As a grizzled conservative in my 60s, I’ve spent decades outsmarting market fads, dodging government overreach, and building a nest egg through sheer grit and a firm belief in free markets. With retirement knocking, my mission is clear: protect my hard-earned wealth, keep the cash flowing, and leave a legacy for my kids—all while sticking to my values of personal responsibility, limited government, and good ol’ American principles. In 2025, with tariffs stirring the economic pot and inflation lurking like a tax collector at a church picnic, I’m crafting an investment strategy that’s as steady as a Ford pickup and twice as reliable. Here’s how I’m investing, with a wink and a nod to keep things lively.
I’m not about to let my life’s savings ride on some Silicon Valley pipe dream or crypto craze—those are for folks who think “YOLO” is a financial plan. My priority is keeping my capital safer than a Bible in a bunker. U.S. Treasury bonds and TIPS, snagged through Fidelity or TreasuryDirect.gov, are my rock. They’re backed by Uncle Sam’s promise—about the only thing I trust him to keep—and TIPS fend off inflation, which could flare up faster than a barbecue at a gas station with those new trade policies. A 10-year Treasury yields around 3-4%, locking my money down tight. For cash I can grab quick, I stash funds in high-yield savings at Ally Bank or Marcus by Goldman Sachs, pulling in ~4% APY, FDIC-insured to keep the wolves at bay. I also lock in rates with 1-2 year CDs, a hedge against the Fed’s next mood swing. And because I’d rather wrestle a gator than send more money to the IRS, I buy tax-exempt municipal bonds via Charles Schwab, earning 2-3% tax-free while funding roads, not bureaucrats. These picks keep my wealth as secure as a locked gun safe, no matter what Wall Street’s throwing.
Retirement means swapping my paycheck for steady income, and as a conservative, I’d sooner trust a rattlesnake than rely on Social Security. I’m building a portfolio that pays me like clockwork, without selling my soul to speculative schemes. Blue-chip dividend stocks are my bread and butter—think Chevron or Procter & Gamble, wrapped up in the American Conservative Values ETF (ACVF) on Vanguard. ACVF delivers ~2-3% yields and sidesteps “woke” companies that think boardrooms are for preaching, not profits. These firms have paid dividends longer than I’ve been dodging tax hikes, thriving through every recession since disco. I also dip into real estate investment trusts (REITs) via Fundrise, targeting suburban rentals that spit out 4-5% dividends. It’s like owning property without fixing leaky pipes at midnight. I’m eyeing a fixed annuity for guaranteed income, but I’m picky—high-fee products are about as appealing as a vegan barbecue. My Schwab advisor helps me sift through the noise. This setup keeps my wallet fat and my conscience clear, no government handouts required.
Inflation’s a sneaky thief, and with tariffs and energy shocks brewing in 2025, I’m not letting it pick my pocket. As a conservative, I don’t buy the government’s “everything’s fine” spiel, so I’m hedging like a farmer before a frost. My TIPS adjust for rising prices, and I add short-term bond ETFs like Vanguard’s BSV to dodge interest rate whiplash. I’m also backing American energy with the Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) through Fidelity, earning ~3% dividends while supporting oil and gas over windmill fantasies. A smidge of SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) guards against dollar shenanigans—gold’s as real as a handshake, unlike the Fed’s funny money. For growth, I lean on value stocks in sectors like energy and finance, found in ACVF or the Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF (MAGA). These companies skip the progressive sermonizing and hold up when prices spike, keeping my portfolio tougher than a $2 steak.
Taxes and fees? They’re the devil’s handshake, and I’m not here to dance. Every dollar grabbed by Washington or Wall Street is a dollar stolen from my grandkids. I max out my Roth IRA on Schwab, where withdrawals are tax-free, dodging whatever tax grab comes next. I’m converting bits of my traditional IRA to a Roth, timing it to stay below the IRS’s radar. My muni bonds skip federal taxes, saving me a bundle while I sleep. For trading, I stick to Vanguard and Public, where ETFs cost less than a coffee—expense ratios under 0.1%. High-fee advisors charging 1%? I’d sooner let a coyote guard my chickens. This keeps my wealth where it belongs: in my pocket, not theirs.
My money’s got to reflect my soul—a conservative one, rooted in free enterprise, traditional industries, and a healthy distrust of progressive claptrap. ACVF and Strive’s DRLL cut out companies peddling ESG or DEI nonsense, focusing on energy, defense, and consumer goods that power America, not its culture wars. As a man of faith, I’m drawn to Inspire Investing’s ETFs, which ditch firms tied to abortion or gambling, aligning with my Christian values. I trade these through Fidelity, ensuring my dollars back businesses that don’t lecture me on how to think. It’s like picking a bar where nobody’s preaching—pure relief.
I diversify to stay safe, but I’m not chasing every shiny new fad like a dog after a squirrel. My portfolio splits 40% in fixed income (TIPS, munis, CDs), 30% in dividend stocks and ETFs (ACVF, MAGA), 15% in REITs or gold (Fundrise, GLD), and 15% in cash or money market funds (Ally savings). I rebalance yearly with Betterment’s conservative portfolio, which tweaks things for a 0.25% fee, saving me from staring at stock tickers all day. It’s disciplined, like a good hunting dog, without the fuss.
My family’s my legacy, and as a conservative, I’m building one that lasts. I’m setting up a trust with my advisor, keeping estate taxes low so my kids and grandkids get what I’ve earned, not the government. I’m funding local charities that share my values, not bloated federal programs. To cover healthcare without draining my savings, I stash cash in an HSA and explore long-term care insurance—better safe than sorry. For my grandkids’ education, I invest in Path2College 529’s conservative portfolio, growing tax-free to teach them self-reliance, not entitlement. It’s my way of passing down more than money—a mindset.
This strategy’s my kind of conservative: tough, practical, and true to my roots. It shields my wealth, pumps out income, and stands firm on my beliefs, all while dodging 2025’s economic curveballs. Platforms like Fidelity, Vanguard, and Strive make it easy, with fees lower than a lemonade stand. As a 60-something conservative, I’m set for retirement, with a legacy that’ll make my family proud and keep my principles intact.
