Investing
Investing is putting money to work so it can grow faster than inflation over many years. For most beginners that means low-cost, broadly spread index funds, bought regularly and held for a long time.
Guides on investing
- Best ofBest investing apps in Europe (2026 comparison)The best investing apps in Europe compared: Trading 212, DEGIRO, Scalable Capital, Trade Republic and eToro. Fees, regulation, protection and who each suits.
- ExplainerHow much money do you need to start investing?How much money do you need to start investing? Often very little. See how low minimums and fractions work in Europe and why fees matter on small sums.
- ComparisonIndex funds vs individual stocks: which suits you?Index funds vs individual stocks side by side: diversification, costs, time and risk, plus what SPIVA data says about professionals trying to beat the index.
- GuideInvesting for beginners: the complete guideInvesting for beginners in plain words: what to sort out first, risk and diversification, ETFs, costs, how much to start with, and how to stay the course.
- ExplainerStocks vs bonds: what's the difference?Stocks vs bonds explained simply: owning versus lending, risk and return, why bond prices fall when interest rates rise, and how people mix the two together.
- ComparisonTrading 212 vs DEGIRO: which is better for you?Trading 212 vs DEGIRO compared on fees, currency costs, investor protection, fractional shares, interest on cash and product range, with real numbers.
- Calculator + guideWhat is compound interest? (with calculator)Compound interest is interest earned on your interest. See how it works with real numbers, the rule of 72, and a free calculator that shows your savings growing year by year.
- ExplainerWhat is dollar-cost averaging? (with a worked example)Dollar-cost averaging means investing a fixed amount on a schedule. See a worked example, why your average cost falls, and what research says on lump sums.
- ExplainerWhat is the S&P 500? A plain guide for European investorsWhat is the S&P 500? How its US companies are chosen and weighted, why a few giants dominate it, and what euro investors should know about currency risk.
- ExplainerWhat is an ETF? A plain explanation for beginnersAn ETF is a fund you buy and sell on a stock exchange, like a share, that holds many investments at once. Learn how ETFs work, what they cost, and what to watch out for.