As we celebrate Children’s Day tomorrow (November 14), let’s focus on the financial habits that can help young people secure a brighter future. Starting to invest at a young age may seem like a distant idea, but it can be one of the best gifts a teenager can give themselves.
Experts agree that the earlier you begin, the more time your money has to grow, setting the foundation for financial freedom in adulthood.
Time: The best ally for young investors
Manish Goel, Founder & MD of Equentis, highlights that time is the biggest advantage young investors have.
The earlier teens begin investing, the longer their money can compound.
Compound interest is the key to growing wealth over time — small contributions made consistently can multiply significantly.
Take this example from Rahul Jain, President & Head of Nuvama Wealth: A teen who invests ₹10,000 monthly into an equity fund at a return of 12% annually could see their capital grow by over six times after 25 years.
However, it’s true that every teen may not have that kind of money.
Goel suggests beginning with as little as ₹500–1,000 to cultivate the habit.
Starting early allows them to ride out market fluctuations and capitalise on compounding, making the journey more rewarding.
Here’s another example showing the same (as compiled by Manish Goel, Founder & MD of Equentis):
According to Vinod Singh, CEO and Co-Founder of FINHAAT, “Starting equity investing early offers several advantages, especially the potential for significant growth over time. Young investors have the benefit of a long investment horizon, which allows them to take advantage of market ups and downs, giving their investments time to grow. They can also learn and adapt to market trends gradually, making more informed decisions as they gain experience. Starting early fosters good financial habits and provides a chance to harness the power of compounding, which greatly amplifies returns over time.”
Emotional resilience and smart decision-making
Young investors tend to have a longer horizon, giving them the resilience to withstand market volatility.
This emotional stability, as Goel notes, often results in better decision-making during downturns, which can affect long-term returns.
Jain emphasises that patience is key.
The longer the time horizon, the more pronounced the compounding effect becomes.
For instance, someone investing for 25 years is likely to see much greater returns than if they started later in life, even with the same amount invested.
Key concepts for teenage investors
Before diving into the world of investing, teenagers should familiarise themselves with some essential concepts:
Risk vs reward: Higher returns usually come with higher risks. Teens should learn to assess their risk tolerance and set realistic financial goals.
Diversification: Spreading investments across different asset classes (stocks, bonds, real estate) helps reduce risk.
Market research: Understanding stocks, reading financial statements, and analysing trends will help young investors make informed decisions.
The magic of compounding: The sooner teens start, the more their money can grow. Regular contributions, even in small amounts, will pay off over time.
Starting small, building big
Jain stresses that the key is consistency, not the size of the initial investment.
Small, regular contributions add up significantly thanks to the power of compounding.
Regularly investing, whether monthly or quarterly, teaches discipline and financial responsibility.
Many apps and online platforms now make it easier than ever for young investors to automate contributions.
Teens who start investing are more likely to develop strong financial habits, such as budgeting and saving for future goals.