Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
How to Stop Thinking Like a Saver and Start Thinking Like an Investor
Ruby Layram
21st Jul 2025
Are you great at saving money… but not so great at growing it?
If you’ve got a tidy little sum sitting in your savings account, earning next to nothing in interest, you’re not alone. Most of us were brought up to believe that saving is the safe and sensible thing to do. And for short-term goals like holidays, car repairs or emergency funds, it is.
But if you really want to build wealth, it’s time to change your mindset.
Because while savers protect money, investors grow it.
And in today’s world, thinking like an investor is how you move from surviving to thriving.
Also read: How to build a diversified investment portfolio
Why Saving Isn’t Enough Anymore
We’re not here to bash saving, it’s the foundation of any good financial plan. But when inflation is hovering around 3–4% and your savings account is offering a measly 1–2%, your money is quietly losing value.
In simple terms:
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£1,000 in a savings account today won’t buy you as much next year
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That’s thanks to inflation eating away at your purchasing power
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Meanwhile, investing gives your money the chance to grow faster than inflation
So if your goal is long-term,say, retirement, financial freedom, or even just a bigger nest egg — you’ll need more than a piggy bank.
your money is at risk.
The Key Differences Between Savers and Investors
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Mindset | Saver | Investor |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Security | Growth |
| Risk tolerance | Low | Balanced/Managed |
| Time horizon | Short-term | Medium to long-term |
| Strategy | Accumulate cash | Make money work for you |
| Emotion | Fear of loss | Patience and long view |
If you’ve always thought of yourself as “bad with risk” or “not ready to invest,” it might be more of a mental block than a financial one.
your money is at risk.
How to Start Thinking Like an Investor
Here are a few key mindset shifts to stop playing it small and start thinking like an investor.
1. Understand that risk isn’t a dirty word
A saver sees risk as something to avoid. An investor sees it as something to manage.
You don’t have to go all-in on crypto or growth stocks. There are smart, low-cost, diversified ways to invest, like index funds and ETFs, that can help you grow your money without losing sleep.
2. Get comfortable with the long game
Investing isn’t about making quick wins. It’s about building wealth slowly and steadily.
Savers often want to see immediate results. Investors trust in time and compound growth. Think 5, 10, 20 years ahead, not just next month.
3. Make your money work harder
Instead of focusing on what you can save, focus on what your money can earn.
Ask yourself: What’s the return on this £100 sitting in my bank account? Could it do better elsewhere?
Often, the answer is yes, particularly when invested in assets that grow over time.
4. Automate and educate
Want to act like an investor without having to think about it every day?
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Set up a monthly direct debit into an investing app
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Start with £25 or £50, it doesn’t need to be loads
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Read up on the basics (our beginner guides are a great place to start!)
Apps like eToro, XTB, and Moneybox make it easy to invest small amounts regularly with very little effort.
5. Diversify instead of hoarding
Savers like to keep everything in one place (usually a bank account). Investors spread their money around.
Think global index funds, a few well-researched ETFs, maybe even a slice of real estate investment (REITs). The idea is to reduce risk by not putting all your eggs in one basket.
your money is at risk.
Start Small, Just Start
If you’ve never invested before, that first step can feel terrifying. But the truth is, you don’t have to be rich to get started. You just have to start.
Even £10–£25 a month can add up massively over time, especially when reinvested.
Start with a small amount, automate it, and watch as you slowly make the mindset shift from saving to growing.
Also read: How to invest with dollar cost averaging
Final Thoughts
Being a saver is a brilliant trait, it shows you’re disciplined and financially aware. But if you really want to future-proof your finances, it’s time to level up.
Think like an investor. Focus on growth. Play the long game.
And remember, you don’t need to be an expert, just consistent.
your money is at risk.
Great right up keep it y
Very good piece on investment.Im going to go beyond savings. Thanks for this advice.It has taken me somewhere.
Informative and simply put.