"Start investing" is one of the most common pieces of financial advice -- and for good reason. It's a powerful way to build wealth. The stock market has grown about 10% per year, on average, going back decades.
Numbers like that give you an idea of how much investments can grow. But if you're on the fence about investing, it also helps to see some real dollar amounts.
How much money you can make by investing $10,000
Let's say you've saved $10,000. You decide to invest it in the stock market. One easy way to do this would be with a total stock market index fund, which is available with any of the top stock brokers.
We'll err on the side of caution and assume you make an 8% annual return on your investment. Here's how much that $10,000 would grow over the years, without adding any more money to it.
| Year | Return | Ending balance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $800 | $10,800 |
| 5 | $4,693 | $14,693 |
| 10 | $11,589 | $21,589 |
| 20 | $36,610 | $46,610 |
| 30 | $90,627 | $100,627 |
Data source: Author's calculations.
It's important to mention that the stock market can be volatile, and returns fluctuate. There will be some years where your investments do very well. There will also be some years where your investments lose money. And there will be a lot of years in between those extremes, as well. You won't get a steady 8% return year after year.
However, we know that historically, the stock market has averaged returns in that range. Over time, those returns add up to massive growth. After 30 years, your $10,000 investment could be worth over $100,000.
That's also without adding to it. What if you started by investing $10,000, but then continued investing $500 per month over the next 30 years? Assuming the same 8% return, you'd end up with $780,326.
How to start investing today
One of the most common investing questions is "where do I start?" With so many investment options available, it can feel overwhelming as a beginner.
It's not as hard as it seems. Here's how to start investing:
- Open a brokerage account.
- Fund your account by transferring over money from your bank.
- Choose an investment.
- Place an order.
If you don't have a brokerage account yet, check out our list of the best stock brokers for beginners. These are all easy to use and have excellent customer service, so they're great for those who are new to investing.
The most challenging part is usually choosing an investment. I recommend going with exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds. These are investments that spread your money across a large number of stocks or bonds. Instead of needing to pick a bunch of stocks yourself, you can buy an ETF or mutual fund that does it for you.
RELATED: ETF vs. Mutual Fund: What's the Difference?
For example, you could invest in a total stock market ETF or mutual fund. This type of investment provides exposure to the entire U.S. stock market. If you invest in one of these, your investment portfolio will follow the stock market's performance.
That's just one option. No matter your strategy, getting started with investing is one of the best financial decisions you can make. As the numbers show, patient investors can make a significant amount of money.
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