How to Start Investing with Just $100 (Yes, It’s Possible!)

Think You Need Thousands to Start Investing? Think Again.

Many people believe investing is only for the rich, requiring huge capital and years of experience. They assume that without thousands of dollars, they can't build wealth through investing.

📌 Here’s the truth: You can start investing right now with just $100—and that small start can grow into something significant over time.

The key is starting early, being consistent, and choosing the right investment vehicles.

In this guide, you’ll discover how to invest with just $100, where to put your money, and how to turn small investments into big results over time.

1. Why Small Investments Matter More Than You Think

📌 Most people delay investing because they think small amounts don’t matter. But they forget about the power of compound growth.

Imagine you invest just $100 per month in an index fund that earns 10% annually (the historical return of the stock market). Here’s what happens over time:

• 10 years → $19,700

• 20 years → $68,700

• 30 years → $226,000

💡 Starting small is better than waiting for the "perfect time" to invest.

👉 The sooner you start, the more time your money has to grow.

2. The Best Ways to Invest $100 Today

1. ETFs & Index Funds: The Best Low-Risk Choice

If you want an easy, low-cost, and low-risk way to grow your money, ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) and Index Funds are your best choice.

📌 Why ETFs & Index Funds?
✅ Diversification – You invest in hundreds of stocks at once.
✅ Low cost – Some ETFs have fees as low as 0.03% per year.
✅ Great for beginners – No need to pick individual stocks.

📌 Best ETFs for Beginners:

• S&P 500 ETFs (VOO, SPY, IVV) – Invests in the 500 biggest U.S. companies.

• Total Market ETFs (VTI, SCHB) – Covers the entire stock market.

• Dividend ETFs (VYM, SCHD) – Pays you passive income through dividends.

💡 How to Start:
✅ Open a brokerage account (Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab, Robinhood).
✅ Buy fractional shares if one share is too expensive.
✅ Set up automatic monthly investments and forget about it.

👉 ETFs are the best way to turn $100 into serious long-term wealth.

2. Fractional Shares: Own a Piece of Big Companies

Many people think they need thousands of dollars to buy stocks like Apple, Amazon, or Tesla.

📌 Reality: You can buy fractional shares—meaning you own a portion of a stock for as little as $1.

📌 Best Platforms for Fractional Shares:

• Robinhood (U.S.)

• Fidelity

• eToro

• M1 Finance

💡 How to Start:
✅ Pick a blue-chip company (Apple, Google, Microsoft).
✅ Buy $100 worth of a fractional share.
✅ Hold for long-term growth.

👉 Fractional shares let you invest in top companies—even with a small budget.

3. High-Interest Savings & CDs: Safe Growth with Zero Risk

If you’re risk-averse and just want to grow your money safely, a high-yield savings account or certificate of deposit (CD) is a solid option.

📌 Best Options:

• Ally Bank High-Yield Savings (4% APY)

• Marcus by Goldman Sachs (4.5% APY)

• Certificates of Deposit (CDs) – Fixed Interest with No Risk

💡 How to Start:
✅ Open an online savings account with high interest.
✅ Deposit $100 and keep adding regularly.

👉 This won’t make you rich, but it will protect your money and grow it over time.

4. Robo-Advisors: Let AI Invest for You

If you don’t want to pick stocks or ETFs yourself, robo-advisors automatically invest your money based on your goals.

📌 Best Robo-Advisors:

• Betterment (U.S.) – Low fees, great for beginners.

• Wealthfront – Automates everything for long-term investing.

• Acorns – Rounds up spare change and invests it for you.

💡 How to Start:
✅ Sign up for a robo-advisor account.
✅ Deposit $100 and let the AI invest for you.

👉 Robo-advisors handle everything—so you don’t have to worry.

5. REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts): Invest in Property Without Buying a House

Want to invest in real estate but don’t have thousands of dollars? REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) let you invest in real estate for as little as $100.

📌 Best REIT ETFs for Beginners:

• Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ)

• Schwab U.S. REIT ETF (SCHH)

• iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF (IYR)

💡 How to Start:
✅ Buy a REIT ETF through your brokerage account.
✅ Earn passive income from real estate without buying property.

👉 REITs give you real estate exposure with no big upfront costs.

3. How to Keep Growing Your Investment Beyond $100

Starting with $100 is great—but small, consistent contributions are what make the real difference.

📌 Here’s a simple plan to keep growing your investments:
✅ Step 1: Start with $100 in an ETF or fractional shares.
✅ Step 2: Set up automatic monthly investments (even if it’s just $20/month).
✅ Step 3: Reinvest any dividends or profits to accelerate growth.
✅ Step 4: Stay consistent and long-term focused—the key to wealth-building.

💡 The goal isn’t just to start investing—it’s to keep investing.

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Think Big

📌 The biggest mistake you can make in investing is waiting.

🚀 How to Start Investing with $100 Today:

✅ Open a brokerage account (Vanguard, Fidelity, Robinhood).
✅ Pick a simple ETF or fractional shares.
✅ Invest $100 and commit to adding more over time.
✅ Let compound interest do the heavy lifting.