How to Start Investing with No Money (Even If You’re Starting from $0)
- Silivere Bakomeza
- May 5
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Written by Silivere Bakomeza, founder of BakoInvest
Why Saving to Invest Is the Most Important Thing You’ll Ever Do
Most people think they need thousands of dollars to start investing. But here’s the truth: you can start with just $5, and it can still change your life. The hardest part isn’t finding money—it’s shifting your mindset.
When I began investing, I wasn’t broke—I was just mismanaging my income. I had money, but I was spending it unconsciously. Once I created a simple budget, everything changed. I realized that even a small, consistent investment—done with discipline—can build long-term wealth.
I now invest $50 a day into MicroStrategy ($MSTR)—a single stock I believe in. It’s a journey I’ve been documenting weekly as part of a 20-year case study.
→ Read about the day I hit my first full share—the moment everything became real.
Step 1: Start With a Budget—Even If You’re Not Broke
When I got serious about investing, I reviewed my income and realized I wasn’t actually struggling—I was just disorganized. I was still using money orders and spending freely. Once I started budgeting properly, I saw that I could actually save and invest.
I set up a simple system:
35% of my take-home pay goes straight to my investment account
The rest stays in my personal account to cover bills and essentials
This automated separation helped me stick to my goals without thinking about it.
No more emotional decisions. No more wasted income.
Step 2: Cut Back on What Doesn’t Serve the Future You
I didn’t do a dramatic spending cleanse. Instead, I trimmed back gradually.
I stopped eating out so often.
I stopped flexing with things I didn’t need.
And most importantly, I stopped trying to impress people who didn’t even know me—or probably didn’t even like me.
“Now, every dollar I don’t spend is a dollar I use to build wealth.”
That mindset shift helped me take back control—and helped me start building for the older me, the future father, the future provider, the future leader.
Step 3: Start Small—Even $5 a Week Can Get You Moving
If you’re telling yourself, “I don’t make enough to invest,” that’s your fear talking.
The truth is: if you can waste $5, you can invest $5.
Here’s what I recommend:
Still hesitant? Start with Acorns. It uses “round-ups” to invest your spare change automatically:
Buy something for $3.50? Acorns rounds it up to $4.00—so $0.50 goes into your investing account.
Once your round-ups total $5, Acorns invests it for you automatically.
It’s not about how much you start with—it’s about how long you stay committed.
Step 4: Choose One Stock (or Strategy) and Commit
I didn’t scatter my money across 20 stocks or chase trends.
I chose one stock—MicroStrategy ($MSTR) because I believe it’s the most efficient vehicle for Bitcoin exposure and long-term upside. I treat it like my retirement plan.
“I’m investing $50/day for 20+ years, and I’m documenting the entire journey—wins, losses, and lessons.”
This strategy isn’t for everyone. But having one clear goal changed everything for me.
You don’t have to follow my path—but you do need a path. One that you can stick to for years.
Step 5: Automate the Discipline
Most people fail to invest consistently because they rely on willpower.
I don’t.
I automated my deposits so that 35% of every paycheck goes straight to my investing account before I even see it.
No decisions. No hesitations. Just forward motion.
If you do this for even 3 months, your mindset will shift. You’ll realize: “I’m actually an investor now.”
And that identity sticks.
Final Thought: Time Won’t Wait—So Why Should You?
Whether you like it or not, you’re going to get older.
Time won’t wait for you to feel “ready.”
One day, you’ll either retire comfortably—or you’ll struggle—just because you didn’t start.
This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about committing to a future that your older self and your family will be proud of.
So ask yourself:
If you can afford to waste $5 a day, can you afford not to invest it?
Start Your Investing Journey
Here are the exact tools I use and recommend:
You May Also Like:
Comments