So recently, now that I’ve finally started earning (Alhamdulillah), a new wave of advice has entered my life — the “beta, invest your money” era. Every adult I know suddenly became a financial guru, telling me how even a tiny bit invested today will make my future self cry tears of joy. According to them, investing doesn’t just create fortune; it creates discipline, responsibility, and some mysterious “long-term thinking” gene that I am apparently missing. And honestly, they’re not wrong. So with the intent of being mature and financially wise for once, I decided to dive into the world of investing. Stocks, commodities, mutual funds, government bonds, index funds, ETFs, gold, crypto — you name it. If it had a chart and an upward graph somewhere, I researched it.

At first, I was excited. I thought I’d uncover some secret formula that rich people use. But then reality hit me in the face.

  After about one week of reading, watching videos, checking apps, and trying not to panic while looking at market volatility, I realised something humbling — I don’t have enough money to invest in a way that would actually *make* money. At least not in the way finance influencers show it.

Like, yes, technically I can invest. But the returns? Yeah… let’s just say the only thing I’d be beating is *inflation by 0.03%* and even that is if the market feels generous. It’s like trying to fill a swimming pool with a small water bottle — the effort is there, the intention is strong, but the results… well… they won’t exactly drown you in riches.

But don’t worry, this was just me being dramatic halfway through the process and getting overwhelmed by graphs that looked like ECG reports. After calming down and finishing my research properly, I actually found 2–3 smart, stable investment options that fit my budget, my patience level, and my risk tolerance (which is currently at “bro, please don’t take my money”).

What I Learned in the Process

Investing isn’t about instantly becoming rich or doubling money overnight. It’s about learning how money works. Understanding risk. Protecting yourself from future problems. And gradually building a cushion for the years ahead. Even if the amount you invest is small, the knowledge you gain is *big*. And I think that’s the real lesson.

🌱 So, Will I Invest?

Yes — slowly, steadily, carefully. Not because I expect miracles, but because it’s a habit worth building. The stock market won’t make me a millionaire this year, but maybe it’ll make me a financially responsible adult by the time I hit 30. And honestly, that’s a win in my books. Baby steps — but at least they’re steps.

In the end, I guess investing teaches you something deeper: Money grows when you learn how to grow with it. And right now, I’m just starting that journey — with my tiny budget, my big dreams, and a lot of Google tabs open.