If you decide to start investing in 2026, here’s how you should approach it

If you want to start investing in 2026 to say it is a turbulent environment is an understatement. An undercurrent of market jitter persists, with many people facing an economic hangover from the inflation of the past years. Many individuals also feel significant financial strain, and they aren’t confident they could withstand a recession. However, despite widespread pessimism about the economy, financial experts say now is a good time to invest, especially if you maintain a long-term perspective.

One argument is that investing can help protect your purchasing power from inflation, while stashing your money in a savings account only leads to a gradual loss of value. Similarly, trying to time the market, while alluring, is a fool’s errand, as historical data and financial studies have consistently demonstrated. Instead, you put your money in the market and take a powerful step toward building long-term wealth. Obviously, you need to have available cash to invest, and not use any essential savings or emergency funds, because that would be too risky. Next, you want to make sure you’re putting your hard-earned money to work in the most effective way. If that feels intimidating, our expert guide will walk you through the process. Ready to learn more?

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If you’re going to start investing in 2026…

…Know your why

What’s your investing purpose? This is where you want to start when embarking on this thrilling journey, because it will help you clarify your time horizon, risk tolerance, asset mix, and progress track. For example, some people invest because they’re planning to buy a house in the next five years, while others invest for retirement decades away.

Your reason might be something else entirely. Whatever that is, you need to be very clear about it. After all, you wouldn’t arrive at an airport and get on just any plane randomly when going on a vacation, right? It’s the same with investing: you need to know where you are going so you can figure out the best way to get there, step by step. Now, this may not sound as good as those get-rich-quick schemes, but your goal should never be to get rich overnight. Slow and steady works best when it comes to investing.

Choose your investment route

There are a few routes you can take when investing, and the one you choose depends on how much time you have available, your knowledge, and confidence in navigating the market, to name a few. If you believe you can research investments on your own and build and monitor a diversified portfolio, DIY investing could be suitable for you. Basically, if you take this route, you’ll be the only one in control of where your money goes.

However, this isn’t ideal for everyone, and if you think you would benefit from expert help, it’s a good idea to reach out to a financial planner or adviser, as they can help develop a strategy that fits your unique goals and risk tolerance. Plus, you will have an investment team that manages your portfolio on your behalf. There’s a middle ground, too: robo-wealth managers, which basically requires you to complete a risk questionnaire and have your money allocated to a fund portfolio. As you may have guessed already, each of these options comes with its pros and cons, and it’s worth taking the time to weigh them and decide which makes the most sense to you.

Embrace beginner-friendly funds

There are endless assets out there you could choose from, and perhaps you’ve thought about investing in cryptocurrency because you’ve heard someone talking about how much profit they’ve earned from it. Crypto is an asset class that’s popular all over the world: the U.S., the Middle East and Europe, India, you name it. Even the best crypto exchanges in Thailand offer access to a wide variety of digital currencies, drawing in many people. But as rewarding as it is, crypto is also a high-risk asset class.

As someone who is just getting started with investing, choosing crypto isn’t necessarily the best entry point. So, what should you pick instead? If you have a small amount of money and/or limited investing experience, funds are the best option, because they offer instant diversification (meaning you can spread risk around 25,50, or even 100 investments inside each of the funds). Suppose the underlying holdings don’t perform as expected; the other ones in the fund will be your cushion, so your portfolio won’t be irreparably hurt. Plus, funds are also uncomplicated compared to other investments, making them ideal for beginners.

Don’t be afraid to start small

Investing isn’t reserved for the rich only, and some modern platforms will allow you to start with as little as $1 to $10. As a beginner, it’s not a good idea to put all your money at risk because the markets are volatile, and since you’re inexperienced, you’ll probably get off track. Starting small is better because it enables you to build confidence gradually and establish consistent habits while understanding market mechanics.

You can invest smaller portions at regular intervals, like setting up a direct debit to take cash out of your bank account whenever you receive your salary. This approach isn’t only more forgiving on your finances but will also protect you from the ups and downs of the market and save you from worrying about “timing” the market so you can find the ideal moment to invest. In short, it’s the best way to build a solid, diversified portfolio over a longer period of time. Ultimately, consistency and patience are your best allies for a successful investing experience, allowing you to think in years or decades rather than days, therefore keeping you more grounded, regardless of market conditions.

The bottom line

It may feel counterintuitive to invest in times of economic uncertainty, but financial experts suggest this is one of the most effective ways to build long-term wealth. Periods of downturns and volatility present unique opportunities as well, as long as you know how to make the most of them. Plus, there’s no such thing as waiting for the “perfect” moment to invest ( that rarely works), and regular and consistent investing will pay off. Just keep in mind to have a plan in place, evaluate your personal financial situation and risk tolerance, and make investment decisions from a place of clarity and emotional control.