Okay...Let's Get To The Meat...

[unclemick]

Derserat - you're saving more than I ever made in total income the bulk of my working career - except the last five years maybe.

Which brings me back to the real meat. Anyone looked at compounding spans. My original was a single sheet of graph paper compounded at 7.95% from 1976 - 2006, age 63. I used a weighted asset class growth method (T. Rowe Price Phd, AAII chapter meeting) - before I'd ever heard of MPT, Bernstein. Blind luck - our 401k had 500 index.

Love that compounding curve.

[deserat]

Thanks, John and unclemick;

I read a long time ago where they did a comparative study on Harvard grads between those who wrote down their goals; short-term and long-term; versus those who didn't - the writers met and exceeded their goals.

Now every year, I write down my goals and review the last year's as well as track the long term ones. Amazing how the physical manifestation of a thought onto a piece of paper can motivate a person.

Those goals are not just monetary.

As for my savings goals----I am trying to see how little I can live on while still enjoying my lifestyle. I don't have any children and don't have any debts except my house, which is appreciating very nicely right now. I've read many financial management books and found that saving money and lowering ones lifestyle expectations are perhaps the most important keys to being able to retire early.

My definition of retirement is being able to do what I want with my time - if that means trading it for some more money, then fine, but not *having* to do that is the key for me.

And the mantra above is what this BBS (I'm dating myself with that moniker) sings at choir practice everyday

Thanks again to all for your great ideas and dialogue - sure helps me....

Deserat

[bow-tie]

My definition of retirement is being able to do what I want with my time - if that means trading it for some more money, then fine, but not *having* to do that is the key for me.
Deserat

Amen to that....

Our goals are approx 35% of gross to ER... but total savings are approx 40%+. Gotta get that house paid off...

Debt is so overrated