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Investing Practice

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The Yen Hit ¥159 and My U.S. Funds Hit a Record. As a Tokyo Resident, That's Not a Win — It's a Hedge
Investing Practice

The Yen Hit ¥159 and My U.S. Funds Hit a Record. As a Tokyo Resident, That's Not a Win — It's a Hedge

I'm 46, living in Japan, and I hold roughly $260K in dollar-denominated funds. The weak yen keeps pushing my portfolio to record highs. Here's why I stopped calling that profit.

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I Owe $170K on My Mortgage at 0.6% Interest. Here's Why I Won't Pay It Off Early
Investing Practice

I Owe $170K on My Mortgage at 0.6% Interest. Here's Why I Won't Pay It Off Early

With a 0.6% variable-rate mortgage in Japan, should I prepay or keep investing in index funds? Eight years of real decisions, including getting rejected for mortgage insurance because of a therapy visit.

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Gas Prices Jumped Overnight, My Portfolio Dropped $4,700 — Here's What I Actually Did
Investing Practice

Gas Prices Jumped Overnight, My Portfolio Dropped $4,700 — Here's What I Actually Did

A Japanese index fund investor faces the Hormuz Strait blockade, surging gas prices, and a $4,700 portfolio loss. Why dollar-cost averaging proved its worth — and why he didn't change a thing.

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I Invest $2,500/Month and Run a Deficit. Am I NISA-Broke?
Investing Practice

I Invest $2,500/Month and Run a Deficit. Am I NISA-Broke?

62% investment rate, a deliberate $1,400/month deficit. I sat down and actually worked out whether I qualify as 'NISA-binbo' — turns out I don't.

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Why I Picked FANG+, NASDAQ 100, and ACWI for My $2,500/Month Portfolio
Investing Practice

Why I Picked FANG+, NASDAQ 100, and ACWI for My $2,500/Month Portfolio

$670 into FANG+, $330 into NASDAQ 100, $1,330 into ACWI. Why these 3 funds, and why not S&P 500.

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My S&P 500 Gains Dropped $13K. Now It's a Waiting Game.
Investing Practice

My S&P 500 Gains Dropped $13K. Now It's a Waiting Game.

The Iran conflict wiped out S&P 500 year-to-date gains. An 8-year index investor explains why he's not changing a single setting.

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Gold Is Up 6x in 8 Years. I'm Still Dollar-Cost Averaging Into Index Funds
Investing Practice

Gold Is Up 6x in 8 Years. I'm Still Dollar-Cost Averaging Into Index Funds

Gold hit ¥30,000/g. My wife suggested buying it 8 years ago. I didn't. Here's why I still choose index funds over gold, even after comparing the data.

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My Bank Paid Me ¥10,000 in Interest. Japan's Zero-Rate Era Is Officially Over
Investing Practice

My Bank Paid Me ¥10,000 in Interest. Japan's Zero-Rate Era Is Officially Over

After 30 years of near-zero rates, Japan's interest rates are climbing. How a salaryman investor is navigating the shift — mortgages, deposits, and everything in between.

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Before You Buy AI Stocks, Ask Yourself One Question: Are You Actually Paying for AI?
Investing Practice

Before You Buy AI Stocks, Ask Yourself One Question: Are You Actually Paying for AI?

A personal filter for AI stock hype, from a guy who lost ¥2 million on individual picks

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Trump Tariffs Wiped $50K From My Portfolio. I Did Nothing.
Investing Practice

Trump Tariffs Wiped $50K From My Portfolio. I Did Nothing.

A Japanese index fund investor lost $50K in the 2025 tariff shock. Eight years of buy-and-hold experience explained why doing nothing was the right call.

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I Haven't Sold a Single Index Fund Since 2018. My Unrealized Gains Hit $130K
Investing Practice

I Haven't Sold a Single Index Fund Since 2018. My Unrealized Gains Hit $130K

Eight years of dollar-cost averaging into US index funds with zero sells. From $2K unrealized losses to $130K in gains — the full timeline.

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Index Investing Barely Grows for the First 3 Years. Year 5 Changed Everything
Investing Practice

Index Investing Barely Grows for the First 3 Years. Year 5 Changed Everything

The first 3 years of index fund investing felt like nothing happened. $1,000/month, barely any growth. Then compound interest kicked in at year 5.

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The Day I Hit Sell on a $14,000 Loss — My Hands Were Shaking
Investing Practice

The Day I Hit Sell on a $14,000 Loss — My Hands Were Shaking

Lost ¥2 million ($14K) on a single telecom stock. The panic, the shaking hands, and how that failure led me to index funds.

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I Made ¥100K on Game Stocks and Thought I Was a Genius — Then I Learned to Stop Thinking
Investing Practice

I Made ¥100K on Game Stocks and Thought I Was a Genius — Then I Learned to Stop Thinking

From panic-selling game stocks to ¥370,000/month in index fund autopilot. The best strategy I found? Stop thinking.

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