No matter how overdue you may be at the party, some things may still be worth doing. But is this true when it comes to stock ownership, where many people believe that real value creation comes from a very long-term approach? Is it worth starting to invest in your 40s, 50s, 60s, or even later?

He could have, should have…

Of course, as someone who believes in long-term investing, I think it’s better if people can start investing at a younger age. But as with many other hypothetical situations in life, we don’t always do the right thing at the right time.

However, later it may turn out that it is worth the investment.

Let’s assume someone puts aside PLN 1,000. pounds per month and adds 5% per year. After 20 years it should be worth about $406,000. pounds.

This is true whether that 20-year period begins at age 40, 50, or 60. So, although an older investor lacks the potentially longer time frame of someone in their 20s or 30s, they can still accumulate significant wealth by deciding to start investing.

Silver hair and silver lining

Additionally, I believe that older investors have some potential advantages over younger and even younger investors.

For starters, they may have more free cash.

One of the reasons some people don’t start investing when they want to is simply because the cost of raising a family takes up every spare penny.

Moreover, all wise investors learn from experience.

It’s not just about stock market experience, but it can be life experience in a broader context. It’s something that gets richer with age!

Entering the game

However, while the decision to start investing can make sense, it can also be a bit intimidating.

I don’t think it has to be this way. Someone can assist themselves by learning a few key concepts about how the market works in practice, such as the different ways to value stocks and build a portfolio.

Before you start investing, you also need a method to do so. It’s worth spending some time comparing the different options for share trading accounts and stocks and shares ISAs.

A decade of dividend growth

Another issue is what stocks to put in this portfolio.

One share that I think deserves attention is this Investment fund of the City of London (LSE: CTY).

Like some people, it gets better with age – and it’s certainly venerable, having been founded in 1861.

It has increased by 56% in the last five years (close to the 58% raise in 2013). FTSE100 index at that time). What’s more, the dividend has increased year on year since England last won the World Cup.

Let’s hope the dividend streak continues, even if England does it again this summer! At a yield of 3.9%, the trust is more lucrative than the FTSE 100, which currently has a yield of 3.1%.

Dividends are never guaranteed, but one of the reasons the City of London has increased its payouts every year for decades – and because its recent performance has been similar to that of its flagship blue-chip index – is its focus on UK blue-chip companies, which include companies such as HSBC AND Shell.

This means it could suffer greatly if the UK economy performs poorly. But I like the focus on vast, successful companies.