140 | The Millennial’s Dilemma

We’re more than a decade into a passive investing boom that has allowed many to pay close to $0 using index funds to participate in the investment returns of most of the publicly traded companies in the global economy.

Plenty of evidence has shown how hard it is to consistently beat the market, so it’s only provided extra gas on the “lower-your-costs-and-enjoy-the-ride” fire.

As a result, the do-it-yourself Millennial investor has enjoyed more than a few chuckles about beating sophisticated money managers (particularly ones who have leveraged investor naivete for decades!) without any real effort.

But there’s the dilemma.

Without any effort.

In an age where convenience and low price are the primary measures of value, it was only inevitable that investment strategies would follow suit.

But inherent to “no effort” is no purpose, no intent, and no accountability.

Ironic, given it’s the same age that’s used social media as a magnifying glass on everything that’s ever been swept under a rug…

Exposing lack of purpose, intent, and accountability.

Do we take the “free” returns that are available and move on or do we have some responsibility to use the magnifying glass on our investments too?

The Millennial’s dilemma.