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Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some examples of cash vs. investment allocations shared by users:

  1. 65% in equities, 10% in 401k, 20% in cash (planning for a house deposit in a year or two), and 5% in a fund that will vest.
  2. 80% equity, 20% cash/bonds in a cheap market. In a more expensive market, adjusted to 65% equity, 35% cash/bonds.
  3. 5% in a Roth account (100% equities), with discretionary spending money added to a stock portfolio (blue chip, tech, infra) for long-term growth.
  4. A multimillionaire example: $2MM in high-yield CDs, MMAs, and US securities, $2MM in stocks, and $2MM in real estate.

These allocations vary based on individual goals, market conditions, and risk tolerance. Let me know if you'd like further insights!

Sources: January 2016 Data Update 7: Dividends, Potential Dividends and Cash Balances, Multimillionaire and retired by 30 Q&A, How much do you put into your 401k?, Diminutive Nature of Net Returns, Multimillionaire and retired by 30 Q&A

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

I'm a senior in college and think the market is overvalued right now. Also, I'm trying to rack up a good amount for savings right now. My parents were bad at that and I don't want to be in that position. And personally investing anything under like $5,000 for me seems like a waste. I also have a lot of things I want to invest my money that include personal growth. It's good to have enough money for anything I might need at any time right now since I'm not grounded and have a family.

 

were you also 80% cash last 2 years... when S&P 500 grew 25% each year?

or are you just in cash now and going to see how things play out over next 2 weeks as soon as trump enters the stage and you want to be nimble and opportunistic

 

I had like $5k to my name 2 years ago so no. I have maxed out my Roth IRA the last two years though, so not too shabby. But yes, I haven't invested since like June of 2024 because I am waiting for Trump to enter the stage. I think a lot of the market is overvalued due to post-election hype about things he says he'll do but actually hasn't been tested on doing.

 
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I'm actually on the same boat. 80% is held in cash and 20% in investments. I've held onto cash at a higher % than most for a couple reasons. 1) 6 month emergency fund is no longer a realistic amount imo. If something happens to employment + medical expenses or I get a job in a different state and need movers to help... 1 years worth of cash saved up as the emergency is enough to live life normally without a job and without worry. 2) Deployment. My goal is to save ~$100-150k in cash before deploying a healthy amount into various investment sleeves. There are some investments I want to make in my own book that are currently restricted due to my occupation, so I'm waiting until I move before deploying that money. Hopefully in a year or two I'm able to start building out my own book and lower that cash reserve of 80% down to something like 60%. People I know clown on me for having a higher base in cash sitting, but they go deaf when I explain the plan. Too many people obsess over 401(k) and that's it. There's more than one way to build your net worth then just cash + retirement/401k. 

 

Assume you probably are at least a couple years out of college or older. I'm trying to save up an emergency fund lol

 

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