Money Moves We Wish We Started Sooner

We all have a few habits we wish we’d started earlier in life. The same is true with investing. 

A recent Long Angle thread highlighted some of the strategies high-net-worth investors wish they had begun sooner, armed with the knowledge they have today.

One approach is as simple as buying index funds / low cost ETFs earlier for broad market exposure and committing to a long-term investing focus.

Others pointed to early participation in Bitcoin or gaining hands-on experience with investing in rental properties.

In our discussion thread, members framed investing as a skill that rewards early reps. What many actually regret most is delayed learning as opposed to fixating on performance.

This insight came from a broader discussion on what members wish they’d purchased earlier in life, from solar panels and robot vacuums to bedding upgrades and home fitness centers.

Read the full blog article, What’s Worth Buying Earlier in Life? Long Angle Members Share the Highest-ROI Upgrades.

We asked more than 250 high-net-worth individuals how they approach personal cybersecurity.

Most responses centered on strong security hygiene: steps like always using multi-factor authentication (MFA), keeping devices and applications up to date, and carefully reviewing emails, links, and senders before clicking.

Beyond the basics, many selected tactics that require more intention: using a password manager, monitoring or locking credit, and avoiding reusing passwords across multiple accounts. These actions reflect a shift to a more proactive mindset.

One area that stood out as underutilized was active management of one’s digital footprint, selected by only half of respondents. This includes regularly reviewing privacy settings, being thoughtful about what is shared on social media (including older posts), and limiting how and where personally identifiable information (PII) is shared.

To explore cybersecurity in more depth, listen to the Navigating Wealth podcast episode, From Marine Corps Interrogator to Cyber Intelligence CEO: Jason Passwaters on Tracking Global Cybercrime.

Private markets offer compelling opportunities, but they come with constraints that investors must fully understand upfront.

Before committing capital, here are seven key considerations every investor should keep in mind:

1) Your investing goals: including your tolerance for risk and your need for income versus capital appreciation.

2) Longer-term and illiquid: investments are typically locked up for 10+ years, though evergreen and semi-liquid vehicles are beginning to emerge.

3) The J-curve effect: returns are often negative in the early years due to fees, with the potential to turn positive as assets mature and are realized.

4) Manager selection: the performance gap between top and bottom quartile managers can be significant, often exceeding 15–20% on an annualized basis.

5) Fees: commonly composed of management fees and performance fees (carried interest), and often subject to a minimum hurdle rate.

6) Tax complexity: funds are typically passthrough entities and issue Schedule K-1s.

7) Fraud risk: lower barriers to entry can attract unscrupulous actors.

This list is drawn from a recent Long Angle and Alto webinar, A Guide to Private Markets in the New Economic Landscape. Click the link to watch the replay.

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Chris Bendtsen

Insights Lead, Long Angle

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