November 2024 was undoubtedly a month for the books. With the US election being the largest occasion of the yr, there was certain to be fireworks for everybody and it didn’t disappoint. Trump received the election (a lot to my dismay) and the bull market went into overdrive.
Markets immediately went right into a frenzy predicting that Trump’s insurance policies shall be market pleasant like his first time period nearly a decade in the past. There was not a vendor in sight as every little thing rallied from shares to crypto.
If you happen to haven’t already learn my posts earlier than, I achieved Monetary independence again in late 2020 early 2021 with a portfolio of roughly $1.3m invested in primarily ETFs. This ballooned to $1.7m in the course of the peak of the markets in early 2022 earlier than coming again right down to Earth later in 2022. The portfolio has since regained new all time highs as markets rally past the earlier highs.
This publish shall be a part of a month-to-month sequence of portfolio updates that summarizes how my portfolio carried out, what trades I executed, what my month-to-month bills had been, and my basic outlook on the economic system/markets. That is in no way monetary recommendation so don’t look take a look at me for sage recommendation. I make silly trades and make even worse losses fairly continuously.
That is merely the efficiency of my portfolio and the way it has carried out on a month to month foundation.
Month-to-month Highlights – November 2024
Web value is close to $2.1m as of November 2024 Month finish+$150k for the monthTraveling all by way of November in Australia.
Market Strikes
What’s in my portfolio?
My portfolio is sort of easy and straight ahead. I’ve my holdings primarily unfold out between a number of ETFs, fastened revenue, and varied single title shares.
ETFs
Once more, my major holdings are in a number of ETFs. My major holdings are in VTI, VGT, and VCR. I’ve all the time been an enormous proponent of huge tech and have been closely invested within the Nasdaq for over a decade. This has paid off very nicely for me given the huge bull market of the 2010s and is basically what allowed me to FIRE so rapidly.
I used to carry extra dividend producing shares as I used to be actually into the sort of investing at a time period. I at the moment do not need many dividend particular ETFs as I choose development greater than revenue. This sort of goes in opposition to the ethos of economic independence however I find the money for coming in from different sources that I don’t must focus a lot on constant revenue from my investments.
I added to my ETF positions in November 2024 because the market rallied to all time highs within the Dow and S&P.
Single title shares
A number of the single title shares I personal are the next
RDDTBRK.BNFLXRITMASMLARES
These single title shares make up lower than 10% of my complete portfolio. I are likely to not purchase a lot single title shares anymore as there’s no level to tackle pointless dangers after I’m already so diversified with my ETFs.
Actual Property
I at the moment personal no actual property. I used to personal property within the US however have offered it in 2022 earlier than charges began rising. I’m not an enormous fan of actual property. Whereas it undoubtedly could be a good funding, I don’t suppose it beats investing within the markets. As well as, actual property is extremely illiquid with excessive transaction prices that few individuals take into account.
Lastly, as somebody that travels all over the world and doesn’t prefer to be tied down to at least one location, actual property doesn’t make sense as managing it from afar creates a bunch of complications. I a lot choose to have my cash liquid and within the inventory market.
Fastened Earnings
I additionally bought I-Bonds in 2022 on the peak of inflation peak when I-Bonds had been paying 9.5%. The charges have come down considerably since then as inflation itself has come down and I not hassle with I-Bonds.
Within the latest excessive rate of interest surroundings, I had allotted a small portion of my portfolio to fastened revenue merchandise, particularly buying treasury payments with 3-6 month expiry. These had been paying out 5.5% which was a terrific assured revenue generator. In latest months on the again of anticipated FED price cuts, this price was all the time going to return down which meant shares ought to improve.
Nicely the FED reduce charges for the primary time since COVID in Sep 2024 which implies treasury invoice returns shall be reducing for the foreseeable future. My final treasury invoice expired in July 2024 and that money was used to purchase the market. I think I can’t purchase any fastened revenue merchandise for the foreseeable future.
November 2024 was one for the books. Trump received the election and the markets had been on the brink of go on steroids. As somebody who loves journey, inclusivity, variety, and acceptance of one another, I believe Trump might be the worst factor that would occur to society in my view however I absolutely suspect he’ll proceed to juice markets as a lot as potential.
Nevertheless, I type of had a sense that he would win as I believe the overall ethos and trajectory of the USA (and the world as an entire) was shifting on this route. It nonetheless baffles my thoughts that somebody that has been convicted of crimes, overtly spews hate and divisiveness, and years to be a dictator will get elected a second time. However, that’s simply how the world we reside in now. I think Trump will cross sufficient legal guidelines within the subsequent 4 years to make sure his individuals by no means lose an election once more.
As an American citizen, I’ve not lived within the US for a very long time now and haven’t any plans to return. At this level, his insurance policies will probably juice the markets and put revenue inequality into overdrive which was all the time the plan. Let’s see what the long run brings.
Markets went to all time highs on a number of events and reveals no indicators of cooling. Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P had been up greater than 5% month to month which is insane. Bitcoin hit all time highs slightly below $100k earlier than pulling again. I think BTC to go nicely above $100k within the subsequent yr or two as his professional crypto insurance policies take management.
Market Worth of Portfolio
Here’s a historical past of my portfolio worth. As you possibly can see, it’s moved in keeping with the markets as must be the case since most of my holdings are in ETFs that observe the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq.
In complete, my portfolio is sitting someplace round $1.95m which additionally consists of money and glued revenue positions.
Trades executed for the month of November 2024
November 2024 was an lively buying and selling month for me. I purchased shares and crypto on a number of days because the markets simply confirmed no indicators of abating.
I ended up promoting Tesla as Elon Musk was the clear winner within the trump victory and Tesla inventory shot as much as the moon. I had a coated name on my place and the inventory blew previous the strike worth forcing me to promote at $280 a share. I didn’t hassle rolling the contract and am completely happy promoting it the place it’s.
I additionally bought 1 BTC in the course of the election which I’ve let experience. It’s already up about 30% given Bitcoin’s monstrous rally.
Abstract of inventory and ETF purchases
Portfolio withdrawals and bills
Withdrawals from my portfolio is a crucial a part of the monetary independence ethos. The 4% withdrawal price rule is without doubt one of the most important ideas of the FIRE motion which I attempt to adhere to. Typically, I choose to promote from my portfolio when markets are close to or in any respect time highs to seize, and solely after I really want the money.
For the month of November 2024, I traveled by way of Australia for the primary time. Someway, I’ve gone this lengthy touring to nearly 100 nations with out visiting Australia. I spent a number of weeks enjoyable in Bondi Seashore and can proceed on to see extra of Australia earlier than shifting to New Zealand.
I made no withdrawals from the portfolio as I had sufficient money coming in from my weblog in addition to leftover money from different sources. My weblog generates cash each month to the tune of $6-8k and I cowl precisely how I earn cash from running a blog in different posts.
My November 2024 Weblog Earnings
I all the time give a run down on my month-to-month running a blog revenue on these month-to-month portfolio stories as a result of that is about my weblog in any case. My weblog generates fairly some huge cash from a few years of laborious work that it’s a enormous complement to my FIRE portfolio.
In Might, I converted to Mediavine from Ezoic for my advert monetization. Mediavine has actually been a revelation for my running a blog expertise and it’s an entire sport changer. My earnings have gone up nearly 50% as quickly as switching to Ezoic which has actually turbocharged my weblog earnings.
Along with Mediavine commercials, I additionally earn cash from Affiliate packages, sponsorships, and journey planning. Extra particulars on this stuff in my find out how to earn money running a blog posts. Here’s a breakdown of my month-to-month earnings.
In comparison with the earlier month the place I made nearly $9,000 in running a blog income, October was the start of a precipitous decline in running a blog and November continued the pattern. Google has laid down the hammer for bloggers and whereas I’ve been capable of dodge most of their algorithm adjustments over the previous yr, the one in October actually destroyed my site visitors. November continued that pattern as my site visitors numbers stayed depressed resulting from algorithm updates.
Google has moved on to a extra pay to play mannequin the place it favors huge time web sites like Forbes, Reddit, Travelocity, and so on. which pay huge cash to promote on Google. Google has additionally been actively upping their AI sport. This implies whenever you seek for questions, Google will typically have already got a solution listed out for you. Previously, you’ll have clicked into somebody’s web site however now, there isn’t a lot incentive.
I think the period of small time running a blog like myself is over. Google will double down on their AI desires and favoritism for giant web sites like Reddit which they’ve partnerships with. Unhappy occasions, however that’s the inevitable path of capitalism! Fortunately, I bought Reddit inventory which has carried out exceptionally nicely.
