As freelancers, we’re responsible not only for finding clients and doing great work but also for planning our own financial future. Unlike traditional employees, we don’t have an employer taking care of our retirement savings which makes investing even more crucial.

Over the years, I’ve developed a simple, calm, and long-term approach to investing that has worked well for me. It’s built on three core principles:

Long-term thinking

I don’t care much about short-term market noise. My focus is decades, not months. The goal is to grow wealth steadily over time without stressing about daily stock movements.

Steady contributions

I try to invest consistently around 10–15% of my income, no matter what’s happening in the market. Automating this helps. At the same time, I maintain a cash position as a safety net giving me couple months of runway in case projects slow down or markets take a dive.

Balanced portfolio

I like to balance “safe” with “risk-on” assets. My portfolio includes:

Stocks like Amazon, Allianz, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Nvidia among others.

ETF: Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend for broad diversification and stability.

Crypto: Primarily Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

Since starting this journey, my overall performance has grown by more than 300%. The biggest gains have come from single stocks and crypto, though that naturally comes with higher volatility. ETFs, on the other hand, offer a much smoother and less stressful ride.

If you’re new to investing, start simple. Begin with DCA (Dollar Cost Averaging) into a broad ETF. Once you’re comfortable and have built some confidence, you can gradually experiment with individual assets.

Whatever you do, never trade with leverage. It’s a fast way to lose money, and it’s not necessary for building long-term wealth.

Why start early

Investing can feel intimidating, especially when you’re young or just starting out. But the earlier you begin, the stronger the compound effect works in your favour, meaning your money earns returns, and those returns start earning returns. Time truly is the greatest advantage an investor has. I wished someone would have pressed me on this when I was younger.

So keep it simple, stay consistent, and give your money time to grow.

Disclaimer: This article reflects personal opinions and experiences. It’s not financial advice. I’m not a certified financial expert, just a freelancer sharing what has worked for me.