How I’d start investing with little money

Not only is it possible to invest with little money, it’s also possible to increase the capital base. Here’s how. 

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

First things first, I can start investing with little money.

This is one good reason to start investing in stocks today, in fact. There’s a range of shares to choose from. These can allow me the flexibility to choose the amount I want to invest, even if it’s little. 

The next step is to choose where to invest my money. For me, the target would be to grow my capital base. And one of the fastest ways of doing that is by buying growth stocks. 

But if I’m going to start investing with little money, I wouldn’t buy just any growth stocks. I’d focus on those that are cheap but also relatively low-risk.

Here are examples of five stocks I can invest in today even with little money.

#1. Rentokil Initial: safe and growing 

The FTSE 100 hygienist and pest control provider has been a safe-haven investment in 2020. Its demand is relatively secure, and in fact, after the pandemic may even rise faster than it would have otherwise. 

The best part is that a single share of Rentokil Initial costs less than £5 today. The downside is that unlike other FTSE 100 stocks it hasn’t brought back dividends. It had stopped paying them when Covid-19 struck last year. So, passive income is ruled out for now. 

#2. BP: oil could be in for better times

Even cheaper than RTO is the FTSE 100 oil biggie BP, whose share price is at sub-£3 levels at present. I think the long-term future of oil faces a big question mark, but for the next few years I think it’s safe to say that oil is a safe stock. As we get closer to ending the pandemic, oil prices have started rising and as we go back to our old lives and travel restarts, oil demand should rise too. 

In fact, according to some leading forecasters, we are now at the start of a commodity supercycle. This means that commodities across metals, oil, and agriculture should see a boom. BP share price could benefit as a result. 

It also pays a dividend, and has a healthy yield of 5.5%, allowing me to make both capital gains as well as a passive income. 

The only catch to oil stocks is that the future of polluting industries faces a question mark. It’s trying to pivot towards green energy but how far it’s able to pull that off is also a question mark. This is more a stock for two to three years than a long drawn out timeframe. 

#3. Tritax Big Box REIT: benefiting from the online sales boom

At a share price of sub-£2, Tritax Big Box is an investment for the long haul. The online sales boom has impacted this REIT positively, which focuses on warehousing solutions. As online sales increase more, I think it will continue to benefit. 

The only drawback here is that it’s UK focused, which means that it’s vulnerable to an extended slowdown if there’s one. Also like RTO, it doesn’t offer a dividend. 

Manika Premsingh owns shares of BP and Rentokil Initial. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Tritax Big Box REIT. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

A senior man and his wife holding hands walking up a hill on a footpath looking away from the camera at the view. The fishing village of Polperro is behind them.
Investing Articles

Is 50 too old to start buying shares?

Christopher Ruane explains why 'better late than never' is key to his thinking about whether 50's too old to start…

Read more »

Two male friends are out in Tynemouth, North East UK. They are walking on a sidewalk and pushing their baby sons in strollers. They are wearing warm clothing.
Investing Articles

Here’s what £150 a month in a Junior ISA could be worth by 2045…

You might be surprised to learn by how large a Junior ISA portfolio could become inside 20 years from modest…

Read more »

Investing Articles

This red hot equity fund in my SIPP returned 12.6% in the first 2 months of 2026

This global equity fund is delivering huge returns for Edward Sheldon’s SIPP in 2026, despite all the risks and uncertainty…

Read more »

Friends at the bay near the village of Diabaig on the side of Loch Torridon in Wester Ross, Scotland. They are taking a break from their bike ride to relax and chat. They are laughing together.
Investing Articles

Want to retire richer? Here’s Warren Buffett’s golden rule to build wealth

If you want to build wealth for a richer retirement, then following Warren Buffett’s golden rule might be the best…

Read more »

Black woman using smartphone at home, watching stock charts.
Investing Articles

Get ready for stock market volatility…

As conflict in the Middle East makes share prices fluctuate, what strategies can investors use to try and find opportunities…

Read more »

British Isles on nautical map
Investing Articles

Why the FTSE 100 fell almost 5% this week

Declines in mining shares dragged the FTSE 100 down after a strong start to the year. Is the pullback an…

Read more »

Middle aged businesswoman using laptop while working from home
Investing Articles

How much do you need to invest in US stocks to earn a £2,000 monthly passive income?

Is it possible to target several thousand pounds of passive income each month by buying US growth stocks? Absolutely –…

Read more »

A mature woman help a senior woman out of a car as she takes her to the shops.
Investing Articles

How big does your ISA need to be to earn £1,000 a month in passive income?

Andrew Mackie explains how a long-term ISA strategy can help investors build a chunky £12,000 passive income in less than…

Read more »