"Typical" ER forum member profile

[Free To Canoe]

What about bacon?

[unno2002]

Adding to the list:

Reads a lot, on a wide variety of topics.

Ignores “fads”.

Looks for the “behind the scenes” motivation for events and “news” items.

[steelyman]

Most threads seem to have a limited lifespan, so maybe what you (frayne) could do would be to see what suggestions come up for a few days or a week (or whatever), consider it like a primary election and then create a real poll for voting. The graphical results are a compact summary.

[6miths]

I was thinking the same thing. I would be an interesting poll.

[Fred123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebird5825 A trait I have picked up on is being the proverbial square peg (independent thinkers) in the round hole (traditional environment of the w*rkplace). We are collectively very bright in intellect and very willing to swim against the raging current when the situation calls for it.

And don't forget that we are all unusually modest.

[steelyman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6miths I was thinking the same thing. I would be an interesting poll.

It would have to be done in a way to hopefully minimize less-than-honest answers...

[samclem]

Another trait for consideration: I think a lot of people here are quite generous in sharing their time, their experience, and their opinions (esp opinions). It takes some time and effort to do a bit of research, include some links, explain a point, and then follow-up when people chime in. The many useful things I've learned here on a WIDE variety of topics has been due solely to the kindness of strangers (and especially the goodwill and efforts of the moderators).
It's not a trait commonly found in the world at large or even other online discussion boards.

[unclemick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayne What would you say are typical ER forum member profile/attributes ? I'll start by adding a few of my own thoughts; 1. Financial DIYer and more than a bit skeptical about the role/benefit of FAs. 2. Uses index funds for the majority of his/her investments. 3. Somewhere between the ages of 50-70 and debt free. 4. Dislikes annuities for various and sundry reasons. 5. Retired in their 50s. 6. Have analytical type personalities. How far am I off and what else might you add ?

heh heh heh - some of us a left handed.

[Lsbcal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelyman It would have to be done in a way to hopefully minimize less-than-honest answers...

I know for a fact that everyone here is scrupulously honest and no one here ever exagerates.

[NW-Bound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by samclem Another trait for consideration: I think a lot of people here are quite generous in sharing their time...

I wonder if it is simply because time is something ER's have in abundance.

[steelyman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lsbcal I know for a fact that everyone here is scrupulously honest and no one here ever exagerates.

As Kermit The Frog said, "Well, Loretta, that's a difficult question. The answer is 'nes'".

[kannon]

I go with the bell shape curve and getting +/- two standard deviations of the population with common ER traits. That said, the key points that I have tried to pass to my kids and other young folks I use to work with:

1. Financial DIYer - you have to take control, learn about finances. For me. the Boglehead Guide to Investment is perhaps the best of all financial books.
2. Uses index funds for the majority of his/her investments.
3. Stay away from annuities or similar stuff that is too complicated and too much overhead.
4. Live below your means.
5. Stay the course, don't get emotional.

I think if we can teach others to see finances like this we can do a lot of good.

[harley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst I have *never* seen people get so caught up in the molecular content of their food, as on this forum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo That does appear to be the case but I'm of the opinion that particular trait is shared only by a highly vocal minority. Might be worth a poll to confirm if you're really curious...

Absolutely +1. I've noticed that all of the food threads seem to contain the same dozen or so posters (including me). And a number of them (often including me) seem to be more focused on debunking the theory than buying into it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt34 My thought too, so perhaps modify it to "substantially debt free" meaning if there is any debt it is small compared to NW and an amount larger than the debt is invested elsewhere at a higher rate of return than the interest on the debt.

I consider myself debt free. I don't consider my mortgage to be debt, any more than I consider using my (paid off fully every month) CC to buy everything debt. Why not use other people's money basically for free if they are foolish enough to let you? I consider my mortgage to be a reallocation of assets. Why have a huge chunk of money tied up in equity in an illiquid asset? As long as I can pay it off at my convenience it's not debt.

I don't really consider my home to be an asset. And I suspect if I lived in a smaller house where having a paid off mortgage only tied up a couple hundred grand I might go that way. But I just can't see keeping $1M+ tied up. A chunk of that borrowed at a tiny and easily market-beaten interest rate is such a no-brainer I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if it was paid off.

[davismills]

All six for me. I especially like being debt free and Dave Ramsey didn't motivate me.

[Redbugdave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayne What would you say are typical ER forum member profile/attributes ? I'll start by adding a few of my own thoughts; 1. Financial DIYer and more than a bit skeptical about the role/benefit of FAs. 2. Uses index funds for the majority of his/her investments. 3. Somewhere between the ages of 50-70 and debt free. 4. Dislikes annuities for various and sundry reasons. 5. Retired in their 50s. 6. Have analytical type personalities. How far am I off and what else might you add ?

Yup...that's me. And, I also need to cut back on the "Devils Workbox".

[Niuatoputapu]

1. Financial DIYer and more than a bit skeptical about the role/benefit of FAs. YES

2. Uses index funds for the majority of his/her investments. NO, still captive, as is DW, in company plans without real index funds, but outside of those plans still see value in some actively managed investments.

3. Somewhere between the ages of 50-70 and debt free. Age YES, Debt-free NO, still have two five-year car loans - one at 0.9%, the other at 0.0%, and a 30-year mortgage at 2.875%.

4. Dislikes annuities for various and sundry reasons. YES

5. Retired in their 50s. Not yet retired. Good question though. How many people here are already retired versus still working on it? Bet the retired ones are more likely to respond to surveys.

6. Have analytical type personalities. YEP

[scrabbler1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pb4uski One small quibble.... I would suggest that you replace "paid" with "AUM based" as I don't think many of us would expect an FA to work for free and many of us are ok with FAs that charge a fixed fee or by the hour but we are skeptical of those who charge a percentage of AUM.

I agree with your clarification. However, I receive as a perk from Fidelity (for having a lot of money invested with them) an Account Executive (AE) who helps me out with things and I can bounce ideas off and get some advice, all at no direct charge to me.

[Janet H]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayne What would you say are typical ER forum member profile/attributes ? I'll start by adding a few of my own thoughts; 1. Financial DIYer and more than a bit skeptical about the role/benefit of FAs. 2. Uses index funds for the majority of his/her investments. 3. Somewhere between the ages of 50-70 and debt free. 4. Dislikes annuities for various and sundry reasons. 5. Retired in their 50s. 6. Have analytical type personalities. How far am I off and what else might you add ?

Probably true... but I also think that many members have a strong 60's ethos that was never fully acted on.

We buckled down and got responsible all the while currying that little voice inside that yearned to be independent, free of social baggage to conform, etc. Early/retirement is finally the time to hoist the freak flag and do whatever the heck we want to do, when we want to do it.

Right on! Power to the LBYMers, Peace, love and financial freedom, etc...

hippie4.gif

[mickeyd]

Add~ Generally a devotee of Jack Bogle but has no problem with making deviations to "Bogleideas" if it is for a better personal asset allocation or investment action.

[txtig]

G


Sent from my iPhone using Early Retirement Forum