You're Comfortable Spending - So Why Does Investing Feel So Scary?

Over the past months, I’ve been guiding a group of clients through my “Start To Invest” group coaching program. The goal? To equip them not just with the knowledge to invest, but also the mindset and habits to confidently take action - and make their first self-directed trades.

We’ve now reached that exciting stage where they know the basics: how to analyse stocks, how to use a trading platform, and how to place a trade.

It’s time to actually invest!

And the emotions? A blend of thrill, excitement…and a whole lot of nervous energy.

One client described her first trade experience like this: “I was pacing back and forth, asking my husband - should I press the button?” She admitted that the amount she was investing wasn’t huge - in fact, she would’ve easily spent that same amount during a casual trip to the mall.

So why the hesitation?

My answer?

She has a spending strategy. Something like: Go out → find something nice to buy or eat → tap card → enjoy.

Simple. Familiar. Comfortable.

But when it comes to investing, there’s no established strategy yet. It’s new terrain - and that’s what makes it feel intimidating.

Here’s a little mindset hack:
If you already have a well-established spending strategy… why not borrow it and apply it to investing?

Think of the stock market as a massive online mall. There are so many choices:
- Blue-chip stocks
- Growth stocks
- Startups … all sitting there, waiting to be “added to cart.”

Ask yourself:
What’s your usual shopping style? Quality-first? Budget-conscious? Bargain-hunter?
Do you spend based on a fixed monthly budget, or more flexibly based on needs?
What drives your spending? Necessity? Strategy? Stress relief? Just-for-fun?

Those same instincts can help shape your investment strategy.

Why investing might be even more satisfying than spending:
It’s just as easy - you can do it all online by clicking some buttons.

You can "return" your investment - just sell the stock and get your money back (hopefully with a gain).

You get rewarded - through dividends or capital appreciation.

Of course, investing involves a bit more learning and taking some risk - you need to understand those first - so it’s not the same as shopping. But if you’re just getting started, this simple mindset shift might help you see investing in a new light.

What I want you to know is that investing isn’t just for the super smart, the wealthy, or the financial pros.

It’s for anyone willing to take that first small step to learn, explore, and put their money to work.

After just 8 live coaching sessions, my clients are already placing their first trades. Some are still taking their time (since we have 2 more live coaching sessions to go) - and that’s okay too.

The key is: they're making progress.

So if you’ve been meaning to start investing - but keep putting it off - maybe it’s time to channel your spending skills into investing.

The mindset is already there. You just need to apply it differently.

Let me know - what's your current investing strategy? Do you have one? If not, what are your thoughts about borrowing your current "spending strategy"?

Ready to start investing with more confidence?

Join the waitlist for my next "Start To Invest" group coaching program and be the first to know when doors next re-open in 2H2025!