I’m new to dividend investing. Currently 22 years old and looking for a dividend ETF to invest in and am picking between $SCHD and $VYM (-0,7 %) , any thoughts on the matter?

I know this might sound extreme, but it’s the truth: if you’re not investing, you’re losing money every single day. And I’m not talking about missing out on the latest “hot stock” or some get-rich-quick scheme—I mean something much bigger and more fundamental: inflation.

💸 Cash Loses Value Over Time

Think about this: How much did a coffee cost 10 years ago? What about rent, groceries, or fuel? Prices go up every single year due to inflation, meaning your money’s purchasing power is shrinking if you’re just keeping it in a bank account.

Let’s look at the numbers:

If you had €10,000 in a bank account in 2015, it could buy you much more than what the same €10,000 can buy today.

With average inflation at 2-3% per year, in a decade your money loses 20-30% of its real value.

Right now, inflation in Europe is hovering around 3%, and in previous years, it was even higher.

This means that keeping your money in cash is actually a guaranteed loss.

📈 Investing = The Best Way to Beat Inflation

So, how do you protect yourself? By investing in assets that grow over time.

Here’s why investing is essential:

✅ Stocks and ETFs have historically returned 7-10% per year, easily beating inflation.

✅ Real estate generates passive income and appreciates in value.

✅ Dividend stocks and ETFs provide cash flow, making your money work for you.

✅ Compounding means that even small investments today can turn into serious wealth in the future.

The best part? You don’t need to be an expert or have a fortune to start investing. Even €100 per month invested consistently can make a massive difference over time.

ETF Examples That Beat Inflation

If you’re new to investing, ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) are one of the best ways to get started. They provide diversification, lower fees, and solid long-term returns.

Here are some great ETFs that have historically outperformed inflation:

🚀 S&P 500 ETF ($SPY (-1,04 %) / $VOO (-1,06 %) / $CSPX (-1,2 %) ) – This ETF tracks the 500 biggest U.S. companies (Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, etc.) and has returned an average of 10% per year over the last few decades.

🌍 Vanguard FTSE All-World ($VWCE (-0,92 %) / $VWRL (-0,9 %) ) – A global ETF that covers large and mid-sized companies worldwide. Perfect for broad diversification.

💰 iShares MSCI World ETF ($IWDA (-0,86 %) ) – A strong alternative to VWCE, investing in developed markets globally.

📈 Dividend ETFs like $VYM (-0,7 %) or $SPYD (-0,01 %) $ – Great if you want passive income, as they pay quarterly dividends.

Real Numbers: Why Waiting Costs You Thousands

Let’s compare investing now vs. waiting 10 years:

If you invest €10,000 today, and it grows at 8% per year, in 20 years it becomes €46,600.

If you wait 10 years before investing, you’ll end up with only €21,500—less than HALF!

The difference? Not how much you invest, but how early you start.

⏳ The Biggest Mistake: Waiting Too Long

Many people say:

"I’ll start investing when I have more money."

"The stock market is too risky right now."

"I’ll wait for the perfect moment."

But the truth is: there’s never a perfect time. The most important thing is to get started and stay consistent.

Even if you only invest €50-100 per month, you’re already ahead of 90% of people who never invest at all.

🚀 Take Action Now!

If you haven’t started yet, now is the time. Inflation isn’t slowing down, and every year you wait, your cash loses value.

📌 What’s stopping you from investing?

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I got a question the other day about what to look for when investing in ETFs. Here are a few things I take into consideration:

Fund Objective: Understanding the main objective of the fund is a great place to start when researching ETFs. This can typically be found on the fund's website.

Expense Ratio: This is how much you pay in fees as a holder of the fund. Something like $DGRW has a 0.28% expense ratio, which in my opinion, is high, especially when compared to something like $SCHD or $VYM (-0,7 %).

Holdings: It's a good idea to take a look at the top holdings of the fund because, in essence, you want to know what you're buying.

Returns: While past performance doesn't tell you anything about how a fund will do in the future, looking at the long-term returns can help you get a sense for how it has historically performed in different market environments.

What are some things you look for when analyzing ETFs? Let me know in the comments below! 👇

$VYM (-0,7 %)

I think the growth and return is worth it. What do you think guys?