Podcast: Start Young, Stay Invested – Why Time in the Market Matters

Why Starting Early Matters

When it comes to investing, the best step you can take is to start early. In this episode of the Ghost Stories podcast, The Finance Ghost is joined by Lauren Jacobs, Senior Portfolio Manager at Satrix, to discuss how time in the market, not timing the market, sets investors up for long-term success.

Lauren highlights the value of compound growth, when your returns generate their own returns over time. Even small amounts can build into significant savings if you stay invested.

“It’s not just about the numbers,” Lauren says. “When you’re young, you can take more risk, you’ve got more time to recover from market dips, and you’re building financial discipline.”

Risk, Reward and Good Habits

Many new investors think of risk as something to avoid. Lauren reframes it as an opportunity. Starting young gives you time to ride out market swings and benefit from higher exposure to growth-focused investments.

The Finance Ghost adds: “There’s also risk in not taking risk. If you leave your money in a bank account, inflation eats away at its value. Investing gives you the chance to grow your wealth and outpace inflation.”

By starting with even a small amount via our digital investment platform, SatrixNOW, investors learn how markets move. These lessons build the confidence and patience that every investor needs.

Learning by Doing

Investing early isn’t only about growing money, It’s about learning how markets work.

“Making mistakes with R500 is very different to making the same mistakes with R50 000 later in life,” says Ghost. “Starting small gives you time to learn, recover, and grow.”

The earlier you begin, the sooner you develop healthy financial habits, like saving regularly, resisting panic-selling, and staying invested through market cycles.

Investing for Children

Parents and guardians also have a role to play in setting the next generation on the right path. With SatrixNOW, you can open accounts for your children, including tax-free savings accounts. Family and friends can contribute through vouchers or debit orders.

Lauren shares her experience: “My son was saving for a school trip, so we invested some of his money in Satrix, over six months he watched how the value changed, sometimes up and sometimes down. It was a valuable lesson in how markets really work.”

Investing for children not only gives them a financial head start, it also teaches them the value of saving and the discipline of staying invested.

Consistency Builds Confidence

Starting early matters. But so does staying consistent.

Lauren encourages investors to grow their contributions in line with salary increases. “Think of investing like going to the gym,” she explains. “Consistency is what builds strength. Even small amounts add up over time and build good habits.”

Digital Tools Make It Easier

Today, investing is easier than ever. From budgeting apps to platforms like SatrixNOW, digital tools give investors clarity and confidence.

“In our world at Satrix, technology has transformed how we manage ETFs,” Lauren explains. “And for individual investors, it’s never been easier to start small, stay invested, and track your progress.”

Ghost agrees: “Previous generations didn’t have this. Now the tools are everywhere, apps, podcasts, fact sheets, calculators. There’s no excuse not to start.”

Just Start

The message is simple: don’t wait. Whether you’re putting away R50 or R500, whether you’re investing for yourself or your children, the key is to start now and stay consistent.

“You’re paying your future self,” Lauren reminds us. “The habits you build today will shape your financial freedom tomorrow.”

Listen to the full podcast here:
 

Start investing with SatrixNOW today.

Disclaimer:
Satrix Investments (Pty) Ltd & Satrix Managers (RF) (Pty) Ltd is an authorised financial services provider. The information does not constitute advice as contemplated in FAIS. Use or rely on this information at your own risk. Consult your Financial Adviser before making an investment decision. While every effort has been made to ensure the reasonableness and accuracy of the information contained in this document (“the information”), the FSP’s, its shareholders, subsidiaries, clients, agents, officers and employees do not make any representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or suitability of the information and shall not be held responsible and disclaims all liability for any loss, liability and damage whatsoever suffered as a result of or which may be attributable, directly or indirectly, to any use of or reliance upon the information. The information above does not constitute financial advice in term of FAIS. Consult your financial advisor before making an investment decision. Tax Free Savings Accounts: Annual limit of R36000, lifetime limit of R500 000, 40% tax penalty applicable for contributions above the limit, per individual. For more information, visit https://satrix.co.za/products.