He was sure it was a scam. It was a €3,000 prize.

On 31 October, World Savings Day, we held a live draw for everyone who invested in SaveSmart for 12 months during October. Every €1,000 invested was one ticket. Three names came out. The first prize, €3,000, went to Martial.

He found out at work. His first reaction was not exactly joy.

“It had to be a scam”

“I was at work. At first I thought it was a scam. I’d only just started investing on the platform, so it had to be one.”

Did he think he had a chance? “Maybe a tiny one,” he says. “You always take part with a little hope, without really imagining it will land on you. And then, for once, luck decided to knock on my door.”

The first person he told was someone close to him, who was “just as surprised as I was”.

The quick round

Four quick questions, no overthinking.

• His first thought“This is a scam.”
• If his money had a personalityA gardener: plants it and waits“You have to build your savings over the long term.”
• How often he checks his investmentsOnce a week
• The prize is going towardA good restaurant, and the rest into savings

Why he started

Martial didn’t want his money “sleeping in an account without really working”. With inflation, he started looking at other ways to grow his savings. He also liked the idea of spreading his money across more than one place.

His first day with Afranga? “A mix of curiosity and enthusiasm, with a small dose of caution, even though Afranga has a good reputation.” He started gradually, to understand how it works and build his own experience.

The biggest surprise was how simple it is. “You can follow your investments and watch the interest add up. It’s satisfying to see that small amounts can slowly produce results. Of course, it’s still an investment with risks, but the experience is interesting.”

The honest part

The worst money advice he ever got: “The advice of traditional banks.”

The money mistake he can laugh about now: “Investing in a financial product my bank recommended, and never making a single euro from it.”

One difference worth knowing: money in a bank deposit is covered by a deposit guarantee scheme. Investments with Afranga, including SaveSmart, are not.

Do his friends know he invests? “Yes, we talk about it. But everyone has their own comfort level with risk, depending on their situation.”

“Start saving and investing early, even with small amounts!”

Martial’s advice to himself at 20

For anyone who has never invested

“Start by getting informed, take your time, and never invest in something you don’t understand. You don’t need a fortune to start.”

Martial’s first prize is going on a good dinner, and the rest back into savings. Not a bad way to celebrate World Savings Day.

Martial’s answers were translated from French and lightly edited for length.