[USER]

I am starting to think about not only retirement, but also FIRE number, I am 30 years from retirement, but would like to obviously hit a my number a lot earlier than that.

I work for a large tech company, I have about $11k in stock. This has compounded and was given to me over the years with more vesting over the next four years. I have about $20k in savings as well.

What are some tried and true funds or stocks that give long-term growth that you have all seen work. Also, when it comes to 401(k), are you guys matching only up to the match of an employer or the yearly limit?

I am a very new beginner in this and appreciate all the advice here!

Thank you!

[Jasmine]

I think most people here focus on low-cost broad-based index funds (like VTI or similar), rather than individual stock.

[Prasad]

Along with the simple path to wealth by JL Collins, check out Paul Merriman’s free ebook “We’re talking millions”.

Those should give you some good starting points.

[Cecile]

Before we dive into tried and true funds/stocks, here are some foundational things I recommend you check out:

1. Have a budget, understand your sources of income and expenses

2. Pay off all non-mortgage loans, credit cards

3. Have 3-6 months of expenses in an emergency fund

[Caro]

Time for you to start listening to all the awesome podcasts. My favorite are

ChooseFi
Afford anything
Earn and invest

Money for couples (formerly I will teach you to be rich)
I haven’t read the books yet personally.

started with the 401K match and max Roth IRA. Then I moved to maxing out 401K, backdoor Roth IRA, and HSA.

Def recommend the HSA maxing out early before potentially having more health issues or family with health issues).

I will say if I could go back and tell myself something, I would probably say to go get a term life insurance policy outside of work for max years and $ that make sense for you.

I wish I stopped tying life insurance to work way earlier esp before I had kids / got gestational diabetes.

Every little thing can count against ya in terms of premium.

[Rick]

My advise to starting on fire me, so similar to your situation would be the following.

1. Buy two etfs like AVUS (a sorta total US market fund with a quality screen) and AVUV (small cap value also with a quality screen) in something like 80/20 split.

I think it’s important to see to zig and zag or the weave like a dna strand of two funds with different holdings as you don’t want to have to learn this interplay later when you have $1m+.

The goal is to have similar returns with less volatility together than just holding a single etf.

2. After putting your version of #1 in place and on auto pilot as automated as you can, stop worrying about “best” investment or “hot” investment.

Until you get over $500k total and maybe even not until you get to $1M, investment choice matters fairly little.

What matters more and almost entirely early in your journey? The amount you shovel into your investment accounts.

Work on building the biggest darn shovel possible for shoveling money into your investments.

3. Consume a ridiculous amount of finance content. Books, podcasts, blogs, and similar.

Aim to listen to tons of new stuff from new voices but cut them after they fail to connect with you after a while.

Save or bookmark some you like but are for later in your journey.

Automate two funds. Build a big huge shovel. Consume tons of content. Good luck to you.

[Natalie]

In regards to 401K I think it depends on your goals? I met someone who has already FIRE and they didn’t put much in their 401K and instead decided to invest more in their brokerage.

I got a late start and I am taking advantage of pre-tax so I put 20% to my 401K (I hit the max mid year).

I was doing mega back door, but decided to stop doing that and invest more in my brokerage.

For my 401K I invest in an S&P 500 index fund and that’s it.

[Author]

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