You're probably thinking: "There's no way RM100 will make a difference in my investment!" Well, you're not wrong. BUT, as the Malay saying goes, 'sedikit-sedikit, lama-lama menjadi bukit'.
When you're investing with this relatively small amount, you have to think about the long-term. How can you make the most out of your investment?
The answer is, through compounding returns. This is when your investment returns are reinvested, generating additional returns in subsequent periods.
We've listed out some investments you can consider and categorised them according to low-risk to higher-risk investments. Pick and choose the ones that suit your risk tolerance the most!
Let’s get started.
Liquid and Low-Risk Investments
StashAway Simple
StashAway Simple is a cash management portfolio that offers competitive returns. Their returns range from 2.5% p.a. to 4.1% p.a., depending on the market. Their app is very intuitive to use and everything can be done online including opening an account, depositing and withdrawing funds. Majority of your funds will be invested in a Money Market Fund and some of it will be in invested in cash.
TNG GOinvest
Similar to StashAway Simple, TNG GOinvest is Shariah-compliant and returns can go as high as 3.7% p.a. This investment would be very convenient since most of us already have the TNG app on our phones. You'll just to sign up for it and deposit a minimum of RM10 to start investing!
ASB/ASM
It's a government unit trust fund that has a fixed price of RM1, making it a relatively safe investment. The dividends return is around 5-7% p.a., which is relatively high for a low-risk investment. However, keep in mind that ASB is only for Bumiputera while ASM is available for all Malaysians depending on the units available.
Higher Risk and More Volatile
Stock Market
I bet you saw this coming. If you're really looking to grow your money, there's no better place than the stock market. Locally, you can invest in Bursa Malaysia where the minimum units you'll have to buy is 100. So, if you're able to find a stock that costs RM1 or lesser, you'll be able to invest in the stock market with RM100!
Returns can vary depending on the volatility of the market but historically, active traders can earn up to 10% p.a.
If Malaysian stocks aren't your thing, you can also invest in the US stock market. We recommend using Interactive Brokers to do your trading because of their low fees and broad access to a variety of US assets.
Cryptocurrency
Alternatively, you could also invest in cryptocurrency which is a decentralized currency. It is said to have a lot of potential in the future. While it's possible to earn high returns, it's also possible to lose everything because it’s still considered a risky investment. So, stick to large-cap crypto like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Some platforms you can use to invest in crypto are Luno and Tokenize Xchange. As for Tokenize, you'll not only be able to buy cryptocurrency but you'll be able to earn and stake your coins for even more returns! If you click on this and use the code: MMTV1 , you'll be able to get free RM25 deposited into your account!
MyTHEO
MyTHEO is a robo-advisor that invests in a variety of assets. Their algorithm will pick and select assets for you to invest in based on your risk tolerance. Their portfolio invests in over 20 ETFs which makes them one of the most diverse robo-advisor in Malaysia. Returns average at > 4% p.a., depending on market conditions and your risk-tolerance.
StashAway
Similar to MyTHEO, StashAway is also a robo-advisor that manages your portfolio for you. You get to choose from a variety of investment plans like general investing, responsible investing, thematic investing, or goal-based investing depending on the kind of investment you want to do.
Alternatively, you can also customise your portfolio if you want to be more hands-on with your investment. We would suggest you to invest on a regular basis, using dollar cost averaging to even out your loss and gains.
Unit Trust
Unit trusts are managed by fund managers who will pick and select individual stocks to invest in on your behalf. There are many different types of funds available in the market, so it's important to research and get an idea of the fund's focus.
Conclusion
Having RM100 every month to spare is a good way to start experimenting with investing and build your savings. And with the right plan, you can make your money work for you and achieve your financial goals.
Do you have more than RM100 to invest? Maybe RM500? RM1,000? Well, you're in luck! We made a video about it on our YouTube channel where we talked about how you can invest strategically with a larger sum of money!
Disclaimer: This is not an investment advice. All content produced are solely for education and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your financial advisor before making any investment decision.