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Last Updated: January 2025 | 5 minute read

Start Here: Your First £100 Investment

Feeling overwhelmed by investing? You're not alone. Over 64% of young UK investors who lost money in crypto or meme stocks are now looking for safer options. If you have £100 and want to start investing wisely, this guide is for you.

Your £100 Investment Options (Ranked by Beginner-Friendliness)

1. Gold Investment (Easiest Start)
Best for beginners
Gold has been valuable for thousands of years. It's simple to understand - you buy it, you own it.

Your options with £100:

  • Digital Gold (Simplest): Buy through Royal Mint DigiGold - start from just £25
  • Physical Gold: 1g gold bar (around £70-80) + delivery
  • Gold ETF: Buy shares in a gold fund through your ISA

✅ Best for: Complete beginners who want something tangible and stable

2. Stocks & Shares ISA
Tax-free growth on investments up to £20,000 per year

Your options with £100:

  • • Open with providers like Vanguard (£500 minimum) or Trading 212 (no minimum)
  • • Buy index funds that track the FTSE 100
  • • Automatic diversification across many companies

✅ Best for: Those comfortable with some risk for potential higher returns

3. Premium Bonds
Your money is safe and you could win up to £1 million

Your options with £100:

  • • Minimum investment is exactly £100
  • • Backed by HM Treasury (100% safe)
  • • Chance to win tax-free prizes instead of interest

✅ Best for: Those who hate risk but want better than savings account returns

4. High-Interest Savings
Instant access to your money

Current best rates:

  • • Easy access: ~5% (Chase, Marcus)
  • • Fixed 1-year: ~5.5%

❌ Downside: After inflation, you're likely losing money

🏆 Our Recommendation: Start with Gold

Here's why gold is ideal for your first £100 investment:

No risk of company bankruptcy (unlike stocks)
VAT-free on investment gold in the UK
Historically preserves value against inflation
Start with as little as £25 via digital platforms

📱 How to Buy Your First Gold in Under 5 Minutes

Option 1: Digital Gold (Recommended for Beginners)

  1. 1. Go to Royal Mint DigiGold

    • • No minimum investment
    • • Your gold is stored in their secure vault
    • • Buy and sell 24/7

  2. 2. Create Account (2 minutes)

    • • Basic details required
    • • No complex verification

  3. 3. Buy Gold (1 minute)

    • • Enter £100
    • • Confirm purchase
    • • You now own gold!
Option 2: Physical Gold Coin

  1. 1. Choose a UK Gold Sovereign (around £450) or save until you have more

    • • These are Capital Gains Tax free when you sell
    • • Hold a piece of history

  2. 2. Order from reputable dealer:

    • • BullionByPost (UK's largest)
    • • The Royal Mint (official source)
    • • Hatton Garden Metals (competitive prices)

📈 What Happens Next?

After 1 Month

You'll see daily price changes. Don't panic - this is normal.

After 1 Year

You'll understand market movements better. Consider adding another £100.

After 5 Years

Historical data shows gold typically preserves purchasing power. You'll be glad you started.

🎓 Your Next Steps

  1. 1Choose your investment (we recommend starting with gold)
  2. 2Set up your account (5 minutes)
  3. 3Make your first £100 investment
  4. 4Read our platform comparison guide for deeper knowledge
  5. 5Set a monthly reminder to invest another £50-100

💡 Final Thought

The best investment you can make is starting. While others debate and delay, you'll be building wealth. Your future self will thank you for starting with just £100 today.

Ready to start? Here are our trusted partners for UK gold investment:

Disclaimer: This is educational content, not personal financial advice. Investments can go down as well as up. Only invest money you can afford to lose.