All new articles moving forward will be organized into our newly created groups.
Budgeting, Investing, Question and Answer, and Real Estate. Creating these groups will provide an easier way for readers to navigate our content based on topic.
"Classics" are the first articles posted on Betternance (6/1/25-12/1/25) prior to adding multiple group topics.
Enjoy!
Imagine a swimming pool has 1,000 gallons in it. Each year you take out 40 gallons of water and use for various fun things around the house. (filling water balloons, squirt guns etc.) Normal rainfall replaces the 40 gallons and sometimes exceeds what you took out of it; hence you never run out of water.
The 4% Rule is a guideline for retirees that states withdrawing 4% from your retirement accounts annually will allow your account balance to maintain or possibly grow based on the 7.1% stock market return average since inception.
Examples:
Sam has $450,000 in his retirement account invested into a Vanguard S&P 500 index fund. Sam turns 60 and wants to start withdrawing 4% a year for travel and hunting adventures. $18,000 is withdrawn from Sams account. 7.1% was the return average that year totaling $31,950. Sams account grows by $13,950. ($31,950 return minus $18,000 withdrawn) Sam…
Question: I am 31 years old, married with 2 children. I feel like we work hard, make good money but have nothing to show for it. I am tired of being broke. Where should I start?
Thank you for the question! The majority of people do not put the time and attention needed into their finances hence why the majority of people never achieve financial security let alone financial freedom. You have leveled up and are now conscious about money and interested in how it works. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Sit down with your spouse and build a budget.
List all your monthly expenses, EVERYTHING YOU SPEND MONEY ON.
List all your monthly net income sources and amounts, MONEY THAT GOES INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT
Thanks for the great question!
Assuming you invested $1,000 into an S&P 500 index fund (let's use VOO) in November 2015, your $1,000 today (November 2025) would be worth $3,846, an annual return of approximately 14.47%.
$2,846 is your profit.
There are many investment vehicles you could have put that $1,000 into. Some would have gained a much higher return; others you may have lost your entire investment.
$1,000 of bitcoin purchased 10 years ago would be worth $496,927 today (8/1/15 - 8/1/25).
