19 yo - where should I invest $500?
Ik its a super small amount - just some money from an internship that I can probably invest. What should I do? Want to take some risk for fun cause its not millions but idk might just go with etf.
Any advice would be appreciated
Grand scheme it's pennies really. Put it in an ETF and you're adding like 2k to your retirement pool. Just spend it on something nice or save it for college expenses or whatever
$500 compounded @8% from 19 until 60 = $11,700.
Making some memories with your boys (or girls) on a sick weekend compounded over your life = priceless.
Consider planning a trip or weekend doing something you love or trying something new like camping, hiking, visit a new city, music festival, go to a racetrack, etc. Even if you are making the most of every moment, at 19 there are usually things with higher ROI to "invest" in than financial assets. For example, paying for 1:1 coaching from a mentor in a field you're interested in (health, academic, career, relationship, other), or purchasing a course that will increase your likelihood of landing a higher salary job.
If you have really exhausted every other avenue and can't think of a way to create a higher ROI in your life, a NASDAQ / S&P tracking ETF is probably fine. If you don't intend on touching the capital for a long time, look into levered versions - there were a few threads on TQQQ on this forum.
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Fractional shares of Tesla on Robinhood when Tesla has a a substantial down day.
Go to Keens Steakhouse and take your parents as well. Treat them to a meal.
For the best overall returns, I would echo what someone has previously mentioned. With $500 you should be able to afford many Udemy / other online courses to grow your skillset and knowledge. Even if its an interview guide or coaching for IBD, that one investment could potentially land you in a very lucrative career in the future.
Alternatively, since you are so young, chucking in $100 in Crypto might not be a bad shout. Its obviously super risky but you would probably get more meaningful returns (or losses) if you you avoid the meme coins and go for something like DOT, LINK or MATIC. I will probably get ms for this since this is WSO but imo its probably better than the $10 you might make from the $100 investment into an index fund.
Buy SPY or QQQ. I disagree with those above. You have a chance to teach yourself a very good habit at literally the best time in your life (the attractiveness of investing is less and less each year because you have less time for growth). I wish I had a brokerage account with money in SPY when I was your age. Put it in a real blue chip broker like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard—not Robinhood. This will hopefully keep you from trying to actively trade it
Ethereum
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