How investing $50 a week into ASX shares could make you a millionaire

Small investments can deliver big results over time.

| More on:
Man holding fifty Australian Dollar banknote in his hands, symbolising dividends, symbolising dividends.

Image source: Getty Images

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

For many young investors, the idea of building serious wealth through the share market can feel out of reach — especially when starting with just a small amount.

But what if I told you that investing as little as $50 a week into ASX shares could make a meaningful difference to your financial future?

Thanks to the power of compounding, even small, regular investments can snowball into something substantial over time.

Let's take a closer look.

Starting early with ASX shares makes all the difference

Imagine you're 21 years old and decide to invest $50 a week — roughly $200 a month — into a diversified portfolio of quality ASX shares or ASX ETFs.

Let's imagine that over time, these investments earn an average annual return of 10% — which, while not guaranteed, is broadly in line with the long-term returns of the Australian share market.

At first, the numbers might not seem all that impressive. After five years, your portfolio would be worth around $15,000. But fast forward to age 31, and it has grown to over $40,000. Keep going until you're 41, and that becomes around $140,000, all else equal.

Now here's where things really take off!

If you stick with it through to age 51, your portfolio could be worth around $415,000. And by the time you reach 61, you're looking at approximately $1.1 million — all from investing $50 a week for 40 years.

Why compounding works

Compounding is what happens when your investments generate returns — and then those returns go on to generate their own returns. It is like a snowball rolling down a hill: it starts small, but the longer it rolls, the more momentum it gains and the large it becomes.

And the best part? The earlier you start, the more powerful the effect becomes. That's why 21-year-olds who start investing now have such a big advantage — time is on their side.

Small habits, big rewards

You don't need to pick the next Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) or Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO), nor time the market perfectly. Simply setting up an automatic monthly investment into a low-cost ETF or a portfolio of reliable ASX shares can be enough to build serious wealth over time.

And if you ever find yourself with a little extra cash — say a tax refund or a bonus — adding that to your investments can help accelerate the compounding process even further.

Foolish takeaway

Investing $50 a week might not feel like much today, but over the course of a working life, it could become a life-changing amount of money. The key is to get started, stay consistent, and let time do the heavy lifting.

In the world of investing, the small decisions you make today could have a huge impact on your future.

Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

Scott just revealed what he believes could be the 'five best ASX stocks' for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Pro Medicus and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on How to invest

A group of young ASX investors sitting around a laptop with an older lady standing behind them explaining how investing works.
How to invest

Why it's a stock picker's market and how to maximise your returns

It pays to be selective in 2025.

Read more »

Person handing out $100 notes, symbolising ex-dividend date.
How to invest

How $500 a month in ASX shares could make you wealthy

Investing consistently could be the key to becoming rich in the future. Here's how.

Read more »

A woman in hammock with headphones on enjoying life which symbolises passive income.
How to invest

A new age: What safe-haven investments look like in 2025

Looking beyond the traditional definition.

Read more »

Smiling woman with her head and arm on a desk holding $100 notes out, symbolising dividends.
How to invest

How to earn $1,000 a month in passive income from ASX shares

Want a wage from the share market? Here's how to do it.

Read more »

Male hands holding Australian dollar banknotes, symbolising dividends.
How to invest

How to build a $250,000 ASX share portfolio by 2035

Here's how you could potentially reach $250k from zero in just a decade.

Read more »

A businesswoman weighs up the stack of cash she receives, with the pile in one hand significantly more than the other hand.
How to invest

How I'd build a $20,000 annual passive income stream from these top ASX 200 shares

To earn $20,000 a year in passive income, I’d start with these three ASX 200 shares.

Read more »

a smiling picture of legendary US investment guru Warren Buffett.
How to invest

Life after Warren Buffett: other successful investors still in the game worth following

With Warren Buffett retiring it’s time to look at some other investors delivering solid returns.  

Read more »

An older woman gazes over the top of her glasses with a quizzical expression as if she is considering some information.
How to invest

How to build an ASX ETF portfolio to match your risk profile

Time for a portfolio review?

Read more »