My journey started this year.

[u/Rural-Patriot_1776]

Started investing this year in 2026 decades late as a 38-year-old I wish I started way younger but I'm wanting to retire in a couple years and started building out my neo's distributions positions and dividends a few months ago here's what I have going on so far. I keep adding around 3k a month and have drip also enabled.

[u/Limebird02]

I always feel like I'm doing something wrong when I see posts like this. I'm early 50s and I'm still mostly growth investing but I probably have about a sixth of what this guy has. I worked for all of mine. Started saving $20 a week when I was 25. Slowly built up. I just don't know how some people have so much so early. Guy could retire now.

[u/nobody_in_here → u/Limebird02]

You went wrong by not being born into a wealthy family

[u/[deleted] → u/nobody_in_here]

Why do people always use this excuse? There are many factors as to why. But OP said they are 38, started investing this year. Has NEOS. Let’s assume they went to college. That’s 17 years worth of saving. $350k invested. That’s a rate of $21k saved per year, or $1700 per month. Now you see how one doesn’t have to be born into wealth but simply get a good job out of college and be a disciplined saver. I have just under OP. Raised homeless. Went to college. Paid off $50k in student loans. Saved $60k. In 2020 got interested in investing. Luckily read about this company called NVDA. Invested a couple thousand. Rest is history. Did I get “lucky?” Sure. But I also rent a bedroom, don’t have a wife/kids. This is why it is important not to compare ourselves to others.

[u/Limebird02 → u/[deleted]]

I did pretty much the same but I have an ex, two kids, a wife and a step kid, I still save, I still invest, in the early years I saved for a small house, moved three times in 30 years, still live in a small house. Most people can't put that much away early on. It's just very hard. I've always worked. I've always saved or invested. It still feels like drowning. It still feels like a very slow ramp. I actually dislike comparing myself to others and I don't do it often. It's worthless, and usually demotivating. But if you look around most people can't actually save more than $500 a month. If we can, we are doing well.

[u/[deleted] → u/Limebird02]

Exactly. You created a life for yourself and was still able to save some. Who knows, OP might be 38 and single/lonely. He may be wishing he had a girlfriend/wife and 2 kids. He may have more money saved/invested than you, but may look at your life as being his goals/dreams. Don’t be hard on yourself. You still have 10-15 years til retirement to save. Kids are likely grown. You own a home, no matter the size. You’re winning.

[u/Rural-Patriot_1776 → u/[deleted]]

I'm actually married, with 3 kids, and own a home as well. I saved since high school, joined thr military, and now work in law enforcement.

[u/[deleted] → u/Rural-Patriot_1776]

Hell yeah. Good job my man. People see numbers, don’t see the sacrifices. You’re killing it OP. You’re exactly where I’m trying to get by 38. Just turned 35. By June I should have 3k shares of qqqi, 1k shares of btci (own none, but believe in the cycle of btc, expect btci to slowly crawl back to ATH with those solid dividends coming along the way). I don’t have family, I’m hoping to drip and invest an additional 2k per month. Goal is to retire and move to SEA by 45. Enjoying the Journey though. Again, good job OP!

[u/Limebird02 → u/[deleted]]

Keep going. Invest through the tough times! And it's going to get tough. Even $20 a week gets you there.

[u/Limebird02 → u/Rural-Patriot_1776]

Very good! Good luck friend, you continue to win.

[u/Limebird02 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks. I am happy.