How to invest with a 9-5

How to invest when you are a beginner OR have little time to do so?

Is that something you’ve thought about a lot when you see people talking about how well they’re doing in markets but wondering… how?

Well, here’s a strategy for you.

And the best part?

You only need to check on it once a month and ideally, save up to make your investments once every THREE months, so you can focus on more important things, like scrolling TikTok while watching TV or telling your 3 year old for the 9th time to get out of the fridge (might just be me).

First up, let's talk about the heart of this strategy.

For those of us in the UK it's the VUAG (or any ACCUMULATING SP500 fund) – an exchange-traded fund that's like a big, cozy blanket for your money.

You want to alloca

It covers 500 of the biggest US companies, so you don't have to put all your eggs in one basket.

And for our pals across the pond, we've got the SPY, VOO etc – US equivalents (but there are plenty, these are just the biggest).

I’m not going to advise on tax efficiency, but for UK guys and girls, ISAs and SIPPs are your best friend here depending on timeframe — US peeps and anyone else, speak to an advisor.

Now, here's where the fun begins.

Take a chunk of your investment (around 20%) and sprinkle it across 4 or 5 stocks of companies you actually use and love. 

That way, every time you buy your favourite product, you can give yourself a little pat on the back, knowing you're not just a customer – you’re an investor too.

And if you ever fall out of love with one of these companies, no worries – just sell the shares and move on to greener pastures.

For those of you who are a little more advanced, you can even keep an eye on something called the 200-day moving average.

You can improve your chances of the stock you love trending higher if t’s trading above this.

But…

If your stock takes a nosedive below this magic number, it ‘s time to jump ship and swim to safer shores.

But don't stress if that sounds like too much work – the basic plan will still keep you afloat where you dump it if you stop using it, but maybe just shift from 70% SP500 to 80% and alter the weights to the other investment type below).

Last but not least, take a small slice of your investment pie (about 10%) and put it into a single stock that's got "big winner" written all over it.

Maybe it's a company that's cooking up the next big thing, or a small fish in a big pond that's ready to make a splash.

Just remember, this is your ‘go big or go home’ moment, so only bet what you can afford to lose (that goes for EVERYTHING here though — nothing is a sure bet).

To make your life even easier, here's a nifty table you can use to visualise this strategy.

Now, here's the beauty of this plan – you only need to check on your investments once a month.

That's right, just set a reminder, take a quick peek, make any tweaks, and then get back to living your best life. No need to fret over every little market hiccup – you're in it for the long haul.

So, there you have it – a stress-free investing strategy that's perfect for busy professionals like you.

By mixing the stability of the VUAG or SPY, the warmth and familiarity of investing in companies you know and love, and a sprinkle of high-risk, high-reward ‘juicing’, you’re getting into a nice strategy that blends risk with ‘safety’.

Naturally, there is more to this, and we can specifically help way, way more with the last two segments — the companies you love and the single stock punts.

They’re there to juice your returns, so subscribe to Fink Premium to get those ideas (since Feb 1 we’re up 39% 👀).

Remember, investing is like a fine wine – it gets better with age.

So, start sipping today, and before you know it, you'll be toasting to a future that's looking brighter than ever.

(Disclaimer: This is not financial advice, just a bit of friendly fun (but also, a genuinely good way to think about investing). Always do your own research and consult with a professional before making any investment decisions.)