The speaker, Steve, a former public school teacher who claims to have grown his investment account by over $200,000 in 2025, outlines his strategy for investing his first $1,000 in 2026. He proposes a diversified approach using Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and a money market fund.

His allocation is as follows:

1.  **$400 into an S&P 500 ETF:** This provides exposure to the top 500 U.S. companies, including major tech giants like Nvidia, Apple, Amazon, and Google. Examples of such ETFs include SPYM, SPY, VOO, and IVV.
2.  **$300 into a Growth or Technology ETF:** This targets companies with high growth potential or those in the technology sector. Recommended ETFs include QQQM, QQQ, VUG, or VGT.
3.  **$200 into a High Dividend ETF:** This focuses on companies that pay substantial dividends. The speaker personally invests in SCHD, noting its current dividend yield of 3.8%, which translates to approximately $15 per share annually. Other options mentioned are VYM and SPYD.
4.  **$100 into a High-Interest Money Market Fund:** This portion is kept liquid and earns interest. The speaker uses SPAXX from Fidelity as an example.

Finally, Steve invites viewers interested in starting their investment journey to join his beginner's investing workshop, instructing them to comment 'invest' to receive a link.

Steve | Call to Leap

So, this is how I would invest my first $1,000 in 2026. My name is Steve. I'm a former public school teacher and I grew my account by more than $200,000 in 2025.

My first $400 would go into an ETF that tracks the S&P 500 like SPYM, SPY, V, or IV. This allows me to invest in the top 500 companies in the United States like Nvidia, Apple, Amazon, and Google.

Next, I would invest $300 into a growth or technology ETF like QQQM, QQQ, VUG, or VGT.

Next, I would invest $200 into a high dividend paying ETF like SCHD, VYM, or SPYD. I personally invest in SCHD, and the dividend yield is currently 3.8%, which means that I get paid around $15 per share per year.

Next, I would keep $100 in a money market fund with high interest. There are a lot of great ones out there, but the one that I personally use is SPAXX from Fidelity.

If you want to start investing, but don't know how to start, you can join my next beginner's investing workshop today and tomorrow. Comment "invest" and I'll send you a link. See you soon.

How I Would Invest $1,000 in 2026

So, this is how I would invest my first
$1,000 in 2026. My name is Steve. I'm a
former public school teacher and I grew
my account by more than $200,000 in
2025. My first $400 would go into an ETF
that tracks the S&P 500 like SPYM, SPY,
V or IV. This allows me to invest in the
top 500 companies in the United States
like Nvidia, Apple, Amazon, and Google.
Next, I would invest $300 into a growth
or technology ETF like QQQM, QQQ, VUG,
or VGT. Next, I would invest $200 into a
high dividend paying ETF like SCHD, VYM,
or SPYD. I personally invest in SCHD,
and the dividend yield is currently
3.8%, which means that I get paid around
$15 per share per year. Next, I would
keep $100 in a money market fund with
high interest. There are a lot of great
ones out there, but the one that I
personally use is SPAXX from Fidelity.
If you want to start investing, but
don't know how to start, you can join my
next beginner's investing workshop today
and tomorrow. Comment invest and I'll
send you a link. See you soon.

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How I Would Invest $1,000 in 2026

Transcription