Apart from the usual like married well, eductation, work hard/smart, etc. etc. two that stick out would be:
-remain in megacorp's DB plan (grandfathered) instead of being bought out for a poultry sum in 2000. Those that took the DC option got slaughtered in 2002 and again in 2008. Performance bonus' during each of the six years prior to retirement increased my entitlement by forty percent. A double dip!
-selling stock options at a good price to secure our retirement and having the good luck to do so prior to the 2008 crash AND holding onto the money as cash because we were not certain what to do with it. It allowed to invest later and realize excellent gains.
+1I cannot pinpoint to a single most important financial decision.
Overall, I make more right decisions than wrong ones. And when I was wrong which was quite often, none were serious enough to bankrupt me.
If I could have avoided the bigger wrong ones, like quitting megacorp to get involved in startups that failed, I would have been further ahead financially. But then, I would not have the "exciting" life experience I have had.
Yep, more right than wrong is all one can hope for.
-selling stock options at a good price to secure our retirement and having the good luck to do so prior to the 2008 crash AND holding onto the money as cash because we were not certain what to do with it. It allowed to invest later and realize excellent gains.
Amen to both, but the marriage choice was the first one that came to mind.IMHO
1. Who, if anyone, to marry
2. Chosing to LBYM
While it was not intended to be a financial decision, it turned out to be the most important financial decision: being childfree
Runner-ups to the top choice: avoiding debt and paying off debt early
And of course, LBYM
Yes, being child free was key
Mostly... Zero debt, except I have and will keep my 30 year, 3.375% mortgage.
Yes, LBYM is key.
I also will add luck. I have a well paying job (technology) and tied that will a well paying industry (finance); being good in both had a bit of a multiplicative effect on my compensation.
Of all of them, I think LBYM is the most important item. doesn't matter if you may $30K or $30 million, if you spend 101% of it you will end up miserable; if you spend 90% and save 10% you will end up happy and will be able to retire early.