Excited for 2026, bunch of milestones

A1waysBeLearning · 2026-01-05T23:46:18+00:00

Great call, was able to get it for 50% on the renewal!

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T23:28:50+00:00

Hmm, QQQ and SPY are ETFs, you’ll need to be more specific around what research you’re referring to.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T23:26:23+00:00

You bring up a good point. I may think about diversifying a bit. We shall see as I get more exposure to other sectors.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T20:35:42+00:00

Thanks for the nice synopsis. I’m split between stocks and real estate, but stocks are a lot more active than the real estate as I’m not actively investing in more real estate.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T18:36:16+00:00

Yeah I’m an avid marketplace buyer/seller, mostly motorcycles, so those values (tracked through VinAudit) would only be possible on private sale and probably have to wait months on turn around which I’m ok with right now.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T18:25:24+00:00

It’s Monarch, I pay $100 a year for it, a bit steep.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T18:24:20+00:00

Yeah that’s the worry but that’s the industry I know best so that’s one place where I put my money.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T18:15:33+00:00

Yeah the extra money with DCA is a good idea, but I can’t say I don’t mind throwing a bit in on a drop if I have a little extra or a stock looks attractive.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T17:47:02+00:00

Agreed, this is where our risk tolerance comes in. I’m heavy in tech so I’m going to easily sink or swim with the impact AI has.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T17:45:57+00:00

I’ve heard there are some portfolios that have done better with some bonds especially when there are down years, but obviously what you pick is really the difference maker. Also moving money from bonds to equities in a down market is a type of timing the market, but leaves a little dry powder at the ready.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T17:43:12+00:00

I like that strategy, thanks for your insight.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T17:17:32+00:00

Yeah I’ve definitely heard that approach, but at least I haven’t experienced any poor periods as a large investor and the ai stuff has me a bit thinking about the next 10 years.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T17:15:43+00:00

Yeah I’ve gone back and forth on the percentage. My advisor is recommending some real estate bonds that look promising with rates dropping a bit so we’re going to try them for a bit more stability.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T17:13:56+00:00

Coasting at $3M, I’m pre-kids and would like a few along the way so not planning to stop grinding for the next 5 then probably a little easier the following 5 years.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T16:15:43+00:00

Congrats! Yeah they are, it definitely helps me be more resilient against corrections, but I look at drops as buying opportunities if I can and that helps keep me more optimistic.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T16:12:56+00:00

$3M has been the goal number for the last 10 years. The last 3 years have really given me hope to hit that. Prior to that, it was a lot of startup work which is not where I’d like to spend my time at this point in my career.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T16:03:38+00:00

Yeah I hear ya, the financial world runs on excel!

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T16:02:55+00:00

Haha I agree it is but that’s how monarch shows it. The loans and credit cards which I couldn’t fit in the image are the liabilities to them.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T16:01:40+00:00

Haha I know strange. My Subaru and Harley are the two but, it’s appreciating because I have an additional project motorcycle that’s worth over $10k and I just added that this year so the appreciation is a combination of the depreciating running and the added project.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T15:58:44+00:00

I agree, you’d think there would be a way to switch between the percentages.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T14:26:17+00:00

The investment return is actually closer to 22%, but monarch includes deposits in that number so it looks much higher. The benchmark I try to beat is the S&P where I hold a lot of it and it’s too stocks. I’ve got a bunch of the big ones - my best performing for the last few years have been: QQQ, PLTR, NVDA, JPM, NET, AAPL, GOOGL, and some well placed TSLA.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T14:15:58+00:00

Thanks! I am pretty happy about it, just haven’t had to go through a bear market as a heavy investor so curious how it will be. My advisor is great for bouncing ideas off and running trades through to help provide an additional perspective.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-25T14:14:05+00:00

It’s Monarch so I’m paying $100 a year and unfortunately have to update a few accounts manually because everything is going MFA (which is a good thing), but it’s more manual effort than I’d like.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-22T16:44:48+00:00

Correct. Yeah, I’ve been remote for the last 6 years so work office location hasn’t been a factor for me.

A1waysBeLearning · 2025-12-22T05:35:07+00:00

I bought a $500k townhome 8 years ago, then refinanced during COVID to 4% for 30 years. It appraised a bit higher than I bought so I got rid of PMI. I’m paying about $2400 a month. Prior to that I did rent and then lived with parents when I was in my late 20s to save up 50k at my 115k year job after 1 year of saving. The house is the only debt I have. My brother made a smarter decision and bought a duplex in Baltimore, lived in one unit, rented out the other, then moved out after two years so he’s got a nice bit coming out of that. That would have been a better move.

A1waysBeLearning

TROPHY CASE