Friends, Colleagues, and even Family Members ask me, “Joey, Why are you so committed to investing?”
It is a question that makes me both happy but also sad.
Happy because everyone around me sees my commitment to my financials. But also Sad because they still don’t understand what moves me.
My goal is that by the end of this article, you will understand my point of view towards the future and take action to help yourself along the way.
I got involved in the markets during the 2008-2009 crash. Believe me or not, it was one of the best times to get involved in the markets because it quickly taught me that it was not easy, especially if you were a trader more than an investor.
Although trading is exciting, it takes time to analyze the markets daily. Try to find what is moving and catch the perfect windows to jump in and out. Unfortunately, it is an ideal recipe for burning out quickly.
On the other hand, let’s say that I’m lazy. I don’t want to be stuck to my computer all day looking for opportunities. So use that time in other productive activities while the markets do their thing, and you still get paid for being patient.
To answer the first question, “why am I so committed,” is because I realized the earlier you begin investing, the sooner you can reach your goal and the less time you have to spend working for someone else. Understand that I said “Investing” and not “Trading.”
Most financial advisors teach individuals about the 4% rule at retirement. Unfortunately, that is a horrible strategy because it involves withdrawing 4% of your capital to live and cover expenses every year. As a result, most people will have little to no money towards the end of their years.
It puts a severe amount of pressure on their kids and family members. Now, they have to cover their expenses and yours as well.
Who wants to put that pressure on their kids?
I’m pretty sure no one does. That is why I have an alternate strategy that will work wonders for everyone.
The idea is to invest in assets that will cash flow enough money to cover your expenses while leaving your capital intact. Then, when we die, our kids or family members can inherit that capital (investments) and make their lives easier.
How it works:
Although there are several cash flow assets, we will concentrate on dividend-paying stocks and ETFs.
Why?
Because when you invest in dividend-paying stocks and ETFs, you have several ways of making money. The most common one is capital gains as time passes. If they increase their dividends with time, your cash flow also increases. You can also learn how to sell covered calls and other income strategies to bring even more money each month.
While all of this is happening, you are not depleting your capital. Meaning your net worth will never decrease. On the contrary, you can keep increasing your net worth while living the life you want.
So, What happens if you keep postponing your investing?
In simple words, you won’t have enough cash flow to retire comfortably.
One of two things happen:
1. You can’t retire; hence, keep working longer.
2. You have to increase the money you invest to catch up.
Let’s look at an example:
Mimi and Joey both begin with a $3,000 initial investment. After that, both invest $300 monthly and receive an average annual return of 8.5%. Mimi is 20 years old, while Joey is 30 years old.
In 10 years, they both have $60,826.
In 20 years, they both have $190,935.
In 30 years, they both have $485,107.
And this is where things take a turn. Joey was 30 when he began investing and is now 60 years old and ready to retire.
Meanwhile, Mimi has another 10 years of compounding before she turns 60 years old, which will end up with a portfolio worth $1,150,226.
Who will have a better life using the 4% rule?
If they both use the 4% rule at retirement, Joey will be receiving $19,404 from his withdrawals. On the other hand, Mimi will be receiving $46,009 for her withdrawals.
You can say that Mimi will have a better life because she will receive more than double what Joey will receive. He will have to figure out how to live on $19,404 a year. However, both of them will run out of money by age 85.
Why?
Because regardless of how big your portfolio is, if you withdraw 4%, you will deplete your account in 25 years.
Just do the math:
Joey – $19,404 * 25 years = $485,100
Mimi – $46,009 * 25 years = $1,150,225
In the end, neither one will have anything to give to their kids, and if they live past their 85 birthday, their families will have to support them for the rest of their lives.
What if they cash flow instead of withdrawing capital?
Now, this is where my strategy beats the financial advisors. Instead of withdrawing capital, we can build a dividend-paying stock and ETFs portfolio. The investments can be paying 3%-4% today, but if they increase their dividend payouts yearly, by the time you are 60 years old, you could be receiving dividend payouts well above 6%-8%.
Using this conservative estimate, Joey could receive anywhere between $29,106 to $38,808 in dividends. But, of course, it could be higher if Joey learns how to sell covered calls or other income strategies.
As for Mimi, she could receive between $69,013 to $92,018 in dividends. But, again, it could be higher if she learns the strategies previously mentioned.
I think both of them could live comfortably with those amounts, and the best part is they will never run out of money. Their portfolios will remain the same or even increase. Then, when their time is up, and they move on to a better place, their families will inherit their money, or they could give their money to charity.
It is your money, so do with it what you feel is the right thing to do.
Key takeaways:
- The sooner you begin, the sooner you will reach your goals.
- Concentrate on cash flowing assets instead of accumulating money to withdraw in retirement
- Teach your kids and family members, so they too have a better life
- The 4% rule is widespread; however, it is flawed
- The more you postpone investing, the more money you will have to invest in catching up.
- Begin your investing journey today
Note:
If Joey wants to have the same amount as Mimi by age 60, he will have to invest $750 instead of $300. That leaves Joey with $450 less each paycheck. So don’t be like Joey. Start now!
Now, begin your Road to Wealth!
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