Investing is a lot like learning a new skill. The sooner you start, the more time you’ve to commit, grow and reap. A frequently asked question is ’What is the right time to start?’ Warren Buffet started at eleven and duly regrets starting too late.

In that case, when should you start investing? If you haven’t started financial planning and investing, it’s time to start now. The Ideal time to commence your investment journey would be the same time you start earning. Earning and investing should move ahead in parallel flow.

There are ample benefits to investing early. Here are some reasons why. 

1. Power of Compounding – Compounding interest is re-investing the interest or earnings at the same rate to the principal amount year on year. This will increase the principal amount and the wealth keeps growing. Compounding is nothing but interest on the interest which magnifies the growth over time. The frequency depends on the interest payout frequency.
2. Time Is the Real Deal – When money is given time, it gives you growth. It also gives you time to recover from any setbacks one may face due to the fluctuation of the market. When money is invested early on, one can take risk and invest in equities, which will give higher returns but not without the risk of high levels of fluctuation. Even with this fluctuation, it allows you to recover. 
3. Learn from Trial & Error – The best way to learn is from one’s mistakes and when you start investing early you have time to recover from any mistakes that you do. Do trial and error in the market by investing small amounts and if things go south, you haven’t lost much but if they are doing well, then you can invest additional money.
4. Higher Risk Tolerance – There is a saying “More the risk, more is the reward.” When one starts investing at a young age, one’s tolerance towards risk is higher. Time is on hand and one can recover from a loss with smart investment and knowing when to get out. 
5. Explore More Opportunities – When one starts their financial planning early on, they have the opportunity of exploring varied options for investment. Real Estate, Mutual Funds, Start Ups, Stocks and Shares, Bonds, PPF and others. There is no limit to explore as one has the cushion of time to recover from any bad choices one makes.
6. Inculcate the Habit of Saving – Warren Buffet said “Save First and Spend Later”. With this in mind, one can start using the “Pay Yourself First” strategy, which means one has made a provision for investment before they start paying their monthly expenses. This will ensure that you are not spending all your earnings without saving anything. “A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned”, another gem of a quote from Benjamin Franklin.

 By starting early, you are giving money Time, which even money cannot buy! It is advisable to start saving or investing when you start earning. This will lead to less stress and a happier life which you can continue into your golden years.