How to Invest $100 — Yes, Right Now

The most common reason Americans don't invest is "I don't have enough money." In 2026, you can start investing with $1. This guide shows exactly where and how at each milestone amount.

With $100

• Open a Roth IRA at Fidelity (free, $0 minimum): Buy FZROX (Fidelity Zero Total Market Index, 0% expense ratio). You own a tiny piece of every public US company immediately.
• Alternative: Same at Schwab — buy SCHB (0.03% expense ratio, essentially free).
• Why not a brokerage? At low amounts, the tax advantage of a Roth IRA is significant. All growth is tax-free, potentially for decades.

With $500

• Max priority: Roth IRA contribution ($500 toward the $7,000 annual limit)
• Fund selection: FZROX + FZILX (international, 0% expense ratio) in 70/30 split
• If 401(k) match available at work: match first, then Roth IRA

With $1,000

• $1,000 is enough for the 3-fund portfolio: VTI / VXUS / BND in a Roth IRA or taxable brokerage
• If no emergency fund yet: split $500 to HYSA emergency fund, $500 to Roth IRA

What to avoid at these amounts

• Individual stocks: At $100–$1,000, a single stock bad event wipes out all progress. Diversification matters more at smaller amounts.
• Roboadvisors with fees above 0.25%: Betterment/Wealthfront are fine options, but their 0.25% fee is meaningful at small balances vs 0% at Fidelity.
• Crypto: Too volatile for the foundational savings/investment layer.
• Savings bonds for investment: I-Bonds have a 1-year lockup that's inappropriate for small amounts you might need.