u/No-Tax-2218

I get asked the same questions often. What points do you find most helpful and respectful to use?

I’m a single mom with a young kid, so I can’t do regular 9–5 or leave the house much. I just need honest ideas, what are actual, doable ways to bring in extra cash around my schedule?

I earn around $1,200 a month, but I always end up broke because I spend $150–$250 weekly on online gambling. I try to budget, but as soon as I have extra dollars, I put it all into betting. I want to pay my bills on time and save at least $100 monthly. Has anyone fixed a budget while having this habit? What rules or system actually worked for you? I need real advice please.

I always thought you needed thousands of dollars, but now I see people saying you can start with $50 or $100. Is that true? If I start small, does it even matter or make any difference long term? Also, are there fees I need to watch out for that might eat up my small amount? Just trying to figure out if I can actually start now or wait a bit longer.

If I just keep buying VOO or SPY forever, am I making a mistake? I know it’s not the whole market but historically it works well. Do I really need to add international or small caps or is this enough for most people?

I’m in my early 20s, no dependents, and investing for retirement way down the line. Most guides say heavy on stocks early on, but I also see people suggesting a small bond allocation even now just to smooth out the ride. Is there a standard formula or logic beginners use to decide when to start shifting towards more bonds or fixed income? Or should I just stay aggressive for as long as possible?