(Early) Retirement specialist

[Jmo1969]

Does anyone have a fee based finacial advisor that specializes in (early) retirement in the south Florida area. I want a fee based specialist as I think they will give me good information and not try to sell me something.

 

[enderland]

Why not use this forum?

 

[2B]

Why not use this forum?

+1

The essence of being able to retire early is to live below your means, develop an investment portfolio (most here prefer diversified index funds) and increase that portfolio to the point where it can support your lifestyle indefinitely.

You need to become your own financial advisor. Learn, ask, learn more. It's really not very complicated but it's not very easy for most people. You must be committed to succeed. There isn't any magical financial advisor out there that can do it for you.

 

[pb4uski]

Having spent my career in finance and being a "student" of early retirement, I can tell you that you are much better off to read, learn and do it yourself. I have had a number of financial planning sessions with Vanguard and while they are great people to work with, it isn't rocket science.

IMO, the advice that you get on this forum rivals any advice you might get from a fee-based adviser.

 

[Jmo1969]

I am way overweight in real estate. It is nearly 70%. Yet it is paid for. I have the remaining assets 40% equity 40% bonds and 20% cash. I can live on the money outside the RE for 10 yrs. After that I could move into my rental and live of the rental income of my current condo. It would NET 6,500 a month in today's dollars. 3 young children attending college in 10,12 and 13 years. Wife says I'm crazy. I think I'm close. Yet realize that I'm overweight RE. Total NW is approx 4.1mm. That represents 80% of my after tax take home pay for my career. I'm soon to be 44 and wife is 37. We spend 150k a year after tax dollars.

 

[In-control]

I believe the the best adviser is an educated investor. And the best investor educates themselves as they have the most motivation for their success.

I use the free VG adviser each year - comes with the Flagship account and this forum. The adviser is good and gives me a good reference point. The forum is great for bouncing ideas off of. You will not find a better and more experienced group of people. I am always thankful for the info and it motivates me to participate.

I had a paid CPA and Turbo tax did a better job. I talked with several planners and I new more then they did. Non of them understood an the idea of early retirement.

Enjoy and here are two books that I strongly recommend

Boogleheads guide to retirement planning(Multiple)
Work Less Live more(Clyatt)

Good Luck

 

[haha]

IAfter that I could move into my rental and live of the rental income of my current condo. It would NET 6,500 a month in today's dollars.

That implies a rent of => $10,000/month. Not many people want to pay that; are you sure about your plan?

This may be great, but it seems that it might take a lot of good luck.

Ha

 

[Jmo1969]

That implies a rent of => $10,000/month. Not many people want to pay that; are you sure about your plan?

This may be great, but it seems that it might take a lot of good luck.

Ha

No I'm not sure. Scared a little. But the condo above mine rents for 11k a month. So I think I'm low as that apartment is worse. We are beachfront in a town with the top rated schools.

 

[Jmo1969]

http://condos-for-sale.kafka-franz.com/info/property/rental/A1824115/

This is a similar unit.

 

[haha]

No I'm not sure. Scared a little. But the condo above mine rents for 11k a month. So I think I'm low as that apartment is worse. We are beachfront in a town with the top rated schools.

I see. Then that should be good data. It is nevertheless pretty concentrated- not just on real estate but on that one place. Plenty people make these things work well, but there are risks that you cannot do much about if something goes wrong.

Ha

 

[LitGal]

Having spent my career in finance and being a "student" of early retirement, I can tell you that you are much better off to read, learn and do it yourself. I have had a number of financial planning sessions with Vanguard and while they are great people to work with, it isn't rocket science.

IMO, the advice that you get on this forum rivals any advice you might get from a fee-based adviser.

+1, though I didn't spend a career in finance.

Studying "how to retire early" became an escape from/antidote to the travails of a heavy a teaching load. After returning a stack of graded research papers, I'd award myself time to research "how to quit early," ie., how to reduce the number of years of grading those papers.

It became a hobby, a fun journey into how to "beat the system" and not be forced to teach until I dropped (or die within 1-2 years of retirement). "Money" and "Kiplingers" were helpful, along with various books. Didn't find this forum until the month I retired.......wish I had found it sooner.

Have interviewed several financial planners, but DH and I are "do-it-yourself-ers," with the advice from Vanguard and (now) this forum. So far, this approach has not disappointed...........us, that is. (The financial planners were disappointed when we didn't hire them.)

Best of luck! You have time, many resources, and the folks at this forum on your side!

 

[Hopeful]

A couple people have mentioned the free advisor from VG. That is something we would qualify for, but have never used. Did people find it beneficial? Do they look at your whole situation and outside investment, or do they just look at your VG accounts?