Q&A with Apricot: How Much Money Do I Need to Start Investing?

How much do you think is needed to start investing? 10,000 USD? 1,000 USD? 100 USD, or even 10 USD? The truth is, there’s no single correct answer—it depends on your financial goals and the investment instrument you choose. One of the biggest myths about investing is that you need a large sum of money to get started. In reality, you can begin building wealth with small, consistent investments. In this Q&A, we’ll discuss how you can start small with various investment instruments.

Step 1: Understand You Can Start Small

You don’t need a fortune to invest—modern platforms like Apricot Capital make it easy to start small with affordable, beginner-friendly instruments. Whether you have 10,000 AMD or 50,000 AMD to invest each month, there are instruments designed to fit your budget. The key is consistency: small, regular investments can grow significantly over time through the power of compounding.

Here are some instruments that allow you to start small: 

• Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | ETFs are baskets of stocks or bonds that trade like a single stock. Many ETFs have low entry points, allowing you to invest in diversified instruments, like index funds, with just 10,000–20,000 AMD. They’re perfect passive investors or beginners seeking diversification without a big budget.
• Stocks | Some stocks, especially on international markets, can be purchased for just a few dollars per share. It is possible to invest in affordable stocks to build a portfolio gradually. However, stocks of companies with low market capitalization are riskier due to their volatility, so it’s important to research carefully before investing.
• Bonds | Unlike stocks, where you can buy a single share, Armenian government bonds typically have a minimum purchase volume (for example 1,000 AMD for the Armenian government bonds). Don’t worry, though, this doesn’t necessarily mean a hefty investment. You can see the current pricing of Armenian government bonds here. Government bonds are a low-risk instrument for investors looking to start small with stable returns. Corporate bonds also often offer the possibility to invest with a smaller budget. 

Step 2: Set a Budget to Free Up Funds

Don’t feel pressured to invest more than you can afford. Starting small requires a plan. Create a budget to identify how much you can invest each month without straining your finances. A simple strategy is to “pay yourself first” by setting aside 5–10% of your income for savings and investments. For example: 

• If you earn 300,000 AMD per month, aim to invest 15,000–30,000 AMD. 
• Cut back on small expenses, like a daily 1,000 AMD coffee (which could save you 365,000 AMD a year!), unused subscriptions, or taxis, to free up more for saving and investing. These small savings now will give you financial freedom in the future.

Step 3: Open a Brokerage Account with Apricot Capital

Just like you need a bank account to use banking services, you need a brokerage account to start investing. With Apricot Capital, you can open a brokerage account for free and enjoy competitive commissions that make investing affordable. On our platform, both beginner and experienced investors can find suitable instruments for their needs. Our mobile app will help you manage your investments on the go.

Step 4: Build Habits for Long-Term Success

Smart investors develop smart habits: 

• Invest Regularly | Set up automatic transfers to your brokerage account, even for small amounts like 10,000 AMD a month. 
• Diversify | Build a diversified portfolio to reduce risk. 
• Stay Informed | Follow market news with Investor’s Brief, a collaboration between Apricot Capital and News.am and learn more about investments on Apricot Academy. 
• Review Regularly | Check your portfolio quarterly to ensure it aligns with your goals.

Ready to Start?

Open a brokerage account for free and download our Apricot app from the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about investing in Apricot Academy. 

It’s important to remember that investments are subject to market fluctuations and carry inherent risks. Consider your financial goals and risk tolerance before investing.

Apricot Capital is regulated by the Central bank of Armenia.

*The examples in this text are for illustrative purposes only. This does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any specific investment instrument. The past performance mentioned in this text is not indicative of future results.