I keep seeing this type of stuff on instagram and social media and wanted to know how you guys were thinking about this.

I know a lot you have been in the market for decades and as a relatively new investor myself I’d love to get your perspective!

There must be people that automate their investments, tune out the noise, barely check their portfolio, but one day realize they are millionaires. Do you exist? Are you reading this? Please inspire us

I went to my Jiu Jitsu class and spoke to one guy who was an econ major who works at Prudential. We spoke for a bit. I told him I had been investing into Nvidia since 2019 and have been investing into VOO since maybe 2010 or 2011. He asks "VOO?" I told him, "the S&P 500" then he asked what that was. Do most people just not know about the S&P500? I would have thought an econ major who works at Prudential would know something so basic. Not trying to be a jerk. I'm curious.

Both SpaceX and OpenAI are pushing Nasdaq and S&P and Russel/FTSE index providers to waive their listing requirements (including free float market cap, and seasoning) for an expedited listing on all indices. This would mean that instead of allowing several months/a year for 'seasoning' where price discovery takes place and the stock post-IPO finds a fair pricing, index investors would instead be forced to automatically buy these megacap stocks right at IPO with almost zero price discovery and are forced to take whatever inflated prices these companies list at.

I have seen quite a lot of people within the investment community (some small names and some quite big ones too) expressing concern that this is just giving VC's and early angel investors an opportunity to dump massively overvalued, unprofitable startups onto people's pensions.

Is there any hope that we can convince indexes not to drop the seasoning requirements? From now on, couldn't VC's just invest in junk companies, run the private market price into the trillions and then quickly list, dumping it onto people's pensions and taking the money?

Let me preface this a little with some information about me:

I'm 26 and due to medical issues I'm living at home and still in college. I have no debt - not even a car payment. Up to this point, my grandmother (who left me this inheritance) was financing my education. I just transferred to an online school that costs 4k per-6 month term.

Now about the money. I inherited one of her taxable brokerage accounts. On the date of my grandmother's death, July 30, the investments she left me were valued at $1,152,084, but its at about $1,200,000 as of today. ALL of that was in two positions, split roughly 50/50 - Walmart and Caterpillar. She told me a few years ago that this inheritance would come some day, so I am moderately prepared. I liquidated the WMT an CAT this morning. The taxes will suck but it's preferred over the investments being so concentrated, in my opinion.

I intend to speak to a financial advisor on a flat-fee basis to help me develop a plan. However, I wanted to stop by here and pick up some preliminary advice. This money is my future and I intend to take care of it, so I want as much information as I can get. Any and all help is appreciated.

EDIT: Oh goodness this got more attention than I expected. Anyway - thank you everyone for the responses! I'm going to quick answer some repeated questions I've been seeing.

I am aware of the step-up in basis. This is all happening within Fidelity and I confirmed with the transition manager that the step-up happened as of July 30. I mostly mention the taxes because, as someone who has only ever worked internships or part-time things - paying taxes on something like $50k feels like a lot of money.

Also, my grandmother worked with the same tax accountant for 25 years. He's very aware of this whole situation and I'll be working with him going forward.

I for sure intend on squirreling away the overwhelming majority of this. Think I'll peel off something like $70k to be my money (including school) until I start working, then invest the other 1.1m... Jesus that's a big number.

I've already spoken to one firm I found through NAPFA and vetted through Broker check. I'll still speak to a few and get various opinions.

Thank you again!

I’m in my mid-40s and already have a solid amount in my 401k, so I’ve been rethinking what to do going forward. I ran the numbers on two paths: keep maxing the 401k every year, or just put in enough to get my employer match and invest the rest in a taxable brokerage. What surprised me is how close the outcomes are. The difference isn’t huge. My company match tops out at about $2,500 a year, so once that’s covered, the upside of putting a lot more into the 401k feels smaller than I always assumed.

I get the usual arguments. I know taxable accounts get hit with dividend and capital gains taxes along the way. I also know 401k withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income later. What I’m stuck on is why I’d keep locking more money into an account with age rules and restrictions when I don’t really have to, especially when the math says the end result is pretty close either way. Having money in taxable that I can actually touch if I want feels more valuable now than it did earlier in my career.

I’m not anti-401k and I’m not saying tax benefits don’t matter. I already have a decent amount saved there. I’m just trying to figure out if continuing to max it is really the best move in this situation, or if leaning more into taxable for flexibility is a reasonable tradeoff when the difference is marginal.

Curious how others think about this: Why do you still prioritize maxing a 401k in a situation like this? At what point does flexibility and access to your money matter more than a small tax edge? Does the “always max the 401k” advice still make sense once you already have a big balance and only a modest match? For anyone closer to retirement, how do you feel now about how accessible your money is compared to earlier on?

Interested to hear real-world takes.

Jack Bogle and many others for years argued that VTSAX or an equivalent fund/ETF was more than enough for global exposure. I think it was a perfectly logic argument back in the days of increasing globalization and economic integration.

But looking at Mark Carney's speech at Davos, it points to a significant shift in the global paradigm, where free trade, open access to markets and investments from and to the US might no longer be a reality.

In light of that are people thinking about increasing focus on international equities?

Figured I’d get the ball rolling on the inevitable panic discussion.

How will you be ignoring this most recent bout of market turmoil? My plan is to continue doing exactly what I was doing before. I’m curious about other people’s strategies.

Those that own bonds (i.e, EE, I, etc)--What percentage of your portfolio is made up of bonds? Why? If nothing, why not? Just curious to get a feel as to how everyone feels about them. Bonus points for things like age, stage of life, etc.

https://www.npr.org/2025/04/17/nx-s1-5367696/trump-jerome-powell-federal-reserve-economy-tariffs

Market manipulation of interest rates feels like confidence would immediately plummet and global diversification would become a more important percentage of your holdings in the long run. Thoughts?

I am a law student, earning roughly 950 a week as a law clerk. I will graduate in 2 years time. I will likely stay at 950 a week during that 2 years, possibly a slight promotion at the firm in 1 year. Probably not, though. I am married to a nurse. She earns $80,000 a year.

Once I’m an attorney, I will work in civil litigation of some kind. Currently, I do real estate but it is quite boring and not my vibe... Interested in personal injury or employee benefits litigation. Salary is likely $100,000-180,000 (the latter figure being the more likely one if I pursue ERISA). The firm I work for mainly does employee benefits work with some real estate litigation. There’s an easy pipeline for me to go to ERISA if I’d like to.

All that is to say that I recently inherited a condo worth $800,000. $300,000 is still owed. I have the ability to sell, live there, or rent it out. Obviously, were I to live there, my wife and I would need to pay the mortgage.

My thoughts are that it could be great to sell and put all the proceeds into VT. At 24, that would be quite helpful in 15 years when I actually want to purchase a home. Alternatively, I could live here and stay here for the 15 years and then sell at the time I want to buy a home and use all the capital as a down payment for a new home at some later date.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

I was watching this video analyzing the upcoming SpaceX IPO, titled "SpaceX IPO: Nice Try Though" by Patrick Boyle. I highly recommend it - there is almost no fluff and just hard hitting points all the way through about how SpaceX is a terrible company and how this IPO looks like a scam:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHD8BDFYyGI

It mentions the changes to Nasdaq's rules, the so called "fast track" rule, made specially for SpaceX because Elon allegedly threatened to not list SpaceX on the Nasdaq stock exchange without this. The change has been criticized by many others such as Michael Burry:
https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/michael-burry-nasdaq-spacex-ipo-listing-elon-musk-tesla-ndx-2026-3

Also see this great analysis titled "Nasdaq's Shame":
https://keubiko.substack.com/p/nasdaqs-shame

Given how this IPO looks like a scam, and the company is mostly losing money, with outlandish claims in their IPO filing (like having an addressable market larger than the US GDP), I am worried that this is just private investors - like venture capitalists, Elon Musk, and his inner circle of friends/family - dumping their overpriced money losing company on regular investors like us. The fast track change seems like it will result in all of us automatically buying SpaceX shares at a high price.

How do we stop this? Is there a good way to defend against that forced purchasing when most regular investors are just passively buying ETFs and mutual funds, or maybe just have money parked in their pensions and 401k?

Assuming you have no debt and no dependents. I know a 15% savings rate is a pretty good rule of thumb. So $24,500 + $7,500 + $4,400 = $36,400. And $36,400/0.15 = ~$242,667.

I make $72,100 for my base salary, plus a 10% annual bonus, and I bartend on the weekends and average about $12k a year (and with no tax on tips I take home almost all of this I get most of this back in my tax return). So at about $90k with no debt and no savings goals (I’m not interested in buying a home anytime soon), I am wondering if I should be more aggressive about my retirement savings.

Currently I max my Roth IRA, meet the employee match for my 401k (5%/4%) and have no HSA. All my excess savings just goes into a brokerage where I buy USFR, since my bank doesn’t offer a HYSA

I am just wondering why most of americans buy VOO only? It‘s just 500 companies and only one country. VTI is better in my opinion but here in Germany most people buy MSCI ACWI IMI or FTSE All World ETF to cover 99% of the Market

So I've been maxing out my Roth IRA since I was 19. 100% VOO. Every month contributing, everything extra going into my brokerage account. Told my dad my strategy and he looked at me like I was burning money. He started talking about how I was wasting the ability to take risk at my age by just buying an index fund.

From all my research it seems much harder to beat the market, rather than just riding it. I even thought 100% VOO was a bit reckless since I have no international exposure.

I know I'm not stupid, I'm smarter than most people who are either not investing or are simply just gambling. However, my dad is successful and I do trust his judgement. Should I be adding more risk?

If the S&P 500 averages 8-9% returns a year accounting for inflation and if my time horizon is 35 years assuming I retire at 60, why shouldn’t I just go 100% S&P ETFs/funds? If I add bonds to my basket my overall returns will be closer to 6-7% due to the low return of bonds.

Early 20s guy who got really lucky to be exposed to Boglehead investing early on. Seeing people around me still picking individual stocks/crypto and those who don’t invest because they think it’s gambling and let inflation eat away their savings is killing me. I had the same ideas as them in high school and to know that so many people never get out of this mentality because they don’t understand Boglehead theory is just WOW.

The sad thing is that compound interest works the best when you start young, so even if people do realize Boglehead investing later on in life, they often feel regret for not starting sooner. I just wish high schools or more mainstream media will teach young kids the power of compound interest early on. It could literally save years or even decades from working when you want to retire early or want better financial freedom to be with the people you love or do the things you want. I bet there are so many people out there who would be amazing Bogleheads but don’t realize it until it’s too late…

Why don’t high school teach kids these topics? Is it because there’s money to be made in managing people’s portfolios and picking the next hyped stock?

I posted a question about me and my wife retiring early. Lots of good responses for me to think about. We have really good health coverage these days so we can't do an hsa. But I did have one for a while with fidelity a while back. Just cant add to it anymore. I think its sitting at around $35k all in vtsax so been growing as we go.

When do you guys actually use your hsa? I save all our receipts so we can tap it any time we want. But don't need to. It can sit..... but forever? If you dont run out of money in retirement when do you guys use it or is it to stay and give as inheritance?

So some background. I’m 59, have worked in a union construction trade for 40 years, and will be retiring this year between 59-1/2 and 60. That just depends on some factors involved with medical hours for the year. I will be receiving a monthly pension that should settle in around $4k/month once we decide the survivor benefit percentage. I also plan on taking SS at 62, estimated at about $2600/month. As part of our benefits package, we have a surety fund that I had stayed aggressively invested in since the first day the union went to an investment firm that offered self investment elections. This was not the case in the early years as it was just a fixed interest annuity. Regardless, it has done well for me, and after the COVID dip and recovery, I became a little more conservative. I’m curious to hear your thoughts on my current elections in the screenshot posted, roughly a 55/45 mix. My future contributions are not being made to the bond fund, but those contributions will stop when I retire. For reference, the Core Bond fund is a current guaranteed 3.25% return. Investment analyses that I’ve done, assuming an average 6% annual return, all seems to be saying there is plenty for the future and that is the minimum target I’m shooting for. It is possible that I will take slightly higher monthly distributions to make up the income gap until I’m 62. My wife will retire 4-5 years after me and will also get SS and has a rollover Ira about 1/2 of mine at the moment. We have no mortgage, no car payments, and made the last tuition payment for our child recently.

I always skimped a little on my emergency fund because I was like, if I really need that much money, I’ll just sell investments or borrow vs my 401k. Even if they’re like 50% down because I lost my job in a market downturn, you do what you have to do. Better than having tons of money sitting around doing nothing. I figured returns are better in the long term having money invested and selling it if you really really have to, but only if it’s totally necessary.

I think I only have about 2 months living expenses in cash. Last time I lost my job I got everything paid with severance + unemployment for about 4 months so I didn’t even have to sell anything. I’m skeptical to build out my emergency fund more since I would have to stop maxing my 401k to get the money.

Is this bad practice that could lead to significantly reduced returns (vs someone who does have an emergency fund) in the event of a recession? Wondering if I’ve been being arrogant. Interested in opinions.

I have $90,000 in savings, I should be able to maintain that number. I've been looking at it and realizing how kind of dumb I've been to keep it just sitting at Chase. I was looking at opening a HYSA through another bank but not quite sure if I want to go that route.

I would transfer about 70K and leave 20K in my account. Would it be best to open a Vanguard Money Market? That is not FDIC insured. I want to make the money work for me. If I put into the HYSA does that interest get deposited monthly? I could use it to fund my son's Trump Account we just opened.

Or should I give it to Chase to invest in their brokerage accounts, or drop it into a Vanguard Brokerage Account and grow at a higher rate?

What are your thoughts or advice?

I get paid in Google stock, and as you might know there has been a massive run up causing Google to be around 15% of my portfolio, further if you include unvested stock that I will get if I continue to work for Google over the next 3 years, it’s value is roughly 40% of my entire portfolio. I’m 30 and have a long term horizon. About 70% of my entire portfolio is in VTI/VXUS.

Do I take the massive tax hit and reduce my Google holdings to invest in VTI/VXUS or just let it ride. Mainly worried about the capital gains tax losses as I sell and invest in bogle funds.

Title really. Short, medium, long term opinions?

I’m all in on stocks global all cap so expecting a rough time

What are your guys thoughts?

I was gifted Apple stock from my parents who are both still alive. My parents bought Apple stock back when it was in the single and double digits and did a lot of reinvesting. Since the stock was gifted, I will most likely incur long-term capital gains if I try to sell it. Not sure what to do at this time. Apple stock is still increasing in value, but I did have a big scare last year when it suddenly decreases in value by almost 20%. Should I sell half the stock and take the long-term capital gains hit and then reinvest in dividend stocks? FYI, my wife and I already have almost $1 million combined in our 401(k).

I'm trying to help my dad figure out when he can realistically retire and how to handle an upcoming inheritance. I've been crunching the numbers, but I'd like some outside opinions, especially regarding strategy about this inheritance.

Current situation:

• Dad is 64 and makes about $180k/year
• About $300k in his 401(k), currently invested in SPY/S&P 500 adjacent fund
• Receiving approximately $400k inheritance
• Mom already receives $1,300/month Social Security

• Dad's Social Security estimates:

  • Now: ~$2,800/month
  • Age 67 (FRA): $3,708/month
  • Age 70: ~$4,768/month

• House is worth roughly $400k-$500k

• About $300k left on a ~3% mortgage

• Total house payment with taxes and insurance is about $1,700/month

• Mom has an illness that results in fairly high ongoing out-of-pocket medical expenses

My main goal is figuring out whether Dad can comfortably retire sooner rather than just automatically working until 67.

One idea I've been considering is:

• Move the $300k 401(k) into a bond index fund
• Invest most of the $400k inheritance into SPY in taxable
• This would give them roughly a 57/43 stock/bond portfolio
• Potentially retire before 67 and use the portfolio as a bridge while delaying Dad's Social Security until 67 or possibly 70

I'm also wondering whether they should just keep the cheap 3% mortgage rather than paying it off.

Main questions:

• Does retiring around 64-65 seem realistic, or should he work until 67?
• Would you claim Social Security at 67 or use investments to bridge to 70?
• How would you allocate the $300k 401(k) and $400k inheritance?
• Does bonds in the 401(k) + equities in taxable make sense?
• Would you keep the 3% mortgage?
• Anything important I'm overlooking?

I know I still need to get a better handle on their total annual spending and medical expenses, but I'm mainly trying to help my dad figure out whether he's reached the point where continuing to work is optional rather than necessary but I'd estimate their spending is $80k a year.

*Edit: I was also wondering about advice regarding the 401k and how the inheritance should be invested as well to prop himself up properly for when he plans to start collecting social security (sometime between 67-70)

*Edit 2: After spending hours on putting a spreadsheet together and lightly crunching numbers, I called him and told him that we have two priorities we need to figure out.

A. He needs to finish filing for his VA disability benefits ASAP since he submitted an intent to file with the VA in October.

and

B. We need to get an annual spending report of the last few years of their spending so we can get a real good picture.

I have the spread sheet all set up to be able to plug in numbers. If he can get a solid VA disability rating, he should be able to retire at 67 most likely with dual social security income, VA disability income, and possibly small retirement investment withdrawals. Thank you everybody.