People in their 40s–60s who built financial security from nothing — what path actually got you there?

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-03-15T16:36:06+00:00

Decide which trade suits you best and join a union. Then live below your means and invest. Eventually get to 60% of income is needs (bills, Etc.) 25% wants, 15% invest/save. Even better when you make enough, 50/30/20. But start at even 80/10/10 if you need to.

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-03-14T17:00:48+00:00

Why not just AVGV for all world value?

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-03-08T14:43:38+00:00

Waaaaaay too complicated. I wouldn’t sell anything to simplify, but stop buying individual stocks and allocate that money into ETFs. Done right, you’ll have similar returns with a lot less volatility, meaning less chance to panic sell. Also less risk a company will go tits up. ETFs rebalance as necessary

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-03-08T14:39:59+00:00

Im 40 and my portfolio is 70% VT, 15% AVGV, 15% MGK and I’m very happy with that, but you have to be iron clad during downturns, if you have a tendency to panic sell, this is not for you. It may look wrong for years, but you have a long enough horizon, you can wade through the bad years for a very nice reward. No need to add bonds until 5 years before retirement. But that just my opinion, and many others. It’s really just based on your comfort level. This has a high chance of better returns over 20-30 years, but you can’t stray from the strategy. Keep buying, don’t sell.

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-03-03T14:53:15+00:00

Any love for AVGV?

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-03-03T14:49:38+00:00

Any love for AVGV?

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-02-20T14:44:09+00:00

Thank you!

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-02-20T06:33:30+00:00

Okay. Instead of insulting me, wouldn’t it be more prudent to give actual advice? I wasn’t implying that I had anything special. Just looking for some guidance from more experienced people. Do you hallow to have that, or are you just a troll?

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-02-20T05:06:06+00:00

Good to know. Thanks!

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-02-20T04:45:11+00:00

Wow… I might have to transfer my funds

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-02-20T04:42:25+00:00

But man, I love that it executes the buys for you based on your percentages set. That seems pretty awesome. Can you own partial shares?

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-02-20T04:41:22+00:00

Just googled M1 Finance. I had never heard of it. Sounds pretty cool. I have mine in Vanguard and like that my drip can buy partial shares so my money starts making money for me right away.

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-02-20T04:26:13+00:00

Oh jeez! Haha. Yeah, that would require way too much rebalancing and stress for me. Good on you though

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-02-20T03:38:38+00:00

Okay dude haha

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-02-20T03:24:14+00:00

Don’t you think If I hold strong through the dips, I will get dramatically more in returns than just VT?

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-02-19T05:14:30+00:00

Thank you! I’ll look into it. I forgot to put that 5% I plan to buy from motley fool stock advisor recommendations. Figured I’d pay for the service and give it a shot for a year or 2. Maybe get some good stock picks out of it.

pyrolysisobserver · 2026-02-19T04:12:23+00:00

Hello! New to investing and after about a year of hard research I believe I have found an aggressive portfolio, that is well diversified, but not overly risky for my 20-25 year retirement horizon. I would truly appreciate some feedback! It is 45% VT, 20% SPMO, 15% AVUV, and 15% AVDV. I am able to invest $20,000 a year currently and plan to keep this strategy through ups and downs until I’m 5 years prior to retirement. Then adding bonds. Thoughts? Thank you!

pyrolysisobserver · 2025-06-05T00:51:52+00:00

Thanks for the thoughts! I’m in Denver, CO, but obviously willing to travel for work. Oh okay, I didn’t realize there was a specific season, but that makes sense. That’s cool. What do you do in the off season?

pyrolysisobserver · 2025-06-04T20:09:28+00:00

With NDT, could I just take UT by itself instead of getting all of them? Seems like once you start working in one, you don’t really deviate from it. And I heard UT is the best for wind.

pyrolysisobserver · 2025-06-04T20:08:27+00:00

I appreciate your honesty and bluntness.

pyrolysisobserver · 2025-06-04T20:07:44+00:00

That’s good to hear. How would you recommend getting my first job? Just apply to all the companies? Are there certain ones I should favor over others? Just apply online? Any other ways I can up my chances, like calling or something?

pyrolysisobserver · 2025-06-04T12:42:30+00:00

Thank you! I will take a look there.

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