If you're a first-time investor staring at a sea of red on the share market and thinking that maybe you will wait until things look better, it might be worth thinking again.
Yes, the headlines are scary. The Nasdaq has dipped into bear market territory. The ASX 200 has just come off a sharp correction. And everyone from economists to your uncle at the BBQ seems to have a theory about what happens next.
But here's the thing: volatility creates opportunity — especially for investors with time on their side.
Great ASX shares are on sale
When markets fall, they tend to take everything down with them — even the good stuff. It is like a Black Friday sale for high-quality ASX shares. The prices are lower, the long-term value hasn't changed, and if you're brave enough to step in while others hesitate, you give yourself a head start on returns.
Right now, some of the best-known ASX shares — from tech and healthcare leaders to rock-solid dividend payers — are trading at levels we haven't seen in months. For a beginner, this could be an ideal entry point.
You're not trying to catch the bottom. You're simply getting in at a time when expectations are low and upside potential is higher.
Compounding doesn't wait
The secret to long-term wealth? It's not timing the market. It is time in the market.
Compounding works best with ASX shares when you give it years — even decades — to do its thing. The earlier you start, the more powerful it becomes. And the best part? You don't need to be a stock-picking genius.
By investing regularly in high-quality ASX shares or simple, diversified ASX ETFs, you can build wealth steadily over time — without needing to predict the perfect moment.
Make volatility your friend
Market weakness is intimidating. But for long-term investors, it is a gift in disguise.
The key is to focus less on the short-term noise and more on the long-term destination. If you're buying with a 10, 20, or even 30-year view, this downturn could be the moment you look back on fondly one day.
Foolish takeaway
If you're a beginner wondering whether now is a smart time to buy ASX shares, then the answer is yes.
The market is offering up quality ASX shares at a discount. Compounding is ready to work its magic. And all it needs is your first step.
Because the greatest investing regret isn't usually buying too early — it is waiting too long to begin.
