TinkerPDX wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2017 11:14 pm
Levett wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2017 5:13 pm
Some odd responses.
I am happy for her.
Lev
+1
I agree. And it's threads like this one that remind me of the extent to which the Bogleheads forum sometimes seems like a kind of faith-based movement, a sort of Magic Markets/Always Invest belief system, and not very tolerant of differing views.
Ms. Warren's essay linked in the original post is quite clear about her withdrawal from market speculation: "Did I feel some regret? Of course I did! Had I waited just a day, my bank account would be fatter than it is now. But that’s not the point. The point is no longer amassing as much money as I can. It’s peace of mind. And that’s what I’ve got."
Ruling out situations in which subsistence itself is an issue, i.e., assuming a modestly affluent life situation, it seems to me that there are two main ways to be satisfied in one's financial life: (1) to have more or (2) to want less.
This forum is mostly about the former. Ms. Warren is mostly about the latter.
Both views are usually coupled with a goal of "enough" for a comfortable retirement, which will lead to a lifestyle with a flexible schedule, no more need to tolerate absurd bosses and work environments, time to do volunteer work, exploration of new hobbies, etc. But the former, in order to achieve "enough," needs first to buy that separate vacation home, stock the wine cellar, and have enough wealth to always afford the latest model of Tesla and a really expensive watch.
Ms. Warren has chosen a more modest path. I admire her conclusions and the thoughtfulness that led to them.