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It\u2019s easier to start investing today, and more women are starting their financial journey at a younger age, say investment experts.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere are more platforms to choose from and a huge amount of educational content available online,\u201d said So Sin Tin, chief client officer at Endowus, a digital wealth management platform.<\/span><\/p>\n The key to taking that first step is simply to start \u2013 and be consistent about it. \u201cThe earlier you start, the higher the probability of building a meaningful investment portfolio over time,\u201d So said.<\/span><\/p>\n But if you worry that you need a large sum of money to begin, don\u2019t be.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cStarting small helps you form the habit and allows compounding to work quietly in the background. And over the years or decades, that steady commitment will matter far more than timing the market or making big, one-off contributions,\u201d explained So.<\/span><\/p>\n Even if you\u2019re starting later, it\u2019s not too late to begin<\/span>. Late starters can use dollar-cost averaging, or DCA, where you invest a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, say monthly, into the same asset, rather than a single large sum, said Jonathan Leong, head of wholesale, Southeast Asia, at global investment management company Fidelity International.<\/span><\/p>\n Leong added that DCA can be paired with income-oriented, diversified portfolios to grow one\u2019s savings, although with rising costs along with healthcare and lifestyle needs, it\u2019s also important to scale up your monthly investment contributions as your income grows.<\/span><\/p>\n Lay the groundwork, which includes learning the basics of budgeting, setting aside an emergency fund, clearing any high-interest debts and starting to invest, even if the amounts might feel small, advised So.<\/span><\/p>\n Instead of thinking in absolute dollars, look at your investments in percentages, advised Leong. For instance, investing S$10,000 with a 6 per cent annual return and leaving it untouched, can grow to about S$18,000 in 10 years and nearly S$58,000 in 30 years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nIN YOUR 20S: JUST START \u2013 AND BUILD DISCIPLINE<\/span><\/h2>\n