January 2026 update ($1,328,281 +$47,727 or +3.7%)

↑ Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund is up by $14,293 or +6.5%
↑ Eurozone Stock Index Fund is up by $6,532 or +2.5% 
↑ Standard and Poor’s 500 Index Fund is up by $7,089 or +1.4% 
↑ Global Small Cap is up by $10,939 or +5.5%
↑ Growth fund is up by $236 or +0.2%
↑ Additional investment savings $2,500
↑ EUR is up to USD by 0.8% or $3,797 for my portfolio
↑ GBP is up to USD by 2.2% or $2,341 for my portfolio
Total gains: $47,727

Observations:

 I have previously written about concerns that S&P500 is over concentrated with several companies.  January 30 was a proof to that. On January 30, 2026 Microsoft lost $357 billion in a few hours (about 10% of its capitalisation).  This predominantly driven by investors’ concerns if investment in artificial intelligence will pay for itself.  This concern is also shared by Nvidia, as it’s put on ice planned investment of $100 billion in Open AI.

 Precious metals prices also had wild swings. Gold, after reaching $5,500 for troy ounce (31.1 gram) lost 10% in one day to about $4,900. Silver slid from $120 to $98 per ounce. This was mainly linked to appointment of Kevin Warsh as next chair of Federal Reserve (pending Congress confirmation).  Kevin Warsh’s views has been towards tighter monetary policy, generally high interest rates to keep inflation in check, even if it slows down economic growth.

 On the personal front I am keep looking for a new role, which would enable me to maintain cash flow and savings rate of $2,500 USD towards financial independence. If I keep investing $30K USD a year at inflation adjusted return on my investments 3%, over the next 15 years my nest egg will by $2.5 million in today’s money.  From that point, assuming that the house is paid I am able to generate $75K USD a year income.  This is not a huge amount of money but will allow a comfortable and secure living. However, there is still no solid offers yet.

 Fun fact:  Warren Buffett, considered as the world’s most successful investor, made 99.6% of his $87.5 billion fortune after the age of 52. As much as $72 billion of his wealth came after he turned 65. He started investing at a tender age of 11 and fi led his taxes for the first time when he was 13.