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I use 3% as my 'planning' SWR. As of this year, I can support my current lifestyle at a 3% SWR. I'm not planning on retiring until I can support myself at the median household income, so I've got about a decade left to retire, but in the meantime I'll increase my spending in line with a 3%...

Howdy folks, I have a tsp account, and use it (and the G fund) for the bond portion (40%?) of my portfolio. For those of you who aren't familiar with the TSP, and the G fund, it has very low expenses (.033%?), and relatively high risk free returns (esp in a rising interest rate...

This could so easily be me some day. I'm a single guy in his early 30s By the time I get off from work, many days I'm exhausted. I just want to go home, crack open a beer and play some video games with friends, watch a movie or read a book. I doubt I will ever feel financially secure until I...

32 and half way there. So today, I was updating my 'outside' account balances on vanguard, and I noticed something. I'm halfway to financially independence (@ 3% SWR) In some abstract way, this feels big. My net worth is 100x what it was 10 years ago. I do have to keep it in perspective...

Yeah my formula is pretty simple. (Portfolio * 3.25%) >= Expenses ? My calculations tell me that my 'income' from my portfolio increases ~3k per year. After I become financially independent, I'll simply increase my spending to the amount supported by my portfolio each year, until I'm content...

Howdy folks, It seems congress has passed (and obama has signed), a new law which provides for a 529 like law for people with disabilities. Some highlights gleaned from google, and the bill: Up to 14k / year can be contributed. Beneficiary must have had the disability prior to age 26...

The problem here is not that you got front ran, it's that mutual funds get front ran on every. Single. Trade. This is not as big of a problem with index funds, with there low turnover, but it still rubs me the wrong way that regulators won't stop it. Crony capitalism at its finest. Sent from...

Whew, thank goodness, thought my account had been hijacked, and was worried about what spam had been posted under my name.

I think it boils down to where you are in life, and what your needs are. Young? Single? Switch jobs alot? Renting is probably the better decision. Married? Have kids / animals? Need 3+ bedrooms? Lean towards buy. Retired? Might want to check out that 2 bedroom condo... I rent, as I...

I save over half my income. I save for the day that I am financially independent. I like my work well enough. When I retire, I will be retiring *to* something, not *from* work. Having said that, I am conflicted about saving so much. I know that I won't be happy living as I live now long...

I was lucky enough to land a internship / coop with the navy while I was in college. For whatever reason, I decided to contribute to the TSP, and by the time I left, I had enough in the account that I could elect to keep it there if I so choose. Since that time, I've learned that the TSP is...

Some folks are indeed motivated to retire in their 40's. They save to become financially independent, with this goal in mind. I *may* retire early, but this is not my motivation. If perception colors reality, perhaps my view of the world is darker than it truly is. However, I can't shake...

Howdy all, I used to think that one's savings rate is by far most important variable in achieving financial independence. However, there is no 'savings' without income, and no income without a job. I knew this, in a fuzzy sort of way, but late April it really hit home. My company went...

+1 for The Oil Drum | Discussions about Energy and Our Future This site is well respected even by many in the industry. I'd also recommend Resilience.org It used to be called the energy bulletin. The 'shale' boom is *great* news for America. However, it doesn't magically solve peak oil...

Kinda sad how folks can so callously pick on the mentally ill. I wonder if anyone ever reached out to try and help him? How much richer would his life (and his community) have been for it?

My family was 'lower middle class' growing up. When I was very young I remember my parents buying me a G.I. Joe every now and then when they went to walmart. I remember it taking all year for me to save up $65 for a video game [that would sell for $1.00 in the app store now]. When I was 17...

I think this is appropriate. "Work is the curse of the drinking class" Oscar Wilde

I've read a good bit of it. I'm in my late 20's so it is concerning to me. I've also recently seen IOUSA and 'Ten Trillion and Counting' (both of which I highly recommend). If these works are to be believed, the cost of boomers profligate spending will be hoisted onto my generations...

Lets not forget folks, they're talking about joe shmoe here, not members of E-R.org. I think you would do well to remember that we are the exception, not the rule. I come from a rural small town, and I have many friends that are downright good people. Not financially literate, but good...

This year I saved 65% of gross. I graduated college in 2008, and my expenses have not kept up with my income. However, I did give up on having roommates a couple years ago. I don't feel I deprive myself. I own a nice car, and I don't regret buying the things I find important to me. The...

I'm a software developer. From what I've heard from others I'd have no problem getting into Canada as a 'skilled immigrant'. Many countries around the world welcome folks with the right skills. You don't necessarily need boatloads of money to immigrate. On a related note, I've also thought...

My main reason for moving abroad would be related to the insane cost of private health insurance in the united states for someone with my 'pre-existing condition'. On the other hand, the costs of living in British columbia (where I've considered moving) are equally insane, so it comes out a...

Lordy, I am at heart a pessimist, but that chart shows predicted SWR at around 2%! That's *half* of what trinity supports. From everything I've read 3% is the lower bounds for longer time periods and poorer returns.

At the risk of sounding self centered, I wonder how this will play out for people in my generation. I can deal with 10-15 more years of poor returns, but if I can't FIRE due to market conditions, despite having saved so much over the years, I'll feel like a bit of a chump.

I know this board is mainly about retirement, but is anyone financially independent, but still working? I realize that most of you have now either stopped reading, or am looking at me like I have two heads, but bear with me. I still have decades to go before I am FI, but I honestly have a hard...