Blake Alewelt

Blake Alewelt Helping everyday heroes take control of their finances, grow wealth, and make confident real estate moves.

I'm your Money Copilot—guiding veterans, first responders, and hard workers on their journey to financial freedom.

09/01/2026

Day 127 of Investing Every Trading Day, And We’re Starting the Road to $30,000!

After officially crossing $20,000 last week, our VTI investing challenge is now worth $20,248.79 as we begin working toward our next major goal of $30,000.

Today was a rougher day for the stock market.
Renewed tensions between the United States and Iran pushed stocks lower after U.S. forces struck Iranian launchers on Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran later responded by launching missiles toward U.S. military bases in Jordan.

The uncertainty also sent oil prices sharply higher.
Brent crude climbed about 2.7% to $90.49 per barrel, while U.S. crude rose roughly 2.8% to $85.76. Higher energy prices can add to inflation concerns and create more pressure for both stocks and interest rates.

The Dow finished down approximately 0.70%, the S&P 500 fell 0.33%, and the Nasdaq declined 0.12%. Even with today’s losses, all three major indexes still finished August with gains.

And this is an important reminder about long-term investing:
Even with all the negative headlines, geopolitical uncertainty, interest-rate concerns, and market volatility we’ve experienced this year, VTI is still up approximately 12.79% year to date.

That’s a return I would happily take in a normal year.

We’re continuing to use the Averaging Down strategy:
1. Invest every trading day
2. Invest more whenever VTI dips

If the market rises, our existing investments grow.
If it falls, we get another opportunity to buy shares at lower prices and potentially lower our average cost per share.

Want to invest alongside us?
I created a step-by-step tutorial showing exactly how to open a Fidelity brokerage account and start investing in index funds like VTI.

👉 Watch that video next, follow our road to $30,000, and I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 128!

Blake Alewelt
Shieldline Financial and Bravo Ridge Group at eXp Realty
[email protected]
https://www.shieldlinefinancial.com/
West Des Moines, IA
Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Iowa

08/29/2026

Day 126 of this Investment Challenge, and We Officially Passed $20,000!

Our VTI investing challenge has officially reached $20,113.28.

That means we’ve now crossed our second major portfolio milestone:
1. $10,000 - Day 64
2. $20,000 - Day 126
3. Next Goal: $30,000

In this challenge, we’re investing in VTI, Vanguard’s Total Stock Market ETF, using an Averaging Down strategy.

The idea is simple:
1. Invest consistently every trading day
2. Invest more whenever VTI dips

It combines Dollar-Cost Averaging with Buying the Dip, allowing us to stay invested while taking advantage of lower prices when the stock market pulls back.

The goal isn’t to perfectly predict what the market will do next.

It’s to consistently build the portfolio through good markets, bad markets, rallies, corrections, and everything in between.

And now, 126 trading days later, we’ve officially crossed $20,000!!!!

Want to Invest Alongside Us?
I made a step-by-step tutorial showing exactly how to open a Fidelity brokerage account and begin investing in index funds like VTI.

👉 Head to the YT channel to Watch that video next, follow the road to $30,000, and I’ll see you Monday for Day 127!

Blake Alewelt
Shieldline Financial and Bravo Ridge Group at eXp Realty
[email protected]
https://www.shieldlinefinancial.com/
West Des Moines, IA
Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Iowa

#20000

08/28/2026

Day 125 of Investing Every Trading Day, And We’re Only $19 Away From Our Next Goal!
Our VTI investing challenge is now worth $19,980.79, putting us incredibly close to our next major goal of $20,000.

Today was a strong day for the stock market, especially technology stocks.
The Nasdaq gained 1.36%, helped by strong earnings and forecasts from companies including Nvidia, CrowdStrike, and Salesforce. Nvidia surged after projecting roughly 70% revenue growth for the coming fiscal year, while CrowdStrike and Salesforce also moved higher after positive outlooks.

Since we’re investing in VTI, Vanguard’s Total Stock Market ETF, those large technology companies can help move the fund higher because VTI is weighted by market capitalization.

Tomorrow could bring even more volatility.
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh is set to speak at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, and investors will be listening closely for clues about future interest-rate policy.

Right now, markets are pricing in roughly a 64% chance that rates remain unchanged in September, with about a 36% chance of a rate hike.

If Warsh signals that rates may stay higher for longer, or hints at a future hike or cut, we could see stocks, bonds, and mortgage rates react quickly.

And for our strategy, either direction works:
- If VTI rises, our existing investments grow
- If VTI falls, we get another opportunity to buy the dip

Want to Invest Alongside Us?
I made a step-by-step tutorial showing exactly how to open a Fidelity brokerage account and begin investing in index funds like VTI.

Watch that video next, follow to see when we break $20,000, and I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 126!

Blake Alewelt
Shieldline Financial and Bravo Ridge Group at eXp Realty
[email protected]
https://www.shieldlinefinancial.com/
Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Iowa

08/27/2026

Day 124 of Stock Market Investing And We’re Only About $250 Away From $20,000!
Our VTI investing challenge is now worth $19,755.33, putting us incredibly close to our next major goal of $20,000.

We’re using the Averaging down strategy:
- Invest at the beginning of every trading day
- Invest again if VTI dips during the day

The goal is to stay consistently invested while using market pullbacks to potentially lower our average cost per share over time.

Several major technology companies reported earnings after the stock market closed, including Nvidia, CrowdStrike, and Salesforce.

Nvidia reported stronger-than-expected revenue and earnings while raising its outlook for the next quarter. CrowdStrike also beat expectations and raised its annual revenue forecast, sending its shares sharply higher after hours. Salesforce jumped even more after raising its full-year revenue guidance as demand for its AI and data products continued growing.

Why does that matter for us?
We’re investing in VTI, Vanguard’s Total Stock Market ETF, which holds thousands of U.S. companies: including Nvidia, CrowdStrike, and Salesforce.

Because VTI is weighted by market capitalization, moves in large companies like Nvidia can have an outsized impact on the fund compared with smaller holdings.

After-hours index futures also moved higher following the earnings releases, so tomorrow morning we’ll find out whether that momentum is enough to finally push this challenge above $20,000.

Want to Invest Alongside Us?
I created a step-by-step tutorial showing exactly how to open a Fidelity brokerage account and start investing in index funds like VTI.

https://youtu.be/YSQXzMq6-Q0

Watch that video next, subscribe to see if we finally cross $20,000, and I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 125!

Blake Alewelt
Shieldline Financial and Bravo Ridge Group at eXp Realty
[email protected]
https://www.shieldlinefinancial.com/
West Des Moines, IA
Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Iowa

08/26/2026

Day 123 of Investing Every Trading Day, And We’re Almost at $20,000!

Our VTI investing challenge is now worth $19,551.48, putting us just a few hundred dollars away from our next goal of $20,000.

In this challenge, we’re using a strategy called Averaging Down:
- Invest at the beginning of every trading day
- Invest again if VTI dips during the day

The goal is to lower our average cost per share over time and potentially increase our gains when the market moves higher.

Right now, we’re investing around $3,000 per month, and one of the most common questions we’ve been getting is:

"How are we able to invest that much?"

A huge part of it came from finally getting serious about our budget.
Last year, I started using Monarch to connect our accounts and actually see where our money was going.

One of the biggest surprises?
We were spending more than $1,700 per month eating out.

Once we could clearly see the problem, we started cutting that spending back and redirecting more of our income toward investing and long-term financial goals.

Today, we’re able to invest close to 50% of our income during stronger cash-flow months.

That’s why budgeting isn’t just about spending less. It’s about deciding where you want your money to go.

If you’ve been trying to save more money, start investing, build a budget, or find extra money in your monthly expenses, I made a complete step-by-step video showing how we use Monarch Money to manage our budget.

👉 Watch that video next, follow to see if we finally cross $20,000, and I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 124!

Blake Alewelt
Shieldline Financial and Bravo Ridge Group at eXp Realty
[email protected]
https://www.shieldlinefinancial.com/
West Des Moines, IA
Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Iowa

08/25/2026

Day 122 of Investing Every Trading Day, And We’re Just Days Away From $20,000!
Our VTI investing challenge is now worth $19,396.10.

Short-term stock market volatility can feel frustrating, but when we zoom out, VTI has still gained approximately 3.39% over the last 30 days.

Today brought another wave of uncertainty.
Semiconductor and chip stocks came under pressure after reports that Nvidia may raise prices on some AI servers, adding more concern around the already expensive artificial intelligence trade.

At the same time, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced an expanded sanctions campaign against Iran, targeting dozens of individuals, businesses, vessels and additional areas of Iran’s economy. The U.S. also warned countries and companies maintaining economic ties with Iran that they could eventually face secondary sanctions.

Trade tensions are also heating up between the United States and Canada after the U.S. imposed new 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods and Canada responded with retaliatory tariffs.

That sounds like a lot of bad news.... But for a long-term investor, volatility can also create opportunity.

Our Averaging Down strategy combines:
1. Dollar-Cost Averaging - consistently investing
2. Buying the Dip - investing more when VTI falls

If prices decline, we get an opportunity to buy more shares at lower prices and potentially lower our average cost per share.

The long-term question remains:
Can Averaging Down outperform traditional Dollar-Cost Averaging?

Want to Start Investing but Don’t Know What to Buy?
I made a video breaking down several different types of index funds and ETFs you can research for a long-term investment portfolio.

Watch that video next, follow to see when we break $20,000, and I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 123!

Blake Alewelt
Shieldline Financial and Bravo Ridge Group at eXp Realty
[email protected]
https://www.shieldlinefinancial.com/
West Des Moines, IA
Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Iowa

08/22/2026

Day 121 of Investing Every Trading Day, And We’re Closing In on $20,000!

Our VTI investing challenge is now worth $19,255.82, which means we could potentially break through our next goal of $20,000 next week.

Today was finally a green day, with VTI gaining roughly half a percent.
But when we zoom out and look at the last five trading days, the stock market is still down from the highs we saw earlier this week.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Treasury Department increased its bond-buyback program in an effort to calm rising Treasury yields. That provided some temporary relief, but yields have since moved higher again.

Why does that matter?
Higher Treasury yields can eventually translate into higher borrowing costs across the economy, including: Mortgage rates, Auto loans, Credit cards, and even Business financing.

Treasury yields can squeeze households, businesses and financial markets by increasing borrowing costs.

That could become a headwind for companies that depend heavily on consumer spending or affordable financing, including retailers, mortgage companies and auto-related businesses.

For our strategy, though, short-term volatility can create opportunity.
We’re using the Averaging Down strategy, which combines:
1. Dollar-Cost Averaging - investing consistently
2. Buying the Dip - investing more when VTI falls

If the market rises, our existing investments participate in the gains.

If the market falls, we get another opportunity to buy shares at lower prices and potentially lower our average cost per share.

Want to Start Investing but Don’t Know What to Buy?
I made a video breaking down several different types of index funds and ETFs you can research for a long-term investment portfolio.

That video: https://youtu.be/UR6gqeq9RbI

👉 Watch that video next, follow our push toward $20,000, and I’ll see you for Day 122!

Blake Alewelt
Shieldline Financial and Bravo Ridge Group at eXp Realty
[email protected]
https://www.shieldlinefinancial.com/
West Des Moines, IA
Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Iowa

08/21/2026

Day 120 of Investing Every Trading Day, And We’re still holding above $19,000 in our investing challenge as we continue working toward our next goal of $20,000.

We’re investing in VTI, Vanguard’s Total Stock Market ETF, using the Averaging Down strategy.

The idea is simple:
- Invest consistently every trading day
- Invest more when the index fund dips, lowering our average cost per share over time

That means when the market eventually rebounds, we have multiple purchases made at lower prices that can participate in the recovery.

Today, though, the market moved lower again.

Treasury yields climbed back up after the relief from the U.S. Treasury Department’s expanded bond-buyback program quickly faded. Investors remain concerned about inflation, rising borrowing costs, and the growing federal debt burden.

Walmart also dropped more than 9% after reporting weaker-than-expected sales growth. The company pointed to pressure on consumers from higher gasoline prices and softer spending, raising new concerns about how inflation is affecting household budgets.

And there’s another major issue hanging over the market:
The U.S. national debt officially crossed $40 trillion this week.

Higher debt levels can put additional pressure on Treasury yields and government borrowing costs, which is one reason investors are paying so much attention to Washington and future spending decisions.

For our strategy, though, red days are not automatically bad days. They give us another opportunity to buy our investments at lower prices.

💰 Want to Start Investing but Don’t Know What to Buy?
I made a video breaking down several different types of index funds and ETFs you can consider for a long-term portfolio.
https://youtu.be/UR6gqeq9RbI

👉 Watch that video next, follow our journey toward $20,000, and I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 121!

Blake Alewelt
Shieldline Financial and Bravo Ridge Group at eXp Realty
[email protected]
https://www.shieldlinefinancial.com/
West Des Moines, IA
Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Iowa

08/20/2026

Day 119 of investing every trading day using the Averaging Down Strategy, and we just crossed $19,000 in our VTI investing challenge for the first time! WOOT WOOT!

In this challenge, we invest consistently into VTI, Vanguard’s Total Stock Market ETF, while adding more money when the stock market dips. The goal is to see whether averaging down and buying the dip can outperform traditional dollar-cost averaging over time.

After three straight losing days, the stock market finally bounced back today, but continued geopolitical uncertainty surrounding Iran means volatility may not be going away anytime soon.

Those market swings are exactly what make this investing experiment interesting. Every dip gives us another opportunity to accumulate shares at lower prices and potentially reduce our average cost per share.

Can this strategy outperform regular dollar-cost averaging over the long run? Follow along as we document every trading day and work toward our next milestone of $20,000 invested.

Want to start investing but aren't sure what index funds or ETFs to research? Check out my video covering several different types of index funds and ETFs for beginners.

https://youtu.be/UR6gqeq9RbI

Blake Alewelt
Shieldline Financial and Bravo Ridge Group at eXp Realty
[email protected]
https://www.shieldlinefinancial.com/
West Des Moines, IA
Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Iowa

08/19/2026

Day 118 of Investing Every Trading Day, And our VTI investing challenge is now worth $18,897.03, putting us just over $1,100 away from our next goal of $20,000.

Today was another red day for the stock market as technology and semiconductor stocks sold off while Treasury yields continued climbing.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index fell about 5%, with companies like Nvidia, Micron, AMD and Broadcom moving lower. At the same time, the 30-year U.S. Treasury yield climbed to roughly 5.33%, its highest level since 2003.

Higher bond yields can put pressure on stocks, especially expensive growth and technology companies, because investors suddenly have more attractive alternatives for earning income with less stock-market risk.

But there are two ways I'm looking at this environment.
1. If you're a long-term investor: Market pullbacks can create opportunities to buy shares at lower prices. That fits perfectly with the Averaging Down strategy we're testing with VTI.

2. If you don't want the stock market volatility:
Short-term Treasury ETFs like SGOV, the iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF, are another option worth researching.

SGOV invests primarily in U.S. Treasury securities with three months or less remaining until maturity and recently had a 30-day SEC yield of approximately 3.60%.

If you've been wanting to start investing, check out my step-by-step tutorial showing how to open a Fidelity brokerage account, subscribe to follow our journey toward $20,000, and I'll see you tomorrow for Day 119!

Fidelity Brokerage Account Video:
https://youtu.be/YSQXzMq6-Q0

Blake Alewelt
Shieldline Financial and Bravo Ridge Group at eXp Realty
[email protected]
https://www.shieldlinefinancial.com/
West Des Moines, IA
Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Iowa

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