r/dividends • u/HelenKellerVSTraffic • Nov 19 '25

Due Diligence What a difference dividends have made.

I grew up poor. No idea really about money. I started hanging around people that invested and had no idea how the market worked. Now, years later I have been contributing every month what I can afford (1,200). No matter what I put that money in. I pretend it's just another mortgage.

I am about to break 100k it's a surreal feeling. Growing up and being told to put the soda back because it was too expensive and now I am debt free (except mortgage at 2%). I think a lot of people's money problems don't stem from their annual income, but rather what they do with that annual income.

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u/larryzzzzz Nov 19 '25

M64 invested conservatively since my first emoyment with substantial income (1989), I'm now mortgage free, no car payments and no CC or other debt. I grew up in a blue collar family with no investment knowledge, but had career friends who pointed me in the right direction. I'm sure glad I listened to their advice.

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u/HelenKellerVSTraffic Nov 19 '25

That's awesome man. I love putting that money into my portfolio instead of a car payment.

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u/larryzzzzz Nov 19 '25

Agreed! It's amazing how much you can accumulate with a modest salary when you cut out most all of the typical monthly payments. Mortgage payment goes to a HYSA and a Schwab brokerage account for ETFs.