‘Single pringle’? This is how to invest in yourself

Singles’ Day, celebrated on November 11 each year, was all about celebrating independence. And what’s more empowering than financial independence – knowing your future is in your own hands?

Singles’ Day originated in China as a celebration of singledom. Over the years, it’s evolved into a global moment to embrace independence and live with purpose. Being single means you have complete control. You get to decide what your financial plan looks like, what you’re working towards, and how you’ll get there. It’s about your goals, your values and your timelines. That’s freedom – if you use it intentionally.

You’re your own safety net, but that also means you’re your own biggest opportunity. When you diversify and stay consistent, you’re using your independence to your advantage – turning volatility into stability and freedom into long-term confidence.

Just start

If you didn’t start on Singles’ Day, now is the perfect time to invest in yourself. The most important step is to simply to start. If you’re earning and can put some money away, start. When you invest, your money earns returns, and those returns earn returns.

That’s the magic of compounding – small, regular contributions that quietly build long-term freedom. It’s not only about the numbers. You’re training yourself to pay your future self first, to delay gratification and to think long term. That discipline protects you and helps you move closer to your goals.

Write down what you’re investing for – maybe it’s a property deposit, a travel fund or an early-retirement cushion. Seeing your progress builds motivation and confidence.

Take the risk

Many people feel they “can’t afford” taking a risk on one income. But there’s risk in not taking risks. If you sit in cash forever, inflation quietly eats away at your future returns.

Risk isn’t gambling or chasing hype. It’s giving yourself the chance to grow. Markets fluctuate, and that’s normal. Time in the market is what matters. If you know you don’t need to disinvest in a year or two, you don’t have to panic every time the market drops. Your investments have time to recover.

Buy the market

Diversification is critical for long-term protection and growth. When, for example, you invest in an exchange traded fund that tracks a broad market index, you’re getting exposure to a whole basket of companies in one go and not investing all your money in one business.

That broad-market approach is especially powerful when you’re single and carrying all the responsibility yourself. By spreading your exposure, you’re building something that can work in the background while you live your life.

And it’s accessible. You don’t need thousands of rand to start. On some platforms, you can invest small amounts – from as little as R10 – and that still buys you a slice of the full fund. That’s how you get in early.

Also, think about liquidity and flexibility. Have investments you can access if life happens, but keep a portion growing for the long term. Balance is everything.

Invest with purpose

The best portfolios reflect your values as much as your goals. Ask yourself what you stand for, then invest accordingly. Whether it’s sustainability, inclusion or innovation, your money can reflect your values. If you’re passionate about it, you’re more likely to stick with it.

Consistency is confidence

When you invest consistently – even small amounts – you’re putting yourself first.

Here are some rules for single earners:

• Automate it. Set up a debit order. Treat it like a payment to yourself.
• Increase it. If your salary climbs by 5%, your debit order should increase by 5%.
• Keep showing up. Some months you can’t invest, and that’s fine. Just come back and contribute when you can.
• Use tax-efficient tools. Tax-free accounts let your growth compound without the future tax burden.

You don’t have to be perfect – you just have to keep going.

Freedom is the goal

Investing is a form of self-respect. Saving keeps you afloat; investing builds the life you want 10, 20, 30 years from now. It’s your way of saying: “I’ve got my own back.”

So yes, treat yourself, but also back yourself. Set your goals, invest with purpose and build the freedom to live life entirely on your own terms.

Lauren Jacobs is a senior portfolio manager at Satrix, overseeing the portfolio management of the firm’s index-tracking funds. She began her career in 2006 at Summit Fund Solutions before moving to Investec Wealth Management and later Sanlam Investments, where she was part of the investment professionals’ development programme.

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