One year ago, investing felt like a world I didn’t belong to. I didn’t grow up learning about stocks, crypto, or ETFs, and the idea of “growing my money” sounded complicated, risky, and out of reach. I figured you had to be rich or a financial genius to get started.
But then I realized something that changed everything: anyone can start investing, and you don’t need thousands of dollars or years of experience to begin.
Today, I confidently invest in stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrency using simple, beginner-friendly platforms like eToro, Coinbase, and Questrade. My money is no longer sitting in a savings account losing value—it’s working for me and building wealth for my future.
If you’re where I was a year ago—curious but overwhelmed—this post is for you. I’ll share:
- How I got started step-by-step
- Why I chose eToro, Coinbase, and Questrade
- The lessons I learned as a beginner investor
- How you can start today (with just a few dollars)
Plus, I’ll give you access to a free investing guide I created to simplify the process even more.
Why I Knew I Had to Start Investing
Let me share a hard truth: saving money alone isn’t enough to build wealth. I used to think keeping my money in a traditional bank account was “safe,” but here’s the reality—inflation eats away at your savings every year.
For example, if your savings account earns 1% interest but inflation is 3%, you’re losing money without even realizing it. Investing is the key to beating inflation and growing your wealth over time.
Here’s what I realized:
- Investing is how you turn small amounts of money into big results over time.
- You don’t need to be an expert—you just need a plan and the right tools.
- It’s never too late to start, but the sooner you begin, the more you benefit from compound interest (when your money earns money).
How I Got Started with Investing: My Step-by-Step Journey
Step 1: Learning the Basics
I started by doing a little research and learning basic investing concepts like:
- Stocks: Owning small pieces of a company. Great for long-term growth.
- ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds): Bundles of investments that spread risk. Perfect for beginners.
- Cryptocurrency: Digital currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum that have massive growth potential.
At first, all of this felt overwhelming—but I broke it down into small steps. If you’re new to this, don’t worry. I created a Free Investing Guide that explains these terms and shows you exactly how to get started.
👉 [Grab your free investing guide here!]
Step 2: Choosing the Right Platforms
The key to starting is using platforms that are beginner-friendly, affordable, and reliable. After a lot of research, I started with these three:
1. eToro: Best for Stocks and Copying Successful Investors
eToro made investing feel easy and approachable. I loved that I could:
- Start with as little as $10
- Buy shares of companies I already knew and loved
- “Copy” trades from experienced investors who have a proven track record
It’s like learning from the best while building your portfolio. Plus, eToro has 0% commission on stocks, which saves you money.
👉 [Sign up for eToro and start investing here.]
2. Coinbase: Best for Getting Started with Crypto
I knew cryptocurrency was risky, but I also knew it had massive growth potential. Coinbase made it easy to buy and hold crypto, even as a total beginner. I started small—just $20 in Bitcoin—and watched my investment grow.
Why Coinbase?
- It’s beginner-friendly with step-by-step tutorials
- You can start with as little as $10
- They offer rewards through their “Learn and Earn” program (you can earn free crypto while learning!).
👉 [Start your crypto journey with Coinbase here.]
3. Questrade: Best for Long-Term Investing in Stocks and ETFs
As a Canadian, Questrade was perfect for building long-term wealth through stocks and ETFs. ETFs are my favorite because they spread out risk—like owning a tiny piece of hundreds of companies at once. Plus, Questrade lets you buy ETFs for free.
Here’s what makes Questrade great:
- No annual fees for registered accounts like TFSAs or RRSPs
- Free ETF purchases (you only pay when you sell)
- Affordable trading fees for stocks
👉 [Open your Questrade account here to start investing in ETFs.]
Step 3: Making My First Investments
Once I set up my accounts, I made my first small investments:
I wasn’t investing huge amounts, but I was taking action. And that’s the most important part. Even small steps can lead to big results when you stay consistent.
What I Learned Along the Way
Here are the most important lessons I learned as a beginner investor:
- Start Small: Don’t wait until you have “enough” money—start with what you have. Even $10 is enough to begin.
- Be Consistent: Investing regularly (even small amounts) adds up over time.
- Diversify: Don’t put all your money into one stock or crypto—spread your investments across different areas to reduce risk.
- Keep Learning: Investing doesn’t stop when you make your first trade. I kept learning and improving along the way.
👉 If you want to avoid beginner mistakes, my free investing guide has everything you need to get started with confidence.
[Click here to grab your free investing guide!]
Why You Should Start Investing Today
The hardest part of investing is taking that first step. But here’s the truth: the sooner you start, the more time your money has to grow.
- You can start with as little as $10.
- Platforms like eToro, Coinbase, and Questrade make it simple and accessible.
- Even small investments now can lead to financial freedom in the future.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
A year ago, I was where you are now—curious, unsure, and maybe a little intimidated. But taking that first step changed my life. Investing has given me confidence, a sense of control over my future, and the ability to watch my money grow.
If I can do this, you can too. Platforms like eToro, Coinbase, and Questrade are designed to make it easy for beginners to get started.
👉 [Start investing with eToro, Coinbase, or Questrade today.]
👉 [Don’t forget to grab your free investing guide here!]
The best time to start investing was yesterday. The second best time is today. Take the first step—you won’t regret it.