What's a good age to start investing?

Asked by: Jade Auer  |  Last update: October 5, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (28 votes)

The 20s: Begin Investing Because of compound interest, investing during this decade reaps the most growth and time to absorb changes in the market. A trusted financial advisor can help develop an investor's risk profile.

What is the best age to start investing?

Basically you should start investing at 18 years old. The reason for starting early in life is at 18 you can invest directly yourself. The core reason for beginning investing at an early age is enhance in time compounding before one needs money in retirement.

Is investing at 16 good?

You're likely going to get a higher return on investing in yourself at 16, as several others have already mentioned. That being said, gaining some experience in the market at such a young age is also powerful. Maybe consider taking a smaller portion of your savings and put it into an index fund.

Is 18 too early to start investing?

The legal age to start investing is 18 in the US so if a person has done sufficient research and feels that they are ready then they should start at 18.

Is 25 too old to start investing?

No, it's never too late. Some people don't start until much later or never at all. The reason to invest your money is because of compounding interest. If you just save all of your money in a back account, then you will be losing buying power due to inflation and missing out on potential gains from investments.

How To Invest For Teenagers

24 related questions found

How much is $100 a month for 5 years?

You plan to invest $100 per month for five years and expect a 6% return. In this case, you would contribute $6,000 over your investment timeline. At the end of the term, your portfolio would be worth $6,949. With that, your portfolio would earn around $950 in returns during your five years of contributions.

Is investing $1000 a month good?

If you put $1,000 into investments every month for 30 years, you can probably anticipate having more than $1 million by the end, assuming a 6% annual rate of return and few surprises.

Is investing before 18 illegal?

Although there are certain restrictions, no laws prohibit people from investing when they are underage. It is generally impossible for minors to open their own brokerage account, but custodial accounts and joint accounts allow young people to begin their investing journey with varying amounts of adult supervision.

How safe is Robinhood?

Yes, Robinhood is safe for most investors, with strong regulatory oversight, insurance protections, and robust security measures. However, it's essential to remember that “safe” doesn't mean risk-free—market volatility, impulsive trades, and a limited range of available securities could pose challenges for users.

Can a 13 year old invest in stocks?

How old does my child have to be to buy stocks? To start investing in stocks on their own, your kid will need a brokerage account, and they must be at least 18 years old to open one. They can start earlier than this, but they'll need a parent or guardian to open a custodial account for them.

Is gold a good investment?

There are many reasons to consider adding gold to your investment portfolio. The precious metal has a history of maintaining its value, making gold a useful hedge against inflation. Gold prices tend to increase when the U.S. dollar is underperforming or during times of economic and political uncertainty.

Is trading 212 safe?

As an FCA-regulated broker, we follow strict rules set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regarding the protection of client investments. Specifically, we adhere to the CASS 6 regulations, which cover the safe custody of client assets, and CASS 7, which covers the segregation of client money.

Is 16 a good age to start investing?

Starting young allows wealth to grow through compounding, where even small investments can become significant. For example, investing $100 at age 16 with a 7% annual return could grow to over $1,400 by age 50. A longer investment horizon also lets teens take on higher risks, potentially boosting returns.

What is the smartest thing to invest in right now?

  1. 5 best investments right now. Here are five of the best investments right now, generally ordered from lowest risk to highest. ...
  2. High-yield savings accounts. Yes, the Federal Reserve has been cutting interest rates and is likely to continue to do so in 2025. ...
  3. Certificates of deposit. ...
  4. Bonds. ...
  5. Mutual funds and index funds. ...
  6. Stocks.

How do I buy stock?

To invest in stocks, open an online brokerage account, add money to the account, and purchase stocks or stock-based funds from there. You can also invest in stocks through a robo-advisor or a financial advisor. If you're ready to invest in stocks yourself, this process may help you get started.

Is Robinhood worth getting?

Robinhood Investing is for active, options, and margin traders who want accessible, commission-free trades on mobile. However, Robinhood's crypto selection is fairly limited, so investors looking to trade a wider range should look elsewhere.

Should I give my SSN to Robinhood?

Robinhood has a good track record of protecting users' Social Security numbers, though, so providing yours is as safe as giving it to most reputable financial apps. Unfortunately, U.S. FinCEN requires you to provide your Social Security number to your stock brokerage for identity-verification purposes.

Is Webull safe?

As far as investment companies go, Webull is among the safest. It's backed by respected regulators and insured by some of the best companies in the world. In addition, the app itself provides security features like encryption and two-factor authentication.

Can you day trade at 16?

You usually need to be at least 18 years old to participate in the stock market. However, there are some ways around that. Adults can open a custodial account with a brokerage on behalf of a child and then, in the role of custodian, invest in the stock market for them, with or without the teenager's input.

Is investing at 18 smart?

Many people don't start investing until they're in their 20s or 30s. But getting a head start comes with distinct advantages. Investing early can help you develop financial literacy skills, learn about risk management and build a strong foundation for future financial success.

Can a child have shares?

While you must be over 18 to buy and sell shares, parents can open accounts in their children's names and hold shares in their own names for the benefit of their children. Investing for kids is an excellent opportunity to enhance their financial literacy and teach them about important concepts, such as diversification.

Is investing $50 a week good?

If you invest $50 per week, that's the equivalent of $200 per month, or approximately $2,400 per year. Over a 30-year period, that would result in more than $72,000 in savings. It's a good chunk of savings, but it isn't a life-changing amount.

How to turn $100 dollars into $1,000 in a month?

10 best ways to turn $100 into $1,000
  1. Opening a high-yield savings account. ...
  2. Investing in stocks, bonds, crypto, and real estate. ...
  3. Online selling. ...
  4. Blogging or vlogging. ...
  5. Opening a Roth IRA. ...
  6. Freelancing and other side hustles. ...
  7. Affiliate marketing and promotion. ...
  8. Online teaching.

What if I invest $200 a month?

But even if the fund reverts to its historical average annual return of about 10%, which goes back to 1957, a regular investment of $200 per month would grow to be worth $1 million in 38 years.