How to Invest €10,000: A Professional's Perspective

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-02-08

After our conversation with Thomas Guenter, one question kept popping up from listeners. It was a simple but powerful one: "Can you share that part where he explains what he'd do with €10,000 separately?" So I went back to Thomas Guenter, the founder of Finhouse, and asked him directly: "How would you handle €10,000 in capital today?" Now, let's be clear—this isn't investment advice. It's something more interesting, really. It's a glimpse into how someone who works with money every single day actually thinks about investing. It's about mindset, not just mechanics. ### Why Your Context Matters More Than The Amount Thomas started with something that surprised me. He said the amount itself—that €10,000 figure—is almost secondary. What really matters is your personal context. Where are you in life? What are your goals? What keeps you up at night? He explained that investing €10,000 when you're 25 and single looks completely different from investing the same amount when you're 45 with two kids in school. Your time horizon changes everything. Your risk tolerance shifts. The beautiful part? There's no one right answer—just the right answer for you. ### The Three Pillars: Risk, Time, and Discipline This is where Thomas got really passionate. Most people, he said, focus entirely on the wrong thing. They obsess over returns—that magical percentage number that promises wealth. But the real magic happens in three other places: - **Risk**: How much can you genuinely afford to lose without it affecting your sleep or your family's stability? - **Time**: Are you thinking in months, years, or decades? Your investment strategy should match your timeline. - **Discipline**: Can you stick to your plan when markets get scary or when everyone around you is chasing the next hot thing? Thomas put it beautifully: "Returns are what you hope for. Risk management, time, and discipline are what you control." ### The Return Obsession Trap Here's where many investors go wrong, according to Thomas. They become so focused on maximizing returns that they forget everything else. They chase high-risk opportunities without understanding them. They jump from strategy to strategy based on last month's performance. But investing isn't about hitting home runs. It's about consistently getting on base. It's about building wealth steadily, not spectacularly. The flashy 50% return stories make headlines, but the boring 7-8% annual returns build actual fortunes over time. ### What He Wouldn't Do With €10,000 Today This was perhaps the most valuable part of our conversation. Thomas was very specific about what he would avoid right now with that capital. He wouldn't put it all into a single stock, no matter how promising it seems. He wouldn't chase cryptocurrency trends without deep understanding. He wouldn't use it for get-rich-quick schemes that promise unrealistic returns. Most importantly, he wouldn't invest it without first having a solid emergency fund in place. Money you might need in the next few years doesn't belong in the stock market—it belongs somewhere safe and accessible. ### The Bigger Picture What struck me most was Thomas's overall philosophy. Investing isn't just about growing money—it's about growing freedom. It's about creating options for your future self and your family. That €10,000 question isn't really about €10,000 at all. It's about what that money represents to you. Is it a down payment on a dream? Security for your children's education? The beginning of financial independence? Once you answer that deeper question, the how becomes much clearer. You stop looking for the perfect investment and start building the right investment strategy for your actual life. Remember, this perspective comes from someone who lives and breathes finance daily. It's not about following his exact moves—it's about understanding how a professional approaches these decisions. Your journey will look different, but the principles can guide you toward smarter choices with whatever capital you have to work with.