Discover how much money you lose by delaying your investments. See why starting today - even with just $1 - is better than waiting for the "perfect" moment.
Average cost of waiting 5 years to start investing $500/month
Average cost of waiting 10 years to start investing $500/month
The best day to start investing (the second best was yesterday)
You lose this much by waiting 5 years to start investing
You lose this much by waiting 10 years to start investing
Final Amount
$609,985
Final Amount
$405,036
Lost Opportunity: $204,950
Final Amount
$260,463
Lost Opportunity: $349,522
Remember: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. The same applies to investing!
The cost of waiting to invest isn't just about missing out on gains - it's about losing the most powerful force in finance: compound interest. When you delay investing, you're not just missing today's returns, you're missing all the future returns those returns would have generated.
If you invest $500/month starting at age 25, you'll have about $1.37 million at 65 (assuming 7% returns).
Wait until 35 to start? You'll only have about $610,000. That 10-year delay costs you over $760,000!
Total contributions: $240,000 | Investment gains: $1,130,000
Total contributions: $180,000 | Investment gains: $430,000
Market timing is nearly impossible. Even professional fund managers fail at it consistently. While waiting for a crash, you miss years of potential gains. The market goes up about 75% of the time - those are good odds to bet on.
Many brokerages now allow you to start with $0 minimums. You can invest $25, $50, or $100 to begin. Starting small is infinitely better than not starting at all. You can always increase contributions later as your income grows.
While education is important, you don't need a PhD in finance to start. A simple index fund like VTSAX or VTI gives you instant diversification across thousands of companies. Start investing while you learn - don't let perfect be the enemy of good.
Lifestyle inflation often eats up raises. Start investing with your current income, even if it's just $50/month. When you do get that raise, you can increase your investments, but you'll already have the habit and momentum built.
The market hits new highs regularly - that's what it's supposed to do in a growing economy. Waiting for "lower" prices often means waiting forever. Dollar-cost averaging (investing the same amount regularly) helps smooth out price fluctuations.
Choose a reputable broker like Fidelity, Vanguard, or Charles Schwab. Most have $0 minimums and no account fees. Takes 10-15 minutes online.
Buy a total stock market index fund (like VTSAX, FZROX, or SWTSX). These give you ownership in thousands of companies with one purchase. Low fees, instant diversification.
Set up automatic transfers from your checking account. Start with whatever you can afford - $25, $50, $100/month. Automation removes emotion and ensures consistency.
Raise your contribution by 1-2% annually or whenever you get a raise. The goal is to eventually save 15-20% of your income for retirement, but start where you can.
Market crashes are temporary, but missing years of compound growth is permanent. If you're investing for retirement (20+ years), short-term crashes don't matter. In fact, crashes let you buy more shares at lower prices.
Pay off high-interest debt (credit cards, personal loans) first. For lower-interest debt like mortgages or student loans, you can often invest while paying them off. Get your employer 401(k) match first - it's free money.
Start with whatever you can afford, even $25/month. The goal is 15-20% of your income eventually. If you can't do that now, start smaller and increase over time. The most important thing is to start.
401(k) is through your employer with higher limits ($23,000 in 2024) and possible matching. IRA is individual with lower limits ($7,000 in 2024) but more investment choices. Max your employer match first, then consider an IRA.
Don't let another day pass. Every moment you wait costs you money.