How I Started Investing at 14

I’m 14, and I first got curious about the stock market during a random chat with my family. My parents told me that investing basically means you own a small part of a company, and that idea instantly grabbed my attention. From there, I started digging into it on my own—watching YouTube videos, reading finance blogs, and even picking up beginner-friendly books like Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. Before putting in real money, I played around with a virtual portfolio, which was a safe way to test things out using live market data.

After a while, I felt confident enough to take the next step. With my parents’ help, I opened a custodial account and put in some of my savings—mostly birthday money and allowances. I began investing through the National Stock Exchange (NSE), starting out with the Nifty 50 and other safer large-cap stocks. To lower my risk, I made sure to spread my money across a diversified portfolio rather than just betting on one thing.

Watching my investments move up and down taught me a lot more than I expected. I’ve learned to be patient, to stay disciplined, and to not get caught up in hype around “hot” stocks. Starting young has its challenges, but the best part is having time on my side. Even small amounts can grow into something big if you stick with it and let compounding do its work.

Looking back, I’m glad I got started early. For me, investing isn’t just about making money—it’s also about learning how to manage it and building the confidence to handle my own future. If you’re thinking about trying it yourself, I’d say: start small, keep learning, and always think long term.