Začínáme s investováním
7 things to do before your very first investment
Key takeaways
- Only invest money you won't need for at least 5 years — short-term swings hurt more otherwise.
- Before investing, have an emergency fund covering 3–6 months of expenses in a savings account.
- Knowing your goal and time horizon in advance makes it easier to stay the course when markets fall.
- Choose one broker and one fund — complexity at the start only gets in the way.
The best investment starts before the first purchase — in your head and on paper.
Why preparation matters
Many beginners jump straight into a broker app and buy whatever they saw in a video. That might work out, but it might not. A little preparation protects you from the most common mistakes and gives you peace of mind when markets eventually fall.
Do these 7 things first
- Pay off expensive debt. Credit cards and consumer loans charge 10–20% interest per year. No investment beats that over the long run. Debt first, then investing.
- Build an emergency fund. Set aside 3–6 months of expenses in a savings account. If an unexpected cost comes up, you won't have to sell investments at the wrong time.
- Define your goal. Are you saving for retirement, a home, or financial freedom? Your goal determines your time horizon and risk tolerance.
- Decide on your time horizon. Less than 3 years? Investing isn't suitable. 5, 10, 20 years? Great — time works in your favor.
- Choose a broker. One regulated, low-cost broker is all you need. How to do it is covered in the article how to choose your first broker.
- Choose a fund. For starters, one global ETF is enough — for example, a fund tracking the entire world stock market. More on choosing one in the article how to build your first portfolio.
- Set a regular contribution. Even 500 CZK a month makes sense. Consistency matters more than the amount.
What comes next?
After preparation, open an account, make your first deposit, and buy. For the whole first year, just invest regularly and don't check prices every day. That's all you need.
FAQ
How much money do I need for my first investment?
Most online brokers require as little as 20–50 euros (roughly 500–1,200 CZK). Consistency matters more than the amount — a small sum every month works better than one large lump sum.
Do I need an emergency fund before I start investing?
Ideally yes. Without a buffer, any unexpected expense can force you to sell investments at the wrong time — perhaps exactly when markets are falling. An emergency fund protects you from that.
How long does it take to prepare before I can buy my first ETF?
Preparation takes 1–2 hours. Opening an account and verifying your identity with a broker takes another 1–3 business days. In total, roughly one week from decision to first purchase.