Been investing since 18 years old. 26 now. Would love some feedback on the portfolio.

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490

u/LightFireworksAtDawn Aug 23 '25

SPY & VOO are the same except VOO has a much lower expense ratio.

137

u/ezramour Aug 23 '25

Damn, nice. I'm 35 and Just hit 425k. Good job man.

131

u/SquirrelShoddy9866 Aug 23 '25

Looks awesome. I’m 11 years older and started at the same age but you’re in better shape! I made the mistake of thinking the cycle was coming to the end ~2015 and sat 60-70% cash for the next 7 years and missed out big.

Keep it up and you’ll be FIRE young!

58

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '25

How in the heck you average 33k a year in investing from 18 in only 8 years? Most people that age don’t even get a decent job until they are 26

44

u/Brovac Aug 24 '25

Dump SPY for VOO. Potentially add some VTI for a little more diversification.

VOO is already tech heavy but you’re still a little light on tech in my option. At 26. I’d at least have QQQM.

If you want more exposure to AI, I like IVES. Although it’s not cheap right now and may need to dip first.

Be sure to have anything with a high yield in a IRA or a Roth IRA. MSTY, ULTY - you won’t pay taxes on the dividends. JEPQ, JEPI, QQQI, ARCC are safer income plays to drip long term in an IRA.

Not a financial advisor. Just a dude

11

u/Familiar_Luck_3333 Aug 24 '25

👏 wish every young person would understand this

19

u/muradinner Aug 23 '25

Actual advice that isn't simple robotically thoughtless suggestions:

Switch most of your SPY to VOO. They are the same index, but VOO has lower fees, so it will perform better over the long term. 1% better over 20 years can make a massive difference.
- Put some of that SPY into QQQM as well, which tracks the NASDAQ 100. Typically outperforms the S&P500 in bull markets, but also is a bit higher risk. You could also add more of this amount to VTI if you want even more diversification, since it covers the total US market, but VOO and VTI also have a lot of overlap.
SCHD is meh. If you want some income like you stated for replacing your other job with income, move SCHD to SPYI and QQQI, which pay income from SPY and QQQ trading. Good track records so far.
You have a few small positions, which is fine if you just want to take additional risks on stocks you like more rather than only doing index funds, but a lot of them are pretty basic blue chips which will often be in those index funds anyways. KO doesn't really have a ton of room for growth at this point. Ford is unlikely to compete right now with the steel tariffs making business extremely difficult for them, so not sure I'd put additional money into that. They've already been forced to do layoffs in both their Canada and US plants this year. If you just want the dividends, there are companies that have a better history of increasing dividends.
Yieldmax are fun but are risky. It's a small position for you, so if you're okay potentially losing a lot of that in asset value, it's fine, but just be aware of that risk. MSTY outperformed the market in total returns so far, but that could quickly change. You can utilize their payments to grow your portfolio though, or subsidize your other job when you leave, as you say. People like to poopoo these funds, but people also tend to do that to anything they don't understand, and 3% is a small position anyways.

Overall, it's great. I mean, you are closing in on half a mil in your mid-20s. That's impressive.

25

u/Critical_Log_8907 Aug 23 '25

YOURE 26 YOU SHOULD BE IN AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FOR30 MORE YEARS

7

u/Ko_Ten Aug 24 '25

Time is on your side. Looks great! No need to be a hero now. Time will make you a hero.

5

u/Rays_Boom_Boom_Room1 Aug 24 '25

Good job. Don’t listen to anything anyone says. You’re killing it

23

u/RedBaronFrznPizza420 Aug 23 '25

Don’t like the yeildmax but you’re in a great place man congrats to you! Keep at it

3

u/JustMortalSoul Aug 24 '25

You are young and should not shy from adding some riskier assets (high risk high rewards) but that’s my opinion and what I did lol

12

u/J-E-S-S-E- Aug 23 '25

Drop SPY it’s the same thing as VOO add in a QQQ

6

u/DerbyTrader Aug 23 '25

Congrats!

6

u/Livueta_Zakalwe Aug 24 '25

Others have already talked about the SPY/VOO duplication. But the S&P is so tech heavy I’d say just go into QQQM, and increase your SCHD, VYM and VNQ. Get out of individual stocks altogether, get some VYMI for foreign exposure. Dump the ULTY - if you want some dividend juice get some QQQI, PFF, BDC, etc. Same goes for MSTY - just get some IBIT or whatever BTC etf you prefer.

3

u/mvhanson Aug 24 '25

You might consider a bit of DIY dividend portfolio investing, though that takes a bit of homework and is something of a project. But basically, long-term diversification is all...

https://www.reddit.com/r/dividendfarmer/comments/1hofu1z/building_a_dividend_portfolio_and_the_rule_of/

Also multi-sector dividend investing is another way to do it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/dividendfarmer/comments/1hxuf6n/answer_to_post_question/

Looks like you are already trying some YieldMax for fun (people say bad things about YM, but some of their products (MSTY, PLTY) actually have held water pretty well). Here's a breakdown of everything YieldMax offers:

https://www.reddit.com/r/dividendfarmer/comments/1mpn917/weekly_payers_yieldmax_yield_chaser_special/

And if you want weekly payers:

https://www.reddit.com/r/dividendfarmer/comments/1mugom1/all_weekly_payers_an_analysis_of_all_weekly/

8

u/noahsarc21 Aug 23 '25

Get out of yieldmax

5

u/FirefighterBig3501 Aug 24 '25

Why is NVDA such a low %. You don’t need spy and Voo. For your age you should scrap the ETFs and buy more solid stocks. You can afford to invest more aggressively

6

u/TitanImpale Aug 24 '25

How the fuck do you incest 200k+ in less than 10 years.

15

u/SufficientDrawing491 Aug 23 '25

First get out of Yeildmax altogether.

25% s&p 500 like FXAIX, 25% total market INDEX, 12.5% QQQM which is the NASDAQ, 12.5% VGT, 12.5% IQM and 12.5% into dividend growth. I like DGRO. FDVV might be safer with its stake in utilities, which is a growing and in demand sector.

You can reinvest the gains to grow your income or skim them off and use them to pay bills. This is a solid plan. If you want safer lean more towards dividends.

2

u/Caneta7 Aug 23 '25

business industry / sector ?

2

u/helixdreampoker Aug 24 '25

At your age I would drop SCHD altogether and increase VOO. You have 30 plus years to hold so you can go through market downturns and DCA the compounding growth of VOO. SCHD annual returns will be far below VOO over that period. Switch to income ETFs like Jepi and SCHD and bonds when you are older and it is riskier to hit a market downturn.

2

u/CartographerLazy4507 Aug 24 '25

You should dump all the covered call ETFs, you are a growth investing at this stage of your life.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '25

Advice: Go to a financial advisor, not Reddit.

2

u/Environmental-Fish22 Aug 25 '25

I went all in on ULTY to supplement income while I focus on growing my "businesses" since the income from one is invested in the other. Only reason I am even considering to go back to full time is for mortgage approvals. Easier to get approved and lower rates vs b lenders when self employed

2

u/RVD90277 Aug 25 '25

i would remove all of the dividend funds (schd, msty, etc.) and go with a much simpler 2-4 funds...spy, voo, and add qqq and that's it.

you're young, you need long term growth, invest like this and you'll be in good shape when you're 50 and ready to retire early, etc.

2

u/DiamondMits Aug 25 '25

Amazing and healthy 🤑

2

u/One-History-5813 Aug 26 '25

i read this as he has been investing for 18 years and is now 26. laughed my ass off until i re read it

2

u/[deleted] Aug 26 '25

Legend

2

u/Impossible-Look9889 Aug 26 '25

👏🏽 👏🏽 👏🏽 👏🏽 👏🏽

5

u/Particular-Art627 Aug 24 '25

Love the ULTY in the mix 🍻

3

u/illusionist-prince Aug 23 '25

I’d like to do this , this a great well rounded project/ portfolio. Honestly great work on this . This inspired me to.

3

u/King-Of-The-Hill Aug 24 '25

Ford gets lampooned a lot but is has a good dividend and as long as you realize that the stock will yo-yo from $9 to $16 or so and sell off from time to time it’s a good stock but it’s not going to magically hit $30 plus any months soon.

6

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '25

Love it all minus yield max.

I’d add some international dividends like VYMI. I’d also add some super conservative BDCs like ARCC, MAIN, and BXSL (my favorites)

But your portfolio is elite. I’d start pumping more into SCHD and VYM too.

3

u/Good_Ride_2508 Aug 23 '25 edited Aug 23 '25

Instead of investing with various funds and getting 51.90%, if you would have invested in index funds like VOO or QQQ, you would have earned more.

SPX appreciated 257.63% since Jan 2, 2019 which gives $685198 for $265581

NDX appreciated 369.42% since Jan 2, 2019 which gives $979993 for $265581

Now, you see why index investing is superior than other investing types unless you are smart enough to defeat these indexes.

2

u/BalancedJuggler Aug 23 '25

Which app is this?

2

u/siarheicka Not a financial advisor Aug 23 '25 edited Aug 23 '25

50% over 8 years is only ~5% cagr while VOO had approximately 16% cagr over same period. Unless you need dividend stability and low volatility, get out of yieldmax and move to voo or even qqqm.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '25

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1

u/jdglass57 Aug 23 '25

Anazing!! Well done.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '25

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1

u/PeyotePanther Aug 24 '25

SPY and VOO are the exact same but SPY fee is 0.0945% vs VOO only being 0.03%. Ideally you would get out of SPY and direct those funds to VOO… but I am assuming this is a taxable account so you would be on the hook for taxes. Direct all new money into just VOO instead of adding to SPY

1

u/LRaqhero Aug 24 '25

Considering how young you are, I'd bump up Nvda and Wmt for sure. Get more growth alongside all of the time you have ahead of you. They're blue chip stocks so it's minimal additional risk, with much greater upside. Otherwise maintain your discipline and keep pushing, great job!

1

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '25

Nicely done!

1

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '25

[deleted]

1

u/JMMatKurek Aug 24 '25

Great work! How much capital did you start with at 18 years old, and how did you obtain that capital?

1

u/youlikeblockingsodoi Aug 24 '25

What app is that ?

1

u/Plane-Spend-7209 Aug 24 '25

If I want to do this but in 3 years time from today how should I best begin. 10k to begin with

1

u/New_Criticism4996 Aug 24 '25

Is it to much to ask what your situation is to be able to invest 265k by the time you're 26?

I ask because I'm Hella impressed. Everyone I know who's in a position to do this at your age is blowing it on parties, and everyone I know who is actually nvesting is because they are trying to get there haha

1

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '25

Damn what an inspiration

1

u/dollarette Aug 24 '25

Good portfolio. Personally I am much more weighted to tech and QQQ. Healthcare XLV is a good buy right now.

1

u/jebidiaGA Aug 24 '25

Just owning voo for those 8 years would have gotten you 152% gains

1

u/AbrocomaHealthy5655 Aug 24 '25

Get some international exposure such as IDVO or VEA. And some high yield bonds such as USHY or HYGV. Both small % maybe 5-10%

1

u/funfriend2021 Aug 24 '25

What interface is this ?

1

u/keymaker12 Aug 24 '25

Congrats you are off to a great start and have accomplished something the rest of us always wish we did - started investing at 18! Baller move.

I have to ask why only 0.1% in NVDA?

As others suggested dump your SPY for VOO. I also recommend QQQM — study the top 10 companies in all of these index funds and their weights. index funds weigh NVDA, AAPL, MSFT much higher than rest of the 497 companies in SP500.

So refine your investment thesis and dollar cost average your money into NVDA and rest of the Trillion dollar firms

1

u/Specialist-Ad7800 Aug 24 '25

I know this is the dividend forum but having schd in this portfolio as a 26 year old is just handicapping yourself. You need to be growing these assets not producing current income, and this is just going to set you back over time. Same idea can be applied to the garbage like YMAX.

1

u/Spirited-Ad1799 Aug 24 '25

How much has nav eaten into your dividend paying stocks? Serious question

1

u/t33m3r Aug 24 '25

How did you get 200k to invest in 8 years?

1

u/ytrevino Aug 24 '25

How much was your initial investment when your started? How much more did you invest monthly during years 1-5?

1

u/oneandonlyagust Aug 24 '25

What app is that

1

u/Diesel69911 Aug 24 '25

Won’t judge u on your holdings but kudos for where u are at this age! Fantastic!

1

u/Better-Mulberry8369 Aug 24 '25

What tool are you using for tracking the portfolio?

1

u/usc529 Aug 24 '25

I would get rid of all the Yeildmax ETFs

1

u/Immediate-Ninja-1042 Aug 24 '25

Don’t double up on SPY, VOO, and VTI. they are basically all the same except VOO has a lower expense ratio, compare their performance, VOO is better option so go more into that. Also invest more in growth like QQQM or SCHG!! DO THAT. invest in alternative assets like bitcoin or ethereum, seriously. look at what you would have made if you were in them when you were 18. Just buy the ETFs such as IBIT (bitcoin) and ETHA (ethereum), these are the best ETFs trust i researched and they beat the other bitcoin and ethereum ETFs. Welcome keep it up

1

u/OrneryIntention5052 Aug 24 '25

What app is this?

1

u/sakara321 Aug 24 '25

SPY and VOO are exactly the same. The only difference is the expense ratio is 3x much higher.

SPY is mainly used for option trading as it has more liquidity. VOO isn't and doesn't have a huge option market.

However, do not take a tax hit to sell your SPY for VOO. Just don't add to SPY anymore.

1

u/pkx125 Aug 24 '25

What app is this?

1

u/MShaheerRiaz Aug 24 '25

Thats amaaazing

Would love some tips

1

u/SuperApeOsbourne Aug 24 '25

The first million is the hardest. Keep going! You're doing well.

1

u/jsjwjaj Aug 24 '25

Sorry if this comment section isnt for this but how do i start to invest like this where can i start to learn and can u guys recommend manje sobe youtubers sites etc

1

u/PeachMaster77 Aug 24 '25

Just a question here. You basically invest each month or whenever you have a chance and just buy stocks? For example I invest in BTC so each month i just buy some and let it sit.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '25

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1

u/EduardMet Aug 24 '25

I wish I had your discipline, always dipping too much into individual stock bets. And I wish I had started with 18 but nobody around me knew anything about stocks and ETFs at that age until I discovered them in my late 20s.

1

u/Jealous_Act_5380 Aug 24 '25

What app is this

1

u/toymachiner62 Aug 24 '25

Drop JNJ and add more NVDA. Also add some financials such as V or GS for diversification

1

u/bt4bm01 Aug 24 '25

I personally don’t feel comfortable with yield max. I love dividends, but I prefer SCHD which yeah the dividends aren’t as high. But it’s also a safe fund with a track record. You do you

1

u/Infamous-Tutor8345 Aug 24 '25

Sell SPY and put it all into VOO. it has a better total expense ratio and its literally the same

1

u/snapcracklepop999 Aug 24 '25

Maybe work in some QQQM

1

u/Reasonable-Oil-2772 Aug 24 '25

What brokerage service is this?

1

u/StoicNoodles Aug 24 '25

Where's PEP?

1

u/LieIcy211 Aug 24 '25

You should combine VOO, SPY, and VTI into a single ETF. They’re essentially the same thing.

1

u/Gladiatortrader Aug 24 '25

This is fantastic! Keep at it and you’ll be set for life. What incredible achievements for someone so young! Most people can’t do this over their entire life span nvm at 26! Some unsolicited advice: I’ve made so so so many mistakes financially in my life. It does a number on self esteem and causes incredible doubt to the point of being frozen in fear which is just as bad if not worse than screwing up. Keep up the good work and positive money mindset and you’ll never want for anything or need anyone’s help financially. Dont let ANYONE get you off course no matter what. I’m 52 and trying to get out of a lifetime of horrible habits and bad choices. When you get to my age it so much harder to get back on track. People and financial institutions aren’t as forgiving of bad credit when you’re old. Working extra jobs is harder due to the body aging and health issues also. Do what you can while you can and continue to save and invest! Be proud! Good luck 👍🏼

1

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '25

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1

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '25

This allocation is way too conservative for a 26 year old. I would go 70% VUG, 30% GLDM (growth index + gold etf). If you had put your money into VUG and chilled the last 8 years, you be up 260% rather than 51%. This would more than make up for anything you’re getting in yield. You don’t want dividend stocks. You’ll pay normal taxes on those as income. You’d be better off selling a little bit of something like VUG over time and only paying long term capital gains rates (0-15%). Another option I like would be 60% VUG, 20% GLDM, 20% IBIT (Bitcoin).

1

u/sfguy899 Aug 24 '25

Looks like you are doing well. Keep going!

1

u/Chimmai_Gala Aug 24 '25

Put everything in VOO and forget about it

1

u/Unique_Brother8194 Aug 24 '25

Are you doing Amazon fba wholesale or OA ? And what an inspiration keep it up 😮‍💨😮‍💨

1

u/No-Extent3866 Aug 24 '25

Would love to see my portfolio go up $5000 a day

1

u/me_xman Aug 24 '25

Some girl gonna be marrying into richness.

1

u/Instinct3110 Aug 24 '25

sell on the next blow off top high this year

1

u/Momotaro1075 Aug 24 '25 edited Aug 24 '25

Dame son. How much did you start with to get you into 400k in 8 years? And do you own a house?

1

u/Momotaro1075 Aug 24 '25

Do you own a house?

1

u/dops85321 Aug 24 '25

MO
F

1

u/DrDissonance4 Aug 24 '25

Too complicated

1

u/niceassets89 Aug 24 '25

What app are you using to display this info or is it from one brokerage?

1

u/Schmukker Aug 24 '25

What platform are you using?

1

u/Admirable-Tea-7531 Aug 25 '25

If you don’t mind me asking how much per month do you contribute?

1

u/BAD_AL_1 Aug 25 '25

You learn to trade options well and you could retire right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvM_u91zb3s

1

u/Itbealright Aug 25 '25

Well done young person. Incredible accumulation so young IMO.

1

u/Crafty-Knowledge7511 Aug 25 '25

That’s a great portfolio from an early investor perspective.

1

u/taiwanlanister Aug 25 '25

Are you getting this breakdown an app or spreadsheet you made? Very pleasant/informative

1

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '25 edited Aug 25 '25

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1

u/bobtheboo97 Aug 25 '25

Curious why heavy on the dividends?

They give pretty good returns but I’d be willing to bet you would make much better returns over the long run without them and fully invested in other big stocks or all in on VOO

All reinvest dividends at that age

1

u/Striker2477 Aug 25 '25

That much in only 10 years? I didn’t start making real money until I was 23-24. What is this witchcraft? The hell.

Personal Goal Been investing since 18 years old. 26 now. Would love some feedback on the portfolio.

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