SHOW / EPISODE

What I’d Do With My First $500 If I Started Investing Today: My Step-by-Step Plan for 2026

47m | Sep 23, 2026

If Anthony O’Neal had to start investing from scratch in September 2026, this is exactly how he’d do it. 


Anthony breaks down his simple 80/20 investing strategy, what he would do with his first $500, where to find extra money in your existing budget, and why waiting for the “perfect” time to enter the market could cost you years of growth. He also explains the order of accounts he would prioritize, how an emergency fund protects your investments, and how consistently investing just $107 a month could potentially grow into more than $250,000 over 30 years. This episode is a practical roadmap for anyone who wants to stop overthinking investing and start building real wealth with the money they have today.


MENTIONED HERE



KEY POINTS 

00:00 – Introduction: How Anthony would invest his first $500 using an 80/20 strategy

03:38 – Why you can apply the same investing formula even if you only have $25 or $100

05:47 – Why boring, low-cost index funds can become the foundation of long-term wealth

18:04 – How to find your first $500 without getting a raise or starting a side hustle

18:25 – Four everyday expenses that may be quietly eating up your investing money

28:13 – Why an all-time market high is not automatically a reason to wait

31:27 – Why an emergency fund gives you the ability to stay invested when markets fall

35:37 – The order Anthony recommends: 401(k) match → Roth IRA → brokerage account

37:17 – How $107 a month could potentially grow to roughly $252,000 over 30 years

40:02 – The 3 investing mistakes that can destroy a good strategy



QUOTES: 


“The schedule is the strategy, and your feelings are not.” – Anthony O’Neal 


“Your emergency fund is not a savings goal. It's what buys you the right to hold on. It protects your peace.” – Anthony O’Neal


“Time in the market beats the amount you put in every single time.” – Anthony O’Neal


ABOUT ANTHONY ONEAL:

Anthony O'Neal is a nationally bestselling author, speaker, and host of The Table with Anthony O'Neal. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance & Banking and is a professor of Consumer Economics at Virginia Union University. Since 2014, he's helped millions of people get out of debt, build wealth, and break generational poverty. His mission is to help you maximize your income, eliminate debt, and create a life of freedom and legacy.


📅 BOOK ANTHONY TO SPEAK AT YOUR EVENT: bookings@anthonyoneal.com 

🤝 SPONSOR THE TABLE PODCAST: partnerships@anthonyoneal.com 


Connect With Anthony:

👉 Website: https://www.anthonyoneal.com 

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyoneal 

🎵 TikTok: @_anthonyoneal 


FREE TOOLS & RESOURCES:

📊 Budgeting & Wealth Tracker: https://www.anthonyoneal.com/wealthbudget 

🧠 Book a FREE 15-Minute Financial Plan: https://www.anthonyoneal.com/getmyplan 

📞 Call In & Be On The Show: (771)-224-8131


TRUSTED PARTNERS:


These tools help you win with money:

- SoFi High-Yield Savings (Earn 4.6% APY): https://anthonyoneal.com/savings 

- Dovly (Credit repair made simple): https://www.anthonyoneal.com/dovly 

- Kikoff (Build credit the smart way): https://www.anthonyoneal.com/kikoff 

- MooMoo (Start investing + get 5 FREE stocks): https://www.anthonyoneal.com/moomoo 

- Ethos Life Insurance (Term life in minutes): https://link.anthonyoneal.com/ethos 

- BetterHelp (Affordable online therapy): https://link.anthonyoneal.com/betterhelp 


Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Many offer special discounts for my community!


⚠️ GENERAL DISCLAIMER

This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. I am not a licensed financial advisor. Please do your own research and consult a certified professional before making financial decisions.



Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Paused
Audio Player Image
The Table with Anthony ONeal
Loading...