The Lazy Way to Get Rich in 2025 (Do Almost Nothing)
Tired of hearing the same old advice about hustling and stressing over stocks? Here’s the good news: getting rich doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, there’s a way to build wealth by doing almost nothing—enter the Lazy Portfolio.
This strategy is designed for people who don’t want to micromanage their money or become investing experts. It’s simple, effective, and built for long-term growth. Whether you’re a beginner or someone who just wants to set it and forget it, the Lazy Portfolio has you covered.
What Is the Lazy Portfolio?
The Lazy Portfolio is all about investing in low-cost index funds that require minimal effort. No stock picking, no market timing—just a straightforward strategy to let your money grow over time. It’s inspired by John Bogle, founder of Vanguard, who believed in making investing accessible for everyone.
Why It Works
- Diversification: You own a piece of thousands of stocks or bonds.
- Low Maintenance: Set it up once, automate contributions, and let it run.
- Proven Results: Historically, index funds have outperformed most active traders.
Four Lazy Portfolio Strategies
The One-Fund Portfolio
Invest in one broad market index fund like VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index). It gives you exposure to the entire U.S. economy with zero effort.
- Perfect For: Total beginners who want to keep things ultra-simple.
The Two-Fund Portfolio
Add a bond fund like BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index) to balance risk. This strategy splits your money between stocks for growth and bonds for stability.
- Perfect For: Total beginners who want to keep things ultra-simple.
The Three-Fund Portfolio
Combine U.S. stocks (VTI), international stocks (VXUS), and bonds (BND) for global diversification.
- Perfect For: Investors looking for maximum simplicity with worldwide exposure.
The Core Four Portfolio
Add real estate exposure with VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate Index) alongside U.S. stocks, international stocks, and bonds.
- Perfect For: Those who want a piece of every major asset class, including real estate.
Why Start Now?
The magic of the Lazy Portfolio lies in compounding. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow.
For example, investing just $300/month at a 10% return could grow to over $1.9 million in 40 years. Even starting with $50 or $100/month makes a huge difference over time.
Ready to Get Started?
- Open a brokerage account (check out my recommendations here).
- Choose your Lazy Portfolio strategy.
- Automate your contributions and let the portfolio do the work.