Domain: tiger-web1.srvr.media3.us Investment advice | Money Talk
Page 1
Page 1
Started By
Message

Investment advice

Posted on 12/31/25 at 2:28 pm
Posted by SidewalkTiger
Midwest, USA
Member since Dec 2019
67877 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 2:28 pm
I'm 32.

I have a Roth 401k (didn't know this was a thing) through my employer and have been maxing it out the last few years, however I'm looking for something to do with any additional funds I have.

Currently, I have a taxable brokerage account with Fidelity and have dabbled with some of the income ETF's however I've basically just broke even.

Took a flier on HGRAF based on this board.

Does it make sense to just buy index funds in the taxable account and roll with it?

This post was edited on 12/31/25 at 3:00 pm
Posted by horsesandbulls
Destin, FL
Member since Jun 2008
5170 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 3:33 pm to
Id keep your speculative (gambled) investments to 10% of your taxable brokerage account holdings. Put the rest in index funds or “safer” etfs.
Posted by TorchtheFlyingTiger
1st coast
Member since Jan 2008
2933 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 4:41 pm to
I'd fund Roth IRA before taxable brokerage. I avoid dividend and income generating assets in brokerage because they generate unwanted taxes. Low yield index ETFs are my preferred asset in brokerage. You've underperformed if just breaking even in recent years.
Posted by lsuconnman
Baton rouge
Member since Feb 2007
4579 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 4:49 pm to
I’d subscribe to AT’s substack. He’s had a few bangers over the years.
Posted by PlaySomeHonk
Montegut La and Liberty MS
Member since Jan 2023
582 posts
Posted on 1/2/26 at 11:22 pm to
You’re on the right track. I retired at 55 in 2017 and this was ny strategy. Max out any matching tax deferred accounts, or a Roth if it’s employer matched. I invested in physical metals in early 2000’s and that’s paying off. And I still believe there is a ton of run left in silver especially.

Land/real estate is another almost sure investment. Any after tax investments weighted in index funds like you said, industry sector funds, S&P etc, but keep 20%ish bonds (not bond funds). I like corporate bonds, with some municipal bonds on the low end. Don’t buy junk bonds, I try to stay in B+ or higher. Then as you move closer to retirement, transition more so toward bonds and fixed income. Remove the risk from your portfolio.

That’s all I got, but it’s worked very well for me.
Posted by KWL85
Member since Mar 2023
3318 posts
Posted on 1/3/26 at 9:07 am to
You are on the right track. Maxing out your Roth at a young age is a good choice. As your income grows, you should also fund a traditional tax deferred account, which lowers current year taxes. It also provides tax diversification options for you down the road when you are pulling money out of retirement accounts.

Nothing wrong with using indexes, even in taxable accounts. The majority of my money is always in indexes for diversification. And they require less knowledge than investing in individual companies.

It is odd to only break even in the market we have been in for a while. You might need to use a financial advisor. I will say that investing in individual companies should increase your investing knowledge over time. That is a benefit in the long run. You might be chasing big profits thru risky choices. That could be why you aren't winning at it if you missed too often. You could try to stick with more proven winners with your individual stocks. You can make money with Google, Nvdia, Broadcom, Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Walmart, ... Don't try to be an expert stock picker; don't try to outsmart the market. Go where it tells you to go by jumping in on what the market already likes. There is usually a good reason why specific stocks are increasing. They are usually good companies and good investments. Good luck.

Posted by GoCrazyAuburn
Member since Feb 2010
40012 posts
Posted on 1/3/26 at 11:27 am to
quote:

Does it make sense to just buy index funds in the taxable account and roll with it?


Why wouldn't you do a Roth IRA?

Order of operations, contribute to the 401k up to the point you get the maximum match from your employer, then max out an IRA, then if you can do more, max out what is left in the 401k. After you've done all of that, then you can look into some taxable accounts or other avenues for tax deferment depending on fund availability.
This post was edited on 1/3/26 at 11:28 am
Posted by SidewalkTiger
Midwest, USA
Member since Dec 2019
67877 posts
Posted on 1/3/26 at 8:29 pm to
quote:

It is odd to only break even in the market we have been in for a while


I bought some of those junk "high yield" income ETF's like YieldMax and sold them when they started plunging.
Posted by SidewalkTiger
Midwest, USA
Member since Dec 2019
67877 posts
Posted on 1/3/26 at 8:32 pm to
quote:

Why wouldn't you do a Roth IRA?



I wasn't sure if I could do both a Roth 401k and a Roth IRA.
Posted by GoCrazyAuburn
Member since Feb 2010
40012 posts
Posted on 1/4/26 at 12:03 am to
Yes you can do both. 401k has no bearing on IRA availability.
Posted by KWL85
Member since Mar 2023
3318 posts
Posted on 1/5/26 at 3:49 pm to
True, but both have income limits. Some have to use back door to contribute to a Roth. I think the limit is around $250k. Traditional has limits for taking the deduction. If you make too much, you can make your contribution, but it is not tax deferred. These rules do not apply to company 401ks, at least they didn't while I was working.
This post was edited on 1/5/26 at 3:50 pm
Posted by GoCrazyAuburn
Member since Feb 2010
40012 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 12:27 pm to
There is no income limit for a Roth 401k, other than just the normal 401k contribution limits.
Posted by KWL85
Member since Mar 2023
3318 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 2:58 pm to
Agree. There is if contributing to a Roth IRA, but not if using a Roth 401k.
Posted by 1609tiger
Member since Feb 2011
3770 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 8:18 pm to
If eligible set up an HSA. Hands down the best savings vehicle. Just cant put a whole lot into it.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram