The opinions expressed from the content should be considered Educational content, not personalized investment advice.

Most new investors either take on too much risk at once or miss out on growth for being too conservative at the wrong time. Everything in cash and miss years of development. Here’s the 80/20 playbook I wish I had when I started.

🏈 The Investment Playbook: Offense vs Defense

Just like in sports, building a portfolio means balancing offense and defense.

Offense = Growth-Driven Assets

• These are your aggressive plays — assets with higher upside potential, like stocks, growth ETFs, tech, or high-growth companies. They're designed to score big by increasing in value over time.

Defense = Income-Driven Assets

• These are your protect-the-lead plays — stable, income-generating investments like bonds, dividend-paying ETFs, or REITs. They're designed to preserve capital and provide consistent income through market ups and downs.

A self-directed investor knows when to play defense and when to play offense.

🧱 Portfolio Construction Models

🚀 Growth Model (80/20 Split)

80% Offense: Growth-focused assets

• ETFs + Individual Stocks
• • Example ETFs: QQQ, ARKK, IBIT
  • Example Stocks: Apple, Tesla, Nvidia, Amazon

20% Defense: Income-focused ETFs or select income stocks

• Example: SGOV (Ultra-Soort Treasuries), Realty Income (O)
• Goal: Maximize long-term growth while keeping a small cushion for stability.

🛡️ Conservative Model (60/40 Split)

• 60% Offense: Growth ETFs only
• • Example: VOO (Total Stock Market), QQQ (Nasdaq-100)
• 40% Defense: Income ETFs only
• • Example: JAAA (Total Bond Market), SCHD (Dividend ETF),

📈 Why This Framework Works

• Balance: You’re not “all in” or “all out.” You adapt your risk and reward based on goals.
• Simplicity: Clear allocations, easy to manage, and suitable for most investors.
• Scalability: You can evolve your split (e.g., move from 80/20 to 60/40) based on life stage or market conditions.

🚀 Growth Model (80/20)

In any 10-year period, we can expect a bull market about 78% of the time (7.8 years). Statistically, playing OFFENSE is a superior strategy.  Here’s the 80/20 offensive playbook I wish I had when I started.

* High Beta: Outperforms in positive economic conditions underperforms in bad economic conditions

Conservative Framework (60/40)

If the Growth Framework is your sports car, the Conservative Framework is the SUV: slower in the straight-aways but durable when the road gets bumpy. A 40% allocation to ‘shock-absorber’ assets reduces volatility and helps you sleep at night.

High Beta = High volatility or drastic price swings relative to the S&P 500

Low Beta = Low volatility or lower price swings relative to the S&P 500

High Beta = High volatility or drastic price swings relative to the S&P 500
Low Beta = Low volatility or lower price swings relative to the S&P 500

Vanguard long-term asset class study.

This content is intended for a broad audience and is not tailored to the financial needs, goals, or circumstances of any individual. We are not registered investment advisors; this publication should not be interpreted as creating an advisor-client relationship.

All investments carry risk, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Prices, allocations, and asset references (including "Buy Zone" or similar terms) are based on our research and opinion and should be interpreted as non-binding, illustrative frameworks, not actionable advice.

Readers should consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. We may hold positions in the securities or assets discussed and will disclose such positions when relevant.

Use of this newsletter is at your own risk.