4 Investing Fears—and How to Beat Them

The Four Most Common Investing Fears—and How to Move Through Them

Every serious investor encounters fear. In fact, many first-timers ask the same question: Am I making a huge mistake? Here are the four most common fears I hear—and how you can overcome them:

1. Fear of Losing Money 

The #1 barrier to investing? Fear of loss. But what if a *better* concern is: What am I NOT getting to do because I am waiting....waiting to learn, waiting to research, waiting until I find that 'right' deal? What if the real loss is in not taking action and MISSING out on the learning experience of investing AS you are learning?

Overcome it by:

• Starting small with diversified assets like real estate or index funds .

• Focusing long-term. While markets dip, history shows they rebound Saxo Bank+1Investopedia+1.

• Protecting your downside with emergency cash—so temporary shifts don’t derail your future.

2. Fear of the Unknown or Complexity

Big finance terms, confusing platforms… it can feel like you need a PhD before you begin. Research by Wealthify shows 66 % of people say investing “makes them nervous” AES International+2LinkedIn+2MoneyWeek+2wealthify.com.

Overcome it by:

• Starting with simple vehicles like index funds or real estate.

• Learning one concept at a time, not everything at once.

• Asking questions—we’re built for community, not cryptic jargon.

3. Lack of Knowledge

Many feel they need more know-how before making a move. Yet, learning is a process.

Overcome it by:

• Partnering with other investors and utilizing mentors or a community (like MomU).

• Joining real-world experiences—workshops, meetups, retreats.

• Learning by doing, not just reading or consuming content.

4. Fear of Making Mistakes or Analysis Paralysis

This happens when you’re caught between too many options—or terrified of picking the “wrong” one. As Barclays notes, overthinking is a major obstacle .

Overcome it by:

• Automating decisions: set a regular investing plan and stick with it.

• Embracing 'good enough': no strategy is perfect. Consistency matters more.

• Celebrating progress, not perfection.

✅ Your Next Step

You're not alone in these fears—but you don’t have to stay stuck.

Here’s a simple path forward:

1. Pick one fear you're ready to face.

2. Choose one small action to move forward (e.g., attend a meetup, open an investing account, ask a mentor your question).

3. Share your experience—with your MomU community, a friend, or in the comments below.

Over time, each small step builds confidence, clarity, and momentum—until the fear that once held you back becomes fuel.

At MomU, we walk this path together. Through live events, mentoring, and peer support, we help women move from “I don’t know” to “I’m doing it.” If you're ready to face one fear—and finally invest in your future—let’s take that step together.

-Rachel

*Pic is of me from of my FIRST meetup events! It is a speed-dating style of networking and you get to find all the contractors at events like this! Totally worth attending these even if you don't love talking to people since it's the fastest way to jump your learning curve!