I’m in my mid-40s and finally starting to think about investing. I have $1,000 a month I can invest, and I’m hoping to retire in about 20 years. I’ll admit I’m not a fan of big risks, so I’m looking for safe, smart options. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.
EDIT: Thanks to everyone who shared advice! I’ve got a lot of research to dive into now.
It’s never too late to start. Good luck on your journey! 
20 years is a solid amount of time. You likely won’t be able to retire early, but with consistent investing, you can make it work. Look into a mix like VTI (total US stock market), VXUS (international stocks), and BND (bonds). Or you can follow the allocations of a target-date retirement fund for guidance.
I’ll be one of many to suggest ‘VOO and chill.’ It’s simple, low-cost, and has historically performed well. Take a look at its annual returns over the past 15-20 years to get an idea of what to expect.
@Harlyn
VOO is great, but if you’re only starting now, you might need to be slightly more aggressive to hit your goals.
Paul said:
@Harlyn
VOO is great, but if you’re only starting now, you might need to be slightly more aggressive to hit your goals.
At a 9% annual return, $1,000 per month could grow to around $650k in 20 years.
@Reece
With 3% inflation, that $650k would be closer to $360k in today’s money, so keep that in mind.
Starting in your mid-40s can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. You likely have more money to invest now, but it’s also a time where mistakes can feel bigger. Learn as much as you can and keep going—you’ve got this.
One tip: Stay away from crypto.
I’d recommend starting with a fund like VTI, which tracks the total US market. While S&P 500 ETFs like VOO are solid, diversifying into international markets like VEA (developed markets) or VWO (emerging markets) can add stability and reduce overall risk. Keep bonds and cash to around 10-15% since you still have time to grow your investments.
I’m 48 and in a similar boat with about $1,000 to invest monthly. I’ll be following the advice here too!
I started investing at 42 with $300/month, and now I’m at $1,400/month as I approach 50. Start with your company’s 401(k) if they offer one, especially if there’s a match. If not, look into an IRA. For funds, broad-market ETFs like ones tracking the S&P 500 or total market are great. Also, read The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel—it really helped me understand the ups and downs of investing.
@Zayne
You’re doing great! How much have you saved so far?
Bryn said:
@Zayne
You’re doing great! How much have you saved so far?
I started at 42 from zero and just passed $100k after about 8 years. It’s been steady progress.
Keep it simple: Buy an S&P 500 ETF like VOO. Do it regularly—daily, weekly, monthly, whenever you can. It’s boring, but it works. Very few people outperform the market long-term, and you won’t find those people here.
If you want to retire comfortably, you’ll need to accept some risk. The earlier you start, the better, so don’t delay.
Consider something like RSP (equal-weight S&P 500) or dividend-focused ETFs like SCHD or DIVB. These might be a bit less volatile.
For a risk-averse option, look into SPHD. It’s a low-volatility, high-dividend ETF. It doesn’t have as much tech exposure, which can help reduce risk, and it still has solid returns. At $1,000/month for 20 years, you could end up with anywhere from $563k to over $1M, depending on market performance.
It’s great you’re starting now. You can keep it simple with something like SPY (S&P 500 ETF). If you feel comfortable, you can learn more and experiment a bit, but don’t overcomplicate things.
Do you have a pension or access to a 401(k)? Also, what’s your income? These factors will guide your strategy.