For better or worse, most of us remember our first times with startling clarity: the first day in a new job, moving into our own place, or making a big decision that finally made us feel like an adult. These milestones are exciting, sure, but they’re often nerve-wracking too. Doing something for the first time rarely feels easy.
Yet while we expect nerves when starting a new job or making a major life change, many of us are far harder on ourselves when it comes to another big first: investing.
New research commissioned by NatWest highlights just how much hesitation clouds that initial step: 34% say fear of making a mistake is their strongest feeling when it comes to investing.
Perhaps most strikingly, 23% of Brits would feel more confident starting a new job than making their first investment, and 60% think they need to have hit certain life milestones.
That’s why NatWest has launched a new campaign aimed at helping people challenge the assumptions that can make investing feel out of reach. They’ve teamed up with Angellica Bell, known for her consumer finance advice, to help challenge common misconceptions people have when investing for the first time.
So, why does investing feel so daunting, and more importantly, how can NatWest help people build the confidence to take that first step?
Why First Times Can Feel So Emotional
Angellica Bell knows firsthand what it’s like to face financial firsts. “Most of us remember first times as a little nerve-wracking,” she explains. “Whether it’s your first day in a new job, driving alone for the first time, or becoming a first-time parent, investing can feel exactly the same.”
That emotional reaction isn’t unusual, she explains. When we do something unfamiliar, our brains tend to focus on the risk of getting it wrong rather than the potential benefits of getting started, but Bell stresses that confidence often comes after you act.
“If you feel unsure, that’s not a red flag. It’s a normal response to doing something new,” she says. “Confidence rarely comes before you begin. It usually grows after you take that first small step and realise you can handle it.”
Another barrier many of us are battling is waiting for the so-called “perfect moment” to start investing. Many of us think we need to reach certain milestones — like earning more, saving more, or buying a home — before we’re ready. Yet, NatWest’s research shows just how high that bar can feel: on average, Brits say they need a £50,000 salary, £10,000 in savings, and home ownership before taking that first step. That’s a pretty big mental barrier we’ve built for ourselves, and according to Bell, that perfect moment rarely arrives.
“It’s easy to tell yourself you’ll start investing when life feels calmer, or when you’ve hit another financial milestone,” Bell says. “But there is almost always another milestone waiting around the corner. Often the best time to start is simply when you decide to begin, even if that first step feels small.”
Angellica Bell knows firsthand what it’s like to face financial firsts.
It’s Time to Challenge the “Investing Isn’t for Me” Mindset
For too many people, investing still feels like something reserved for a particular type of person: someone with specialist knowledge, a hefty disposable income, or years of financial experience. But that limiting belief can stop you before you’ve even explored the possibility.
“The research shows many people put off investing because they feel it’s something ‘other people’ do,” Bell says. “But everyone starts as a beginner. Nobody is born knowing how it works.”
Instead of thinking about investing as intimidating or exclusive, it can help to reframe it as another way to build financial security over time.
Tying investing to a clear purpose also makes it feel more tangible. Interestingly, NatWest’s research found that 54% of Brits say they feel more motivated to invest for their children’s future than for their own.
“Confidence grows when something feels meaningful,” Bell explains. “When you connect investing to a goal, whether that’s future security, family, or long-term plans, the first step starts to feel much more purposeful.”
Turn Confidence Into Action
Of course, understanding the emotional side of investing is only part of the picture. Taking practical steps can also help demystify the process and make it feel more manageable.
According to Aroma Khan, Investment Expert at NatWest, asking a few simple questions can quickly bring clarity.
“Taking the mystery out of investing often starts with understanding the fundamentals,” she explains. “Ask three key questions: what are the risks, what are the fees, and how long do you plan to leave the money invested for? Once you have those answers, the decision-making process becomes much clearer.”
Khan also encourages people to focus less on short-term trends and more on long-term goals. “Investing is rarely about chasing what’s popular in the moment,” she says. “It’s about building long-term financial security. Whether that’s for your own future or your family’s, having a clear purpose can be a powerful motivator to get started.
Start Small
One of the biggest myths keeping people from investing, Khan says, is the idea that you need a big pot of savings before you’re “allowed” to begin. In reality, many people start with modest amounts and build from there — because investing isn’t just something you do once you’re “sorted”, it’s something that can grow with you over time.
Khan says it’s worth reframing what a “good” starting point looks like. “People often assume investing has to be a big, bold move,” she explains. “But starting small can be a smart and sustainable way to build confidence. The key is choosing an amount you can genuinely afford, then giving yourself time to learn as you go.”
A Stocks and Shares ISA is one route people may consider when they’re ready to begin investing. It can be a popular option for first-time investors because it’s designed to help you invest for the longer term, and you can typically contribute in a way that suits your budget — including setting up regular contributions.
“Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small,” Khan adds. “It means you’re giving yourself a realistic way in — and the confidence usually comes from taking that first step and sticking with it.”
Get Started Today in 4 Simple Steps
If the idea of investing still feels overwhelming, breaking it down into smaller steps can make it feel far less intimidating. Khan suggests:
- Be honest about the level of risk you’re comfortable with
- Decide how long you’re comfortable leaving money invested
- Start with an amount that feels manageable
- Speak to a trusted professional if you need guidance
“You’re not expected to be an expert on day one,” she says. “What matters most is taking that first step and learning as you go.”
Like so many milestones in life, the first step into investing can feel like the hardest one. But it’s also the moment that opens the door to new possibilities.
Whether you’re motivated by long-term security, future goals, or simply making your money work harder, starting small and building confidence over time can make investing feel far more accessible than many people realise.
To learn more about investing and explore whether a Stocks and Shares ISA could be right for you, visit NatWest for guidance and information.
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