No Degree in Finance Required: The Impact of 5 Years of Self-Taught Investing on Ryne’s Life [Podcast]

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Vero engages in a conversation with Ryne Williams—a self-motivated dividend investor who commenced his journey with minimal resources and developed a robust portfolio in just five years. Ryne demonstrates that anyone eager to learn can achieve similar results.

He elaborates on the significance of ETFs and stocks, his inclination towards stability rather than excitement, and how to build a portfolio that withstands any market conditions.

Whether you are a novice in investing or looking for greater assurance, this episode is packed with actionable advice and a mindset geared toward long-term prosperity.

What You Will Discover

The Advantage of Starting Small

Ryne began his investing journey by putting away a small amount each week, stressing that cultivating the habit is more important than the size of the initial investment.

The Buffett Quote That Inspired It All

“If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.”

This quote sparked Ryne’s pursuit of financial freedom.

Learning Through Market Fluctuations

Ryne started investing during the uncertainty of 2020. Facing initial losses allowed him to build emotional strength and self-discipline.

ETFs vs. Individual Stocks

Ryne supports ETFs for beginners or as a long-term strategy, currently maintaining a mix of 80% stocks and 20% ETFs, which is continually adapting.

Why Simplicity Triumphs

Ryne warns against holding 10–20 overlapping ETFs; one or two well-chosen ETFs are adequate.

Dividend Growth Over High Yield

Ryne steers clear of pursuing high yields, preferring a balanced portfolio featuring high-yield stocks, dividend growers, and reliable companies like Visa, J&J, and P&G.

Strategies for Buying/Selling

• Keeps an eye on cost basis to buy more when stocks dip below it.
• Assesses dividend and free cash flow yields against historical benchmarks and treasury rates.
• Divests when fundamentals alter, performance slips, or more advantageous options become available.

Teaching as a Discipline

Producing content holds Ryne accountable, striving to offer practical, reasonable guidance, especially for filtering through online confusion.

Investing Is an Endless Journey

Similar to fitness, dividend investing prioritizes gradual improvement. Ryne’s goal is to sustain himself on dividends within 10–15 years, advancing steadily toward that target.

About Ryne Williams

Ryne Williams is a self-educated dividend investor and content creator from Las Vegas. He initiated his investment journey in 2020 without a finance background, saving a few dollars weekly, and has since cultivated a dividend portfolio while assisting thousands through his YouTube channel and newsletter. His commitment to transparency and long-term planning highlights his path to financial independence, one dividend at a time.

Check out his content: Retire with Ryne YouTube Channel

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