Most people wait too long to start investing. They're looking for the perfect moment, the ideal stock, or that one piece of advice that makes everything click. But here's what I've learned after years of helping Australians with their portfolios: your first investment just needs to exist.
Think about it like learning to drive. You don't wait until you understand every traffic rule perfectly before getting behind the wheel. You start small, practice in quiet streets, and gradually build confidence. Investing works the same way.
The biggest mistake? Sitting on the sidelines while trying to decode market patterns or waiting for a crash to buy in. Markets don't wait for you to feel ready. And honestly, you'll never feel completely ready anyway.
Start with something straightforward. An index fund that tracks the ASX 200 gives you instant exposure to Australia's biggest companies without picking individual stocks. It's not exciting, but it's reliable. And reliability matters more than excitement when you're building long-term wealth.
I remember a client who spent eighteen months researching the "perfect" entry point. When he finally invested, the market had already climbed 12%. Those gains? Gone, because he overthought it. Meanwhile, his colleague who started immediately with a modest amount had already seen solid returns.
Don't let analysis paralysis keep you broke. Set aside a small amount you won't miss, pick a simple diversified fund, and hit buy. You can always adjust later as you learn more about what works for your situation.
