VOO Has Made Millionaires, But Its 1.1% Yield Worries Retirees - 24/7 Wall St.[S&P 5006,942.30 +0.74%] [Dow Jones49,452.00 +0.58%][Nasdaq 10025,299.30 +1.27%][Russell 20002,664.25 +0.48%][FTSE 10010,818.30 +0.97%][Nikkei 22559,645.30 +2.96%][Live Nasdaq Composite: Tech Tailwinds Boost Market Sentiment, Reclaiming Lost Ground][Investing]# VOO Has Made Millionaires, But Its 1.1% Yield Worries Retirees### Quick ReadVanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) holds $1.5T in assets. VOO gained 17.69% over the past year.NVIDIA, A ...

Group 1: Homeowners' Insurance Trends - The cost of homeowners' insurance has been increasing, with premiums rising in 95% of U.S. ZIP codes from 2021 to 2025, and one-third of surveyed individuals experiencing a 30% increase [1][5] - U.S. homeowners spent an additional $21 billion on homeowners' insurance in 2024 compared to 2021, indicating a significant rise in this expense [5] Group 2: Wealth Accumulation Insights - A 2025 Goldman Sachs report revealed that 40% of households earning $500,000 or more still feel financially constrained, suggesting that higher income does not equate to financial security [2] - According to Ramsey Solution's National Study of Millionaires, only 31% of American millionaires earned an average annual income of $100,000, and one-third never reached a six-figure income [4] Group 3: Debt Management and Financial Strategies - As of June 2025, the average consumer debt in the U.S. was reported at $104,755, with 78.7% of Americans having credit card debt [23] - The avalanche and snowball methods are two recommended strategies for paying down debt, focusing on either high-interest debts or smaller debts respectively [24][25] Group 4: Investment and Savings Tools - Tools like Rocket Money and Acorns can help individuals manage their budgets and automate investments, making it easier to save and invest consistently [12][19] - Moby's investment recommendations have outperformed the S&P 500 by nearly 12% on average over four years, providing valuable insights for investors [18] Group 5: Financial Planning and Expert Guidance - Advisor.com connects individuals with financial experts, ensuring that clients receive tailored advice based on their financial goals [32][33] - Working with a debt-relief expert can help individuals manage multiple creditors and potentially reduce their overall debt burden [27]

RT Mikli (@CryptoMikli)Thiccy explains what it means to “make it”“You should always focus on acquiring enough wealth and resources to the point where you’re emancipated from labor, basically living off interest”“Going from $0 to $200K won’t change what you prioritize in life, but going from around $200K to $2M does. At 4% interest, that’s $80K a year, you’re set” ...

Core Insights - The process of building wealth is slow initially, with significant contributions from personal savings rather than capital appreciation in the early years [1][2] - Compounding growth becomes more impactful after a decade, with potential to reach significant net worth milestones over time [3] Milestones in Wealth Accumulation - The first key milestone is reaching $10,000 in net assets, which is significant given that 21% of U.S. adults have no emergency savings and 37% would struggle with unexpected expenses over $400 [5] - With over $10,000, individuals can generate passive income, enhancing financial preparedness for emergencies [6] - Achieving this milestone indicates the ability to accumulate wealth and reflects healthy savings habits that can lead to further financial growth [7]

Core Insights - The perception that becoming a millionaire is only achievable through extraordinary means is challenged by the reality that many millionaires have built their wealth through common professions and strategies [1][2] Group 1: Millionaire Demographics - A national survey indicates that the top five careers among millionaires are engineer, accountant, teacher, manager, and attorney, highlighting that these are not niche professions [1] - Nearly 1 in 5 households in the U.S. are millionaires, suggesting that wealth accumulation may be more attainable than previously thought [2] Group 2: Wealth Accumulation Strategies - Negotiating higher pay is crucial; a 2023 survey found that 60% of workers did not ask for higher pay when hired, and among those who did, nearly two-thirds received what they requested or more [3] - Job-switching can lead to significant salary increases; data from ADP shows that job-switchers experienced an average annual salary increase of 6.3%, compared to just 4.4% for job-stayers [4]

Core Insights - Building wealth differs from generating retirement income, emphasizing the importance of accumulating money now rather than relying on portfolio income during market volatility [1][8] Income ETFs - Income ETFs are crucial for long-term investment strategies, focusing on stability rather than chasing high yields or trending sectors like AI [3][4] - The evolution of income ETFs over the past decade has led to a new generation designed for sustainability, global diversification, and reduced concentration risk [5] - The stability provided by diversified income ETFs is more valuable than higher yields from less diversified options, as they are better equipped to withstand market downturns [6] ETF Characteristics - The highlighted ETFs are built on principles of quality, diversification, and proven business models, ensuring minimal redundancy in investment portfolios [7] - Modern income ETFs mitigate sector concentration risk by diversifying across hundreds of companies and multiple countries [8]

Core Insights - The US Department of Justice has released new Jeffrey Epstein files, revealing connections to high-profile individuals like Bill Clinton, Mick Jagger, and Michael Jackson, while showing minimal links to Donald Trump [1][2] - Epstein's wealth at the time of his death in 2019 was estimated at $578 million, including $380 million in cash and investments, alongside multiple lavish properties and private islands [4][10] - Epstein's financial success is attributed to two billionaire clients, Les Wexner and Leon Black, who provided over 75% of his fees, and significant tax breaks from the US Virgin Islands [7][8][10] Financial Overview - Epstein's companies generated over $800 million in revenue from 1999 to 2018, with $490 million coming from fees [7] - He saved nearly $300 million in taxes due to his operations in the US Virgin Islands, where he established two revenue-generating companies [8] - Epstein earned $360 million in dividends from his companies during the same period [9] Social Connections - Epstein's network included various high-profile clients and associates, such as Elizabeth Johnson, Glenn Dubin, and numerous influential figures, indicating a broad sphere of influence [9][10]

Core Insights - Dave Ramsey's financial advice resonates with many Americans as it addresses the habits that undermine financial stability [2][4] - Couples who combine their finances tend to have stronger marriages and accumulate more wealth over time, contrasting with the risks associated with maintaining separate finances [5][8] Group 1 - A recent call on Ramsey's show highlighted a couple's struggle with separate finances, prompting a reevaluation of their financial strategy after a job loss [3][4] - Ramsey emphasized the structural risks of financial separation, suggesting that shared accounts provide a form of diversification similar to investment strategies [5][7] - Data from Ramsey's team indicates that couples who share finances report stronger marriages and higher wealth accumulation, with a survey showing that most millionaire households combine their financial resources [8]

Core Insights - The upper middle class often faces unexpected financial challenges that hinder wealth accumulation despite high incomes [1] Spending Habits Impacting Wealth - Real estate spending is a significant drain, with mortgages consuming 35% to 40% of income, limiting investment opportunities. For instance, a $6,000 monthly mortgage could have generated $720,000 in returns over 10 years if invested [2] - New luxury vehicles are another major wealth drain, with clients spending $800 to $1,200 monthly on car payments. One client spent over $175,000 on luxury car payments and depreciation over eight years, which could have been invested instead [3] - Leasing or owning multiple high-end vehicles, costing $1,500 to $2,000 monthly in payments, insurance, and maintenance, further detracts from potential investments [4] - Private school tuition, ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 annually per child, creates a financial burden that can prevent families from adequately funding retirement accounts and investment portfolios, potentially draining millions from long-term wealth accumulation [5]

Core Viewpoint - The 0.01% rule suggests that purchases costing less than 0.01% of one's total net worth can be made without guilt, but experts warn it may undermine long-term financial goals [1][3][7] Group 1: Spending Rule Analysis - The 0.01% rule allows individuals with a net worth of $500,000 to make purchases under $50 without hesitation [1] - Erica Grundza, a certified financial planner, argues that this rule encourages casual spending over disciplined budgeting, which is essential for long-term financial health [3][4] - The rule is seen as a justification for impulsive spending, potentially eroding the financial discipline necessary for success [6][7] Group 2: Long-Term Financial Goals - Consistent and intentional saving is crucial for achieving key financial goals such as down payments, education funding, and retirement preparation [5] - Small, frequent purchases can accumulate and significantly delay or derail major financial objectives [5] - Oversimplified financial rules like the 0.01% rule can have harmful long-term consequences if individuals are not aware of their current financial situation [7]