What have you learned from this forum?

[runchman]

I've learned that if you are a financial advisor trying to sell macs, these forum members might not be lucrative prospects.


Seriously, great reinforcement of the benefits of a simple asset-allocation index fund approach.

[Retire Soon]

1) Mutual fund companies and financial planners frequently over estimate the amount of money needed to retire (e.g., 80% of current income), because it is to their advantage so keep older workers on the payroll as they make more money and invest more in 401k's, 457's, and 403b's than younger replacement workers.

2) Postponement of Social Security benefits can be financially advantageous.

3) Collectively, ER Forum posters can solve even the world's most difficult problems.

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retire Soon 3) Collectively, ER Forum posters can solve even the world's most difficult problems.

Just dont ask us to actually fix the problems. Our strength ends at pontification.

I've learned all sorts of things. The biggest reinforcement of a prior learning was that a lot of people are exceptionally good at ignoring the numbers that dont support what they really want to do.

[savedapile]

1. It takes all kinds to make the world go round and some people who post on anonymous websites are full of BS.
2. SWR
3. Most here have a very good sense of humor which could be related to the fact they won't be working until they are 70

[Mysto]

1. Don't ever mention annuities or buckets.

2. 101 uses for beaver cheese.

3. Psssssst Wellesley!

Oh and some misc. stuff that has helped to me pull the plug in another 10 months. That's right gang - I am official at the end of this year with both me and DW on our way to (late) ER. Thanks.

[Tawney]

I started reading this board several months ago, when I was first thinking of ER but was still insecure about "not w*rking".
Now I am THREE WEEKS away, and very much winding down...

What I've learned:
1) Don't spill the beans on your ER plans prematurely: wait as long as you can because there may be a buy out offer or other development you can't anticipate;
2)There are other people in the world who LBYM; we're not the only ones who didn't buy the big house, etc, etc.
3)A lot of really smart people read this board and post here! Thanks!

[TromboneAl]

Too many things to list. Thanks guys and gals!

[SLC Tortfeasor]

I now understand the true importance of dryer sheets.

[BigMoneyJim]

I had my basic investing principles figured out before coming to this board, but since I've been here I got comfortable with REIT index as a part of my portfolio and taken a liking to balanced funds like Wellington and LS Moderate over scratch building my own AA.

EDIT: Wellington, not Windsor. I always get those Vanguard "W"s mixed up.

[WanderALot]

1. ER is possible
2. SWR
3. Loads of investment ideas

I find that I often don't apply what I know. I've read up on asset allocation, proper diversification etc before I found this website, but I never sat down and did it. Seeing people regularly applying these principles has a way of kicking me upside the head to apply what I learned!

Thanks everyone!

[Moemg]

1-Postpone SS
2- The happiest people are retired or soon to be retired

[Bram]

I have learned:

1. The niggling doubts I had about purchasing a VA were well founded & I was able (with the wise counsel/encouragement of posters here) to cancel it without too much damage.

2. I don't need to contribute to the wallet of a "Financial Advisor" who is more apt to be more concerned with his financial future, than mine. (He & Ameriprise have been DUMPED.)

3. Vanguard's Target Retirement Funds; delaying SS; a wealth of on-line & other resources for educating myself about investing and financially securing my/DH's retirements; how to read an electric meter; and what a great forum this place is!

[redduck]

I've learned a whole lot--plus some of what I thought I knew got reinforced.

1. The value of diversity (including fixed income investments).

2. Which books might be helpful to read regarding investments.

3. The importance of low fees (I've just about closed out all my higher fee mutual funds). I had thought that most funds were probably ok regarding costs as long as they didn't have a load.

4. How helpful the people on this board are.

5. And...

I almost understand TIPS now.

[RP]

1> How many others hated their 9 to 5 job, I always thought I was a loner/malcontent. How low and stable my BP and cholesterol counts have become since I took _the_ step.

2> How effective the US health care industry's propaganda is on making people focus on health care issues to the exclusion of what their life is really about. So many folks are virtually deer in the headlights unable to make choices on their own. Worrying about all the issues that may or may not happen instead of living each day as the gift that it truly is.

3> How little chance there is of being bored in ER. There are times I wish I could go back to my old job just for a few days to get a break, sitting in my swivel chair with nothing truly important to do.

4> How many really smart people post here and share their knowledge ... wish i had started here many years ago, I'd be soooo much smarter on ER and life issues in general.

[CyclingInvestor]

1) That anyone else took money seriously. Some pretended to (saving
just long enough to buy a new car, etc.), but I never knew anyone else
had serious plans to retire early before the FI/RE forums, primarily this one.

2) Understanding the 72(t) rules

[GOJAGATORS]

1... The importance of figuring out what we are actually spending and not the usual percentage of pre-retirement income guideline that I had always heard about.

2.... Annuities appear to be worse investments than what I already suspected.

3.... 1% adds up to a whole lot more than I ever realized.

[Arc]

I learned that I live in a McMansion (I think - still not sure of the exact definition). Thought it was just a nice house.

What is the exact definition - fries did not come with it!

[bright eyed]

so far...

1) i have a lot more reading to do

2) if they made books into an online forum i'd have finished 5 by now

3)that cheap frugal people have great humor and well-balanced insight into life...