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You don’t need thousands of dollars to begin your investment journey. In fact, with just $100, you can start building a portfolio and develop long-term wealth habits that can change your financial future. Thanks to modern investing apps and fractional shares, the market is more accessible than ever. Here’s how beginners can get started — even with a small amount.
Why $100 Is Enough to Start
While it might not seem like much, $100 is a powerful starting point for two key reasons:
- It builds momentum – Getting started is often the hardest part. Once you’re in the market, you’ll likely feel more motivated to contribute consistently.
- It teaches core investing principles – You’ll learn how the market works, how diversification helps manage risk, and how compounding builds wealth over time.
Step 1: Choose the Right Investment App
Modern investment platforms let you buy fractional shares, eliminating the need to purchase whole stocks. Here are some of the best apps for beginners:
Key features for some of the popular apps
| App | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Fidelity | – $0 commission trades – No account minimums – Fractional shares via “Stocks by the Slice” |
| Charles Schwab | – Ideal for beginners and long-term investors – Access to low-cost ETFs and strong research tools – Fractional shares through “Stock Slices” |
| SoFi Invest | – User-friendly mobile app – Automated investing options – Educational resources and no fees |
| Robinhood | – Very popular with new investors – Free trading with fractional shares – Minimal educational content, but intuitive interface |
Step 2: Pick Beginner-Friendly ETFs
With only $100, it’s important to invest in diversified, low-cost assets. ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) are ideal for this. Here are a few beginner-friendly ETFs:
Top ETFs for Beginner Investors
| ETF | Full Name | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| VTI | Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | – Broad exposure to the entire U.S. stock market – Ultra-low expense ratio (~0.03%) – Ideal for long-term, passive investors |
| SPY | S&P 500 ETF | – Tracks the 500 largest U.S. companies – Strong historical returns – Highly liquid and widely trusted |
| SCHD | Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | – Invests in quality, dividend-paying companies – Great for stable income seekers – Strong dividend history |
Step 3: Make It a Habit
Investing $100 is a great start — but it’s consistency that builds wealth. Set up monthly auto-deposits into your brokerage account, reinvest dividends, and focus on the long game. Over time, those small contributions can grow substantially through compounding.
Don’t wait until you have thousands to begin investing. Starting with just $100 allows you to learn by doing, benefit from market growth, and build discipline. Choose the right app, pick a solid ETF, and keep investing consistently. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow.
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