My current HISA is 4.8%pa with ING and holds $20,000. I’m 22, no current investments, no debt, minimal expenses, and my 6 month emergency fund is about $14.5k.

I know it’s time in the market not timing the market, but is it a bad idea to starting to invest NOW when we are ~15 years since our last recession and with the current state of housing? Should I hold off until things get worse and take advantage of lower* (*lower than current, I don’t expect to guess the dip) prices? Most people I have spoken to informally in real estate and banking are guessing there’ll be another 2 interest rate rises before things start evening out.

Should I take advantage of HISA until rates begin to fall, or should I just go into investments now to get started sooner rather than later? I am currently looking at putting 20% of my paycheck into savings and 20% split across S&P 500 (14%) and ASX Top 200 (6%). Once I secure pay increases I will keep the $ amount going into my savings (ie drop the % from 20) the same and increase the $ amount I am actively investing. I am not currently in an industry or role that would benefit from investing in self-education.

Thanks friends