wokeup
Profile for early retirement forum - investments -
32 year old who was laid off in Feb. 2009.
Goal:
Invest wisely so that I can live off of $20-30K/year working seasonally (eg 6-9 months per year) or part-time (eg 4-day work week) and still save $ for the time when I'm physically too old to work. Can I generate 10% annual return from savings so that I COULD live off the growth of my savings if I wanted to, BEFORE age 65... preferably by age 45?
Challenges: Low risk tolerance. I've saved $130K since graduating from college 10 yrs ago but not having had these savings grow much b/c of low risk tolerance!
My assets: $132.5K total
$54,472.87 liquid (savings online Ally bank)
$69,817.03 401K (Fidelity) + IRA
$7.5K Treasury Direct Series I bond
About me:
Age, 32. From immigrant, middle class family. Raised to work hard and save for the future. However, after my layoff, I realized, I don't want to work for corporate America all my life... desire financial independence to be able to have a meaningful life (a mix of helping society-- advocacy, volunteering, working part-time for a nonprofit -- and doing things for my personal enjoyment-- taking classes, time w/ friends and family, travel, developing hobbies related to art, dance, craftwork, the outdoors). In the last 17 months, I've volunteered in Chile (3 mo), worked 4 months for $10/hr teaching kids to appreciate nature, and this summer will work $10/hr assisting on a research project in Alaska to define effects related to increased glacial melting (aka global warming) on the Copper River Delta ecosystem. So, for almost 1.5 yrs, I've not been earning much, but greatly enjoying the experience!
HOWEVER, I want to continue to grow my nest-egg so I can continue my adventures/aka working vacations w/o financial concern... eg have freedom to take low-paying but fun jobs and not HAVE to eat Ramen noodles out of necessity!
Education:
Trained at UC Berkeley in Molecular and Cell Biology (BS), and at UC Davis in Biochemistry (MS).
Professional History:
Worked almost 8 yrs total at 2 biopharma's (one start-up, one huge Swiss biopharma). Moved on to sales support (ready to try something new) and worked for 9 months w/ one of largest US companies, providing technical support to sales and customers before the economic bubble burst and was laid off in 2009 (Feb.). Since May of that last year, started exploring new directions (both career and life).
Enjoying nature and the outdoors through road cycling, hiking, walks, camping, flatwater kayaking (vs whitewater). Mental challenges mixed with physical challenge: some rock climbing (not advanced!), dance. Travel. New experiences. Sightseeing and learning about new cultures. Learning about renewable energy and waste management. Volunteering and advocacy to promote sustainable living.
32 year old who was laid off in Feb. 2009.
Goal:
Invest wisely so that I can live off of $20-30K/year working seasonally (eg 6-9 months per year) or part-time (eg 4-day work week) and still save $ for the time when I'm physically too old to work. Can I generate 10% annual return from savings so that I COULD live off the growth of my savings if I wanted to, BEFORE age 65... preferably by age 45?
Challenges: Low risk tolerance. I've saved $130K since graduating from college 10 yrs ago but not having had these savings grow much b/c of low risk tolerance!
My assets: $132.5K total
$54,472.87 liquid (savings online Ally bank)
$69,817.03 401K (Fidelity) + IRA
$7.5K Treasury Direct Series I bond
About me:
Age, 32. From immigrant, middle class family. Raised to work hard and save for the future. However, after my layoff, I realized, I don't want to work for corporate America all my life... desire financial independence to be able to have a meaningful life (a mix of helping society-- advocacy, volunteering, working part-time for a nonprofit -- and doing things for my personal enjoyment-- taking classes, time w/ friends and family, travel, developing hobbies related to art, dance, craftwork, the outdoors). In the last 17 months, I've volunteered in Chile (3 mo), worked 4 months for $10/hr teaching kids to appreciate nature, and this summer will work $10/hr assisting on a research project in Alaska to define effects related to increased glacial melting (aka global warming) on the Copper River Delta ecosystem. So, for almost 1.5 yrs, I've not been earning much, but greatly enjoying the experience!
HOWEVER, I want to continue to grow my nest-egg so I can continue my adventures/aka working vacations w/o financial concern... eg have freedom to take low-paying but fun jobs and not HAVE to eat Ramen noodles out of necessity!
Education:
Trained at UC Berkeley in Molecular and Cell Biology (BS), and at UC Davis in Biochemistry (MS).
Professional History:
Worked almost 8 yrs total at 2 biopharma's (one start-up, one huge Swiss biopharma). Moved on to sales support (ready to try something new) and worked for 9 months w/ one of largest US companies, providing technical support to sales and customers before the economic bubble burst and was laid off in 2009 (Feb.). Since May of that last year, started exploring new directions (both career and life).
Enjoying nature and the outdoors through road cycling, hiking, walks, camping, flatwater kayaking (vs whitewater). Mental challenges mixed with physical challenge: some rock climbing (not advanced!), dance. Travel. New experiences. Sightseeing and learning about new cultures. Learning about renewable energy and waste management. Volunteering and advocacy to promote sustainable living.
- Location
- cordova
- Gender
- Female
- State
- California
- Occupation
- Research Technician
- Retirement Year
- 2020