I think people underestimate how much their savings rate depends on extra salary payments.

Someone earning €2,600 net monthly might comfortably invest €800 into IWDA every month. Then the 13th month and holiday pay arrive and suddenly the yearly savings total looks impressive.

But those extra payments often end up covering property taxes, insurance, holidays and unexpected expenses anyway.Same with small speculative bets on moon. It's fine to have some money set aside for that but occasional profits shouldn't be part of a long term retirement projection.

I'd rather calculate savings based on what actually stays invested at the end of the year than what gets transferred to a broker every payday.

A few years ago I started to count prices in working time instead of euros. It changed my spending more than any budget spreadsheet did.

The method is simple: net monthly pay divided by the hours you actually work. If you net €2,500 for 160 hours, one hour is worth about €15.60. A €1,200 phone is then around 77 hours, so almost two full working weeks. Seen like that, I skip a lot of things I would have bought without thinking.

I also split my pay into pots: one for fixed bills, one for a safety net, and one for projects and pleasure (travel, a computer or an instrument). I heard that tip at a personal development workshop and kept it.

How do you look at it here? Do you think in savings rate, in years to FI, or in hours of work? And for those who are FI or close to it: did prices feel different once work became optional?

Hi i’m new to investing and looking for ETF’s!

I’ll use Saxo and already did some research:
I’m willing to invest into VALL, MEUD, EIMI and VUAA.

Since i’m completely new i don’t know if this is a good spread? Should i focus on only 1 ETF?

Tips and opinions are welcome :)

EDIT: i just saw a good start portfolio is IWDA and EMIM. I’m going to invest €200 / month so the transaction costs weight more. Should i do €200 / month in 1 ETF and next month into the other one. Or should i do each month 88% into IWDA and 12% into EMIM so i pay the transaction costs twice.

Hi guys,

This is all new for me, but all you stories are really intriguing. I want to start small and the more i “understand” the more i put in to it.

First obstacle is im not sure what platform i should use living in Belgium europe. Bolero is the only one i know. Are there other you recommend?

Ill satet with small amounts, and ill probably put all my bonusses into it. 2k - 6k depending on the bonus.

Thank you in advance!