Investing Isn't Just for the Rich: How Starting Small can Build Confidence
Introduction
Understanding how money works is a skill that should be taught in schools. Investing was something I put off for far longer than I should have, and it’s one of those things I would absolutely start earlier if I could.
When I was younger, I used to say that if I won the lottery, I’d buy a house and “just invest the rest.”
Back then, investing sounded like something only the rich did. At my £9.90 an hour job in the school library (so cool, I know), I didn’t see how investing could ever make a difference to me. It felt a world away.
Not only that, I didn’t really understand what investing looked like or how to start. Banking was only just moving online, and there wasn’t nearly as much content.
By pure accident, I started investing, and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.
How It Started
After years of listening to podcasters and reading books that hinted at this secret world, I came across a Google Talk by the author of The Simple Path to Wealth and a YouTube video by Damien Talks Money. They explained investing in plain English and encouraged people to start small, even £1 into a Vanguard account, then automate another £1 each month.
Thinking, would I really miss £1? I decided to give it a go.
It turned out to be one of the smartest things I’ve ever done. From my first £1 payment in 2021, I’ve slowly seen my money grow. I now understand how it works and I actually enjoy learning about it.
This confidence has reached beyond money. Being financially literate has helped me embrace life’s unknowns and take decisions that scare me a little. Understanding cash flow, allocating percentages of every pound I earn into different buckets, and tracking what’s coming in and going out have been small but powerful practices.
Even when the numbers weren’t where I wanted them to be, these habits made me feel more in control. Through journalling, coaching and small actions, I started to interrogate my own money psychology and shift it.
Knowledge of your numbers is truly a game-changer!
What Money Taught Me About Myself
Understanding money is also about understanding yourself - how you think, what matters to you and what you value enough to spend or save for.
If you asked me now what I’d do if I won the lottery, I’d give you a completely different answer, even though the fundamentals are the same. I’d be able to describe, in detail, the experiences I’d have with friends and family, the places I’d travel to, and exactly how I’d invest my money.
The reality is our “rich life” dreams rarely cost as much as we think. If you break them down, you can often find creative ways to experience that life far sooner and more colourfully than imagined. It just takes curiosity, small actions and permission to experiment.
Money Psychology
Emotion is at the heart of every financial decision. Our upbringing shapes an internal story about money, what we think it means, how much of it we deserve, and how we use it.
Ramit Sethi, a US‑based podcaster and author, describes this as having a “money lens.” It’s the perspective we develop through our life experience and values.
Some people are frugal and cost-focused, while others prioritise security, fun, generosity or luxury. Each lens has strengths, but clarity about which one you’re using and why gives you control.
For me, money was always a taboo topic — a bit of a dirty word, especially in British culture. This project helped me challenge that and start talking about money more openly.
Mini Experiments: How I Tested My Financial Beliefs
Living abroad: I thought I wanted to live in Australia long-term. After trying a few countries, I realised that Bristol, my hometown, is where I want to be for now. No more “what ifs.”
Buying a house: I assumed owning a house meant security. Now I see that for me, flexibility brings more peace of mind than ownership. Renting while investing the difference lets me stay agile and live a more unconventional life without the stress of mortgage increases, potential repairs or being tied to a fixed location or lifestyle should my lifestyle change.
Career goals: I first pursued a degree in Biomed but soon realised I didn’t enjoy lab work. I once aimed to become a COO, chasing that title, but after shadowing a few admired COOs and fulfilling the role myself in a charitable setting, I discovered that the role itself can be vastly different depending on the business and that, for me, true motivation lies in curiosity and purpose, not chasing titles or prestige.
These experiments have been invaluable. Testing assumptions early prevents you from chasing goals that might not be worth the sacrifice. Not only that, but sometimes you get a taste of what’s possible now this is where can really double down on it, with confidence!
It’s like renting a car for a week before you buy it. You might pay a little extra upfront, but the insight you gain about what really suits you is worth every penny.
Experimentation as a Way of Learning
Try small experiments to explore your own version of a rich life and to see how money can support it. Each test helps you understand what really matters to you and sometimes challenges what you thought would make you happy.
That’s not to say I don’t worry about money occasionally. In todays society it can be difficult to know what 'good' looks like at any one time and you can still find a lot of conflicting advice online. However this anxiety, for me, comes up less and less. The key to this has been creating simple easy to follow systems, that were formed by my principles I defined off of my values.
If you are looking to build your own I'd recommend finding voices that align with your own values, speaking with people you trust and actively engaging with your own financial education. It's now more accessible than ever and you can use that foundational knowledge to plan, experiment and live more fully.
Project Motivation and Objectives
This project was about reflection as much as learning. I wanted to check if I was still investing in the right places, explore alternative routes, and share the simple steps that helped me start.
I’m not a financial expert - my views come purely from personal research and experimentation - but I hope by sharing them, I can break down some of the barriers that make investing feel out of reach.
Core Learnings
Investing isn’t just for the rich — it’s more accessible than ever. You can start with as little as £1.
Indecision is the biggest blocker to progress. Start small and learn by doing.
Clear expensive debts first (for example, credit cards or loans with interest). Certain student loans may not need to be prioritised in the same way.
Lifetime ISAs (LISAs) can offer a 25% government bonus on up to £4,000 savings annually. You must open one before age 39, even if you only add £1 to secure eligibility.
Index funds make up the majority of my portfolio, with under 10% in crowdfunding.
Inflation decreases purchasing power over time, so investing helps your money keep pace.
Invest in yourself, through skills, confidence, creativity or connection, not just financial assets.
You define your worth. If you want change, explore new opportunities rather than settling.
Understand your money lens and what emotion drives each purchase.
Financial literacy plays a huge part in equality. Lack of education about money is one of the biggest divides in the UK.
Learn to forecast your spending. I roughly divide my income as 40% living, 20% saving, 20% investing, and 10% guilt‑free spending. Adjust as needed, but visibility brings confidence.
If using a financial advisor, a one‑time fee often works out better long‑term than a percentage of your portfolio.
Understanding how money works and how to use it intentionally has been one of the biggest accelerators of confidence in my life. It makes everything else easier from decisions, planning and even becoming more creative.
Resources I Found Helpful
YouTube:
Martin Lewis – for saving and money management
Nischa – for investing basics and mindset
Damien Talks Money – for index funds and ISA explanations
James Shack – for pensions and tax‑free saving options
Rachel Harris - accountancy basics for business owners
Podcasts:
Ramit Sethi – on money psychology within relationships
Books:
JL Collins - The Simple Path to Wealth (
Lynne Twist - The Soul of Money by
Conversations:
Talking to friends and colleagues helped shape my thinking. I asked open questions about where they started, what platforms they used, and what they’d do differently next time. Everyone’s situation is different, so percentages are more insightful than actual numbers.
I also learned a lot by helping to run a community crowdfunding campaign at work. It was a high‑risk but eye‑opening experience that showed how funding works behind the scenes. Crowdfunding suits me because I’m genuinely interested in early‑stage startups, but it’s not for everyone. These are long‑term, uncertain bets, more for learning and supporting innovation than for quick returns.
Final Thoughts
Learning how money works has changed how I live. Investing taught me patience, focus and creativity. It helped me move from fear into curiosity and from avoidance into action.
You don’t have to be rich or brilliant at maths to start investing. You just need to begin. Build small habits, make simple experiments, and give yourself permission to learn by doing.
Financial knowledge is self‑knowledge and that might be the most valuable investment you’ll ever make.
Investing Isn't Just for the Rich: How Starting Small can Build Confidence
Introduction
Understanding how money works is a skill that should be taught in schools. Investing was something I put off for far longer than I should have, and it’s one of those things I would absolutely start earlier if I could.
When I was younger, I used to say that if I won the lottery, I’d buy a house and “just invest the rest.”
Back then, investing sounded like something only the rich did. At my £9.90 an hour job in the school library (so cool, I know), I didn’t see how investing could ever make a difference to me. It felt a world away.
Not only that, I didn’t really understand what investing looked like or how to start. Banking was only just moving online, and there wasn’t nearly as much content.
By pure accident, I started investing, and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.
How It Started
After years of listening to podcasters and reading books that hinted at this secret world, I came across a Google Talk by the author of The Simple Path to Wealth and a YouTube video by Damien Talks Money. They explained investing in plain English and encouraged people to start small, even £1 into a Vanguard account, then automate another £1 each month.
Thinking, would I really miss £1? I decided to give it a go.
It turned out to be one of the smartest things I’ve ever done. From my first £1 payment in 2021, I’ve slowly seen my money grow. I now understand how it works and I actually enjoy learning about it.
This confidence has reached beyond money. Being financially literate has helped me embrace life’s unknowns and take decisions that scare me a little. Understanding cash flow, allocating percentages of every pound I earn into different buckets, and tracking what’s coming in and going out have been small but powerful practices.
Even when the numbers weren’t where I wanted them to be, these habits made me feel more in control. Through journalling, coaching and small actions, I started to interrogate my own money psychology and shift it.
Knowledge of your numbers is truly a game-changer!
What Money Taught Me About Myself
Understanding money is also about understanding yourself - how you think, what matters to you and what you value enough to spend or save for.
If you asked me now what I’d do if I won the lottery, I’d give you a completely different answer, even though the fundamentals are the same. I’d be able to describe, in detail, the experiences I’d have with friends and family, the places I’d travel to, and exactly how I’d invest my money.
The reality is our “rich life” dreams rarely cost as much as we think. If you break them down, you can often find creative ways to experience that life far sooner and more colourfully than imagined. It just takes curiosity, small actions and permission to experiment.
Money Psychology
Emotion is at the heart of every financial decision. Our upbringing shapes an internal story about money, what we think it means, how much of it we deserve, and how we use it.
Ramit Sethi, a US‑based podcaster and author, describes this as having a “money lens.” It’s the perspective we develop through our life experience and values.
Some people are frugal and cost-focused, while others prioritise security, fun, generosity or luxury. Each lens has strengths, but clarity about which one you’re using and why gives you control.
For me, money was always a taboo topic — a bit of a dirty word, especially in British culture. This project helped me challenge that and start talking about money more openly.
Mini Experiments: How I Tested My Financial Beliefs
Living abroad: I thought I wanted to live in Australia long-term. After trying a few countries, I realised that Bristol, my hometown, is where I want to be for now. No more “what ifs.”
Buying a house: I assumed owning a house meant security. Now I see that for me, flexibility brings more peace of mind than ownership. Renting while investing the difference lets me stay agile and live a more unconventional life without the stress of mortgage increases, potential repairs or being tied to a fixed location or lifestyle should my lifestyle change.
Career goals: I first pursued a degree in Biomed but soon realised I didn’t enjoy lab work. I once aimed to become a COO, chasing that title, but after shadowing a few admired COOs and fulfilling the role myself in a charitable setting, I discovered that the role itself can be vastly different depending on the business and that, for me, true motivation lies in curiosity and purpose, not chasing titles or prestige.
These experiments have been invaluable. Testing assumptions early prevents you from chasing goals that might not be worth the sacrifice. Not only that, but sometimes you get a taste of what’s possible now this is where can really double down on it, with confidence!
It’s like renting a car for a week before you buy it. You might pay a little extra upfront, but the insight you gain about what really suits you is worth every penny.
Experimentation as a Way of Learning
Try small experiments to explore your own version of a rich life and to see how money can support it. Each test helps you understand what really matters to you and sometimes challenges what you thought would make you happy.
That’s not to say I don’t worry about money occasionally. In todays society it can be difficult to know what 'good' looks like at any one time and you can still find a lot of conflicting advice online. However this anxiety, for me, comes up less and less. The key to this has been creating simple easy to follow systems, that were formed by my principles I defined off of my values.
If you are looking to build your own I'd recommend finding voices that align with your own values, speaking with people you trust and actively engaging with your own financial education. It's now more accessible than ever and you can use that foundational knowledge to plan, experiment and live more fully.
Project Motivation and Objectives
This project was about reflection as much as learning. I wanted to check if I was still investing in the right places, explore alternative routes, and share the simple steps that helped me start.
I’m not a financial expert - my views come purely from personal research and experimentation - but I hope by sharing them, I can break down some of the barriers that make investing feel out of reach.
Core Learnings
Investing isn’t just for the rich — it’s more accessible than ever. You can start with as little as £1.
Indecision is the biggest blocker to progress. Start small and learn by doing.
Clear expensive debts first (for example, credit cards or loans with interest). Certain student loans may not need to be prioritised in the same way.
Lifetime ISAs (LISAs) can offer a 25% government bonus on up to £4,000 savings annually. You must open one before age 39, even if you only add £1 to secure eligibility.
Index funds make up the majority of my portfolio, with under 10% in crowdfunding.
Inflation decreases purchasing power over time, so investing helps your money keep pace.
Invest in yourself, through skills, confidence, creativity or connection, not just financial assets.
You define your worth. If you want change, explore new opportunities rather than settling.
Understand your money lens and what emotion drives each purchase.
Financial literacy plays a huge part in equality. Lack of education about money is one of the biggest divides in the UK.
Learn to forecast your spending. I roughly divide my income as 40% living, 20% saving, 20% investing, and 10% guilt‑free spending. Adjust as needed, but visibility brings confidence.
If using a financial advisor, a one‑time fee often works out better long‑term than a percentage of your portfolio.
Understanding how money works and how to use it intentionally has been one of the biggest accelerators of confidence in my life. It makes everything else easier from decisions, planning and even becoming more creative.
Resources I Found Helpful
YouTube:
Martin Lewis – for saving and money management
Nischa – for investing basics and mindset
Damien Talks Money – for index funds and ISA explanations
James Shack – for pensions and tax‑free saving options
Rachel Harris - accountancy basics for business owners
Podcasts:
Ramit Sethi – on money psychology within relationships
Books:
JL Collins - The Simple Path to Wealth (
Lynne Twist - The Soul of Money by
Conversations:
Talking to friends and colleagues helped shape my thinking. I asked open questions about where they started, what platforms they used, and what they’d do differently next time. Everyone’s situation is different, so percentages are more insightful than actual numbers.
I also learned a lot by helping to run a community crowdfunding campaign at work. It was a high‑risk but eye‑opening experience that showed how funding works behind the scenes. Crowdfunding suits me because I’m genuinely interested in early‑stage startups, but it’s not for everyone. These are long‑term, uncertain bets, more for learning and supporting innovation than for quick returns.
Final Thoughts
Learning how money works has changed how I live. Investing taught me patience, focus and creativity. It helped me move from fear into curiosity and from avoidance into action.
You don’t have to be rich or brilliant at maths to start investing. You just need to begin. Build small habits, make simple experiments, and give yourself permission to learn by doing.
Financial knowledge is self‑knowledge and that might be the most valuable investment you’ll ever make.