Ranking Investing Options from Most Risky to Least Risky — and How to Balance Them

Examples: Bitcoin, Ethereum

Crypto can rise or fall a lot in a short time. That makes it exciting but also the riskiest option. It’s not something to put all your money into, but putting a little can give you big growth if it takes off. For younger soldiers who have time to wait, adding a small percent into crypto can be worth it.

Examples: Apple, Tesla

Buying single companies can make you rich if they keep growing, but it can also wipe you out if the company crashes. If you want to try this, keep it small. Pick companies you know and actually use. Never put everything in one stock.

Check out the blog on Investing Platforms: 👉 Best Investing Platforms for Soldiers

Examples: S&P 500 Index Fund, Total Stock Market ETF

This is where most people should put most of their money. ETFs and index funds are baskets of hundreds of companies all in one. If one company fails, the others balance it out. They grow slower than a single hot stock but way more steady over time. This is how soldiers can realistically go from $56,000 to $3 million. The growth is consistent and you don’t have to constantly check it.

Bonds are loans you give to companies or the government. They usually pay steady but smaller returns. Right now, High Yield Savings Accounts (HYSAs) often pay over 4 percent, which is about the same as many bonds. Because of that, you don’t really need bonds early on. An HYSA can give you the same safety and better access to your cash.

This is your safe spot. HYSA accounts pay interest on money you park there. They’re great for your emergency fund. Once you have three months of expenses set aside here, you can start pushing the rest into higher risk options.

Check out the blog for High-Yield Savings Accounts: 👉 Best High-Yield Savings Accounts for Soldiers

Here’s a simple way to think about splitting your money:

Age 18–30 (young soldiers just starting out):

70% ETFs and Index Funds
15% Individual Stocks
10% Crypto
5% HYSA (plus a separate emergency fund)

Age 30–40 (more responsibility, still time to grow):

60% ETFs and Index Funds
15% Individual Stocks
5% Crypto
20% HYSA

Age 40 and up (closer to retirement):

50% ETFs and Index Funds
10% Individual Stocks
40% HYSA

Important: Always put at least 5% of your base pay into your TSP (Thrift Savings Plan). That way you grab the government match and you’re building wealth automatically. But don’t just set it and forget it in the G Fund. Log in and make sure you choose funds that match your risk level.

Disclaimer: This breakdown is for educational purposes only. It isn’t financial advice. Every soldier’s situation is different, so make sure to do your own research or talk with a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.

• Open a High Yield Savings Account and save three months of expenses.

• Log in to TSP.gov and confirm you’re putting in at least 5% of base pay.

• Open an investing account

• Set aside a small percent for crypto

• Stick with the split that fits your age and adjust as you grow.
  
  
  
  

You don’t need to make this complicated. Start with your TSP and HYSA, then slowly build into ETFs, stocks, and a little crypto. The earlier you start, the more your money grows.

Remember, as a soldier you already have stability. That gives you the power to take more risk early and set yourself up for freedom later. No matter which mix you choose, the most important part is consistency

A realistic target is putting at least $1,000 a month into investments. This is on top of your first $56,000 foundation and it’s the piece that makes the plan work. By doing this you can realistically grow your wealth to more than $1.45 million by year 20 and then to over $3 million by year 30, even if you never add another dime. That’s the power of steady investing and compounding.

Now imagine where you’d be if you later added real estate, a small business, or other side income on top of this foundation. The potential only grows

👉 Ready to get started?

First, make sure you're matching contributions in your TSP and see where your money is going in TSP.

Then open a High Yield Savings Account.

Then pick one of the investing tools above and take your first step today.

grow your wealth to more than $1.45 million by year 20 and then over $3 million by year 30

Disclaimer: This is for educational purposes only. It isn’t financial advice. Every soldier’s situation is different, so make sure to do your own research or talk with a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.

👉 Best Military Credit Cards for Soldiers

👉 Best Investing Platforms for Soldiers

👉 Best Military-Friendly Banks for Soldiers

👉 Best High-Yield Savings Accounts for Soldiers

📘 3 Simple Steps to Start Building Wealth in the Army

📘$56,000 in just three years

📘 The 3 Million Dollar Timeline

📘 Why I Built Wealth While You Serve