If I Were In My 30s, I'd Make This 1 Investing Move and Never Look Back

If I had something to do over, I would implement one investment strategy and stick with it for life. This lesson, learned through experience, is particularly valuable for those in their 30s who are just starting to prioritize retirement savings. The key recommendation is to automate every aspect of retirement saving, from direct deposits to retirement accounts to the purchase of a simple, low-maintenance investment fund.

Options like the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) or the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) serve as excellent choices, tracking the performance of the S&P 500 (^GSPC). Employing a fund similar to Vanguard's S&P 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) or the Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) would also work well for workplace retirement accounts.

This strategy may seem monotonous and lacks the flexibility of individual stock selection or more aggressive investment options. However, the simplicity and reliability of a consistent, recurring deposit outweigh these drawbacks. The author acknowledges the potential for financial strain in certain months but remains confident that this approach would have served them better in their past.

The appeal of this method lies in its simplicity and the significant time and stress it saves compared to actively trying to outperform the market. The author emphasizes that the most critical factor in successful investing is consistently contributing money, even if it means making sacrifices in the present. By starting early and investing as much as possible, individuals can let time and compounding work their magic on their retirement savings.

Based on the author's experience and advice, many other investors in their 30s would likely benefit from adopting the same approach.