In 2026 my retirement is no longer just a plan. It is actually happening. Still doing some small projects but, I'm nearly there. Yet another European leaves the labour force! I'm looking forward to this new phase in spite of the big change.
Part of the transition is converting a rather loose collection of ETFs into a more solid portfolio. I started the conversion this summer. Not a small thing, because I'm relying on my portfolio to generate part of my income.
This blog documents the process. Thoughts, decisions, results. Everything, including the mistakes. It's a challenging journey - I'm no financial expert, yet I've chosen to manage my own assets. Start here for an overview of what I'm doing.
Why? Well, I'm not willing to pay someone a huge sum for running a straightforward ETF portfolio. Banks and other financial intermediaries often charge 1% or more of your portfolio value per year to do just that. That 1% is a big chunk out of my returns. And I don't see why these costs are justified.
So I educated myself a bit and feel that I can design and manage my own investment portfolio in retirement. Perhaps the best thing about that: I am accountable for my results, and no one else is. That might be more important than saving money. Will it work? I'll find out - and I'll keep you posted here, honestly: what goes well, what doesn't, and everything in between.
Exvestigate is run through Vigor eX Machina bv, a company that I own with a business partner. That is the most convenient way.
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