How to Start Investing With Just $10: A Beginner’s Guide to Building Wealth

Think investing is only for the wealthy? Think again. Learn how to start investing with just $10—even if you’re broke—and build long-term wealth step-by-step.

Can You Really Start Investing With $10?

If you think investing is only for people with a lot of money, you’re not alone. But the truth is, you don’t need thousands of dollars to get started. You can begin investing with as little as $10—seriously.

This guide will walk you through how to invest with a small amount of money, how to set clear financial goals, and how to build long-term wealth—even if you're starting from scratch.

Why You Should Start Investing—Even If You’re Broke

A lot of people put off investing because they think they need to have their finances in perfect shape first. But here’s the deal: if you’re living paycheck to paycheck, investing is one of the most powerful ways to break that cycle.

Money gives you options. It lets you stop living in survival mode. And while saving is important, investing is what helps your money grow over time.

Step 1: Define Your Financial Goal

Before investing, get clear on what you want:

• What are you investing for?

• How much do you need?

• What’s your timeline?

Examples:

• “I want to save $500 for a PlayStation in 6 months.”

• “I want to go on a $5,000 vacation in 2 years.”

• “I want to retire with $1 million by age 55.”

Setting a specific, time-bound goal helps you stay focused and know exactly how much to invest each month.

Step 2: Understand the Magic of Compound Interest

Compound interest means your money earns interest—and then that interest earns even more interest.

Let’s say you invest $10,000 and consistently earn just 0.11% more per month than someone else. Over 50 years, that small difference can turn into over $1.7 million more.

Now imagine the opposite: if you owe $2,600 on a credit card with a 12.5% monthly interest rate and don’t pay it off, that debt could balloon to $3 million in just 5 years. Insane, right?

That’s why you want your money working for you—not against you.

Step 3: Find Money to Invest (Even on a Tight Budget)

If your bank account feels empty, here are a few ways to free up money to start investing:

• Pick up a side hustle (Uber, DoorDash, freelance gigs)

• Sell stuff you don’t use (Facebook Marketplace, eBay)

• Cut back on small expenses (that $6 latte adds up)

• Use apps like Rakuten or Ibotta for cash-back rewards

Even one weekend of side work could cover three months of investing. You don’t need to start big—just start.

Step 4: Choose the Right Investment Platform

You’ve got options when it comes to where to invest:

1. Traditional Banks

Some banks offer investment accounts, but they often push their own products, which might come with higher fees or lower returns.

2. Brokerage Apps & Platforms (Highly Recommended)

These give you access to stocks, ETFs, bonds, and more—often with no account minimums and commission-free trades.

Some popular options in the U.S.:

• Fidelity

• Charles Schwab

• Vanguard

• Robinhood

• Acorns (great for micro-investing + auto-roundups)

Many of these let you buy fractional shares, meaning you can invest in big companies like Apple or Amazon with just a few bucks.

Step 5: Build a Long-Term Plan to Hit $1 Million

Here’s how long it would take to reach $1 million, assuming you invest monthly with an average 10% annual return:

Monthly InvestmentTime to Reach $1M$5038 years$20025 years$50018 years$1,00013 years

Even if you’re only investing $50/month, you’re still building real wealth over time.

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Think Big

You don’t have to be rich to start investing—you just have to start. Putting away $10 today is a decision your future self will thank you for.

You’re not too broke. You’re not too late. You’re just getting started—and that’s exactly the right place to be.