How to Buy Tesla Stock – My First $100 and the Lessons That Followed

I remember the night vividly. It was 2:13 AM, and I was lying in bed, scrolling aimlessly through my phone — half-inspired, half-intimidated by a YouTube video on financial freedom. The creator kept repeating: “You don’t need a lot of money to start investing. You just need to start.” I had heard those words before, but something about that night felt different. Maybe it was the realization that inflation was quietly eating away at my savings. Maybe it was the fear of being left behind while others built wealth. Or maybe it was the moment I saw Tesla’s five-year chart — a line that looked like ambition in motion.

For years, I thought buying stock in a company like Tesla was only for the rich. People with suits. Analysts. Traders with Wall Street coffee mugs. But I was just an ordinary person with a modest paycheck, a PayPal debit card, and dreams I kept pushing to “someday.” That night, I decided someday was today.

The first thing I did was research the basics. “How to buy Tesla stock” — five simple words that led me to a world I had ignored for far too long. I discovered that I didn’t need to “buy a whole share.” I could invest as little as $1 in fractional shares using apps like Robinhood, Webull, or Fidelity. Tesla, trading at over $200 a share, suddenly felt… accessible. Like I didn’t need to climb a mountain — just take one honest step.

I chose Robinhood for its simplicity. No fees. No fluff. I signed up in less than ten minutes, linked my bank account, and deposited $100 — which was, at that time, both a cautious trial and a bold commitment. I didn’t tell anyone I was doing it. It felt too personal, too uncertain. But deep down, I was proud. I wasn’t waiting for a perfect moment. I was becoming someone who invested in their beliefs.

Tesla wasn’t just a stock to me. It was a symbol of change — electric vehicles, innovation, solar energy, space dreams. I admired Elon Musk’s madness and vision, even if I didn’t agree with all of it. Buying Tesla stock felt like aligning with the future. A way of saying: “I believe in progress.” I tapped the “Buy” button, confirmed the $100 purchase, and just like that — I became a shareholder. A small one, yes, but a real one.

The emotional shift was immediate. Suddenly, I cared more about the news, global markets, energy policy, and quarterly earnings reports. Tesla’s ups and downs weren’t just headlines anymore — they were mine. I started reading financial blogs, tracking my portfolio, and talking to friends about investing. Most of them hadn’t started yet. Some were scared. Others, like me, just thought they weren’t “ready.” But that first $100 changed my mindset. Investing wasn’t just for those with wealth. It was how wealth begins.

Over the following months, I added more — not thousands, but little by little. $50 here, $75 there. I didn’t chase price spikes or dip in and out. I simply believed. When Tesla’s stock dipped, I didn’t panic. I reminded myself that investing isn’t about timing the market — it’s about time in the market. That one lesson saved me from so many rookie mistakes.

But along the way, I also learned to diversify. Tesla might be a strong stock, but putting everything in one company, no matter how exciting, was risky. So I expanded. I bought into ETFs like VOO and QQQ. I added Apple and Microsoft. But Tesla remained my anchor — not because of price, but because of what it represented in my journey: the decision to start.

So how can you buy Tesla stock? Here’s what I’d recommend from lived experience:

First, choose a reputable brokerage. Robinhood, Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Webull are all solid, beginner-friendly options. If you prefer a sleek app interface, go for Robinhood. If you want more research tools and retirement accounts, consider Fidelity or Schwab.

Second, decide whether you want full shares or fractional ones. Don’t be discouraged by Tesla’s share price — most platforms allow you to invest as little as $1 and own a portion of a share. Your ownership is still real, still valuable, and still grows (or falls) based on the stock’s movement.

Third, connect your bank account and deposit a comfortable amount. There’s no shame in starting small. In fact, I’d argue it’s the best way to learn — with real skin in the game but low risk.

Fourth, research Tesla beyond hype. Read their quarterly earnings reports. Follow their developments in EV, solar, battery tech, and AI. Investing should never be emotional only — it must be informed.

And finally, stay consistent. Don’t obsess over daily charts. Don’t let fear drive you out or FOMO drive you in. If you believe in Tesla’s long-term vision — whether it’s for financial gain or supporting innovation — then trust your plan.

Looking back, that $100 didn’t make me rich. But it made me aware. It was a seed that grew into discipline, curiosity, and eventually — confidence. I didn’t wait to feel “ready.” I just respected my future enough to begin.

So if you’re reading this and wondering how to buy Tesla stock, don’t overthink it. Take the step. Start small. Learn along the way. Because every investor you admire today? They all had a first trade. A first doubt. A first dream.

Yours begins now.