How 100 leva a month can grow to 7,300 in 5 years

Adapted from Plovdiv24.bg — original article published on Plovdiv24.bg

Investing is no longer just for high earners. Technology has removed barriers so anyone can start with small amounts—if they have the willingness and a bit of financial literacy. That’s the view of finance professional Vladimir Zhivaga in a Bloomberg TV Bulgaria interview.

Investing is accessible to everyone

Online platforms enable purchases of global assets, including fractional shares. Markets that once felt distant now fit in a smartphone.

Zhivaga’s core advice is simple: learn what risk is, what return is, and how investments work. That’s enough to begin—even with 20–30 leva a month.

ETFs, bonds, or a savings account?

Comparing a 100 leva monthly contribution for 5 years:

• Savings account: about 6,000 leva
• Bond ETF: a bit higher return
• Global ETF (MSCI World): over 7,300 leva

The gap is roughly 18%—enough to offset inflation and grow capital in real terms.

Bulgarians and investing—change is underway

Traditionally, Bulgarians favor “hard” assets like property, gold, and deposits. That profile is shifting:

• more young people are investing;
• rising interest in ETFs, bonds, and European funds;
• defense sector attention after the war in Ukraine.

Many analysts also expect a market correction, making bonds look more attractive.

What euro adoption could change

• no FX conversion costs;
• easier access to European ETFs;
• clearer savings management in a single currency.

Financial literacy: the first step

Freedom24 runs trainings and is building a game that explains ETFs and the basics of investing. “Understand the principles and the rest becomes logical,” Zhivaga says.

Takeaway

Investing isn’t arcane or reserved for big earners. Even 100 leva a month can compound meaningfully when invested wisely.

Source: Plovdiv24.bg (adapted). Interview: Bloomberg TV Bulgaria.