http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/ en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 07:41:42 GMT vBulletin 60 http://cdn.early-retirement.org/forums/images/early_r/misc/rss.jpg http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/ http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/will-the-great-reset-cause-the-masses-to-embrace-fi-re-51867.html Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:46:16 GMT I remember when Jimmy Buffett went commercial in a big way. Arenas. Parrothead tailgating. Mainstream. I felt gutted. Buffett and I had a... I remember when Jimmy Buffett went commercial in a big way. Arenas. Parrothead tailgating. Mainstream.

I felt gutted. Buffett and I had a special relationship (in my mind). We were kindred spirits in the Caribbean lifestyle...him living it, me dreaming it.

But I quickly lost interest...as soon as the masses embraced him. They were intruders invading our space.

Ask any early die-hard Metallica fan. Same thing happened to them after the black album was released.

Well, with the "great reset" in our economy, I fear that something similar will happen. The masses will jump on this bandwagon and it will no longer feel special.

Well, to me anyway...in psychological/career tests I score high on having an independent mindset...YMMV. :coolsmiley: ]]> Young Dreamers Gerbil Wheel http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/will-the-great-reset-cause-the-masses-to-embrace-fi-re-51867.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/realistic-to-retire-before-45-given-my-info-51853.html Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:39:16 GMT I've run over my numbers a million times while at work and I think retiring before 45 is realistic. I would like feedback from you guys as to whether it is or not.

-Home paid for. Very possible that I'll downsize to a condo and pocket 50Kish
Home value about 375K conservatively but this is irrelevant as not interested in living in apartment
-Save 70K a year which includes dividends but not market return. I assume another 4% return from the market over time with my investments.
-I assume my salary will grow by 2% a year. Basically just inflationary increases if any as I don't have any interest in promotions, increased stress.
-Have 275K saved - 25% bonds and cash (mainly cash waiting to be invested) and 75% equity. Will be fully invested by end of year hopefully
-Base expenses 20 - 23K per year
-Another 10K a year for vacations, home repair and car replacement assumed
-Not married, no kids. Might get married but very likely not to have kids

So, can I do it at 45? I feel I am doing alot better than others at saving so I think this is realistic. I am aiming for around 1M to 1.5M in assets. Really not sure how much I need. Ideally I would feel safe with a SWR UNDER 3. ]]> Young Dreamers accountingsucks http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/realistic-to-retire-before-45-given-my-info-51853.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/third-home-51800.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:41:55 GMT Currently thinking of purchasing a rental property in northern Nevada. Housing very cheap out there. Can pickup in decent areas in the 80-90k range.... Currently thinking of purchasing a rental property in northern Nevada. Housing very cheap out there. Can pickup in decent areas in the 80-90k range. Rental rates are good to so house would cash flow after taxes/expenses, etc.

About me:

Married 40, two kids, combined income 190k
Primary residence mortgage 430k, value around 730k
Rental property #1, mortgage 240k, value around 450k
401k,iras,roths total around 500k
Kids eductation IRA and 529s around 80k
Cash on hand about 200k

No debt other than the two mortgages above.

Was thinking of making purchase of said property above for cash or use
partial HELOC at which is at 3.75 fixed. We've always wanted to retire
somewhere in the reno/sparks/carson city area. Would it be a good
idea to purchase the property with the intent to rent it out and possibly
in 10-12 years have it as a retirement home for us and a very cheap price
now? ]]> Young Dreamers onebigdummy http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/third-home-51800.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/to-roth-ira-or-bump-401k-51768.html Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:39:50 GMT Due to some changes in the company that I work for, it looks like I'll be able to put another $5,000-$6,000/yr away into retirement.

I paid 2.3% effective Federal taxes last year (I'm in the 25% bracket), and I'm on the line of whether I should just do the Roth IRA (post-tax), or bump my 401K (pre-tax) retirement up. Any suggestion as to how to guide me in which choice to make? :facepalm:
If it helps any, my wife doesn't have a retirement plan in her name as of yet, so I'm leaning in the direction of a Roth IRA for her.
Paying so little Federal taxes is a by-product of having 4 kids and living on a single income.


PS: We're under the IRA income restrictions and haven't hit the 401K cap either. And we wouldn't hit the 401K cap if we put that much away either. The 401K company match is $1/$1 up to 4% ... I'm already putting away 6%. ]]> Young Dreamers myself http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/to-roth-ira-or-bump-401k-51768.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/getting-more-focused-51690.html Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:10:40 GMT I am trying to figure out a way to do this! I am 36, my DW is 48. Both nurses, both making about $60,000. One 15 yo who we are not worried about... I am trying to figure out a way to do this! I am 36, my DW is 48. Both nurses, both making about
$60,000. One 15 yo who we are not worried about paying college costs for, though we will help support him until he is in his early 20's. (Long story, basically if he does decide to go to college he will qualify for enough financial help that will make our % low enough we can just pull it out of our budget.)
No mortgage on a very modest house I love and may live in forever (on 5 acres in the mountains, beautiful views, etc.). Or may invite son to stay living in as an adult and use as a homebase while full-timing in an RV. Or may sell and full-time in the RV. All fun ideas.
$200,000 in retirement accounts. A pension for DW that should bring in about $300 a month. We do have some debt, $13,000 in CC, $20,000 in car notes. We are no longer using CC, and are paying them down.
Our goal is retirement for DW at 62, so in 14 years (I'll be 50.). If we can afford to we'll defer her SS until she is 67. W/ possible very part-time work if needed or desired for a few years (25 shifts a year = $12,000 in today's pay.) Maybe 50 shifts a year for me.
We have been putting in 20% into our 403B's (like a 401K.) Today I increased mine to 25%. We'll see if that creates any problems.
We anticipate money loosening up after a few years as so much of our money has gone into remodelling our house. Also, as our son hits 18 my DW may go back to work full-time, which will increase her salary.
Our goals are travel, here and abroad. We are both very happy in an RV in the woods.
I am hoping we will be able to afford to visit India, Belize, Bali, etc. I am anticipating 3 or 4 month trips, renting an apartment, etc as a way to save money. Then back to the US to work for a few months (for me at least.)
What do you guys think? Any gaping holes in my logic (other than trying to plan 14 years in advance.)
Gardener ]]> Young Dreamers Gardener http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/getting-more-focused-51690.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/personal-strengths-profile-51667.html Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:40:08 GMT Personal Strengths Profile | DISC self-assessment profile |...]]> Personal Strengths Profile | DISC self-assessment profile | Understand yourself | AnthonyRobbins.com

Those still working might find value in the above. It was accurate for me. ]]> Young Dreamers dex http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/personal-strengths-profile-51667.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/5-reasons-you-wont-retire-early-51653.html Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:33:55 GMT Take it as a challenge, and prove him wrong!

5 Reasons You Won't Retire Early - On Retirement (usnews.com) ]]> Young Dreamers Onward http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/5-reasons-you-wont-retire-early-51653.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/outsider-input-51560.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:15:16 GMT First - what a great site. Glad to have found it, and am excited to continue reading and learning through all the information available. My wife... First - what a great site. Glad to have found it, and am excited to continue reading and learning through all the information available.

My wife and I are starting to become rather serious about retiring early and an looking for any advice one may have or can give on our situation.

Us:
35 and 43 years old
2 Young Children

Debt:
Mortgage Debt - $151,000.00
Car Loan - $12,000.00
No other debt owed - just monthly expenses of utilities, groceries, taxes, insurance, gas, etc.

Income:
Her - $90,000.00
Me: $50,000.00

Savings:
$30,000.00 - CD's
$4000.00 - Savings Bond (Long Story!)
$4000.00 - Cash
$2000.00 - Savings/Money Market
$29,000.00 - Combined Roth Accounts
$20,000.00 - Traditional IRA
$100,000.00 - 401K's
$5000.00 - Mutual Fund Account
$9000.00 - Brokerage Account

My wife puts away 10% pre-tax into her 401 K, and her employer matches 5% of her gross salary and dumps into her 401K, so a total of 15% of her gross salary is put into her 401K yearly. I put away 11% pre-tax into my 401K, and my employers contributions bring my total to 14.5% of my gross salary.

We also put away $2000.00 each into our respective Roth IRA Accounts, and put $750.00 each into the kids educational savings accounts.

After reading many of the posts on this site, I realize we are not anywhere close to where we should be, discouraging, but ready to tackle the task. We don't live an extravagant lifestyle, and don't plan on one in retirement. Want to be comfortable, that is our goal.

Looking for honest feedback on our situation, and some old pro's suggestions.

Thanks. ]]> Young Dreamers DreamingBig http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/outsider-input-51560.html http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/im-young-so-are-there-any-set-it-and-forget-it-type-of-investments-51555.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:43:44 GMT I just turned 24 at the end of July, and since I am young I assume that I have quite a large amount of time available for any money I put some place... I just turned 24 at the end of July, and since I am young I assume that I have quite a large amount of time available for any money I put some place now to compound and grow on its own without me touching it to a point where in 20 years its amassed its self in many multiples of what was originally invested?

I am lost on what to do and I am shying away from doing a lot of the leg work myself as I have the vision that it will take several hours of research every week to stay on top of the markets and status of all my investments (that's after learning about all my options, like ETFs?), this is not really what I would like to do.

I have about $450K saved up in total but not liquid.
I have $240K in 3 houses in Florida which are all rented out paying $900/month rent (before taxes/insurance, no mortgage).
I have $80K in the stock market kinda just sitting there, and I have $100K in a short-term 1 year hard money loan paying 11% that I just started on.
Every month I save another $30K-$33K in the bank. The next $160K is already spoken for as I'm buying 2 more houses in Florida (at which point I think I will stop since I will have 6 or 7).

All I know is that I want more recurring income or a good chances bet in place somewhere so that I can stop worrying about my future as soon as I can.

My money in the stock market isn't really doing much. I'm up like $4K between BRK-B and NEE+F. My GOOG and C are a few hundred down, but I expect them to pop back up.
Could I be doing something a lot better with that $80K?
What about in 12 months when my $100K comes back?

I know what I have now is a good step, but what next? ]]> Young Dreamers Fantasm http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/im-young-so-are-there-any-set-it-and-forget-it-type-of-investments-51555.html