My Unexpected Ride into Investing: Gold, Stocks, and ETFs

It started on a humid Friday evening in Lagos.

The kind of evening where the streets hum with restless energy, hawkers wave puff-puff by the roadside, and danfos honk like they’re announcing a wrestling match.

I was sitting at a lounge with a friend, sipping Chapman, when he leaned in and whispered, “Bro, you dey waste money for bank. Na Gold, Stocks, and ETFs you suppose dey invest.”

I laughed it off. “Guy, abeg leave that talk. I no fit shout. Stock market dey like gambling.”

But he wasn’t joking. He pulled out his phone and showed me an app, his dashboard glittering with graphs, profits, and a shiny line labelled ‘Gold ETF.’

Later that night, I couldn’t shake his words. As I drove home through Third Mainland Bridge, the city lights reflected on the water, making me think of opportunities I had been sleeping on.

So, I downloaded one of those investing apps. The interface was sleek, filled with numbers that almost looked like hieroglyphics. My heart raced as I whispered to myself, “Should I risk it?”

I decided to start small. I bought ₦50,000 worth of a Gold ETF, ₦30,000 in Tesla stock, and ₦20,000 in a broad S&P 500 ETF.

The moment I clicked “Confirm Purchase,” it felt like I had just jumped off a cliff with no parachute.

Two nights later, I accepted a ride request (yeah, I do side hustles as a Bolt driver). The passenger was a sharp-looking young guy in a suit, maybe late 20s, AirPods glued to his ears.

The moment he sat down, he sighed and muttered, “The stock market is killing me.”

Curious, I asked, “Oga, na stock wahala dey stress you like this?”

He chuckled. “My guy, I put everything inside one crypto. Now it’s dust. If I had just diversified into Gold, Stocks, and ETFs, I wouldn’t be in this mess.”

That hit me like a slap. My stomach tightened. It was as if fate had placed this man in my car just to confirm my decision.

Weeks went by. Every morning, I’d wake up, grab coffee, and check my tiny portfolio. The Tesla stock jumped, the Gold ETF held steady, and the S&P 500 ETF crawled upward like a stubborn snail.

Then came the twist.

One night, I logged in and saw my Gold ETF had doubled after global news of inflation and currency depreciation. My small gamble had turned into a lifesaver.

I screamed so loud my neighbor shouted through the wall, “O boy, hope say na good news o!”

I laughed, “Na gold dey shine for my life!”

The funny part? The money wasn’t even the best part. The best part was the calm I felt knowing I wasn’t trapped by one risky bet. I had diversification—Gold for safety, Stocks for growth, ETFs for balance.

I told my friend at the lounge weeks later:

“Guy, you dey invest in vibes. Me, I dey invest in peace of mind.”

He grinned, raised his glass, and replied,

“Na you don dey talk like Warren Buffett now.”

Investing in Gold, Stocks, and ETFs taught me one thing: it’s not just about making money—it’s about building resilience against life’s chaos.

Whether you’re Gen Z trying to grow wealth, a millennial balancing bills, or even someone new to finance, diversifying your portfolio is like having three solid friends who never let you down.

Gold protects you when inflation bites.

Stocks give you the thrill of growth.

ETFs spread your risks across markets.

That night, as I stood by my window watching the Lagos skyline flicker, I whispered to myself, “This is just the beginning. My money is finally working for me.”

And for once, I felt richer—not just in naira, but in knowledge.