7 Investment lessons financial experts wish they knew earlier

Published on 3rd June, 2026 at 03:54 pm

Starting your investment journey can feel intimidating. Many people believe they need a large amount of money, extensive financial knowledge or perfect timing before they begin. The reality is that some of the most successful investors simply started early and stayed consistent.

Reading time: 5 minutes

In this article, you’ll learn:

• Why time is one of the most powerful investment tools.
• How budgeting supports successful investing.
• Why understanding your investments matters.
• The importance of having clear financial goals.
• Why starting small is better than waiting.
• How consistency can help build long-term wealth.

How many of us at age 18 thought about our financial future? Nowadays it’s recommended to start saving as soon as you get your first salary. However, many of us are guilty of not doing this in our youth.

So, what lessons do experts share, and what can younger investors learn from them? To help you on your financial journey, we asked, “What investment message would you share with your younger self?” Their answers reveal practical lessons that anyone can apply, whether you’re investing your first R100 or building a long-term wealth plan.

#1: Take advantage of time

“The younger you are, the less sacrifice you need to make to your lifestyle due to the smaller contributions you need to make to reach your saving goals. The longer you wait to start saving, the more you’ll need to save every month,” points out Martin Lessing, regional manager: North at Glacier by Sanlam.

Madri Jacobs, an investment specialist at Brilliance BlueStar Financial Advisory Services, authorised by Sanlam, agrees. “The most important investment lesson [for me] was to start investing early and to aim for regular contributions to my investments. Compound interest is a very powerful principle in growing wealth!”

#2: Learn the basics

If you’re in the position to start investing, start with the basics: budgeting.

A budget helps you understand where your money is going and ensures you’re consistently setting aside funds for savings and investments.
One popular guideline is the 50/30/20 rule:

• 50% for needs
• 30% for wants
• 20% for savings and investments

While everyone’s circumstances are different, having a spending plan can make investing a regular habit rather than an occasional activity.

Need help creating a budget that works? Use our free budgeting templates.

#3: Don’t invest in something you don’t understand

Investment opportunities can be tempting, especially when friends, social media or headlines promise quick returns.
Before investing, make sure you understand:

• How the investment works
• What risks are involved
• How returns are generated
• Whether it aligns with your financial goals

If you can’t clearly explain how an investment creates value, it may be worth doing more research first.

It’s also wise to avoid borrowing money to invest in high-risk assets. If the investment performs poorly, you could be left with both losses and debt.

Before you invest, speak to a trusted financial planner. Plus, as a Reality Core, Plus or Health member, you’ll earn up to 8 000 tier points!

#4: Have a clear vision for your (financial) future

Thinking about your future can be daunting, but having a clear vision of it could lead to greater financial success. Having clear objectives can help you choose appropriate investments and stay motivated during periods of market uncertainty.Your goals may evolve over time, but having a direction makes it easier to create a financial plan and measure progress.

Consider things like how much money you would need to fund your life after retirement, then work towards that goal.

Are you saving enough for retirement? Use this tool to see how you’re tracking.

#5: Don’t panic if shares lose value

“You can take a long-term view towards investing in higher growth assets, as you have time to recover when stock markets are volatile, or even if they decline sharply,” says Lessing. “Markets always recover, and when you’re younger, you have time on your side. This often presents significant buying opportunities (when markets fall), and you can benefit from rand-cost averaging ⁠– i.e. buying investments at an average lower price because you’re buying regularly over a longer time.”

#6: Just start (even with a small amount)

Investing isn’t only for the wealthy. It’s for anyone with a little extra money. “Start with something; no matter how small the savings amount, it can grow substantially and surprise you in the future,” says André Wethmar, senior financial planner at FinPrufe Wealth BlueStar, authorised by Sanlam.

“Investing even a small percentage of your income early on helps to create consistent behaviours and set up good savings habits, giving you one of the greatest advantages in investing – time,” adds Lessing.

Want to start investing? Find out how to start investing with as little as R100.

#7: Stick to the plan

“Stay focused on your initial goal and enjoy future rewards. Your investment journey may have many ups and downs, but that is a natural part of life,” says Wethmar.

“Invest in a variety of investment instruments such as shares, bonds, property and alternative instruments, locally and overseas, according to your appetite for risk. Remember that the primary financial goal is to beat inflation and accumulate wealth ⁠– growing the buying power of your money,” concludes Lessing.

Ready to take the next step? Speak to a financial adviser and start building a plan for your future today.