Interview With Investment Kage, Leading By Example & Having Fun While Doing It.
The Kage just flipping around
Today we are doing an interview to get to know the Investment Kage who has been very busy teaching new investors about why starting early is so important and more importantly HOW to get started as a young investor. If I had started seriously investing as early as he has I’d be significantly richer today.
If you haven’t done so already check him out and over on twitter @InvestmentKage
Now the introductions are done let’s kick off the interview!
Blind Luck Project (BLP): Hey Investment Kage, I’ve enjoyed our friendly banter over on Twitter where we talk all things index investing, consistent contributions, and not getting caught up in the market hype.
Lets start with a quick intro from you, who are you and what are you all about?
Investment Kage (IK): I am a 24 year old who loves finance and flipping around. I choose the name Investment Kage. I got it from an anime called “Naruto” and a Kage is someone Villagers look up to. All my followers are my fellow villagers and I hope to lead by example.
BLP: What got you into investing in the first place. You started much younger than most people!
IK: My parents and grandparents always invested but it always intimidated me. When I was younger “Free trades” were not a thing. So I just kept saving. Then in 2019 I saw a video on how $5 a day can make you a millionaire. He had a link to Robinhood a free brokerage account and I immediately got started and bought my first share of $VOO. So I guess you could say it was a combination of my parents and YouTube giving me that final push.
BLP: What is your ultimate cashflow goal from your portfolio? Do you have a net worth goal as well?
IK: great question BLP, I hope to amass a portfolio that pays me 20k (40k preferably) a year in dividends. I don’t have a net worth goal. I want my dividend income to constantly grow even in retirement.
BLP: What are you trying to accomplish with your Investment Kage account? Who do you think will get the most value from your content?
IK: Honestly I just want to build a strong financial village. Also I want to show people that you can build a portfolio at any income level!
BLP: What would you do differently if you were to start all over again?
IK: Great question BLP! It would be investing over saving. I have always saved at least 33% of my income but I never invested. When I was 8 I opened up a bank account and the banker told me “save 33% of your income”. I’m not sure why but I looked up to him so I did it. I wish he told me to invest it into a broad market index fund instead though!
BLP: What would you say to people who say new investors should hold off because we are headed into another deep recession similar to 2008?
IK: Great question BLP, I would tell them to be patient. Especially if they are a new investor and don’t plan on retiring for a couple decades. I would also encourage them to build as many skills as possible! You are a resource prove that you are worth keeping!
BLP: Ideally what would your target portfolio allocation percentages be?
IK: My goal is to have a 60% stock 30% real estate and 10% alternative assets. Currently my portfolio is around 80% stocks 10% gold/silver and 10% a pension I have through my work.
BLP: If you couldn’t invest in Index funds what would be your investment strategy?
IK: I love this question BLP! I would be more focused on DGI (Dividend Growth stocks) strong companies that continuously grow their dividend and profits. Companies like Apple, Coke, Microsoft, Visa, Costco and Kroger.
BLP: I think Warren Buffet would approve of this answer. Solid companies with a proven records and a wide competitive moat.
BLP: I often share some of my personal failures with people to encourage others, and show setbacks are normal, and just part of the process. What’s the biggest financial setback/ missed opportunity you’ve experienced?
IK: I would say it’s being a “yes man” at one of my jobs it was my biggest financial set back. I would always say yes and I ended up teaching classes I absolutely hated! Then I got injured and was forced to say no. Wow I wish I knew the power of NO sooner! I still say yes a lot but I refuse to do things I hate now. Oddly enough it earned me more respect and got raises because of it. Essentially I learned be a good employee, and make your bosses life easier. And if they ask you to do something you hate doing say “NO”. If they don’t respect it leave and find somewhere that respects your boundaries. you’ll likely get paid more when you find the right place for you too.
BLP: So you’re doing the reverse of house hacking right now, living rent free with your parents while you lay the financial foundation to greatness! What lead to this decision and what are you plans in the future? Rent your own place, buy a home, or see where life takes your before setting a plan on this?
Also what advice would you give peers in a similar situation to you?
IK: Honestly I have many high school “friends” in the same position. Except they hate living with their parents. I’ve tried to get them to invest but they always come up with excuses on why they can’t. It’s heartbreaking honestly. I would say if you live at home with your parents you should be investing at least 30% of your income. Also if that feels like too much start with 5% and every paycheck increase it by 1% until you can’t anymore. Now for me I love my parents and helping them. I’ve discussed moving out because financially it would be pretty easy for me to do. However being close to them allows me to talk about business 24/7 something I wouldn’t be able to do if I didn’t live with them.
Now for your second question I’m just seeing where life takes me. I would love to buy a fixer upper eventually because I love building things, maybe one day renting it out below market value. I may not be the smartest person in the world but I know I can help others by doing stuff like that.
BLP: What is the biggest mistake you see new investors making right now?
IK: buying individual stocks and not understanding what the company does. If you don’t want to do and research please just buy an ETF like $VOO, $VTI, $VT, SCHD just some broad market index fund.
BLP: All great ETF’s! My personal faborite is VTI but I’d approve of any of those being in a portfolio!
BLP: What would you tell people who say they don’t have enough money to get started investing?
IK: Great question BLP I’ve done this a few of my friends and I always say this “Hey I’m going to honest with you I am scared of your financial future. I love you man and I don’t want to see you being forced to work when you are 70.” When I phrase it like that they are like “Wow? Really you care?” I then sit down with them and make a budget sheet (free spreadsheet coming soon!)
I then put the spending into 3 categories
Things I need to live
Things that bring me joy in life
Things that don’t bring me joy
I then would cut out all the things you don’t bring you joy and invest that difference. My coworker is on track to max out her ROTH IRA next month because of this!
BLP: What books have inspired you that you’d recommend?
IK: Two books come to mind. “The Art Of War” by Sun Tzu and “The intelligent Investor” by Benjamin Graham.
BLP: What are some of your hobbies when your not busy investing, working at your parents store, teaching, or coaching?
IK: I enjoy learning new acrobatic movements. These movements are extremely complex to learn on my own. I’ve been doing it for around 9 years!
BLP: What did you want to do for a living when you were a kid?
IK: when I was super young it was a veterinarian but I thought all they had to do was play with pets all day. So that dream got crushed fast especially when I found out they have to put down animals
BLP: So your working 3 jobs working at your parents store, teaching, and coaching. Which is your favorite?
Also how many hours a week are you working?
IK: My favorite of the three is working for my parents store. It has made me able to analyze companies on a level I never dreamed of and I truly learned why the difference between cashflow and free cashflow and why it is so important. My second favorite is coaching. I taught myself how to flip and I wish someone taught me so I try to be who I needed most as a kid.
This may sound crazy I work around 60-100 hours a week. Some weeks more some less. When I need a break I always take a day or two to recharge. But I absolutely love what I do and what I’m learning so I rarely feel like I need a break.
BLP: How do you stay so driven? A lot of people have dreams but I find you need a strong “why factor” that translates into action toward your goals.
IK: BPL this is one of my favorite questions people ask me. Almost everyone in my life didn’t think I was able to go far realistically. I wasn’t able to read well until I was 14 and I was one of the most uncoordinated people you probably would have ever met. I was tired of being looked down upon. I took all the negativity people gave me and turned it into something positive. Now my why is to help as many people that were once like me. Whenever I feel down I look at everything I’ve been able to achieve, and that makes me smile and keep going!
BLP: What’s something people don’t know about you? A weird talent or something you’ve done?
IK: I can whistle like a cricket (I can send a video if you’d like 😂)
BLP: That’s a new one!!! 😂
BLP: For people who are meeting you for the first time what piece of content are you most proud of that you’d like to share?
IK: I honestly haven’t shared my twitter outside of my family. My favorite financially piece of content I’m proud of sharing is my spreadsheet! I love being able to show people how my portfolio has evolved monthly.
BLP: If you were to retire but couldn’t stay in United States where would you go?
IK: Probably the Netherlands. It’s where my ancestors or from. Europe also has great public transportation so I probably just travel around everywhere.
BLP: What’s something you splurge on or feel spending extra money is worth it?
IK: I love to spend money on my dog. And high quality food. And shoes with a wide toe base. Your feet our your foundation you should treat them well.
BLP: What advise would you give your 16 year old self?
IK: Honestly nothing. If I gave myself advice I’d likely not be where I am today. I truly believe everything happens for a reason and failures make you grow.
Now my fun answer is buy Bitcoin and Tesla stock.
BLP: Where can people find you?
IK: Mostly in twitter @InvestmentKage I have an IG, and YouTube channel bud I haven’t posted much on them those. They are all under investmentkage.
BLP: Thanks for taking the time to sit down with us! Been great getting to know you a bit better!
-Cheers!
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