How I Invest My Money
I’ve been investing actively for 20 years… and studying about it along the way.
I’m not a certified financial advisor — simply a passionate amateur — so please, do more research and get clear about your own strategy and risk tolerance before you invest. I can't be responsible for your financial future 🙏🏼
Over time, I’ve settled into the “Boglehead” way, which is:
(1) As soon as possible (do not delay even one year) — invest your money into a tax-advantaged retirement account (such as an IRA) every single year, don't skip…
(2) …and choose low-cost broad-based index funds. If you're close to retirement, you should balance your investments so that it's lower in volatility. If you're younger, you may be able to stomach volatility for decades as long as long-term trajectory has good returns, for example, 65% VTI + 35% VXUS.
My current allocation of investments are:
Click here for the latest update
What I’ve noticed is that there will always, always, always be financial news that causes you to question your investments. “URGENT! Divest from this, invest in that” — every year, every quarter, it’s the same. It’s how those people (who sell urgency) stay in business. They need eyeballs on their content or to sell you their financial memberships...
If I can recommend to you the one resource that you lean on for the “newest” financial news and perspectives on investing, it’s this one…
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bogleheads/
Go there. Ask all your questions about investing. Ask about your latest concerns or investing opportunities. You’ll get sensible replies. In all manners of market conditions, that forum can be your grounding tool.
However -- note that most Bogleheads are old school -- they think Bitcoin is "too volatile"... but they always forget to zoom out because if you look at any 5-year period, Bitcoin trounces any stock index fund. So, ask your Bitcoin questions here instead.
These forums I've recommended are free. I bet that if you follow only their advice, you’ll be better off financially after 10 years.
In the Boglehead forum I found this:
On investing, so much is about compounding interest + years… A good rule of thumb is (assuming you retire in your 60’s) is…
> Every dollar you save in your 20’s = $16
> Every dollar you save in your 30’s = $8
> Every dollar you save in your 40’s = $4
> Every dollar you save in your 50’s = $2
The above assumes a modest 7% return (historical total stock market returns minus inflation), so every $1,000 invested at age 20 becomes $16,000 at age 60.
On the other hand, Bitcoin's historical return has been 70+% average per year for the last 10 years... yet projected for "only" 15-30% annual return going forward. Let's say 15% conservatively: every $1,000 invested for 40 years would become more than $250k.)
If you prefer to watch YouTube videos, I’ve gathered my favorite ones: about investing overall and about Bitcoin.
Besides investing in broad-based index funds... also plan to invest in your own marketable skills. See my reasoning here: https://www.georgekao.com/blog/investing2
In 2023 I made a big financial move... a physical one. My wife and I moved to a low cost country that has high-interest savings rates.
Here in Mexico, we get almost double the interest rate on bank CD’s (guaranteed certificates of deposit) than the USA. As of 2025, Mexican bank CD’s are about 7% compared to the US’s 4%.
Therefore, with the lower cost of living and higher interest rates, it’s easier to live off the interest instead of eating away at one’s principal (savings). Even considering the currency fluctuations, it’s a better deal.
Feel free to pass this around. Simply copy/paste any of the above, and share it anywhere, without my name. I don’t want random folks coming to my website asking me for financial guidance! 😅
The exception — if you happen to be sharing this with a fellow soulpreneur, these are people I’d love to reach, then kindly share this link: www.georgekao.com/blog/investing
Use all investing info as one of multiple sources that you consult, then make decisions in full responsibility for your own financial future.
Take courage — but not too much — and one step at a time…
Questions? Comment at any of these links: facebook, linkedin, youtube, substack.
Originally written in early 2024; now updated for the beginning of 2026.
