Twenty years retired and so far, so good...

[braumeister]

Partly through my 24th year of retirement and I've pretty much got the hang of it now. But intend to keep at it because practice makes perfect.

 

[Koolau]

During your “interesting” moment, have you had second thought: “did I pull the plug too early?”.

Amazingly, no. My WDR at that time was well above 4% but I was counting on SS at some point in the future. I "kept the faith" and stayed the course.

 

[Lsbcal]

With the new year I crossed the twenty years retired threshold. Looking back, those twenty years have been the best since my early 20s. I would like to extend a big thank you to all the participants on this forum who have helped many of us flourish over the years.

I am a natural optimist, so I am anticipating another good decade. But that brings to mind the old joke about the optimist who fell off the Empire State Building. As he passed the 50th floor his shouted "so far, so good." I'm optimistic that I'm at the 50th.

Don, I have enjoyed your posts over the years. I too have a little more then 20 years going. Congrats to you.

I don't know where the markets are headed but am hopeful. Agree that optimism is best. So far our personal portfolio is up about over 20% on an inflation adjusted basis since 2003. FWIW, my investment approach is to have a Plan B to guard against extreme drops in the markets. It works in backtesting but I don't kid myself that it will work going forward so I view it as insurance. We do not have a pension so investment performance is important and a source of fascination for me. Less fascinating in bear markets.

Meanwhile, DW and I just try to enjoy life day to day with small pleasures like walks in parks. Healthy living is key.

 

[Kabekew]

This will be year 16 for me! This site gave me the confidence to pull the plug, and really everything has gone as planned so far. 4% rule, modern portfolio theory, firecalc simulations, index funds have all worked as expected.

 

[youbet]

With the new year I crossed the twenty years retired threshold.

Congrats! I'd like to do that someday......... But, for now, just a long term unemployed guy stumbling through life.

 

[pacergal]

Congratulations to all the 20+ year retirees!

 

[Zona]

I love these kinds of posts and find them very motivational! Congrats to everyone in the 20+ club, and thanks for sticking around here and sharing what you know.