When you hear the words "stock market," what comes to mind? For a lot of people, it’s probably a chaotic image of traders shouting into phones, making impulsive decisions, and turning millions into billions in a single day. The reality? Stock market investing is much calmer (and far more accessible) than Hollywood makes it seem. In fact, it’s one of the most practical and proven ways to grow your wealth—if you know how to get started.

Whether you're here because you’re tired of inflation eating away at your savings or you’re finally ready to turn your income into real financial growth, you’re in the right place. Investing doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and by the end of this guide, you’ll feel confident enough to take that first step.

What Even Is the Stock Market?

If you’re new to all this, let’s start with the basics. The stock market is essentially a marketplace where you can buy and sell shares of companies. These shares—called stocks—represent small pieces of ownership in a company. When you buy a share of Apple, for example, you technically own a tiny piece of Apple’s success.

The way this works is simple: when a company grows and generates more profit, its stock price generally increases, and the shares you own become more valuable. Conversely, if the company underperforms, the stock price may drop, and your shares lose value.

This makes the stock market an incredible tool for wealth-building, but it’s not a guarantee. There will be ups and downs, but the key is to focus on long-term growth rather than short-term swings.

Why You Should Care About Investing

If you’re still not sure whether investing is worth your time, let me throw this at you: keeping your money in a savings account might feel "safe," but it’s actually losing value every day. Thanks to inflation, the cost of living goes up about 3 to 4 percent every year, while your savings account is likely earning less than 1 percent in interest. You don’t need to be a math wizard to see how that’s not a winning formula.

Investing in the stock market, on the other hand, historically delivers an average annual return of 7 to 10 percent. Over time, those returns can make a huge difference—especially if you start early. This is because of compound interest, which is essentially earning interest on your interest. It’s the financial equivalent of a snowball rolling downhill, getting bigger as it collects more along the way.

The bottom line? If you want to build wealth and secure your financial future, investing is non-negotiable.

How to Start Investing

So how do you actually get started? For beginners, the stock market can seem like an intimidating world, full of jargon and complex charts. But in reality, starting your investing journey is simpler than you might think.

Step 1: Know Your Goals

First, ask yourself: why are you investing? Are you trying to build long-term wealth, save for retirement, or fund a specific goal like buying a house? Your answer will determine the type of investments you should prioritize.

For long-term goals, stocks and ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) are great options. They provide the opportunity for high growth over time. For shorter-term goals, like saving for something within the next three years, you may want to consider safer options like bonds or even high-yield savings accounts.

Step 2: Open a Brokerage Account

To start investing, you’ll need a brokerage account. Think of this as your gateway to the stock market. There are plenty of options out there, like Robinhood, Fidelity, or Charles Schwab, and each comes with its own strengths. Look for platforms with low fees and no account minimums, especially if you’re just starting out.

But here’s the thing: managing investments manually can be time-consuming. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed trying to figure out which stocks to pick, how to diversify your portfolio, or when to buy and sell. That’s where automated investing platforms like Surmount come in.

Automated investing is exactly what it sounds like—it’s an approach that uses technology to manage your portfolio for you. With platforms like Surmount, you can connect your existing brokerage account and let pre-designed strategies do the heavy lifting. Instead of spending hours researching individual stocks, you can lean on automation to optimize your portfolio, rebalance it as needed, and stick to proven strategies—all without lifting a finger.

Step 3: Start Small and Be Consistent

One of the biggest misconceptions about investing is that you need a ton of money to get started. Thanks to tools like fractional shares, that’s no longer true. You can start with as little as $5.

The real secret to building wealth isn’t timing the market—it’s time in the market. This means starting as early as possible and investing consistently, even if it’s a small amount. You can set up automatic contributions to your brokerage account to make this process effortless.

By investing regularly, you’ll also benefit from something called dollar-cost averaging. Instead of trying to predict the market’s highs and lows, you’ll buy stocks at different prices over time, which reduces the risk of bad timing.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Investing is simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Many first-time investors fall into common traps, like trying to chase hot stock tips or panicking during market downturns.

One of the most important lessons to learn early is that volatility is normal. The stock market will have ups and downs, but historically, it has always trended upward over the long term. The key is to stay calm, stick to your plan, and avoid making impulsive decisions based on emotions.

Another mistake is trying to "beat the market" by picking individual stocks. Even professional investors struggle to do this consistently. Instead, focus on diversification—spreading your investments across a range of companies or sectors. ETFs are a great way to achieve this without needing to be a stock-picking expert.

The Role of Automation in Your Investing Journey

Let’s face it—life is busy. Between work, family, and everything else, not everyone has the time (or interest) to dive deep into stock analysis. That’s why automated investing is such a game-changer.

Platforms like Surmount simplify the entire process by giving you access to pre-built, proven strategies that align with your goals. Whether you’re looking for steady growth, higher returns, or low risk, automated strategies can help take the guesswork out of investing. Plus, they ensure your portfolio stays balanced and optimized over time.

The best part? Automation doesn’t just save time—it also removes emotion from the equation. Instead of panicking during market dips or chasing the latest trends, your portfolio sticks to a plan that’s designed for long-term success.

The Takeaway

Investing in the stock market isn’t reserved for Wall Street elites or financial whizzes—it’s for anyone who’s ready to take control of their financial future. It’s about starting small, staying consistent, and using tools like automated investing to make the process easier and more efficient.

The most important step is simply getting started. The sooner you invest, the more time your money has to grow. So open that brokerage account, explore automated investing platforms, and take your first step toward building the life you want.

Disclaimer:The information presented is for educational purposes only and not an offer or solicitation for any specific investments. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Consult with a financial adviser before making any investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.