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“I’d rather wait until I have more money before I start investing.”

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“I’ll start investing when I have more money.” Here’s how to respond to that misleading idea.

Waiting to have money before investing

Believing that you need to be rich to invest is one of the biggest barriers to financial independence.

This common idea — “I’ll wait until I have more money” — sounds prudent, but in reality, it makes you lose one of the only free levers you have: time.

1. Investing early, even with little, is more powerful than investing later with a lot

The idea of waiting for “the right time” or to have “a large sum” before investing is understandable. Many believe that investing is only for those who have already accumulated significant capital. Yet the opposite is true.

What truly makes the difference over the long term isn’t how much you invest, but how long your money is working for you. The effect of compound interest is exponential — your returns generate additional returns, creating a snowball effect.

Concrete example:

Camille starts investing $100 per month at age 25 and continues until age 65:
• Total invested: $48,000
• At 6%, she’ll have about $200,000

Maxime waits until he has more money and starts investing $300 per month at age 45 (three times more, but for only 20 years):
• Total invested: $72,000
• At 6%, he’ll have about $123,000

👉 Result: Camille invests less but earlier — and ends up with $77,000 more.

(Source: Internal calculations based on compound interest at 6% per year)

2. Investing doesn’t mean betting big — it starts with $25, $50, or $100 a month

Many financial institutions and modern platforms allow you to start investing with very small amounts. It’s possible to:
  • automate deposits of $25 or $50 per month into a TFSA or RRSP;
  • buy low-cost ETFs that are well diversified and suited to your risk profile;
  • gradually increase your contributions as your income grows.
Investing isn’t about wealth — it’s about habit.

And habits are built now, not “someday.”

3. Waiting is sometimes a symptom of fear or perfectionism

Behind the idea of waiting “until I have more money,” there’s often:

  • the fear of making a mistake;
  • the belief that investing is too complicated;
  • the desire to have a “perfect” financial situation before starting.

But in reality, perfection never exists — there will always be another expense, an unexpected event, or a higher-priority project.

Starting now, with whatever you can even a small symbolic amount already puts you in a position of action and progress.

4. Time works for you… or against you

By choosing to wait, you lose the returns from years you’ll never get back.

Even if you start with a small amount, simply having 5, 10, or 15 more years for your money to grow can double or even triple your long-term results.

Example :

• $50 per month at 7% for 30 years = $60,000
• The same amount for 15 years = $16,000

Waiting to invest “more” later costs you more than investing a small amount now.

5. Investing is about building your freedom… not just growing your money

Investing isn’t just about returns or numbers. It’s a tool for freedom.

It’s about:
  • building a cushion for parental leave, a career change, or a trip;
  • gradually building a retirement fund or an opportunity fund;
  • freeing yourself from future financial pressure by taking simple steps today.
Even a small amount invested regularly brings you closer to that independence.

In conclusion

Waiting to have more money before investing is like waiting to get in shape before starting to exercise.

It’s by starting now, at your own pace, that you build your future results.

Every month without investing is a month when your money is asleep… instead of working for you.

And investing much more later won’t make up for lost time.

The best way to start investing is today no matter the amount.

Sources :

  • Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), Understanding Compound Interest, 2023
  • Vanguard Canada, Invest early, invest regularly, 2022
  • Statistics Canada, Saving Habits of Canadians, 2022