Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here

[mtwistercapitalist]

According to our spreadsheet, our net worth just crossed through $25M for the first time.

This occurred in a somewhat boring manner - due to accounting for capital improvements to our home as part of our net worth.

Wow. That. Is. Insane. Can I ask what your general path career and educationally was to achieve such net worth? [No specific identifying information please ]

[ruralavalon]

According to our spreadsheet, our net worth just crossed through $25M for the first time.

This occurred in a somewhat boring manner - due to accounting for capital improvements to our home as part of our net worth.

Congratulations

[jory1804]

According to our spreadsheet, our net worth just crossed through $25M for the first time.

This occurred in a somewhat boring manner - due to accounting for capital improvements to our home as part of our net worth.

Wow. That. Is. Insane. Can I ask what your general path career and educationally was to achieve such net worth? [No specific identifying information please ]

W-2 income has been mostly from financial services. Positive market returns have also helped on the investing side.

Both adults in our household went to college and grad school.

[mtwistercapitalist]

According to our spreadsheet, our net worth just crossed through $25M for the first time.

This occurred in a somewhat boring manner - due to accounting for capital improvements to our home as part of our net worth.

Wow. That. Is. Insane. Can I ask what your general path career and educationally was to achieve such net worth? [No specific identifying information please ]

W-2 income has been mostly from financial services. Positive market returns have also helped on the investing side.

Both adults in our household went to college and grad school.

Gotcha. Makes sense. Looks like you went the wall street route. Congratulations!

[TheTimeLord]

I am a little surprised more people's milestones aren't stated in terms of their X.

[luminous]

I am a little surprised more people's milestones aren't stated in terms of their X.

For me it’s not so simple. I have a lot of unknowns coming up. How much will my kids’ college cost, how much will I give them to help with their successful launches, will I need to help pay for my parents or in-laws needs as they get older, how much will we need when we get older? My grandmother lived to over 100 but had dementia the last 10 years. Will that happen to my parent? To me? For me, just thinking of my portfolio as a multiple of my current normal annual spending is far too simplistic.

[TheTimeLord]

I am a little surprised more people's milestones aren't stated in terms of their X.

For me it’s not so simple. I have a lot of unknowns coming up. How much will my kids’ college cost, how much will I give them to help with their successful launches, will I need to help pay for my parents or in-laws needs as they get older, how much will we need when we get older? My grandmother lived to over 100 but had dementia the last 10 years. Will that happen to my parent? To me? For me, just thinking of my portfolio as a multiple of my current normal annual spending is far too simplistic.

Fair enough, but usually X is considered to the amount of income you will need from your portfolio in retirement not currently. Sort of ties but to the Trinity Study, 4% rule and the 25X savings target. But not everyone is at a stage in life where retirement is their primary focus.

[JakeyLee]

I am a little surprised more people's milestones aren't stated in terms of their X.

39X here! God willing and the creek don’t rise.. maybe I’ll see 40 someday.
I’d like to thank my parents for kicking me out of the house at 18. I’d also like to thank Football Jesus, for giving a dopey young man a chance to attend college. Lord knows they wouldn’t have let me in, otherwise.

It’s kind of funny, TheTimeLord.. I find myself thinking of many routine and lumpy expenditures in terms of “X”. As in, “yeah, I got the allocated cash for that new roof. And it’s only costin’ me 0.14X today. But what might that purchase grow to in future X, say 20 years from now”? Then I just get the roof. As the only one benefiting from my future X expansion, are my spoiled nieces/nephews. Err, I mean , heirs. Oh, and the IRS!

[luminous]

I am a little surprised more people's milestones aren't stated in terms of their X.

For me it’s not so simple. I have a lot of unknowns coming up. How much will my kids’ college cost, how much will I give them to help with their successful launches, will I need to help pay for my parents or in-laws needs as they get older, how much will we need when we get older? My grandmother lived to over 100 but had dementia the last 10 years. Will that happen to my parent? To me? For me, just thinking of my portfolio as a multiple of my current normal annual spending is far too simplistic.

Fair enough, but usually X is considered to the amount of income you will need from your portfolio in retirement not currently. Sort of ties but to the Trinity Study, 4% rule and the 25X savings target. But not everyone is at a stage in life where retirement is their primary focus.

But that’s my point. I will need X$ in a “normal” year but what about those enormous lumps? If the two kids pick expensive private colleges instead of public schools that’s about 6x more in college spending alone. End of life care for a parent could be 1x each year for however long. Etc. I’m at 50X. And I feel secure. But I don’t feel as secure as you might think I should if you just see the number 50. So I don’t really think of it in those terms, there is too much uncertainty.

[TheTimeLord]

I am a little surprised more people's milestones aren't stated in terms of their X.

For me it’s not so simple. I have a lot of unknowns coming up. How much will my kids’ college cost, how much will I give them to help with their successful launches, will I need to help pay for my parents or in-laws needs as they get older, how much will we need when we get older? My grandmother lived to over 100 but had dementia the last 10 years. Will that happen to my parent? To me? For me, just thinking of my portfolio as a multiple of my current normal annual spending is far too simplistic.

Fair enough, but usually X is considered to the amount of income you will need from your portfolio in retirement not currently. Sort of ties but to the Trinity Study, 4% rule and the 25X savings target. But not everyone is at a stage in life where retirement is their primary focus.

But that’s my point. I will need X$ in a “normal” year but what about those enormous lumps? If the two kids pick expensive private colleges instead of public schools that’s about 6x more in college spending alone. End of life care for a parent could be 1x each year for however long. Etc. I’m at 50X. And I feel secure. But I don’t feel as secure as you might think I should if you just see the number 50. So I don’t really think of it in those terms, there is too much uncertainty.

I am just going to point out I said I am surprised more people don't post in terms of their X, not surprised everyone doesn't.

[felizcortez]

Just checked our net worth on Friday and it just passed the $4M milestone mark which is a first for us.

[Stinky]

Just checked our net worth on Friday and it just passed the $4M milestone mark which is a first for us.

Excellent!

Congratulations.

[BrendanP]

DW and I finally reached 1 million in our liquid assets and retirement accounts. We are both public school teachers in our early 40s.

Too bad I can't share with friends or family. Oh well!

[LadyGeek]

Congrats! That's why we have this thread. You really, really don't want to discuss this with friends or family. So, do it here.

[Stinky]

DW and I finally reached 1 million in our liquid assets and retirement accounts. We are both public school teachers in our early 40s.

Too bad I can't share with friends or family. Oh well!

Congratulations!

(And don’t worry - your secret is safe with us…..)

[ruralavalon]

DW and I finally reached 1 million in our liquid assets and retirement accounts. We are both public school teachers in our early 40s.

Too bad I can't share with friends or family. Oh well!

That's outstanding

[luminous]

I am just going to point out I said I am surprised more people don't post in terms of their X, not surprised everyone doesn't.

For my part I’m surprised how many people use X in general. These folks must live very predictable lives

[nguy44]

Perhaps not a major milestone, but I have hit my SS full retirement age . I am fortunate I worked long enough and earned enough to receive the maximum SS benefit when I take it.

If I took it today, my pension plus SS my wife's spousal benefit would exceed $140K. That is "crazy" in my mind to have that coming in without lifting a finger to do any paid work. The combination of my non-cola pension survivor benefit and SS survivor benefits now exceeds $100K, which, along with our cash and investments, will still provide a comfortable life for my wife in the likely event that I die before her.

My current plan is to delay taking SS until 70, as we do not need the money today. The different right now (not figuring in for future SS COLA increases) is currently about $12K/year. But I do evaluate that periodically, and will keep using models like opensocialsecurity.com to consider their input for the future. Plus I am doing Roth conversions to whittle down my 401K and tIRA somewhat before RMD time, and not taking it yet gives us that headroom without jumping into a higher bracket.

[ruralavalon]

Perhaps not a major milestone, but I have hit my SS full retirement age . I am fortunate I worked long enough and earned enough to receive the maximum SS benefit when I take it.

If I took it today, my pension plus SS my wife's spousal benefit would exceed $140K. That is "crazy" in my mind to have that coming in without lifting a finger to do any paid work. The combination of my non-cola pension survivor benefit and SS survivor benefits now exceeds $100K, which, along with our cash and investments, will still provide a comfortable life for my wife in the likely event that I die before her.


. . . . .

Congratulations .

It seems magical how money just automatically appears in my checking account every month without my having to do any work at all

[Stinky]

Perhaps not a major milestone, but I have hit my SS full retirement age . I am fortunate I worked long enough and earned enough to receive the maximum SS benefit when I take it.

Those are most certainly both major accomplishments. Getting to full retirement age is great, and being in position to earn the maximum benefit is a testament to your hard work over the years.

Congratulations.

[mhc]

When I retired 1.5 years ago, we needed a slightly positive CAGR to fund our retirement (40 yrs for me and 47 yrs for DW). Today I checked and now we can tolerate a negative CAGR to fund our retirement. Not a big deal, but it is nice that things are moving in the right direction. Might be time to go out and buy a nice toy.

[BogleRocksDB]

Mid 40's, last December posted on 3.4m net worth and 3m invested assets. I started my career with negative net worth, and with hard work and luck, 'self made' (to the extent any of us are self made; so many mentors and teachers got me where I am).

That was my FI number.

New milestone, from investments and investment returns: ~$4.6 net worth and $4.1 million in invested assets.

I have taken a sabbatical and am going to think about what comes next. This is the first time since I was 15 years old that I am not working, interning, or schooling. It feels nice. My family took the opportunity to spend lots of time together and travel. Very thankful.

[Stinky]

I started my career with negative net worth…..

New milestone, from investments and investment returns: ~$4.6 net worth and $4.1 million in invested assets.

I have taken a sabbatical and am going to think about what comes next. This is the first time since I was 15 years old that I am not working, interning, or schooling. It feels nice. My family took the opportunity to spend lots of time together and travel. Very thankful.

Excellent! Congratulations.

(Trust me, you’re not the only Boglehead who started your career with negative net worth)

[ruralavalon]

Mid 40's, last December posted on 3.4m net worth and 3m invested assets. I started my career with negative net worth, and with hard work and luck, 'self made' (to the extent any of us are self made; so many mentors and teachers got me where I am).

That was my FI number.

New milestone, from investments and investment returns: ~$4.6 net worth and $4.1 million in invested assets.

I have taken a sabbatical and am going to think about what comes next. This is the first time since I was 15 years old that I am not working, interning, or schooling. It feels nice. My family took the opportunity to spend lots of time together and travel. Very thankful.

Congratulations

Enjoy your sabbatical

[BogleRocksDB]

I started my career with negative net worth…..

New milestone, from investments and investment returns: ~$4.6 net worth and $4.1 million in invested assets.

I have taken a sabbatical and am going to think about what comes next. This is the first time since I was 15 years old that I am not working, interning, or schooling. It feels nice. My family took the opportunity to spend lots of time together and travel. Very thankful.

Excellent! Congratulations.

(Trust me, you’re not the only Boglehead who started your career with negative net worth)

Thank you! 100%. I certainly don't begrudge anyone who had a headstart, a windfall, etc. I am a big believer that luck is at least half of everything. Thanks to you and the community for support.

[BogleRocksDB]

Congratulations

Enjoy your sabbatical

[ quote fixed by admin LadyGeek]

THANK YOU!

[Wannaretireearly]

Mid 40's, last December posted on 3.4m net worth and 3m invested assets. I started my career with negative net worth, and with hard work and luck, 'self made' (to the extent any of us are self made; so many mentors and teachers got me where I am).

That was my FI number.

New milestone, from investments and investment returns: ~$4.6 net worth and $4.1 million in invested assets.

I have taken a sabbatical and am going to think about what comes next. This is the first time since I was 15 years old that I am not working, interning, or schooling. It feels nice. My family took the opportunity to spend lots of time together and travel. Very thankful.

Very cool. Congrats on the milestone and more importantly the sabbatical!

[CorgiGoneCycling]

Crossed the $1M mark this week. Early 30s.

Celebrated with a Michelin tasting menu and promptly dipped back below.

A few decades from knowing what X is.

Have been easing off the gas pedal a bit -- looking to get some travel in before potential offspring on the horizon.

[Stinky]

Crossed the $1M mark this week. Early 30s.

Celebrated with a Michelin tasting menu and promptly dipped back below.

A few decades from knowing what X is.

Have been easing off the gas pedal a bit -- looking to get some travel in before potential offspring on the horizon.

Being a millionaire in your early 30s is a very impressive achievement!

Congratulations.

[paultax60]

Crossed the $1M mark this week. Early 30s.

Celebrated with a Michelin tasting menu and promptly dipped back below.

A few decades from knowing what X is.

Have been easing off the gas pedal a bit -- looking to get some travel in before potential offspring on the horizon.

Was it the bill from "Michelin tasting menu" that lead the dip?

Congratulations on joining the two comma club!!

[ruralavalon]

Crossed the $1M mark this week. Early 30s.
. . . . .

Congratulations

[Frobie]

I don’t know that I’ve ever read this thread let alone posted in it, but we hit a big milestone so here it goes.

This week we crossed the 5 million dollar mark (including our home, which is about 10% of that total) for the first but probably not the only time.

We’re 53/55 and could retire (based on when I’m eligible for retiree health care through work) as soon as late 2026.

It’s weird because it’s more money than I’d ever dreamed of, but it also doesn't feel like it’s enough to retire.

Still, if a couple can’t get by in retirement with a $5 million net worth and a paid-off house, there’s something wrong.

[ruralavalon]

I don’t know that I’ve ever read this thread let alone posted in it, but we hit a big milestone so here it goes.

This week we crossed the 5 million dollar mark (including our home, which is about 10% of that total) for the first but probably not the only time.

We’re 53/55 and could retire (based on when I’m eligible for retiree health care through work) as soon as late 2026.

It’s weird because it’s more money than I’d ever dreamed of, but it also doesn't feel like it’s enough to retire.

Still, if a couple can’t get by in retirement with a $5 million net worth and a paid-off house, there’s something wrong.

Congratulations

[Stinky]

I don’t know that I’ve ever read this thread let alone posted in it, but we hit a big milestone so here it goes.

This week we crossed the 5 million dollar mark (including our home, which is about 10% of that total) for the first but probably not the only time.

We’re 53/55 and could retire (based on when I’m eligible for retiree health care through work) as soon as late 2026.

It’s weird because it’s more money than I’d ever dreamed of, but it also doesn't feel like it’s enough to retire.

Still, if a couple can’t get by in retirement with a $5 million net worth and a paid-off house, there’s something wrong.

I’m glad that you found this thread and posted about your success.

Well done! Congratulations.

[angelescrest]

It’s weird because it’s more money than I’d ever dreamed of, but it also doesn't feel like it’s enough to retire.

Still, if a couple can’t get by in retirement with a $5 million net worth and a paid-off house, there’s something wrong.

Congrats! I underlined to emphasize that there’s a world of a difference between feeling like you can retire and actually being able to. I know nothing about your annual expenses, but barring some exorbitant number (with a paid off house I doubt this) you can learn how to retire by putting together a good plan— maybe with some outside help.

[Random Poster]

I am a little surprised more people's milestones aren't stated in terms of their X.

For me it’s not so simple. I have a lot of unknowns coming up. How much will my kids’ college cost, how much will I give them to help with their successful launches, will I need to help pay for my parents or in-laws needs as they get older, how much will we need when we get older? My grandmother lived to over 100 but had dementia the last 10 years. Will that happen to my parent? To me? For me, just thinking of my portfolio as a multiple of my current normal annual spending is far too simplistic.

Yeah, I’m growing increasingly convinced that I don’t even know what my X is anymore.

I know what we have spent every year, from 2007 or so to date, which includes the last three years of retirement living. If I average out those last three years, I get one X and I can figure out the multiple of that to our assets pretty easily.

But let’s say I want a bigger spend number for comfort, even if I won’t actually spend that amount. That gives another X, and another multiple.

Or if I want an even larger number, and so on.

It honestly seems like the more we have, and the older we get, the less we know and are sure about things.

[Hot Sauce]

I just paid off my student loan debt after 30 years! Next milestone - buying a house. In looking at home prices and starting from zero, I project it’ll take another 30 years.

[mtwistercapitalist]

I just paid off my student loan debt after 30 years! Next milestone - buying a house. In looking at home prices and starting from zero, I project it’ll take another 30 years.

That burns

[slow n steady]

Crossed the $1M mark this week. Early 30s.

Celebrated with a Michelin tasting menu and promptly dipped back below.

A few decades from knowing what X is.

Have been easing off the gas pedal a bit -- looking to get some travel in before potential offspring on the horizon.

Was it the bill from "Michelin tasting menu" that lead the dip?

Congratulations on joining the two comma club!!

They are out of the club for now. Luckily, they will get to go to another tasting when they rejoin next week!

[Stinky]

I just paid off my student loan debt after 30 years!

What a burden off your shoulders!

Congratulations.

[ruralavalon]

I just paid off my student loan debt after 30 years! Next milestone - buying a house. In looking at home prices and starting from zero, I project it’ll take another 30 years.

Congratulations on paying off the student debt.

[TheTimeLord]

I am a little surprised more people's milestones aren't stated in terms of their X.

For me it’s not so simple. I have a lot of unknowns coming up. How much will my kids’ college cost, how much will I give them to help with their successful launches, will I need to help pay for my parents or in-laws needs as they get older, how much will we need when we get older? My grandmother lived to over 100 but had dementia the last 10 years. Will that happen to my parent? To me? For me, just thinking of my portfolio as a multiple of my current normal annual spending is far too simplistic.

Yeah, I’m growing increasingly convinced that I don’t even know what my X is anymore.

I know what we have spent every year, from 2007 or so to date, which includes the last three years of retirement living. If I average out those last three years, I get one X and I can figure out the multiple of that to our assets pretty easily.

But let’s say I want a bigger spend number for comfort, even if I won’t actually spend that amount. That gives another X, and another multiple.

Or if I want an even larger number, and so on.

It honestly seems like the more we have, and the older we get, the less we know and are sure about things.

FWIW, I adjust my "X" monthly using the government's inflation data.

[Mudpuppy]

FWIW, I adjust my "X" monthly using the government's inflation data.

My "X" is better described as an NxM color-coded matrix consisting of various variables related to my state pension and Social Security, as that affects the savings needed beyond the pension and SS.

[LiterallyIronic]

Every first of the month, I check my account balances and, as of today, our investments have topped $400,000. Next milestone is a really big one.

[Stinky]

Every first of the month, I check my account balances and, as of today, our investments have topped $400,000. Next milestone is a really big one.

Congratulations!

[ruralavalon]

Every first of the month, I check my account balances and, as of today, our investments have topped $400,000. Next milestone is a really big one.

Congratulations

[mushripu]

I am a little surprised more people's milestones aren't stated in terms of their X.

For me it’s not so simple. I have a lot of unknowns coming up. How much will my kids’ college cost, how much will I give them to help with their successful launches, will I need to help pay for my parents or in-laws needs as they get older, how much will we need when we get older? My grandmother lived to over 100 but had dementia the last 10 years. Will that happen to my parent? To me? For me, just thinking of my portfolio as a multiple of my current normal annual spending is far too simplistic.

Yeah, I’m growing increasingly convinced that I don’t even know what my X is anymore.

I know what we have spent every year, from 2007 or so to date, which includes the last three years of retirement living. If I average out those last three years, I get one X and I can figure out the multiple of that to our assets pretty easily.

But let’s say I want a bigger spend number for comfort, even if I won’t actually spend that amount. That gives another X, and another multiple.

Or if I want an even larger number, and so on.

It honestly seems like the more we have, and the older we get, the less we know and are sure about things.

FWIW, I adjust my "X" monthly using the government's inflation data.

If I compare the X I had assumed in 2019 against the X I realize today, the jump up is drastic to the tune of 70-80 percent

Bought house kids growing up, may be X shall revise downward after kids complete schooling but might never get back to 2019 number even after inflation adjustment

[Rajsx]

Investments around $ 8.5 million

Tax deferred account 16%
Taxable account 67%
Tax exempt account 17%

I am 68 & DW 63, we are retired & live in a paid off house worth around $ 650 k, spent $160k last year, so around 50 x living expenses, got here the boring way, index investing,

[Wannaretireearly]

Investments around $ 8.5 million

Tax deferred account 16%
Taxable account 67%
Tax exempt account 17%

I am 68 & DW 63, we are retired & live in a paid off house worth around $ 650 k, spent $160k last year, so around 50 x living expenses, got here the boring way, index investing,

Excellent. Thanks for sharing and congrats!!

[Stinky]

Investments around $ 8.5 million

Tax deferred account 16%
Taxable account 67%
Tax exempt account 17%

I am 68 & DW 63, we are retired & live in a paid off house worth around $ 650 k, spent $160k last year, so around 50 x living expenses, got here the boring way, index investing,

It sounds like you’re in excellent shape, all the way around.

Congratulations.