I am very comfortable around here. By the way, I have actually shared quite a lot about myself already over the last few weeks, including my NW, annual expenditures, planned annual withdrawals, etc.
Now what about YOUR numbers, ERD50 - when are you going to get comfortable enough about sharing your numbers?
I am not being judgmental in any way
When will I share my 'numbers'? I've never been shy about discussing strategies, concepts, AA, percentages, etc. I've posted all those ideas and numbers (far too?) many times. Though I don't think there is much to be gained by discussing absolute numbers, and it may even be a distraction, ill-advised, or considered rude by some (but not me, I don't care). If I saw actual numbers from you, I guess I forgot about them as that is not my interest, but I do recall some of the %'s you have posted.
But I'd be glad to summarize them here since you asked (and update my sig per Midpack's suggestion):
AA ~ 75/25 EQ/Fixed and 3-4 months in checking/savings for cash flow. The 75% is SPY, an allocation (50-50) of HiYield Bond funds, some International. I really don't obsess about these numbers, as FIRECALC shows similar historical success rates with AA ranging from ~ 40/60 to 95/5. Why split hairs? I actually calculated it the other day, I'm at 80/20. Might re-balance, might not. Yawn.
WR - shooting to keep it in low 3% range overall. It's not one number, it will vary over time. Presently I am not drawing a pension or SS, but DW went back to work part-time after the kids were grown, and is now working full time, part year. It's not a high paying job, but it does certainly cut the current WR. When she retires (I assume prior to age 65), we will have a period with no other income, pension, or SS, so the WR rate will tend to be higher for a time. Based on my view at that time, I will decide when to take pensions and SS. DW is also earning a small pension from her job, and has some SS.
Getting to ER - Retired end of 2003, currently age 58. Got a nice severance, almost two years. I have retiree health ins, but it's not cheap, about $1K/month. Since my pension is not COLA'd it won't mean much to me/DW. Adjusting for inflation (since the full value is only available at age 65) and for any survivor benefit options, it might cover ~ 1/4 of my annual expenses initially, and inflation will drop that going forward. SS in that ballpark, but that's inflation adjusted.
Worked up my NW by always maxing out my 401K, LBYM and saving/investing, and sweat equity in the houses I've owned. Made a significant amount buying bushels of AAPL right near the bottom in 1997 and trading/selling until it got to ~ $100. Oh to have held that to $500 plus! But that's not a regret, I did well, and it was time to take my profits and run. I do somewhat regret that I was not more aggressive in my 401K - I stayed in a balanced fund (50/50) and would have done far better in that 90's bull market with a higher AA, but that's OK. Have researched investments and have had a good understanding of the advantage of low cost index funds for a long time. Had a decent 28 year career as a tech/eng/engineering manager - did well, worked hard in a competitive business, but never hit what most people would call the 'big bucks'.
Oh, one of my primary ER motivators - early in my management career, I guess I was about 30, I was sent to represent our dept at a job fair, collect resumes and do a quick screening. All afternoon, there was a steady stream of 50-something guys that had been laid off from a large company - these guys had figured they had a job for life. Their skills were not what we needed, and the look on their faces as I handed their resumes back to them really made an impression on me. It was clear these guys needed that next paycheck. Almost like that scene from "Gone with the Wind", I swore I would never be 50 YO and totally dependent on my employer. And I wasn't.
My back-up plan was to take Keith Emerson's place in ELP, but I never practiced enough (or had enough talent). All other back-up plans are labelled 'look-learn-adapt'.
Still awake?
Anything else you would find helpful? Hair color, shoe size, favorite ice cream flavor, Ginger or Mary Ann?
Hmmm, I guess that won't fit in my sig, I'll have to work on some edits.
-ERD50
