I literally just Start Investing in Stocks with just $100 like three weeks ago and honestly? I still feel like a complete clown half the time.I’m sitting here in my tiny apartment in the US (ok fine it’s more like a glorified closet with good Wi-Fi), it’s 1:47am, there’s an empty Monster can sweating on my desk, and my phone keeps buzzing because I set too many damn price alerts. This is my life now.
Anyway.
If you’re also broke-ish but kinda tired of hearing “just invest!” from people who clearly have trust funds, this is for you.
Why I Finally Started Investing in Stocks with Just $100 (and not $10,000 like the YouTube gurus)
Last month I got paid, looked at my bank account, did the math, cried internally for 12 seconds, then decided $100 was literally all I could risk without eating instant ramen for the next three paychecks.
I figured:
- Worst case → I lose $100 (painful but survivable)
- Best case → I learn something and maybe make a few bucks
- Most likely case → I panic sell at -4% and then refresh Reddit for validation
Spoiler: I’m currently down $7.42 but weirdly proud of myself.
Here’s literally how I did it step by step Start Investing in Stocks (2026 edition).
Step 1: Pick a Broker That Doesn’t Hate Poor People
I went with Robinhood because:
- No minimum deposit (yes in 2026 they still let you start with $1)
- Fractional shares are still a thing
- The app feels like a game (dangerous but great for ADHD brains like mine)
Alternatives I also considered:
- Webull (also fractional shares + slightly better charts)
- Fidelity (more “adult” but still lets you start tiny)
- Cash App Investing (if you already live in Cash App world)
Official links so you don’t get phished by some sketchy “Robinhood Pro 2026” Google result: → https://robinhood.com → https://www.webull.com → https://www.fidelity.com
Step 2: The $100 Portfolio I Actually Built (Yes I’m Embarrassed)
I split my $100 like this (don’t @ me):
- $35 → fractional share of VTI (total stock market ETF – boring but smart)
- $30 → fractional share of Tesla (because I’m weak and Elon still owns my soul)
- $25 → fractional share of AMD (AI chips still make me irrationally excited)
- $10 → some random meme-ish small-cap stock I saw on X at 2am (already down 18% lol kill me)
Beginner lesson I learned the hard way: Start Investing in Stocks Fractional shares are magic. You can literally own 0.0034 shares of something expensive and it still counts.
Here are some perfect illustrations that capture the vibe:
A close-up selfie-style shot of my actual phone screen at 1:12am showing the Robinhood portfolio with $92.58 balance, one green line (VTI), two red lines, and my thumb awkwardly covering my username. Slightly shaky because I was laughing/crying at the same time. Style: raw iPhone photo with flash on, bad lighting, pure chaos energy.
Step 3: Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Clicked “Buy”
- You will check the app 47 times a day at first. It’s normal. Then you’ll get exhausted and check only 12 times. Progress.
- The first -6% drop feels like your mom just found out you lied about graduating. Breathe.
- Set alerts, not emotional limit orders at 3am.
- DRIP (dividend reinvestment) is boring but sexy long-term. I turned it on for VTI immediately.
- Taxes exist. Yes even on $4 profit. America baby.
Great free beginner resource I’ve been reading at 2am: → Vanguard beginner’s guide to investing (yes I know I don’t have $3,000 for their funds but the education is free) https://investor.vanguard.com/investing/how-to-invest
How to Invest for Beginners (2026)
Final Thoughts at 2:19am on a Random Tuesday
Listen. Starting investing in stocks with just $100 isn’t gonna make me rich next month. It probably won’t next year either.
But I’m finally in the game instead of just watching from the sidelines feeling like a loser.
And honestly? That feeling is kinda worth the $7.42 I’m currently bleeding.
So yeah… if you’ve got $50, $100, even $20 sitting there judging you — just start. It’s messy. Start Investing in Stocks It’s scary. You’ll probably do something dumb. But at least you’ll be doing something.