I’d invest £5k in cheap FTSE 100 shares to make a million and retire early

If you want to make a million from the stock market and retire early, use the crash to load up on cheap FTSE 100 shares.

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.

Right now, investors can choose from a host of cheap FTSE 100 shares. This gives you a great opportunity to top up your Stocks and Shares ISA allowance. If you do that year after year, you could put yourself in the perfect position to retire early and enjoy the years thereafter.

Making a tax-free million inside an ISA can be done, but it’ll take time. So put aside all dreams of overnight riches. Investing £5k won’t generate a million on its own, obviously, but it will push you a little further along the path.

Anybody who approaches the stock market with a get-rich-quick mentality will make bad decisions. You need to take a long-term view, and buy cheap FTSE 100 shares when you can. The current stock market crash offers an opportunity.

Plan now to make a million

That’s because it gives you the opportunity to buy cheap FTSE 100 shares at much lower valuations than just a couple of months ago.

The FTSE 100 has recovered since dipping below 5,000 in March. As I write, the stock market rebound has driven it to nearly 6,000, a rise of 20%. Those who took advantage of the initial crash will be that bit closer to making a million.

Building a £1m ISA portfolio is a mighty task to set yourself, and you can’t afford to hang around. If you see a chance to buy cheap FTSE 100 shares, you should take it. That means investing your £5k, or any other sum, when you can.

You can invest up to £20,000 this year inside an ISA. That may be beyond many people’s reach, but do your best. The more you put away each year, the better your chances of making a million-pound ISA.

Buy cheap FTSE 100 shares today

To make a million, I’d start with a spread of FTSE 100 stocks, focusing on companies that should survive the coronavirus in relatively good shape. I’d look for strong balance sheets, loyal customers, and a competitive ‘moat’ that discourages competitors. If you can find a company that’s continuing to pay its dividend, that may also indicate financial strength. 

If aiming to make a million, the dividend is one of your best friends. If you reinvest these for growth, compound interest will power your portfolio forwards.

The global economy will take a massive hit this year, and may not return to full vigour until well into next year. However, I wouldn’t wait until then before you start buying cheap FTSE 100 shares, otherwise you could miss the first leg of the economic recovery.

Also, it takes time to make a million pound ISA portfolio. We are talking decades. The earlier you start, the longer you have, and you the better your chances of success. Good luck!

Harvey Jones has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. 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

British pound data
Investing Articles

Starting with nothing? Here’s why now is the perfect time to start building a passive income

Many are worried that 2026 might be a bad time to start investing in stocks and shares. Our Foolish author…

Read more »

ISA coins
Investing Articles

Decided not to bother with a Stocks and Shares ISA? You might be missing these 3 things!

With a fresh annual allowance for contributing to a Stocks and Shares ISA upon us, what might people who don't…

Read more »

GSK scientist holding lab syringe
Investing Articles

Why is everyone buying GSK shares?

GSK shares have been outperforming the FTSE 100 in 2026. Paul Summers takes a closer look and asks whether this…

Read more »

Middle-aged white man pulling an aggrieved face while looking at a screen
Investing Articles

£10,000 invested in easyJet shares at the start of 2026 is now worth…

Anyone buying easyJet shares will have endured a rough ride since January. Paul Summers wonders whether things could get even…

Read more »

Close-up of a woman holding modern polymer ten, twenty and fifty pound notes.
Investing Articles

5 years ago, £5,000 bought 2,645 Barclays shares. But how many would it buy now?

Despite delivering an impressive return since April 2021, Barclays' shares have lagged the FTSE 100's other banks. James Beard considers…

Read more »

Side of boat fuelled by gas to liquids, advertising Shell GTL Fuel
Investing Articles

5 years ago, £5,000 bought 354 Shell shares. But how many would it buy now?

When it comes to Shell’s numbers, most of them are impressive. And it’s no different when looking at the recent…

Read more »

A rear view of a female in a bright yellow coat walking along the historic street known as The Shambles in York, UK which is a popular tourist destination in this Yorkshire city.
Investing Articles

I asked ChatGPT if I should buy Aviva, Diageo or BAE Systems stock and it said…

Aviva, Diageo and BAE Systems shares are popular FTSE 100 picks. But which of the three does ChatGPT like the…

Read more »

Tesla car at super charger station
Investing Articles

SpaceX’s IPO threatens to leave the Tesla share price on the forecourt

As Elon Musk starts fuelling the engines for a SpaceX IPO, could the Tesla share price get left in the…

Read more »