no trust fund? no problem.

stop overthinking, and start investing—financial confidence in your 20s

Nov 25, 2024

If you’re in your 20s like me, you’ve probably heard it all when it comes to money advice: “Cut out your daily coffee!” “Save 20% of your income!” “Start investing YESTERDAY!”

Honestly, it’s overwhelming—and kind of annoying. Let’s face it, money in our 20s is complicated and nobody seems to want to talk about it realistically.

Between student loans, rent, and constant pressure to 'invest early' or 'build wealth,' financial confidence can feel out of reach. Sometimes, it feels like I’m stuck in a loop of Googling “how to get rich” after seeing TikToks about people buying their second house at 25 or making $60k a month off TikTok Shop (no, but seriously, if you know how—DM me. I’ll change careers right now.)

So, is financial confidence actually possible in our 20s?

Redefining Financial Confidence

Financial confidence isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about knowing what to do next.

It’s less about maxed-out retirement accounts and debt-free living (although yay if that’s you) and more about understanding your priorities, setting realistic goals, and taking small, consistent steps.

And no, it doesn’t mean you’ll never feel stressed about money. But you’ll have tools and habits to keep you steady, even when things feel tight.

The Basics

Know Your Numbers (Without the Shame): Track what’s coming in and going out. Your bank app is your friend—use it! And no, you don’t need to give up your $7 matcha. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s awareness.
Define What Matters Most Right Now: Paying off debt? Saving for travel? Building a safety net? You don’t have to do everything at once. Pick one or two priorities and focus on those.
Educate Yourself Without Overwhelming Yourself: Find a financial podcast, book or page on Instagram that speaks to you (I’ll share some in the comments, and share any if you already have so we can all keep learning together).
Celebrate Small Wins: Opened a high-yield savings account? Paid off one credit card? Cooked dinner instead of eating out? Celebrate that! Confidence grows with every small victory.

My Motto

If you know me, I probably sound like a broken record. But like my mom yells at me, I get to yell at you: Invest. Invest. Invest.

It’s a myth that you need to already have lots of money to start. Starting early is our superpower. Let time do the work and make you money.

Biggest Mistake? Indecision.

The real obstacle isn’t picking the perfect investment—it’s waiting too long to start.

Perfectionism often leads to paralysis by analysis.

So here’s the advice: Start small. Start messy. Just start.

Maybe This Will Help:

Pick an App That Works for You: Fidelity, Schwab, Interactive Brokers, E*TRADE, or Robinhood make it easy. With as little as $5, you can buy fractional shares of companies.
Choose an Index Fund or ETF: If picking individual stocks feels like too much, consider ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds). They’re like a basket of stocks that spread your money across multiple companies—less risky, more chill.
Look for Dividend-Paying Options: Consider stocks or ETFs that pay dividends. These are a portion of a company’s earnings shared with investors (aka you) and can provide a steady income stream while your investments grow.
Automate It: Set up a recurring investment—even if it’s just $5 a week or however much you can a month. Automation removes the guesswork and keeps you consistent.
Ignore the Noise: The stock market will go up and down—don’t panic (you’re not a day trader). The goal isn’t to get rich overnight; it’s to let your money grow over time. Think of it as your retirement plan.

My Challenge for You

Choose one small step you can take this week toward building financial confidence (and reading this edit doesn’t count lol). Automate $ into savings? Download an investing app? Check your budget?

Whatever it is, do it. Your future self will thank you.

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