How much money should I start with when investing in stocks? 🤔 It's a question I often hear from friends who want to enter the stock market but are afraid they need a lot of money.

Actually, the minimum for buying stocks in the Thai market is 100 shares, so it's easy to calculate. If the stock price is 20 baht, then you need about 2,000 baht plus a little commission. You don't need a large starting capital as you might think, but you should choose the right account.

If you're a beginner, I recommend opening a Cash Balance Account. It's straightforward—only buy what you can afford with the money you have. No need to overthink. It's different from a Margin account, which is more complex. Margin accounts require learning about margin levels and collateral. They're more suitable for experienced investors.

For other options, if you want to start with very little capital, some people try trading CFDs instead. They use leverage, so with less money, they can trade more. The commissions are cheaper, but the risks are much higher. So, you need to learn more about it.

But no matter which channel you choose, I think the important thing is to invest with money you can afford to lose, not money you need for daily life. And you should have a plan—not just trading for fun. Basic knowledge about companies, financial figures, and acceptable risk levels are more important than how much you start with.