My main goal* was to build an investment and cash portfolio of $1,120,000* ($1,000,000 to retire on and $120,000 to pay off the house) in 1500 days**, starting from 1/1/2013 and ending in February of 2017. I made my goal in 2016, my 1500 Days are over, and I’ve left my job. In the interest of openness, I’ll continue to share my numbers. For now…
Damn! It’s already April and I’m just getting around to reporting on February. Mindy and I have been pretty busy, but slowly winding down. Very slowly. More on that in a moment.
In March, we went to EconoMe! It was great, even if Mindy is not a fan of Cincinnati chili:
And we’re wrapping up work on the house. These new railings just went in:
This April will be my 7th of early retirement and I’m still adjusting. I neglected many parts of my life when we were living the live-in-flip lifestyle. We still have boxes of stuff that have gone through multiple moves unopened. It’s because we moved fast:
- Buy a place.
- Immediately start working on it.
- Sell it. In most cases, we were still working on projects within weeks of listing the home.
It wasn’t a healthy way to live. We never got to enjoy the fruits of our labor.
Life is good, but we took on too much. Do as I say, not as I did.
Another thing I neglected was myself. I’m in California now to do some mental work.
Maybe I’ll talk more about what I’m doing out here some time. I haven’t always been the best example of myself, so I’m working on it.
In the meantime, don’t put yourself off. There is no better time to get started than right now.
February Rebound
What a month! In February, we started the month at $4,832,901 and ended at $5,069,249 for a gain of $236,348:
2024 (as of 2/1/2024)
- Days elapsed: 60
- Investment gains: $106,499
Since the Start of The Experiment (1/1/2013)
- Days elapsed: 4,077
- Investment gains: $4,083,206
2024
I read this morning that the jobs numbers came in hot. I wonder if it’s possible that we don’t get a rate cut this year?
And while inflation sucks, it’s pretty great that the economy is this healthy and that there are so many jobs to be had. It’s not the worst problem an economy can have.
More 1500 Days!!!
You can also find me (and the dinosaurs) at:
Mile High FI podcast:
MindyOnMoney podcast!
Also here:
- Facebook: Facebook group and page
- YouTube: My channel is mostly devoted to home improvement, but I have some other material coming up soon too.
- Instagram: Pretty pictures of dinosaurs, sunsets, and nail guns!
- Twitter: Spontaneous, often insane, ramblings
- Coworking space: On the surface, MMM HQ is a coworking space. Look a little deeper and you’ll see that we’re really building community. The members of MMM HQ are some of the finest people I know
- Buying a Tesla? Use my referral code to get some perks!
*My goal wasn’t to have $1,120,000 at the end of 1500 days, but at any time before the day count was up. Why? It all goes back to the 4% Rule. Remember that our little friend, Mr. 4%, is nothing more than the most conservative safe withdrawal rate. Since my investment portfolio now sits at $1,550,000, I can spend about $62,000 in my first year of retirement.
**My original goal was $1,000,000 and no debt, I later raised the goal by $120,000 to $1,120,000 because I will have debt in the form of a mortgage and I firmly believe in not paying it off (LOOK at the MONEY I’m MAKING!). My compromise was to have enough money put away to cover the mortgage at the time of retirement.
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Oh man, I love Skyline Chili when we visit family in Cincinnati Both my SIL and BIL worked there in high school. I think all Cincinnati teenagers are required to work there.????
I love it too!!! I even brought some back with me!
Congrats on your 7th April of freedom! I am celebrating my 2nd April of freedom this year and have benefited a lot from the perspectives you have shared. Useful to hear that you are still adjusting. Helps manage expectations!
Thanks Scott! Let’s meet up again soon!
I would love it if you or Mindy would post transcripts of your podcasts some time after they are done. I read one of Mindy’s but only one offered a transcript. I don’t listen to any podcasts but like to read them when transcribed!
Oooh, I think we can do this. Stay tuned…
Bodega Bay is a pretty amazing place. Did you see the Birds stuff?
What a crazy life, making 236 thousand passive in one month(even if it’s unrealized income). While a little jealous, certainly inspiring.
Anddddd it’s gone… lol.
Hot inflation report, more geo political tensions, oil spiking… market was pricing in rate cuts which is more and more likely not to happen.
Yep, but it’s all good. The market goes up, the market goes down. But it mostly goes up. I’m thankful I don’t have to sell at this moment.
Congratulations Carl on your 7 years journey post early retirement.
Hope to see you in Fall.
Thanks Rakesh! See you soon!