Thanks to the latest market moves, and the completion of our 2006 401(k) contributions, and the updating of some accounts that my non-financially oriented S.O. never bothers to check, we are now only
...... drum roll please.....
$4,630 shy of our FIRE goal.
We won't quit working sooner than 9/07, probably 12/07 - but since I've been watching this number tick away for 2 years now I feel the need for some fanfare - so bear with me if I use this forum to celebrate.
But if the market goes south after the elections, don't bother checking this thread. :P
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Congratulations (almost, anyway)! That is really exciting. As a fellow close to FIRE, I am glad to see you post this milestone. My DH and I are slowly closing in, too!
Plan to do something special to celebrate - you deserve it!
Jane
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Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!
See you around the water cooler for a while, we can talk of ER, quietly though, don't want to upset the others...
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“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The
other is as though everything is a miracle.” - Albert Einstein
Best of luck Sheryl & yakers and also Jane... so close you can taste it!!
It must feel great now that you know it's only a matter of weeks or months...
Best of luck Sheryl & yakers and also Jane... so close you can taste it!!
It must feel great now that you know it's only a matter of weeks or months...
We won't quit working sooner than 9/07, probably 12/07 - but since I've been watching this number tick away for 2 years now I feel the need for some fanfare - so bear with me if I use this forum to celebrate.
But if the market goes south after the elections, don't bother checking this thread. :P
Awesome - sounds exciting and just around the corner.
Your comment about the market going south reminded me of how vulnerable those without a little margin can really be in that touchy phase. Mind if I ask what steps you have taken to be "volatility-resistant" for those first few years?
I am about 18-24 months out, but have started stashing some cash away to last maybe 5-7 years; the rest will be in diverse equities. Of course, a pension would be nice, but not so here.
Anyhow, enjoy the anticipation and the liberation.
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Rich
Tampa, FL 99.1% ESR'd...
As if you didn't know..If the above message contains medical content, it's NOT intended as advice, and may not be accurate, applicable or sufficient. Don't rely on it for any purpose. Consult your own doctor for all medical advice.
Sheryl, did you check your pockets? Under the mattress?
Maybe today will be a good day in the market.
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Do not rely on the information provided--my posts are not to be taken as legal advice. Needless to say you must consult with your legal representative. I am not responsible for errors. If I offended you with cya I apologize. If I did not, I tried.
I looked back at your first few posts to see if you posted your asset allocation--didn't find it, but I did see that you're a young near-ER <deep bow here>. If you care to share your info, I'm sure we'd be happy to drool with envy snark admire your prowess
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You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need.
Sheryl, did you check your pockets? Under the mattress?
Maybe today will be a good day in the market.
'fraid not - the current total already includes every penny we could find in the sock drawer.
Thanks for the well-wishes, I am excited to be getting this close! (Whispered, as I am still at w*rk).
Quote:
Your comment about the market going south reminded me of how vulnerable those without a little margin can really be in that touchy phase. Mind if I ask what steps you have taken to be "volatility-resistant" for those first few years?
Well... (a) the target number is already 15% higher than what we really intend to live on (b) we have about 3 yrs. of expenses in cash, and quite a bit more in bond funds, T-bonds. No TIPS yet but working on it. (c) diverse assets including real estate, equities, equity funds, balanced funds, international funds, etc. I'm not sure what else we could do.
Also, if the market looks shaky, and even if it doesn't we may do a little freelancing or our own development projects when we are done with the "regular" jobs. This is our idea of fun.
I am generally following Lucia's "Buckets" theory, though not as formally as he lays it out. (Lazy).
I looked back at your first few posts to see if you posted your asset allocation--didn't find it, but I did see that you're a young near-ER <deep bow here>. If you care to share your info, I'm sure we'd be happy to drool with envy snark admire your prowess
That didn't include the real estate, however. I was just looking at the "portfolio." 20% of our total nest egg is in the two rental homes we own. I don't include the $275k equity in the house we live in, as I don't intend to become a PT any time soon.
SWEEEEEEEEETTT!!! it is wonderful to hit milestones, aint it? Especially when you get there ahead of your goal. Congratulations.
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Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar.--Drew Carey