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.

06/08/2026

I started investing $100 every trading day 3 months ago... and the results surprised me.

Instead of trying to pick individual stocks like Nvidia or Tesla, I invested in VTI, Vanguard's Total Stock Market ETF, and doubled my investment whenever the market dipped.

Current Results:
• 63 Trading Days
• $9,185 Invested
• +9.33% Return
• $857 Gain

The craziest part? At this pace, investing around $3,000 per month with an average 8% annual return could potentially grow into over $4 million by retirement through the power of compound interest.

Follow along as we continue tracking this experiment and compare buying the dip versus traditional dollar cost averaging.

And remember, this challenge isn't about getting rich overnight. It's about showing what consistent investing, buying the dip, and long-term investing can look like in real time.

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

06/06/2026

Day 68 of investing every day and today just erased about two weeks of gains. Welcome to stock market investing.

In this challenge, we're investing in Vanguard Total Stock Market (VTI ETF) using a strategy called Averaging Down or Buying the Dip.

The rules are simple:
• Invest $100 at the start of every trading day
• Invest another $100 whenever the market dips
And today... we definitely bought the dip.

Why Days Like Today Matter
Most people love investing when everything is green. But the real test comes when the market drops. Days like today are exactly why this challenge exists.

Instead of panicking or waiting for the "perfect" time to invest, we're taking advantage of lower prices and reducing our average cost per share.

That's the entire idea behind averaging down:
• Buy more when prices fall
• Lower your average share price
• Position yourself for a stronger recovery later

How Is The Strategy Performing?
Even after today's pullback, this strategy is still outperforming standard dollar-cost averaging.

In fact, we're currently 0.57% ahead of what we would be if we had simply invested the same amount every trading day without doubling down on red days.

It's not a massive difference yet, but over time those small advantages can compound into meaningful gains.

Why We Use VTI
We're investing in VTI because it gives exposure to the entire U.S. stock market through one low-cost ETF.

That means:
• Broad diversification
• Lower risk than individual stocks
• Long-term growth potential
Perfect for testing a strategy like this.

Want to Invest Alongside Me?
If you want to follow this challenge and start investing yourself, I made a full step-by-step tutorial showing how to open a brokerage account in Fidelity.
This is a practical example of how to invest and improve your personal finance.

Subscribe for regular updates about how to make your money work for you.

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

06/05/2026

Day 67 of Dollar Cost Averaging every day, and today shows exactly why this strategy exists.
After a rough day yesterday, the market bounced back and rewarded us for buying the dip.

In this investing challenge, we're investing in VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) using a simple strategy:
• Invest $100 at the start of every trading day
• Invest another $100 whenever the market dips

This is a variation of dollar-cost averaging called averaging down or buying the dip.

Why Yesterday's Dip Matters
If you watched Day 66, you saw VTI fall more than 1%.
Our first purchase was made at $373.75 per share. Later in the day, when VTI dropped further, we followed the strategy and invested another $100 at $372.20 per share.

Now that VTI has rebounded, that second purchase helped turn what would have been a red day into a profitable position.

That's the entire purpose of this challenge:
• Stay consistent
• Buy through volatility
• Lower your average cost per share
• Let market recoveries work in your favor

You Don't Have to Use VTI
While I'm using VTI because it tracks the entire U.S. stock market, there are plenty of other low-cost index funds that can fit different investing goals.

The important thing isn't the exact fund.

The important thing is building a consistent investing habit and sticking with it long enough to let compound growth work.

Want to Learn About Other Index Funds?
If you're looking for simple investments and want to learn about some of the most popular index funds available, I made a video breaking them down for beginners.

Subscribe for regular updates about how to make your money work for you.

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

06/04/2026

Day 66 of this investing challenge and today was the day we’ve been waiting for.

After weeks of climbing higher, the market finally gave us another opportunity to buy the dip.

In this investing challenge, we're investing in VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) using a strategy called Averaging Down.

The goal is simple: lower our average cost per share when prices decline so we can maximize gains when the market recovers.

The Strategy
The rules of this challenge are simple:
• Invest $100 at the start of every trading day
• Invest another $100 whenever the market dips

Today, VTI dropped 0.72% and continued falling in after-hours trading, so we followed the plan and invested $200 total.

Sometimes the best opportunities come when everyone else is nervous.

Why Did the Market Drop?
Today's decline appears tied to renewed tensions surrounding the Iran conflict.

As we've seen throughout this challenge, geopolitical events can move markets quickly in either direction.

Nobody knows exactly what happens next, which is why we're focused on:
• Consistent action
• Long-term investing
• Taking advantage of temporary pullbacks
Instead of trying to predict headlines.

Why We Use VTI
We're investing in VTI because it provides exposure to the entire U.S. stock market through one low-cost ETF.

That means:
• Broad diversification
• Lower risk than individual stocks
• Long-term growth potential

A simple strategy that doesn't require guessing which stock will win next.

Want a Less Volatile Option?
If stock market swings aren't your thing but you still want your money working for you, I made a video covering 17 of the best High Yield Savings Accounts (HYSAs) available right now. Go check that out on the youtube channel!

Followfor regular updates about how to make your money work for you.

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

06/03/2026

Day 65 of dollar cost averaging into the market and we are getting close to a 10% return in just 3 months.

In this investing challenge, we’re investing in VTI (Vanguard's Total Stock Market ETF), but in a slightly different way than most investors.

Instead of investing the same amount no matter what…
We follow two simple rules:
• Invest $100 at the start of every trading day
• Invest another $100 whenever the market dips

This strategy is called:
• Buying the dip
• Averaging down
• A variation of dollar-cost averaging

The goal is simple:
Buy more shares when prices temporarily decline, lower the average cost per share, and capture more upside when the market rebounds.

Why We Use VTI
We chose VTI because it tracks the entire U.S. stock market through one low-cost ETF.

That means:
• Broad diversification
• Exposure to thousands of companies
• Lower risk than relying on individual stocks

This makes it one of the most beginner-friendly long-term investing options available.

Long-Term Investing Matters
One of the biggest lessons from this challenge so far is that consistency matters more than trying to perfectly time the market.

By investing steadily through dips and volatility, we’ve built a position that’s now approaching a 10% return in just 3 months.

Want to Invest Alongside Me?
You can use this exact strategy inside a tax-advantaged account like a Roth IRA. If you haven’t opened one yet, I made a full step-by-step tutorial showing how to open a Roth IRA in Fidelity.

Subscribe for regular updates about how to make your money work for you.

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

06/02/2026

Day 64 of this investing challenge, and we are still climbing.
In this investing challenge, we’re investing in VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) using a simple long-term investing strategy.

And honestly… a lot of people assume index funds are “slow” or boring investments.

But as of today, this challenge is up 9.48% in just 3 months, while investing in one of the safer and more diversified types of investments available.

The Strategy
This challenge follows two simple rules:
• Invest $100 every trading day
• Invest another $100 whenever the market dips

This strategy is called:
• Buying the dip
• Averaging down
• A variation of dollar-cost averaging

Instead of trying to predict the perfect time to invest, we stay consistent through volatility and take advantage of market pullbacks when they happen.

Why Volatility Can Be an Opportunity
If tensions surrounding the Iran conflict heat back up again, markets could become volatile very quickly.

And while that scares a lot of investors…
For long-term investors, those dips can create opportunities to buy quality index funds at lower prices.
That’s exactly what this challenge is designed around.

Why We Use VTI
We chose VTI because it tracks the entire U.S. stock market in one low-cost ETF.

That means:
• Broad diversification
• Lower risk than individual stocks
• Long-term growth potential

A simple investing strategy that doesn’t require picking winning stocks.

Want to Invest Alongside Me?
You can run this exact strategy inside a brokerage account.

If you haven’t opened one yet, I made a full step-by-step tutorial showing how to open a brokerage account in Fidelity.

Subscribe for regular updates about how to make your money work for you.

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

05/31/2026

Day 63 of dollar cost averaging every day and we are now up 9.33% with every single investment in the green.

This investing challenge continues to prove how powerful consistency and buying the dip can be over time.

In this challenge, we’re investing in VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) using a simple but effective strategy:
• Invest $100 every trading day
• Invest another $100 whenever the market dips

This is commonly known as:
• Buying the dip
• Averaging down
• A variation of dollar-cost averaging

Why This Strategy Works
When the market declines, we buy more shares at lower prices. That means when the market rebounds, those discounted purchases gain value even faster.

For example, look at two of the investments we made back on March 30th:
• One position is now up 18.5%
• The additional “dip buy” is now up 19%

That extra purchase during weakness increased our upside once the market recovered.

Why We Use VTI
We chose VTI because it tracks the entire U.S. stock market through one low-cost ETF.

That gives us:
• Broad diversification
• Exposure to thousands of companies
• Lower risk compared to individual stocks

Instead of trying to pick the next winning stock, we’re investing in the market as a whole.

Want to Invest Alongside Me?
You can use this exact strategy inside a brokerage account.

If you haven’t opened one yet, I made a full step-by-step tutorial showing how to open a brokerage account in Fidelity. Subscribe for regular updates about how to make your money work for you.

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

05/29/2026

Day 62 of this investing challenge and we finally broke through the 9% wall.

This investing challenge continues to prove how powerful consistency and buying the dip can be.

In this challenge, we’re investing in VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) using a simple strategy:
• Invest $100 every trading day
• Invest another $100 whenever the market dips

This is a form of:
• Dollar-cost averaging
• Buying the dip
• Averaging down during volatility

Instead of trying to perfectly time the market, we stay consistent through both red and green days.

What Moved the Market Today?
Part of today’s rally appears tied to reports that negotiations with Iran may have resulted in a 60-day extension of the ceasefire.

At the same time, there are also reports of continued military exchanges and strikes, which shows just how quickly market sentiment can change right now.

This is exactly why long-term investing requires patience and discipline.

Why We Use VTI
We chose VTI because it tracks the entire U.S. stock market, giving broad diversification across thousands of companies.

That means:
• Lower risk than individual stocks
• Exposure to long-term market growth
• A simpler strategy for beginner investors

Want to Avoid the Volatility?
If you’d rather avoid stock market swings altogether but still want your money working for you, there are safer options available.

I made a video covering 17 of the best high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) currently paying around 3–4% interest.

Subscribe for regular updates about how to make your money work for you.

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

05/28/2026

Day 61 of this investing challenge and we’re up 8.59% after investing over $9,000. This investing challenge continues to show how powerful consistency can be.

In this challenge, we’re investing in VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) using a simple strategy designed around buying market dips.

Here’s how it works:
• Invest $100 at the beginning of every trading day
• Invest another $100 whenever the market dips

This strategy is commonly known as:
• Buying the dip
• Averaging down
• A variation of dollar-cost averaging

The goal is simple:
Stay consistent, lower the average cost per share during pullbacks, and participate in long-term market growth.

The Results So Far
Since starting this investing challenge a few months ago:
• Over $9,000 invested
• Current gain: $772.17
• Overall return: +8.59%

By consistently investing through both green and red days, we’ve been able to steadily grow the portfolio while reducing the emotional side of investing.

Why We Use VTI
We chose VTI because it tracks the entire U.S. stock market through one low-cost ETF.
That means:
• Broad diversification
• Exposure to thousands of companies
• Lower risk than relying on individual stocks

This makes it a simple and beginner-friendly long-term investing strategy.

Want to Invest Alongside Me?
You can use this exact strategy inside a brokerage account to keep your investments liquid and flexible.

If you haven’t opened one yet, I made a full step-by-step tutorial showing how to open a brokerage account in Fidelity.
- Check that video out next
- Follow along for Day 62
Subscribe for regular updates about how to make your money work for you.

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

05/27/2026

Day 60 of this investing challenge, and we are now up 8.71% after investing nearly $9,000.

This investing challenge continues to show the power of consistency and buying through market volatility.

In this challenge, we’re investing in VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) using a simple strategy:
• Invest $100 at the beginning of every trading day
• Invest another $100 whenever the market dips

This is called:
• Buying the dip
• Averaging down
• A variation of dollar-cost averaging

Instead of trying to time the market, we consistently invest through both green and red days.

The Results So Far
Since starting this challenge a couple months ago:
• Nearly $9,000 invested
• Current gain: $774.73
• Overall return: +8.71%

And here’s something interesting…
If this same amount of money had been sitting in a High Yield Savings Account earning around 3.5%, we’d only be up roughly $80, and that’s assuming the entire balance was deposited on Day 1.

That’s the difference between:
• Saving money
vs.
• Putting money to work through investing

Why We Use VTI
We chose VTI because it gives exposure to the entire U.S. stock market through one low-cost ETF.
That means:
• Broad diversification
• Lower risk than individual stocks
• Long-term growth potential

This makes it a great option for beginner investors and long-term retirement accounts.

Want to Invest Alongside Me?
You can use this same strategy inside a Roth IRA, allowing your investments to potentially grow tax free over time. If you haven’t opened one yet, I made a full step-by-step tutorial showing how to open a Roth IRA in Fidelity.

Subscribe for regular updates about how to make your money work for you.

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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5550 Wild Rose Lane #400
West Des Moines, IA
50266

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