Just Start Walking
Small steps may not seem like much at first, but over time they can lead to big results.
Day 1
When my wife and I moved into our neighborhood, we decided to start a walking routine. It seemed like the perfect way to get some exercise, chat about our day, and explore the area.
On our first walk, we made it to the end of the street when I asked, “Which way should we go? Left or right?”
Without missing a beat, she turned around and headed back home. I couldn’t help but laugh! I was ready to conquer the suburban trails, but she was ready for a glass of wine and her favorite TV show.
That was the end of our first walk. It wasn’t exactly a promising start, but we kept at it. Somehow, I convinced her this was a good idea. Fast forward five years, and now we can walk 3.5 miles—with a baby stroller—at what my Apple Watch calls a “brisk pace.” That’s the power of small steps!
3 Reasons Starting Small in Investing Works
Small steps may not seem like much at first, but over time they can lead to big results. Let me share three reasons why starting small is so powerful.
1. The Magic of Compound Interest
You’ve probably heard that compound interest is one of the most powerful forces in finance. It’s like a snowball rolling downhill—it starts small but grows bigger and faster over time.
Here’s an example: Did you know that if you had invested just $100 a month over the last 30 years—into something like an index fund that historically grows around 10% annually—you’d have about $230,000 today?
And if you bumped that up to $475 a month, you’d be sitting on over $1 million!
That’s the magic of compounding. The earlier you start and the more consistent you are, the more your money works for you over time. It may not feel like much at first, but small contributions can grow into something life-changing.
2. Managing Risk
When you’re just starting out, it’s natural to feel nervous about investing. What if you pick the wrong stock? That’s why starting small is so important—it helps you manage risk.
There’s even a term for this in investing: "Dollar Cost Averaging" (DCA).
It means you invest small amounts regularly—weekly, monthly, or quarterly—rather than putting all your money in at once. This way, you can test the waters without risking too much.
For example, losing $100 on a bad investment stings way less than losing $5,000! Plus, DCA helps you learn as you go by giving you time to monitor how your investments perform before committing more money.
3. Building Consistency
Imagine if I had forced my wife to walk several miles on that very first day. Sure, we might have finished the walk—but we’d probably have ended up with sore knees and blisters. Worse yet, we might have hated walking so much that we never tried again!
The same goes for investing. If you try to do too much too soon—like diving into complicated financial jargon or making big investments—you might feel overwhelmed and give up entirely.
Starting small helps you build consistency. Over time, as you take those little steps and learn more about investing, it gets easier—and even enjoyable!
Just like my wife and I now look forward to our evening walks, you might find yourself looking forward to checking your portfolio or researching new stocks.
Trust The Process
Your journey to financial freedom won’t happen overnight—but every small step counts. Whether it’s investing $10 in your favorite stock or setting up automatic contributions to your retirement account, those little actions will add up over time.
I know how hard it can be to believe that small steps make a difference—that’s why I’m documenting my own journey here on A Walk to Wealth. If you want to join me on this path, sign up with your email below!
Keep walking!
Jeremy ✌️