skip a month. Keep learning, follow
financial news, Listen to podcasts like this one, and read
books to deepen your knowledge. Rebalance annually if one investment
(12:53):
grows faster than others. Rebalance your portfolio to maintain your
desired risk level. Keep an emergency fund. Never invest money
you might need in the next three five years. Keep
a separate savings account for emergencies. Celebrate milestones hitting one
thousand dollars five thousand dollars or ten thousand dollars in
your portfolio is a big deal. Celebrate these wins to
(13:17):
stay motivated. Final words, Investing is about giving your money
the chance to grow and giving yourself the chance to
build a secure, independent future. It's not about getting rich
quick or picking the next tesla. It's about starting small,
staying consistent, and letting time and compounding work their magic.
(13:38):
Here's your action plan to start today. Research and open
a brokerage account this week. Try Fidelity, Vanguard or Trade Republic.
Invest your first twenty five dollars fifty dollars in a
broad market etf like view Spy or VTI. Set up
automatic contributions even if it's just ten dollars a month.
Commit to learning. Tune into next week's episode for more
(14:00):
tips on building a portfolio that grows with you. The
best day to start investing was yesterday. The second best
day is today. Don't let tomorrow become another excuse. You've
got this and your future self will thank you. Thanks
for joining me on the wealth Wise Woman podcast. If
this episode lit a fire under you, share it with
(14:21):
a friend who needs that push to start investing. Until
next time, keep building your wealth wisely
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