What if your money is sleeping while inflation attacks your future?

You have saved CHF 100,000. That’s a nice sum. But if you leave it simply in a bank account for ten years, it might only have CHF 85,000 in real value. Inflation acts like a quiet leak in the tank: slow, but steady.

Investing is not playing roulette. It’s about protecting, growing, and giving purpose to your money. It’s going from being a passive saver to a builder of the future. The good news? It’s never too late to start.

Why invest?

1. Protect your purchasing power

Even moderate inflation erodes the value of your savings over the years. A regular return, even modest, helps neutralize this silent erosion. Investing is keeping control of your purchasing power over time.

2. Let time work for you

The effect of compound interest is often called the "eighth wonder of the world." It’s simple: the interest generated one year produces interest itself in the following years. The result? A capital that grows exponentially over time.

3. Achieve your life goals

Prepare for your retirement. Finance your children's education. Buy a second home. Create financial independence. All these projects require capital… which investment can help you build methodically.

Where to start when you don’t know much?

1. Build an emergency fund

Before any investment, start by building an emergency fund. Ideally? Between three and six months of current expenses. This protects you in case of unexpected events and prevents you from having to sell an investment under poor conditions.

2. Clarify your goals

Why do you want to invest? Over what period? For what amount? Clarity about your goals is the foundation of a coherent strategy. For example: “I want to invest CHF 50,000 to finance a project in 10 years.”

3. Define your risk tolerance

Investment is never without risk. But there is a difference between investing cautiously and playing at the casino. Some profiles will prioritize stability, while others will seek higher returns, even accepting more fluctuations.

What strategy to adopt?

There are generally three types of investor profiles:

• Conservative: prioritizes security, low but stable returns.

  
  

• Balanced: a combination of secure and dynamic assets for a good compromise.

  
  

• Dynamic: seeks performance, with more volatile investments.

  
  

Your age, family situation, investment horizon, and psychology regarding risk will naturally influence this choice.

What financial products to start with?

1. Investment funds

These are baskets of assets managed by professionals. Ideal for beginners, since they allow access to a great diversification with a relatively low entry ticket.

2. ETFs (index funds)

Simple, transparent, low-cost: these products track the performance of an index (like the SMI or MSCI World). Perfect for long-term investment.

3. Stocks and bonds

These are the traditional pillars of investing. Stocks are riskier but potentially more profitable. Bonds are more stable but often offer lower returns. Investing directly in these instruments requires a minimum of monitoring.

Should I seek guidance?

You don’t need a PhD in finance to invest well. But being well advised can make all the difference. A good advisor helps you avoid pitfalls, build a personalized strategy, and adjust your choices over time.

In conclusion: don’t wait for the “right time” to start

Waiting for the right time to invest often means waiting too long. Investing is not about perfect timing, but about discipline and consistency.

By investing wisely, you turn your money into leverage. Leverage for more freedom, more security, more future.