No Science, No Startups: The Innovation Engine We're Switching Off

Re:No Science, No Startups: The Innovation Engine We're Swit... by barchar on Tuesday October 14, 2025 @02:14AM (#45576809)

Actually, normal people can do the borrowing thing. It's not really as necessary since you have normal employment income but you can do it and it can work. If you continually add more principle to your pile-o-stock than your monthly spending the growth will outpace your interest and you won't accumulate an unbounded amount of leverage.

At least if your broker offers decent margin rates or you sell boxes.

Well, also, your 401k and IRAs are probably superior to this strategy and can't be used as collateral as they're protected in bankruptcy. So it's not worth it until you fill those up.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:No Science, No Startups: The Innovation Engine We're Swit... by triceratops on Tuesday October 14, 2025 @09:35AM (#45579879)

> Actually, normal people can do the borrowing thing

But it's way riskier.

> At least if your broker offers decent margin rates

I guarantee you no retail broker will give you the rates Elon's broker gives him.

> you sell boxes

I have to guess you mean "box spreads". This is an advanced strategy and again more likely used by HNW people.

[ Parent | on HN ]