Let's Say I Give You AED 100K... What Now? (Your Options With Me Or Without Me)

I get this question a lot, so let’s break it down.

First of all, you're never giving ME AED 100K.

As much as I’d love that for my bank account, that’s not how this works.

You’re depositing 100K into your own investment account, under your own name, with a regulated financial institution.

I help you determine the most cost-effective and high-return strategy for you among various providers, but ultimately, this is about your wealth, your future, and your freedom.

I invest in you. You aren't handing me a significant amount of money at <AED 100/month.

This is also why I find it laughable when people want to “meet me in my office” as if they’re handing ME the money.

The ones who overthink it? Their wealth trajectory is already determined, whether they like it or not.

I’ve worked with 25-year-old women who decide they want to be financially free, put AED 1M into their investment accounts within 24 hours and achieve freedom before 28.

I’ve also met consultants, CFAs, ACCAs, big-name resume guys, who have panic attacks over putting AED 50K into their own accounts "at the end of Q2" as if they're being asked to climb Mount Everest or do heart surgery on a dying parent.

They stay stuck at age 40+, using “due diligence” to accomplish absolutely nothing except feeling smarter than me while they go nowhere financially.

You decide which category of behavior you want to choose, but believe me: how you do one thing is how you do everything. It tells me a lot about you.

So What Can You Do with AED 100K?

Here are five options out of many more that you can choose from, each with a step-by-step breakdown, pros and cons, and a reality check on their effectiveness.

1. Dump It Into Broad-Based ETF (VOO)

Step-by-Step:

1. Open a brokerage account with platforms like Interactive Brokers, SaxoBank, or SwissQuote.
2. Transfer AED 100K into your account.
3. Buy a broad-based ETF like VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF), which tracks the 500 largest US companies.
4. Hold for at least five years, ideally 15-20, and hope for compounded returns.

Pros:

• Low cost, minimal fees
• No need for an advisor
• Exposure to the US market
• Grows at 8-10% per year

Cons:

• Zero certainty on returns or timeline
• If you lose your job or face anything unexpected, you may be forced to sell at a loss
• No passive income, only potential paper profits that only matter if you sell something
• Requires long-term commitment of around 20 years to really work, which most can't do
• No financial freedom, security or even certainty within five years is possible

Not bad for small contributions, but frankly it won't change much in your financial life.

2. Traditional 60/40 Portfolio (VWRA + IGLA)

Frankly, this model is totally outdated. I explain why here but some swear by it so I am sharing it anyway.

Step-by-Step:

1. Open a brokerage account.
2. Invest 60% in VWRA (Vanguard FTSE All-World ETF – Accumulating).
3. Invest 40% in IGLA (iShares Global Government Bonds – Accumulating).
4. Rebalance annually.

Pros:

• More diversified than VOO alone
• Bonds offer some downside protection
• Historically used by institutions and high-net-worth investors

Cons:

• Requires consistent rebalancing and discipline
• No guaranteed returns, takes 20+ years to build significant wealth
• Most people fail to execute and end up panic selling or mismanaging allocations

Assumes high job security, stable contributions, and a multi-decade timeline—none of which apply to most GCC expats. Works far better for those based in the West or expats planning to return home in the future.

3. National Bonds Or Wio/Sarwa/Any HYSA To Beat Inflation

Step-by-Step:

1. Open an account with National Bonds UAE or any HYSA.
2. Deposit your AED 100K.
3. Earn a fixed return.

Pros:

• Regulated, secure investment
• Accessible and simple for all income levels
• No risk of market volatility

Cons:

• Low returns
• No path to financial freedom

If you are ultra-conservative and care about capital preservation, this is fine. Nothing to do with financial freedom before 2030 but it's an option.

4. Robo-Advisory Investing

Step-by-Step:

1. Open an account with Sarwa, Wealthface, or Wahed Invest.
2. Deposit AED 100K.
3. Let the robo-advisor manage allocation.

Pros:

• Easy to set up, low effort
• Diversified across global markets
• Some automation in portfolio management

Cons:

• Upto 1.5% annual management fees
• No passive income, only paper profits
• Same market risks as ETFs, no downside protection
• High execution risk, as most people lack discipline to hold long-term

Robo-advisory works for those who want a hands-off approach but does not accelerate financial freedom within a reasonable timeline.

You will still need decades to see meaningful results.

5. Working With Me

Step-by-Step:

1. Book a call to assess your financial goals.
2. Deploy AED 100K into a structured, downside-protected, cash-flowing portfolio.
3. Start receiving AED 1,250 per month from day 30.
4. Scale up to AED 1.2M to generate AED 15K/month—reaching financial freedom.

Pros:

• 100% certainty you'll get to financial freedom ASAP
• Cash in hand from day one, not theoretical profits if you sell
• 13-18% net annual cash return in USD paid monthly, quarterly, biannually creating income you can count on
• Downside-protected strategies with income + principal protection features and collateralization
• 40-60% lower cost than portfolios by the top 1% investment strategists
• 9+ years of success with zero complaints
• 1.4% fee option or fee-free options available.

Cons:

• Requires you to take action and collaborate with me instead of waiting
• Not for those looking for lottery-style expectations with zero willingness to step out of their comfort zone

Reality Check: Which Path Will You Take?

You can hit financial freedom before 2030. Most of my clients reach this level in 3-4 years.

2024 Client Results:

• 3 clients bought 60-70% of a property from dividends
• 9 clients paid 100% of their kids’ tuition with dividends
• 12 clients became financially free under 40
• 26 clients achieved freedom in under 5 years
• 4.4 years is the average time to financial freedom
• 9+ years in business, 0 complaints

The ball is in your court.

If You Doubt My Track Record, Don’t Waste Your Time

If you still question the hundreds of testimonials I’ve posted across the internet across 10M viewers and an audience of nearly 300K, save yourself some time: unfollow me now.

DISCLAIMER

This Is Not Traditional Wealth Management.

• I do NOT recommend products based on who pays the most commission.
• I do NOT entertain in-person meetings at any ticket size.
• I do NOT give special treatment if you invest more.

This article is for educational purposes only and provides general guidelines for financial planning and investment preparation.

It is not a substitute for personalized financial advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Any financial outcomes mentioned are not guaranteed, as they depend on individual factors that can only be assessed through a direct consultation.

Professionalism and mutual respect are fundamental to my practice. Any form of disrespect or repeated rescheduling may result in removal from my client list.

I operate on a 100% virtual basis to deliver top-tier investment strategies at 40-60% of the cost of similar services. In-person meetings are not available at any stage, and requests for office-based consultations will not be accommodated.