Dru said:
But is now a good time to start? We’re in pre-election times, and lots of stocks are near all-time highs. I started in July, and I’m up 6%, but I can’t help being nervous about the overall market.
Why worry? Whether it’s high or low, just keep buying. Dollar-cost averaging works best over time.
This forum seems full of beginners, including the original poster.
Everyone’s giving advice for an ‘invest and forget’ plan without knowing any of OP’s background. Have any of you consulted a financial advisor? Context matters in investing.
What are OP’s goals? Is it income, growth, or stability? What’s the timeline? Is OP doing dollar-cost averaging or investing a lump sum? How big is their income relative to their portfolio? What’s their risk tolerance? Knowing these details is critical to giving actual advice.
There’s no magic formula for investing without managing it. Just a bunch of beginners trying to advise other beginners here.
Maybe consider VGT as well. VOT hasn’t outperformed VOO, so what’s the point of having it? VOO already gives solid exposure.