I finally pulled the trigger on investing in late January 2026, and honestly, it’s the best move I’ve made all year. Being a full-time student and working on campus, I spent two months specifically stacking my checks to build up a bankroll for churning. I’d been overthinking when to actually start investing, but after grabbing some bonds on a whim, something just clicked. I stopped stalling and dumped in $1,200, and I’ve been hitting it with about $600 every month since.
I’m currently doing a biweekly split: $200 to savings and $300 straight into the market. Starting 25 hr weeks in 2 weeks so I’ll be able to contribute more this summer since I’ll be earning an extra $200 or so each pay period. I also have some side income for when the campus paychecks aren't cutting it. Plus, the extra "found money" has been huge—last month I threw in $1,700 from Capital One cash back (don't even ask 😂) and $1,000 I cleared from bank bonus churning over the last few months and currently waiting on $1200 definitely the best side sitting on your ass hustle I’ve found and C1 CB #2. That will likely go into my savings goal 5k also by end of the year.
It’s funny—I’ve been disciplined about not blowing money on DoorDash; I’ll either meal prep or just wait until I get home to eat. The other day at work, my boss joked, “Didn’t you just get paid? You probably blew your whole check already.” I just started laughing, but inside it felt so good knowing that money was actually being put to work. Even when I show up to a shift feeling tired or lazy lately, I just have this nice thought: "At least my money is starting its shift, too." 🐢
I’m holding six stocks right now, but I’m definitely eyeing a simpler path. I’m reading The Simple Path to Wealth right now and loving it—it's making me want to just consolidate everything into VOO and maybe QQQM or SMH for that extra growth. (Making the switch this week after I review what I want to own).
It’s a massive relief to have a major expense out of my life so I can actually put 100% of my surplus toward my future instead of watching it disappear. I can’t stop hyping up the market to my buddy at work; I just want everyone to start. I’m hyped to hit that $10k milestone soon. Good luck to everyone else on the grind!
**Any advice is much appreciated and welcome 🙏 **