THIS WEEK’S FOCUS

Time is Money: Why Starting Early is the Best Retirement Hack

Planning for retirement might feel like a far-off goal—but the truth? It’s never too early (or too late) to start building the life you want post-work. Whether you’re 25, 35, or even 45, every dollar you invest now has the potential to work harder for your future self.

This week, we’re diving into retirement investing strategies that anyone can implement. From simple steps to advanced tactics, you’ll find tips to help you automate and grow your portfolio while staying on track for financial freedom.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

Strategy Spotlight: Deep Tech

The Deep Tech Innovators Thematic Investing Strategy is a cutting-edge investment approach targeting the groundbreaking advancements in deep technology. By focusing on sectors like artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, this strategy invests in the companies shaping tomorrow's digital landscape.

📊 Why it Works

1. Focused on High-Growth Sectors

   • Invests in 30 public companies leading the charge in semiconductors, software, hardware, and IT services.

   • Examples: NVIDIA (NVDA), Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), and Google (GOOGL).

2. Smart Allocation

   • Allocations are tailored based on each company’s financial strength, industry standing, and growth potential.

   • Provides diversified exposure, balancing risk while maximizing opportunity.

3. Active Management with Automation

   • Rebalances every 30 days to maintain optimal portfolio health.

   • Designed for long-term capital appreciation while staying responsive to market shifts.

4. Daily Adjustments for Efficiency

   • Runs daily to capture opportunities without overtrading (average of 0.9 trades/day)

📈 Performance Snapshot

• All-Time Return: +179.58% (compared to the SPY benchmark at +90.01%).

• Annual Return: 22.85%, well above the market average.

• Drawdown Management: Strategically mitigates losses, capping drawdowns for better risk-adjusted returns.

If you're serious about seeing your investments take off, this strategy could be your ticket to outsized gains and a diversified portfolio built for the future.

THE RETIREMENT CLOCK IS TICKING

1️⃣ Why Starting Now Pays Off

Time is your biggest asset, and compound interest is the magic that multiplies your savings. Here’s why:

• Early Start Advantage: Begin at 25 and invest $200/month at 8%, and you could have $622,000+ by 65. Start at 35? That drops to $294,000.

• Small Changes Add Up: Even $50/month invested today grows into a meaningful sum over decades.

Tip: Automate your savings so it happens before you spend. No more “waiting for next month.”

WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER?

2️⃣ Nail Down Your Retirement Goal

Think about what your retirement lifestyle will cost and plan backward. Use the 4% Rule to estimate:

• Multiply your desired annual income by 25 to find your “magic number.”

• Want to live on $70,000/year? Aim for a $1.75M portfolio.

This rule assumes a mix of investments that keeps pace with inflation and balances growth with safety.

PROTECT YOUR FUTURE

3️⃣ The Right Portfolio for Every Stage of Life

Your investment mix matters. Young investors can go aggressive, but balance is key as you age. Here’s a guide:

• 20s-30s: Prioritize stocks for high growth.

• 40s: Introduce bonds and alternatives like REITs.

• 50s+: Preserve your capital with a higher bond allocation.

Automating your portfolio adjustments as you age ensures you’re not taking unnecessary risks.

THE AUTOMATION EDGE

4️⃣ Wealth Building Made Effortless

Managing investments manually? Outdated. Platforms like Surmount let you:

• Automate your existing brokerage accounts.

• Run proven strategies to maximize returns.

• Stay consistent without constantly watching the market.

Real Talk: The less emotion and guesswork involved, the more likely you’ll stay on track.

TAXES…

5️⃣ The Silent Killer of Wealth (and How to Beat It)

Taxes can eat into your gains if you’re not strategic. Here’s how to keep more of your money:

• Use 401(k)s and IRAs for tax-deferred growth.

• Opt for a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals in retirement (income limits apply).

• Explore strategies like tax-loss harvesting to offset gains and reduce what you owe.

• Investing in tax-efficient ETFs or mutual funds can also limit tax drag on your portfolio.

HOW TO STAY AHEAD

6️⃣ Inflation-Proof Your Future

A dollar today buys more than it will in 30 years. Build your portfolio to outpace inflation:

• Focus on growth-oriented assets like stocks and real estate.

• Consider Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) for low-risk inflation hedging.

• Adjust your income projections to reflect a 2-3% annual inflation rate.

AND OF COURSE…

7️⃣ Don’t Sleep on Passive Income Streams

Want to retire early or have extra cash in retirement? Start building passive income now:

• Dividend-paying stocks.

• Rental property investments.

• Selling or licensing side-hustle expertise (e.g., courses, ebooks).

These streams can ease the pressure on your portfolio withdrawals and give you more flexibility.

The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) community on Reddit has a widely acclaimed flowchart that offers a step-by-step framework for managing your finances. It’s simple, actionable, and perfect for anyone striving for financial independence.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Your Retirement, Your Way

Retirement isn’t just an end—it’s a beginning. Whether you dream of globe-trotting adventures, spending more time with family, or simply enjoying the freedom to choose how you spend your days, the actions you take now will shape that future.

Key Takeaways:

• Start early and let compound growth work its magic.

• Automate your investments to remove the guesswork and stay consistent.

• Diversify and adjust your portfolio to balance growth with stability.

• Don’t ignore the power of tax-advantaged accounts and passive income streams.

• Use proven frameworks, like the FIRE Flowchart, to simplify your journey.

The path to financial independence isn’t one-size-fits-all, but the principles of discipline, automation, and smart investing are universal. By taking small, intentional steps today, you can create a future that feels limitless.