It was 2018 when I decided to put my savings to work. I had just received my performance bonus and, instead of leaving it in a low-interest savings account, I wanted to try investing. The Singapore Exchange felt like a natural place to start because I understood the brands here and saw them in my daily life.

After some research, I settled on$DBS(D05.SI)$  .It was the largest local bank with a solid track record of profits and dividends. To me, it felt like a safe and dependable choice. I bought my first batch of shares at $25.40, telling myself I was in it for the long haul.

The first few weeks were nerve-racking. Every small price movement felt huge. When the price dipped to $24.80, I questioned my decision. But the first dividend payout arrived in my account a few months later and that moment sealed my conviction. I understood what it meant to be rewarded for patience.

Two years later, I sold those shares at a modest profit. It was not a life-changing gain but it was a valuable lesson in discipline, research and emotional control. That first trade did not just grow my savings. It grew my confidence to keep investing.