Starting early: Thando’s investing journey at 18

At just 22, Thando Nzimande already has something many investors take years to develop: a clear mindset about money.

A third-year BCom Accounting student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Thando is working towards becoming a chartered accountant. Alongside his studies, he’s been steadily building the habit of saving and investing – a journey he began the moment he turned 18.

For Thando, investing is about learning early, building discipline, and setting himself up for the future.

A conscious spender and saver

Growing up, Thando says his relationship with money was fairly simple. Earning his own spending money while studying taught him an important early lesson: if you want to enjoy life, you need to earn and manage your money.

“I am a spender,” he admits. “But I am also a conscious saver.”

His parents also played an important role in shaping his mindset. Seeing them manage household finances and ensure their children were cared for and educated helped him understand the value of responsibility with money.

At the same time, Thando began immersing himself in the world of finance. He listened to podcasts, watched videos, and followed stories of entrepreneurs and investors building wealth.

“I always give myself room to become knowledgeable about money,” he explains.

The moment he decided to start investing

For Thando, the decision to invest came early.

“I remember thinking: once I turn 18, I want to start saving and investing.”

Soon after his birthday, he discovered Franc through a YouTube video explaining how the platform works. The simplicity of the app made it feel like an accessible place to begin.

He opened an account and started experimenting with small amounts while learning how investing works.

At first, like many new investors, he was drawn to the idea of quick gains. But over time he realised that investing and trading are very different.

“That was one of my biggest lessons,” he says. “Investing is the long game. You have to trust the process and be patient.”

Learning how investing really works

Four years into his investing journey, Thando says the biggest shift came when he truly understood the power of compound growth.

Once he started calculating potential returns and tracking percentages, things clicked.

As a student, his income is limited to allowances and occasional earnings. But instead of waiting until he has a full-time salary, he’s focused on building the right habits now.

The habits that keep him consistent

Over time, Thando has developed a few simple habits that keep his finances on track.

1. Invest as soon as money comes in
When he receives his monthly allowance, the first thing he does is allocate a portion to his savings and investment goals.“Regardless of what happens, that money has to go there first,” he says.

2. Keep learning about investing
Thando regularly consumes financial content to improve his understanding of markets, investing strategies, and opportunities.

3. Surround himself with goal-driven friends
His friends share similar ambitions, and they motivate each other to stay focused on their goals. "We remind each other that we want to build something bigger in the future.”

4. Always have a rainy-day fund
Having savings set aside has already helped him during tough months when expenses ran higher than expected. “There was a time I realised I might not make it through the month,” he says. “Luckily I had savings to fall back on.”

Starting small but thinking long-term

Right now, Thando isn’t focused on massive financial goals yet.

Instead, he’s concentrating on building strong habits before he graduates and begins his professional career.

“I’m starting small,” he says. “But these habits will help me when I start earning a proper salary.”

His ambitions stretch far beyond just saving money. He hopes to eventually work internationally, possibly in industries connected to motorsport or luxury automotive brands.

But for now, his strategy is simple: keep learning, keep investing, and stay patient.

Advice for anyone afraid to start investing

For people who feel overwhelmed by investing, Thando’s advice is straightforward.

Start by learning.

“My advice is to grow your knowledge first,” he says. “When you understand what you’re doing, the fear starts to disappear.”

And most importantly, don’t wait for the perfect moment.

“There is no perfect time to invest,” he says. “Just start and play the long game.”