Investing is no easy task. My journey is not one of a magic carpet ride on a silky-smooth highway, but rather quite the opposite.

The biggest and hardest step IMHO is the one you are about to take, as this basically brings you out of your comfort zone and into the unknown. Not a gigantic leap across a chasm, and not baby steps that leave you wondering if anything happened. Traditionally, my investments have up to this year been in "beginner mode" - in the form of Fixed / Time deposits and structured products / mutual funds from the bank. Sitting down in self-reflection, I wonder why I didn't see it earlier, that not only was this costly (high fees negating whatever miniscule profits, high entry requirements a.k.a. lumpsum investment, low returns), but I was basically following the advice from the Relationship Manager without being in control. I decided I have had enough and decided to learn the ropes - for better or for worse, at least it will be my hands on the steering wheel....

I'm not sure they ever teach this stuff at college / university, so fortunately, it's not because I wasn't paying attention during finance class. And, it's not like you can ask someone how to go in-depth into investing. Thus, with diligence, internet and time (which, in irony, was vastly available during the global pandemic lock down), I have spent many hours and lost a good deal of sleep researching online, taking notes, counter-checking facts (never take a single source blindly as the ultimate truth). Still learning, thankfully my brain is not yet frozen! 😅

Deciding which direction to go first is another challenge. There are many, many options to consider - with various degrees of complexity, risk and reward. What to try next, considering all the factors and also available resources. Speaking of resources, just past the midpoint of my life, I would say I'm slightly late getting serious into the game. IMHO, the best point would be the middle, though the majority would say as early in life as possible. My thoughts - when you first start working, monthly salary is just barely sufficient to pull through. While early awareness is good, not having sufficient resources to invest would also be a painful experience, having to watch many opportunities slip away. On the other hand, if you start too late, before you know it, it's already time for retirement (where you reap the harvest that you sow). After all, investing (not trading) is for the long term and not a one-hit, get-rich-quick scheme. So, for me, best is to start saving from the beginning, start to learn, deep dive and plan (budget / commitments) from the first quarter, but only dive in from the middle of my working career. Fortunately, there are also long-term retirement / social security programs initiated by the government that give good annual interests but are locked in until you're 55 years old.

Getting access to investment opportunities is yet another challenge. Those days, one could only have access to basic services at the bank (regular savings account, upgrading to mutual funds and other options once you have met their requirements on income / total assets). To access the stock market, I know you need to go through someone called a Remisier/Broker (never actually gone down that path before). However, in this day and age, many things can be done almost or completely online. From opening a bank account to trading shares / stock and others. The financial world has never been more accessible. Just need to learn and understand so I know what I'm doing when I click away on my smartphone.

Have had some experience with some of the online services, mostly good ones up to now (touch wood). I'm not dropping any names, but you really need to understand the big picture, as the situation is different depending on your country, broker / bank / service provider, rules / regulations. Since this is on Tiger Brokers, I must admit I'm relatively new here, but I like what I see so far (not paid or sponsored by them, so this is my true and honest opinion)! 😄

Literally, coming from financial illiteracy to this is like a deer walking into a big city for the first time. Yes, what an eye-opening and mind-blowing experience! Starting to learn from the foundation, advancing on to stocks and ETFs, still many others (like options, futures) to understand. Like a kid running into the candy store, so many temptations that it's hard to decide what to invest in, but easy to over commit all too quickly. Self-restraint and discipline are tough challenges to master.

I still work hard on my day job and career - that's what pays the bills, puts bread on the table, and gives a sense of fulfilment and achievement. But I'm happy to have started my journey towards financial independence and continue to keep myself updated on the latest news and developments.

Sorry for the long story. Happy to be part of this community, humbly hope to learn and exchange with all you seasoned and experienced good folks out there! 😊