I just checked to see the compound annual growth rate of the S&P 500 for the period that I have been actively investing in, in an effort to retire early. I used the calculator at this site: CAGR of the Stock Market: Annualized Returns of the S&P 500
I used the start date as January 1, 2005 and the end date as December 31, 2011. I had been saving and investing some before January 1, 2005, but it was more erratic and I was focusing more on paying off student loan debt.
Well, the average return was 1.93%, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (Annualized Return) resulted in a .02% return, when adjusted for inflation.
Is it me, or are these returns depressing. And do they make you question savings and investment and LBYM discipline that you have been following for this long?
I know we invest for the long term, but this has been a seven year period, that seems pretty long to me and I would like to have seen a greater return.
I used the start date as January 1, 2005 and the end date as December 31, 2011. I had been saving and investing some before January 1, 2005, but it was more erratic and I was focusing more on paying off student loan debt.
Well, the average return was 1.93%, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (Annualized Return) resulted in a .02% return, when adjusted for inflation.
Is it me, or are these returns depressing. And do they make you question savings and investment and LBYM discipline that you have been following for this long?
I know we invest for the long term, but this has been a seven year period, that seems pretty long to me and I would like to have seen a greater return.