Article
How I started investing: Wealthsimple and Questrade
For years, all my money had the same destination: back into the business. Buying more inventory, paying for the counter, supporting my kids. Selling well isn't the same as growing the money you've already earned — that was a distinction that took me a while to understand.
When I arrived in Canada, I decided selling was no longer enough. I had to learn to make my money work too, not just me.
Why Wealthsimple first
I started with Wealthsimple because it's simple, literally. The interface is clear, getting started is quick, and you don't need to be a finance expert to understand what you're doing. For someone coming from the world of selling physical products, that simplicity matters more than it seems.
Why I added Questrade later
Over time I wanted more control over my investment decisions, not just an automated system. Questrade gave me that — a platform where I decide what to buy and when, with more tools and more responsibility for each decision.
Selling gives you money. Investing gives you time.
What I learned along the way
I didn't start with much. I started with the same discipline I used to sell shampoo door to door: a little, consistently, without expecting immediate results. That habit — of continuing to show up — turned out to be the same skill, applied to a different field.
Before investing: the base I needed first
Coming from business, my instinct was to put every dollar to work right away. What I learned is that investing only works on top of a stable base:
- An emergency cushion. Money set aside for surprises, so you never have to sell investments at a bad moment to pay a bill.
- Business and personal money separated. If you can't tell what the business earns, you can't tell what you can afford to invest.
- High-interest debt under control. Paying off a credit card that charges high interest is often a better "return" than most investments.
Understanding the accounts in Canada
One of the first things I had to learn was that in Canada the type of account matters as much as what you buy inside it. The most common registered accounts are the TFSA, the RRSP and the FHSA, each with its own rules, contribution limits and tax treatment, set by the Canada Revenue Agency. Both Wealthsimple and Questrade offer these accounts. I explain them in more detail in my Wealthsimple article and my Questrade article.
Habits that helped me more than any tip
- A fixed amount, on a fixed day. Investing a set amount regularly removed the temptation to guess the "right moment."
- Looking at fees. Commissions, currency conversion and fund fees seem small, but over years they add up.
- Not checking every day. The market moves daily. My plan doesn't need to.
- Learning before buying. If I can't explain in one sentence what I'm buying and why, I don't buy it yet.
The same discipline that kept my businesses alive — show up, measure, adjust — turned out to be the one that matters most with money too.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to start investing?
Many Canadian platforms let you start with small amounts. What matters more than the first amount is the habit of adding regularly.
Should I pay off debt before investing?
It depends on the interest rate. High-interest debt, like a credit card balance, usually costs more than what most investments earn, so paying it off first often makes sense. Low-interest debt is a different conversation.
Is investing the same as trading?
No. Investing usually means buying and holding for years. Trading means buying and selling often, trying to profit from short-term moves — it's riskier and needs much more time and knowledge.
Can I lose money?
Yes. All investments carry risk, and their value can go down as well as up. That's why it's important to invest money you won't need soon and to understand what you buy.
This is my personal experience, not financial advice. Before investing, do your research and decide what makes sense for your own situation.