Category: New Investors
I am a licensed CPA sharing my experience building my portfolio as a young professional. During this process of sharing information online, I hope to increase free financial literacy access for all.
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What To Do After Reaching $100K Net Worth?
Reaching a $100K net worth is a major milestone in personal finance. For many, it represents years of discipline, sacrifice, and growth. Whether you got there through consistent saving, investing in the markets, building a side hustle, or all of the above, hitting six figures signals that you’re no longer just starting out. You’re in…
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How to Use SCHD’s Dividend Growth to Build and Rebalance Your Portfolio
Quick Answer: SCHD’s dividend growth compounds two ways, the fund raises its payout over time, and reinvested distributions buy more shares that generate their own dividends. The strategic advantage most investors miss is using SCHD’s quarterly cash distributions as rebalancing fuel: instead of selling appreciated positions and triggering capital gains, you direct incoming dividends toward whichever sleeve…
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What $100K invested in SCHD Looks Like Over 5, 10, 15, and 20 Years
Quick Answer: With $100K invested in SCHD at a ~3.5% starting yield, it generates roughly $3,500 in year-one income. With historical dividend growth in the 8-10% range, that same position produces approximately $5,100 annually by year five, $7,600 by year ten, $11,200 by year fifteen, and $16,300 by year twenty, without adding a single dollar. Reinvest…
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Do I Bonds Fit Into Your Portfolio in 2026?
Assessing the role of I Bonds in your investment portfolio in 2026 is a significant consideration, particularly in an uncertain future when it comes to inflation. These bonds are specifically designed to protect against inflation, which may be a critical factor given the fluctuating rates experienced in recent years. As low-risk investments backed by the…
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What to Do With $100K: The Complete Guide for US Investors in 2026
How to invest your first $100,000 — with tax-advantaged account sequencing, asset location strategy, and a realistic allocation framework from a licensed CPA. Quick Answer If you are planning to invest $100K this year and are wondering where to put it, here’s the short version: max out tax-advantaged accounts first in this order — 401(k)…
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My First 5 Years of Financial Data Out of College
I track my finances the same way I track my career: with detailed numbers and trailing metrics. I try to grow from both years where I saw visible growth (professionally and financially) and years that taught me plenty of lessons. The data below covers my 5 years of financial data after college and captures things…
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The 2026 SCHD Reconstitution Explained and Portfolio Implications
The annual reconstitution of Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is one of the most important structural events for investors focused on dividend growth and quality factor exposure. While many investors treat SCHD as a “set-and-forget” income vehicle, the underlying mechanics of its index—Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index—are highly systematic, rules-based, and materially impactful…
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How to Handle Student Debt as a New Graduate
Graduating from college is a monumental step in your life, signifying the transition from student to professional. However, it comes with the reality of student debt—a burden carried by many new graduates. Understanding the magnitude of your debt and planning to manage it effectively are crucial steps to ensure financial stability moving forward. Crafting a…
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Student Loan Repayment Calculator
This student loan repayment calculator is designed to answer one core question: Should you invest your extra cash or use it to pay off your student loan (or loans) early? Instead of guessing, the tool calculates the exact return your investments need to generate to outperform paying down your debt. It also incorporates the student…
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Portfolio Allocation Calculator
This Portfolio Allocation Calculator is a simple tool designed to generate portfolio allocation guidance based on three inputs: age, risk tolerance, and income. Instead of giving a single “perfect” target, the calculator provides allocation ranges across four broad groups—Equities, Credit, Cash, and Alternative Assets—so you have flexibility to build a portfolio that matches your preferences…
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Why I’m Buying Bitcoin Here in 2026
Bitcoin’s price action this year has renewed interest from both new and seasoned investors. If you read my earlier piece “Should I Have an Allocation to Bitcoin in My Portfolio?”, you already know the main questions you should consider before you allocate to Bitcoin. Now that Bitcoin has dipped below the $100,000 level, I personally…
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How to Reach a 100K Net Worth by Age 25
Hitting a six‑figure net worth by your mid‑twenties is a milestone that inspires both admiration and skepticism. While headlines trumpet twenty‑somethings with $100,000 portfolios, the reality is that most young adults are nowhere near that level of wealth. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation shows that the median net worth for…