How to Invest with $100 (Even If You're Broke-ish)

May 7

So, You’ve Got $100. Now What?

Let’s keep it a buck: most Gen Zs and Alphas aren’t walking around with stacks of cash. But guess what? You don’t need a ton to start investing. With just $100, you can actually start building wealth and flexing your financial main character energy. Whether you saved that $100 from your summer job, birthday cash, or your latest Depop sale, the real glow-up starts when you stop letting it sit in your checking account and make it work for you. Here’s how to make that first Benjamin Franklin your stepping stone to financial freedom—no cap.

Quick Reality Check: What Not to Do With $100

Before we get into the money moves, here’s what you shouldn't do with your $100:

Blow it all on fast fashion trends you’ll ditch in two weeks.
“Invest” in crypto you saw on TikTok without knowing what it is.
Let it rot in your bank account earning 0.01% interest (ew).

If you’re ready to stop scrolling and start stacking, let’s get into the options that actually slap.

Option 1: Open a Roth IRA (If You Have Earned Income)

If you’ve got a part-time job or any legit earned income (yes, babysitting and freelancing count), you can open a Roth IRA—aka a retirement account that grows tax-free.

Why It’s a W:

Tax-free growth = more coins later
You can invest in index funds, ETFs, and stocks
Withdraw contributions anytime (penalty-free!)

How to Start:

- Use a beginner-friendly platform like Fidelity (our top pick for teens and young adults). - Link your bank account and deposit $100. - Choose an S&P 500 index fund or target-date retirement fund.

MoneyMode Tip: Don’t overthink it. Starting is better than waiting for the “perfect” time or stock.

Option 2: Micro-Investing Apps (Fractional Investing FTW)

If you’re new to the game, micro-investing apps are like the “investing with training wheels” version—but in a good way.

Top Picks:

Fidelity Spire – legit investing for goals, even small ones
Acorns – invests your spare change automatically
Public – feels like a social app, lets you invest in fractional shares

You can buy a slice of Apple stock or a piece of the S&P 500 without needing hundreds of dollars.

Option 3: Buy ETFs or Index Funds

An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is basically a mixtape of different stocks. One ETF can include Apple, Tesla, Amazon, and more—so if one flops, you’ve still got backup.

Fan Favorites:

VTI – Total US stock market (diversified AF)
VOO – S&P 500 (top 500 U.S. companies)
QQQ – Big tech vibes (Apple, Amazon, Meta, etc.)

You can buy these on platforms like Fidelity or Robinhood.

Option 4: High-Yield Savings for Your Next Move

If you're not sure where to invest yet, drop that $100 into a high-yield savings account instead of letting it sit in your sad 0.01% checking account.

Top HYSA Options:

Ally Bank
SoFi
Capital One 360

You’ll earn real interest while you plan your next financial power move.

Option 5: Invest in Yourself (Low-Key the Best ROI)

Your skills = your biggest asset. Use your $100 to level up:

Buy a course on Skillshare or Coursera
Start a personal blog or portfolio
Get Canva Pro or Adobe Express and learn design

You can even turn that into a side hustle later (see Blog Post #2 for those ideas).

Option 6: Start a Mini Business (No LLC Needed)

Gen Z isn’t waiting for anyone to hand them a job. You can flip $100 into a micro-business like:

Thrifting and reselling on Depop or Poshmark
Print-on-demand merch with Canva + Redbubble
Sticker or digital download shops on Etsy

You don’t need a full business license to get started. Just keep it small, legal, and scrappy.

Let’s Talk Risk: You Might Lose Some of It (And That’s Okay)

Real talk: investing isn’t a guarantee. Stocks go up and down. Crypto is volatile. Businesses fail. But playing it too safe can cost you more in the long run. Don’t stress if your first $100 doesn’t 10x overnight. The goal here is to learn, not earn (at least not right away).

Bonus: What If I Want to Try Crypto or NFTs?

Cryptocurrency and NFTs are high-risk, high-reward. If you’re into it:

Only invest what you’re willing to lose
Stick to mainstream cryptos like Bitcoin or Ethereum
Use Coinbase or Gemini, not sketchy links in your DMs

And please—don’t YOLO your entire $100 into a random meme coin. That’s giving “broke in 3...2...1.”

Where to Track Your Investments

Once you’ve invested, track your glow-up:

Fidelity – Clean dashboard, great mobile app
Mint or YNAB – Tracks spending and investments
Google Sheets – DIY investor spreadsheet

How to Keep the Momentum Going

This isn’t a one-and-done. Your first $100 is just your proof of concept. Now rinse and repeat:

Keep saving (even $5/week adds up)
Reinvest your gains
Learn as you go—this is your soft launch

Recap: 6 Ways to Invest $100

Open a Roth IRA if you have income
Use micro-investing apps (like Fidelity Spire or Acorns)
Buy index funds or ETFs
Stash it in a high-yield savings account
Invest in a course or personal brand
Start a small biz or reselling side hustle

MoneyMode Tip: Investing $100 isn't about getting rich overnight. It's about building smart habits now so your future self can live that soft life.

Ready to Get Started?

Set up your free Fidelity account here Track your spending and goals with YNAB Start your investing journey with confidence, not confusion.

Your Move:

Drop your first $100 into the market, your brain, or your brand. The only L is not starting.

Samantha Stultz