My own milestone (tl:dr)

The starting point and the burning dream of the million

It wasn't just a number on a screen; it was a promise. The promise of freedom, of decisions that were not dictated by a paycheck, of the possibility of realizing dreams that went beyond everyday life. My goal? The 1 million euros in my deposit. A sum that seemed almost unattainable when I first immersed myself in the fascinating world of investing. But I couldn't let go of the thought. What if it was actually possible? What if, with discipline and the right strategy, I could achieve this seemingly utopian goal?

The fascination began to creep in. I heard about breathtaking returns and stories about people who became rich overnight by making smart decisions. The stock market, a place full of secrets and opportunities. My starting position was solid, an initial foundation stone had been laid, but I lacked a clear roadmap. I was at the beginning of a journey that would take me through highs and lows, from initial euphoria to sobering setbacks - and finally to a strategy that allows me to look to the future with confidence today.

The single stock era - lessons from the "wild west" of the stock market

Like so many, I started out with a desire for quick profits and a fascination for the possibility of getting rich quickly through individual shares. Why invest in the broad market when individual shares promised so much more? I plunged headlong into the world of individual shares. It was names that were in the news, sectors that were booming or personal convictions that guided me. Every share was a little adventure, every price movement an adrenaline rush.

But the reality was often different from the glossy prospectuses or the euphoric forum posts. The euphoria quickly gave way to disillusionment. I remember the year 2022. Like so many others, I experienced a market that suddenly no longer knew only one direction: up. In my personal heat map of monthly returns, deep red fields emerged that year and even before. Months with -1.3%, -1.7%, -2.0%, -2.4%, -2.8%, -3.0%, even -3.4% were not uncommon. That was painful. Every look at the portfolio was a sting.

However, the problem was not just the bear market itself, but also the way my portfolio was structured. Without broader diversification, my risk was unnecessarily high. If one share fell, a large part of my portfolio fell and @DonkeyInvestor said: I told you so :-) .

The turning point came gradually, but inexorably. Frustration at the lack of stability, the realization that my individual "strategic" decisions were often just a gut feeling, and the desire for a more calculable path to a million led me to a far-reaching decision. It was in November 2024 when I pulled the ripcord. The individual share "experiment" was over. It was time to realign my portfolio.

The realignment - from single stock turbulence to ETF stability

The decision was clear: a restructuring of my portfolio was necessary in order to invest stably and efficiently in the long term. The new anchor of my strategy was to be ETFs.

Why ETFs?

The answer was simple: diversification, lower costs and risk spreading. With ETFs, you can invest in hundreds or thousands of companies at the same time with a single investment. This means I am no longer dependent on the fate of a single company, but benefit from the growth of entire markets and the global economy.

The major restructuring started in November 2024 and was a phase of intensive analysis and consistent implementation. Individual shares were sold and the freed-up capital was immediately reinvested in broadly diversified ETFs. It was a liberating move, a departure from the emotional rollercoaster ride and a step towards a rational, long-term investment strategy.

Today, in May 2025, my portfolio has a market value of €210,000 and reflects this transformation. It is a carefully curated mix that aims to achieve my million-euro goal efficiently and with calculable risk:

• The Global Anchor - HSBC MSCI WORLD UCITS ETF ($HMWO (+0,13 %)
  ):

This ETF forms the core of my portfolio. It invests in around 1,600 companies from 23 industrialized countries and is my most important building block for long-term global growth.

• The US giant - S&P 500 USD (Dist) ($VUSA (+0,13 %)
  ): - My targeted bet on the innovative strength of the 500 largest US companies.
• The income powerhouses - JPM Global Equity Premium Income Active UCITS ETF ($JEGP (-0,16 %)
  ) and JPM Nasdaq Equity Premium Income Active UCITS ETF ($JEPQ (+0,19 %)
  ): My "cash cows" that provide me with continuous capital.
• The dividend champion - VanEck Mstr.Dm Dividend.UC.ETF ($TDIV (-1,89 %)
  ): - another pillar of my dividend strategy.
• Quality and dividends - Fidelity Gl.Quality Income ETF ($FGEQ (+0,28 %)
  ) and WisdomTree Gl.Qual.Div.Gr.U.E. Registered Sha ($GGRP (+0,36 %)
  ): ETFs that invest in high quality companies with sustainable dividends.
• US Dividend Aristocrats - SPDR S&P US Divid.Aristocr.ETF D ($SPYD (+0,18 %)
  ): Companies that have consistently increased their dividends for at least 25 years.
• The European focus - iSh.STOXX Europe 600 U.ETF ($EXSA (+0,14 %) ): a newer position that strengthens my diversification in the European region.

This structure forms the foundation of my current strategy: a clear core of broad market ETFs (MSCI World, S&P 500, STOXX Europe 600) is complemented by targeted satellites for high dividends and specific quality characteristics.

The strategy, or rather my roadmap for the future - discipline, cash flow and steady reinvestment

My path to a million is not a sprint, but a marathon that depends on discipline and a clear strategy. A significant amount flows into my portfolio every month - a total of € 1,610. This amount is made up of my active deposit of € 1,500 and € 110 from the reinvested dividends of the ETFs eligible for savings plans.

The distribution of my monthly savings plans is deliberately chosen to continuously strengthen my growth core:

• HSBC MSCI WORLD UCITS ETF (HMWO): 1,000 €/month
• VANGUARD S&P 500U.ETF DLD: 350 €/month
• ISH.STOXX Europe 600 U.ETF: 300 €/month
• WISDOMTREE.HMS.Z12/UN.XAU: 60 €/month (small proportion of gold for diversification and inflation protection)

The dividends are much more than just a nice bonus - they are a key driver for the growth of my portfolio through the compound interest effect. I'm already expecting an impressive €6,900 in gross dividends for 2025.

The challenge of dividend reinvestment

One problem that many investors also face is the challenge of dividend reinvestment at my bank, ING: automatic reinvestment only works if the net distribution of an individual ETF is at least €75.

If I haven't miscalculated and the dividends remain stable, this hurdle should be overcome for the ETFs in question.

Otherwise, I accumulate on my clearing account and then make a manual one-off investment in the VUSA or EuroStoxx600 as soon as a larger sum (between €500 and €1,000) has been accumulated, or I increase the savings plans to the two mentioned in the following month. This allows me to make the most of the compound interest effect and reduce the costs of transaction fees at the same time.

This approach has helped me to focus not on short-term gains, but on long-term growth and a steady income through dividends. It is a path that has proven its worth over the years and has continuously brought me closer to the goal of

1 million euros closer.

Looking to the future - The million within reach and the passive dream

My goal is clear: €1,000,000 in my portfolio. This milestone is not just a number, but the foundation for future financial freedom and the realization of my dreams.

Based on my current portfolio value of € 210000 (May 2025), my monthly investment and reinvested dividends and a realistic assumption of an average annual return of 8.0% p.a. (which is achievable for broadly diversified equity ETFs in the long term), I have a clear timetable in mind:

I will reach my goal of 1 million euros in the portfolio probably in April 2040. That is still about 14 years and 11 months of disciplined investing. The reinvestment of all dividends is the absolute key here. Without it, the road to a million would take almost a decade longer! This awareness motivates me anew every day.

Let's see if that works and whether I'll find this post on Getquin to repost again.

Good evening to the community!

I would like to add one or two ETFs to my portfolio. The focus this time is on the distributing variant, as I already have the $VWCE (+0,18 %) in my portfolio.

I currently have my eye on three ETFs:

• $FGEQ (+0,28 %)
• 
  $TDIV (-1,89 %)
• and for a possible "boost" the $EXXT (+0,19 %)

However, my portfolio is already quite tech-heavy, so I'm not sure whether it's really worth adding the $EXXT (+0,19 %) to save. 🧐

Hence my question to you:

Which of the two ETFs - $FGEQ (+0,28 %) or $TDIV (-1,89 %) - would you rather include in your portfolio and why?

What are the differences between the two?

And: Is it worth saving in both?

Perhaps some of you experienced investors can help me out here 🙏🏽

@Max095
@Hotte1909
@Tenbagger2024
@Dividendenopi
@Aktienhauptmeister

have a nice evening 😬

As already described in a post less than expected, I decided to continue holding the fund. Despite all the brooding, I made another $147.76 in my sleep.

Luckily I'm currently staying with relatives in Berlin, so this time I can treat myself to 2 kebabs and 1 ayran from the dividend.

Hello everyone,

When I started I "just started" and of course made mistakes. It's typical when you think you're smarter than the market or are chasing hype. Now I'm slowly shifting my portfolio towards dividends. This is only happening slowly because I don't want to sell the shares at a loss.

The $JEGP (-0,16 %) I've brought into the boat and am currently considering whether $O (+0,3 %) into this one. Or add them on the side $MAIN (+0,53 %) as a monthly payer. I'm convinced by all three.

$JEGP (-0,16 %) currently has about half the payout at half the value. The advantage is that it is simpler and no withholding tax is deducted.

What do you think?

Three-pronged with $O (+0,3 %) and $MAIN (+0,53 %) or single-track pure $JEGP (-0,16 %) and then maybe add the other two at some point.

The aim is to create the following portfolio via the savings rate

$VWRL (+0,35 %) 60%

$TDIV (-1,89 %) 10%

$FGEQ (+0,28 %) 10%

$JEGP (-0,16 %) 10%

$BTC (+0,18 %) 10%

and supplement it with shares.

Of course, everything is long-term (I still have at least 24 years until retirement) and buy'n hold.

Oh yes: concrete gold is available and will remain so.

Discussion is open. Thanks for the feedback.

Just curiously checked the dividend announcement from $FGEQ (+0,28 %) and saw that the main dividend from May has been reduced to the 2021 level. This is questionable for me as I have no explanation for this. Does anyone have any ideas?

🎉Good evening everyone. Today, with this fantastic market session, after a little more than three years since the 'beginning of my journey in the investment world I finally reached the small (but for me big) threshold of 10k.

🧮At this point I would like to make a recap and ask you, if my strategy, based on my goals, is suitable and feasible.

🧒🏻Innanzitutto I am 28 years old, my dream (financially speaking) is to become financially independent by the age of 40 and then be able to stop working and live off my income. I am an investor with an excellent appetite for risk.

📊📈 My monthly investment plan included only two assets until the end of 2024: $KCVBHW (+0,64 %) e $BTC (+0,18 %) . I started in 2022 an accumulation plan through my bank of €100 monthly with a duration of 10 years in the Morgan Stanley Global Opportunity Fund AH, to which I add additional deposits from time to time in the months when I have more funds to invest. In mid-2023 I began adding Bitcoin to my portfolio, with investments of only €20 per month, which became something more whenever I had additional funds to invest.

Since early 2025 my monthly investments have steadily, and at a minimum, reached €350, broken down as follows:

- €100 in Morgan Stanley Global Opportunity Fund AH

- €50 in Bitcoin

- €200 divided into two stocks $LDO (-3,8 %) Leonardo, a share in $VHYL (+0,32 %) and the remainder in $FGEQ (+0,28 %) .

From this month I aim to restructure the €200 into 6 small accumulation plans:

- €100 in $LDO (-3,8 %)

- €20 in $FGEQ (+0,28 %)

- €20 in $VHYL (+0,32 %)

- €20 in $MSFT (-0,23 %)

- €20 in $1211 (+0,12 %)

- €20 in $HIMS (+2,19 %)

❔🤷🏻‍♂️ I know that the fundamental problem in achieving my goal is to considerably increase the monthly amount of invested capital, but based on these premises, is this a right strategy in your opinion?

Hello everyone, given the recent news about the postponement of GTA VI, I was thinking of making a lump sum investment in $TTWO (-0,28 %) , to be liquidated within the next two years, or at least as soon as the company experiences a significant uptick after the game's release.

My portfolio is already aimed at long-term capital growth (20 years minimum), with a strong risk appetite. The two main positions are. $KCVBHW (+0,64 %) (75%) e $BTC (+0,18 %) (15%), the remainder being two dividend-paying ETFs, $FGEQ (+0,28 %) e $VHYL (+0,32 %) , e $LDO (-3,8 %) .

Does this make sense to you as an investment?

Hi, my portfolio has reached a certain size and I would like to add some dividends. The goal is a monthly payout without neglecting the total return and growth - I am still missing an ETF to cover the months of Jan, Apr, Jul and Oct.

In my research are

WisdomTree Global Quality Div Growth ETF $GGRP (+0,36 %) and

HSBC MSCI World ETF $HMWO (+0,13 %)

and I can't decide because each has its "strengths"/"weaknesses" (e.g. TER, size, yield and growth at HMWO - diversification (less USA and tech), dividend at GGRP) - so I would be happy to hear your assessment and suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your input and

LG from Vienna

PS. The other ETFs in this "strategy" are Fidelity Global Quality Income ETF $FGEQ (+0,28 %) VanEck VanEck Developed Markets Div Lead ETF $TDIV (-1,89 %) and as a monthly push the JPM Global Equity Premium ETF $JEGP. (-0,16 %)

Hello everyone,

For some time now I have been wavering a bit about my dividend portfolio, whether I should use the 6 ETF savings plans (always staggered distributions for monthly cash flow) are not too complicated. About me: I'm in my mid-thirties and the aim is to build up more and more net monthly salaries through dividends over time. I enjoy looking at my bar charts in Portfolio Performance over the years and seeing how they get bigger and bigger every year compared to the previous year. For this year, I expect to earn around €3,700 in dividends with my current portfolio.

----- ----- -----

The Morningstar X-Ray already shows a lot of stock overlaps. The aim was always to combine 2 ETFs per interval with 1 each with high distributions + and 1 each with growth and to have good diversification:

January, April, July, October

$ISPA (+0,3 %) + $EXX5 (+0,18 %)

February, May, August, November

$FGEQ (+0,28 %) + $IMEU (+0,18 %)

March, June, September, December

$TDIV (-1,89 %) + $VHYL (+0,32 %)

+ $O (+0,3 %) + $MAIN (+0,53 %) + $ARCC (+0,23 %) + $VICI (-0,13 %) + $HTGC (-0,19 %) + $BATS (-0,69 %)

----- ----- -----

The ETFs have a value of approx. 15,500€ per interval, the REITs + BDCs below together approx. 31,000€. I would also like to invest in savings plans with dividend growth shares, whereby I want to proceed according to certain criteria: https://aktienkoenig.de/starke-dividendenaktien-mit-dem-dividenden-check-finden/#elementor-toc__heading-anchor-3

Would you simplify the dividend ETFs and reduce them from 6 to 3 or replace them if necessary, because that is overdiversified anyway, or should I rather "shut down" some of them and continue to save only 3 of them increased? I am basically undecided at the moment as to whether I should focus on higher dividend payouts or rather higher dividend growth. At the moment, I think it's all mixed up.

Hi everyone, I am planning to build a portfolio focused on dividends and wanted to get some advice from those who may already have a few more years in the investment world.

My goal is to create a portfolio that allows me to receive dividends every month and that is composed of ETFs that guarantee both dividend growth and, most importantly, NAV growth, all geared for the long term. In addition, I would still like to devote a good portion of the portfolio to accumulation, so that I can grow something that I can reinvest all on dividends in the future (taking advantage through accumulation of self-investment of dividends).

The portfolio I came up with contains the following ETFs:

• Vanguard FTSE All-World Accumulating ($VWCE (+0,18 %)) - 40%
• Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield ($VHYL (+0,32 %)) - 10%
• SPDR S&P Global Dividend Aristocrats ($ZPRG (+0,36 %) ) - 10%
• iShares Global Select Dividend 100 ($ISPA (+0,3 %)) - 10%
• Fidelity Global Quality Income UCITS ETF ($FGEQ (+0,28 %)) - 10%
• VanEck Morningstar Morningstar Developed Markets Dividend Leaders UCITS ETF ($TDIV (-1,89 %)) - 10%
• JPMorgan Global Equity Premium Income ($JEGP (-0,16 %)) - 10%

I have chosen exclusively ETFs for my portfolio, all with global exposure, as I would like the portfolio to be managed as passively as possible, i.e., the ETFs themselves take care of reallocating the weight of companies within them.

The ETFs I have identified allow me to receive monthly dividends, however, I had some doubts regarding the choice of some:

• Better the $VWCE (+0,18 %) or the $FWRG (+0,29 %)? The latter is newer and has a lower TER, might it be worth choosing it?
• I am undecided between the $VHYL (+0,32 %) and the $VWRL (+0,35 %), in that although the former pays twice the dividend as a percentage, it has a much lower NAV growth than the latter. Which one do you recommend between the two?
• I am very undecided about whether I really need to add ETFs $ZPRG (+0,36 %) e $ISPA (+0,3 %), as they offer very high dividends, but their growth has been very low. For the $ZPRG (+0,36 %) I could add that 10 percent to the $FGEQ (+0,28 %), as they pay the same months, while as for the$ISPA (+0,3 %), I don't know of any other ETFs that can pay in the same months (January, April, July, October).
• Is it actually worthwhile to allocate part of the portfolio to accumulation, or is it better to invest everything in distribution from the beginning? My goal would still be to convert everything to distribution in the distant future.

Beyond these doubts of mine, I am happy to hear other advice about portfolio organization.

Thanks in advance!