Start a 100,000 yuan wealth train — the wealth map for the middle class

The end of the year is approaching, and the rapid rise in prices makes people feel their wallets are shrinking. Egg prices are rising, mortgage rates are increasing, and living costs are continuously climbing—all pointing to the same issue: Relying solely on a fixed salary can no longer keep up with inflation. If you happen to have 100,000 idle funds, instead of letting it depreciate in the bank, it’s better to invest in assets that can steadily appreciate.

Investing may seem complicated, but the logic is simple—it requires the right mindset, suitable targets, and enough patience. This article will discuss how to turn 100,000 into a resilient asset.

How to start with 100,000? First, understand what type of investor you are

Different life stages and job types require completely different investment strategies. Instead of blindly following trends, it’s better to first recognize your own situation.

Stable employment: Dividend-paying products are your best companions

If you are a salaried worker with relatively steady but slow-growing income, dividend-focused funds or high-yield ETFs are your ideal partners. These products feature stable cash flow, like having a side income.

Take 0056 as an example, this Taiwanese high-dividend ETF has paid out 60% of its gains as dividends over the past 10 years, with a 40% increase in stock price. In other words, investing 100,000 yuan yields a stable annual dividend of 6,000 yuan, and after 10 years, the principal becomes 140,000 yuan. The best part is, if you consistently invest 100,000 yuan each year, after 13 years, just the dividends alone would amount to 100,000 yuan annually—effectively supporting your living expenses through interest. This compound interest model is especially friendly to salaried workers—no need to constantly monitor the market or analyze complex technical charts.

High-income groups: Index ETFs are long-term winners

High-income professionals like doctors and engineers have an advantage—strong risk resistance. They are more suited to investing in index-tracking ETFs, such as the US SPY.

SPY has gained 116% over the past 10 years, with an average annual dividend yield of 1.1%, and an 8% increase in principal. Investing 100,000 yuan would grow to 216,000 yuan after 10 years. Even more impressively, over 30 years, accumulating 3 million yuan in principal could grow to 12.23 million—this is the power of compound interest. The key is the solid economic fundamentals of the US—so long as the dollar remains the global settlement currency, the US won’t go bankrupt, and assets will continue to appreciate steadily.

The downside is that there is basically no cash flow in the middle, so this strategy is best built on stable income.

Time-rich speculators: Trend trading is a quick way to get on board

If you are a student or a salesperson with time to study the market but limited capital, you need a different approach—don’t rely on waiting, but on turnover rate to generate returns.

At this point, focus on market hot topics. For example, the US is about to enter a rate-cut cycle, which will increase dollar supply, making shorting the dollar more profitable; a weaker dollar also benefits Bitcoin. Or if the government announces open travel for mainland tourists, tourism stocks could surge. By capturing these thematic opportunities and quickly entering and exiting, you can achieve excess returns in the short term. This approach is called speculation—it requires constant market watching and timely review, but the returns can often reach an annualized 20-50%.

Deep comparison of 5 major investment types

Gold: The ancient wisdom of inflation hedging

Gold has gained 53% over the past 10 years, with an annualized return of 4.4%, mainly from price differences. Its value lies in—during economic uncertainty, gold will appreciate significantly. During the 2019-2020 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2023-2024, gold prices hit new highs. As a defensive component of a portfolio, gold’s safe-haven properties are unmatched.

Bitcoin: The new era’s risk asset

BTC/USD current price: $87,040, down 1.08% in 24 hours

Bitcoin has surged 170 times over the past decade, but each rise is driven by different reasons—exchange failures, geopolitical issues, dollar substitution demand… This means past growth is hard to replicate.

In the short term, Bitcoin is indeed bullish: halving cycles, spot ETF listings, increased macro liquidity. But from a long-term perspective, it’s advisable to buy at lows and reduce holdings at highs. Bitcoin is very suitable for speculation, but it’s not recommended to allocate more than 10% of your total assets, given its volatility.

0056: The cash flow machine

Taiwan’s most popular high-dividend ETF, mainly investing in high-yield stocks. Its feature is that profits are almost entirely paid out as dividends, making it hard for investors to profit from capital gains—mainly relying on dividends.

Historical data shows that investing 100,000 yuan for 10 years yields a total dividend of 60,000 yuan, with a 40,000 yuan increase in stock value. At this rate, continuously investing 100,000 yuan annually, after 13 years, annual dividends could reach 100,000 yuan—this is the process of building passive income. For small investors seeking stable cash flow, this is the most friendly option.

SPY: A microcosm of the US economy

Tracking the top 500 US companies, with a dividend yield of only 1.6%, mainly gains from capital appreciation. What does a 116% increase over 10 years mean? It means the collective of America’s best companies is constantly creating value.

This investment is almost risk-free—like Warren Buffett says—so long as the US doesn’t go bankrupt, you’re guaranteed to profit. The only downside is the lack of cash flow in the middle, requiring stable work income.

Berkshire Hathaway: The crystallization of Buffett’s wisdom

Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett’s company, has a replicable profit model—accumulating cash through insurance, then using low-interest financing to arbitrage high-yield assets. For example, issuing 0.5% bonds in Japan and using the proceeds to buy Japanese stocks to earn dividend spreads. This model won’t change with Buffett’s passing; as long as the company’s strategy remains, profits will continue.

If you want all interest to keep rolling over and compounding, BRK is the best choice.

The key is to find the rhythm that suits you

There is no absolute “best plan” for investing 100,000 yuan. Gold suits conservatives, Bitcoin suits speculators, 0056 is good for those seeking cash flow, SPY fits high-income long-term holders, and Berkshire Hathaway is for those believing in compound interest.

The real secret is—choosing what matters more than effort. Find targets that match your risk tolerance and time commitment, then stick to them. Whether through regular fixed investments or lump-sum deployment, these assets don’t require high thresholds.

Time is the best investment advisor. As long as your mindset is correct, targets are suitable, and you have enough time, even small investors can become wealthy. The moment to become an investment expert starts now.