hi, nice forum. could i retire? help with investment question?

[slg8080]

Its nice to see everyone is open about there financials. Im 41 yrs old, my home is paid off for $ 425,000. with $550,000 in the money market 4.5%. I want to down size home and semi-retire in 4 years. although my 1st investment yesterday got me worried. I took $200,000 1/2 in a balanced mutual fund, and other 1/2 in another hybrid balanced mutual fund. well, today i already lossed $220.00. i know its only been a day, but least i was making 4.5% almost risk free. though ive been told if i leave my 200,000 in the 2 funds, it should average 7-8%. hope i didnt make a mistake.

[SecondCor521]

slg8080,

Welcome to the boards!

The standard response to your question about whether or not you can retire is to run your scenario through FIRECalc. There is a link directly above your post that you can click on to go to the calculator.

2Cor521

[donheff]

Originally Posted by slg8080

my 1st investment yesterday got me worried. I took $200,000 1/2 in a balanced mutual fund, and other 1/2 in another hybrid balanced mutual fund. well, today i already lossed $220.00.

Not the best timing for your first step into the waters. But that is just the point -- forget timing. Things could very well keep dropping like a stone in water for the next few months and then be up 15% at the end of the year. You need to sit tight for the long haul. Periods like the last few weeks come and go.