How do I start investing with a small amount of money?

The best starting point for most people is their employer's 401(k) — contribute at least enough to capture the full employer match before investing anywhere else. That match is an immediate guaranteed return of 50–100% on your contribution. If you do not have a 401(k) or have maxed the match, open a Roth IRA (if you are income-eligible) or a Traditional IRA and invest in a single broad-market index fund or a target-date fund. Most major brokerages (Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab) have no account minimums and offer fractional shares, so you can start with as little as $1. The most important step is simply starting — time in the market matters more than timing the market.