Do you feel that there is too much month left at the end of the money? That the cycle between payday, bills, sherehe, and more payday is never ending? Then there’s a problem.

The path to Financial Independence is open, but not many choose to take it. Acknowledging that you have a financial problem and choosing to act on it is the first and second step in the investment journey.

It is sometimes difficult to identify that there is a problem. Take this example, you wake up with a raging headache in the morning. You may choose to take a painkiller to make it go away, or go to the hospital to find out what the problem is; two solutions, one problem. The difference is in one, you feel you know the problem, and in the other, you do not, so you seek the answer.

That is what I am doing, providing diagnoses on your financial health.

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying life as it comes but doing so responsibly and having enough left for your grand plan is where the real problem is, let’s not kid ourselves. So, what can you do about it?

Find a plan for your money. And how do you find this plan? Through investing,

So, how on earth do you start investing?

It is not an easy journey, for one. The investing process is slow, daunting, and at times, frustrating, but with great patience comes great reward (and you can take that to the bank, in more ways than one).

Investing is not a get rich quick scheme, it’s a plan that grows in consistency and is nurtured by the investor until it is able to meet their satisfaction.

Step One: Know Your Cost

Coming up with an estimated monthly budget is a necessity. Of course, the first month will be trial and error as you find out how much to spend on daily amenities, bills, and enjoyment here and there, but it will take off as soon as you gain enough traction. Paying off debt also comes in this stage. You cannot invest without paying your dues first.

Step Two: Pay Yourself

The trick is to pay yourself first. In investment, that is. Before settling anything else, set aside a sum you can afford to, that you will not use at all. That becomes your investment fund.

Step Three: Make It Multiply

As soon as you start setting aside cash, look for ways you can make it grow. There are investment opportunities everywhere that can give you good returns, all you have to do is set out to find them.

Step Four: Have A Goal

Have a goal in mind as you start investing. For some it may be to start their own business, to build a home, to travel the world, to retire early…

Or maybe you may not have something specific you’re saving up for, but you know you want to invest to fulfil a purpose which will get clearer along the way. That’s okay! It’s still a goal!

Whatever goal you have set out for yourself is your motivation to keep feeding your investment. Having a goal keeps you grounded, since you know what you’re working towards. Sometimes they may change as needs change, which s a normal procedure in life, but that does not mean your attitude towards the investment should as well.

Our visions of grandeur are our drivers in life. investing is the first step to financial independence and there’s no going back once you hit that stage. It will be a build up of what you do from now, no matter how early or late it may seem. Four steps isn’t much and the returns are definitely worth it.