My main goal is to build a portfolio of $1,000,000 in 1500 days with no debt*, starting from 1/1/2013. Every month, I provide an update on my status. My goal for 2015 was to get my portfolio up to $874,353. Because we saw exceptional returns in 2013 and 2014, I have already accomplished this. Let’s have a look at September.
September
In July, my portfolio peaked at $1,070,000. And it’s been tanking ever since. I closed August out at $992,150 and September at $979,614. I couldn’t care less. To learn why, we must consult the brilliant Charlie Munger.
Munger had this to say about risk:
Risk to us is 1) the risk of permanent loss of capital, or 2) the risk of inadequate return.
Munger on volatility:
Volatility is an overworked concept. You shouldn’t be imprisoned by volatility.
And I completely agree. Munger’s two thoughts have one thing in common; they both speak to a long term mindset.
I care about exactly one thing and here it is. Ready?
Over the long term, I want my pile to be as big as possible.
Pretty simple, right?
I don’t care about where my investments will be in 3 months, 6 months, 1 year or even 5 years. I won’t access the majority of my investments for decades, so I care about the size of the money pile in 20 or 30 years from now. Drops of 1,000 points won’t mean much at all in a couple decades. I doubt I’ll even remember them.
One problem I see with investors is behaving too conservatively. If you’re young and concentrate on investments that preserve capital or favor income over growth, you may be sacrificing long term returns.
Seussian Stock Market
Just for you today, I wrote a Dr. Seuss-like poem to better express my thoughts:
I don’t care about market farts,
I don’t care about charts.I ignore market blips,
I ignore hot stock tips.I don’t have a fit,
When the markets flip.In your head, please do file,
That I’m a simple guy, not into style,
Fancy cars and $100 jeans don’t make me smile.With a smirk on my face and a helping of guile,
I’ll tell you what I care about most, by a country mile,
It’s that in the end, I have a very large pile.
I’ll bet you didn’t see that one coming, did you? Please stick around, I promise I won’t write anything like that again for at least another week.
Performance Update
Here are the numbers as of 9/30/2015:
2015
- Days elapsed: 272
- Days remaining: 93
- 2015 gains: –$7,737 (this would be much worse if it weren’t for the 401k contributions)
- 2015 401k contributions: $36,925
- Left to go (2015 only): Goal accomplished!
Since the start (1/1/2013)
- Days elapsed: 1002
- Days remaining: 498
- Gains since 1/1/2013: $393,571
- Needed for $1,000,000 (investments and cash only): $20,386
- Needed to retire ($1,120,000 in investments): $140,386
- Net worth***: $1,229,614
And we’re 2/3 done!
Did you notice my day count? As of 9/30, I’m at day 1002 out of 1500! Where has the time gone? If anything is a wake up call to get on with my life, it’s numbers like this. This sounds cliché and trite, but it really does seem like January of 2013 was weeks ago, not close to three years.
Now, I’ve had about 1,200,000 views and the journey has been incredible. I’m not the same person I was when I started. I’ve met some great friends and learned so much.
You’ve all helped me along too and you have no idea how much I appreciate that. Well, except for Mr. Potty Mouth Troll who told me to go <redacted> (Troll, I hope you’ve sought help. Hate mail doesn’t tweak me, it just makes me feel sorry for you.)
Life is great. Thanks everyone!
*I still owe something like $120,000 on my mortgage. Because I have a low rate, I firmly believe in not paying it off. My compromise is to have enough money put away to pay off the mortgage at time of retirement. So, to retire today, I would need about $1,120,000.
**This is an affiliate link. If you sign up, the blog makes a little bit of money. Personal Capital is a totally free and superior way to keep watch over your investments. It’s worth it for the fee analyzer alone. I would never recommend anything that I don’t personally use and completely believe in, so give it a try. If you’ve already signed up through the link, please know that I am thankful and absolutely think the world of you. When you stop by for a visit, I’ll let you try out my sweet new skateboard and you can even have a zipline ride (coming summer 2016).
***The numbers on the right side of the page only reflect my investments and cash. Net worth includes, but is not limited to:
- Home equity
- Cars
- Bicycles
-
Coming next month: Broken arm! Skateboard! Some dudes go out and buy a Corvette or motorcycle to assuage their midlife crisis. I went on Amazon and bought this crappy skateboard for $60. The neighbors already think I’m crazy. Seeing a 41 year old dude cruising down the street on this thing will help cement their opinions.
Life is wonderful when you truly don’t care what people think.
It’s liberating and amazing.
Join the 10s who have signed up already!
Subscribing will improve your life in incredible ways*.
*Only if your life is pretty bad to begin with.
EurFI says
October 6, 2015 at 4:34 am“Coming next month: Broken arm!” 😀
EurFI recently posted…September 2015 – net worth and expenses
Beth says
October 6, 2015 at 4:39 amLove the poem! I may grumble a little at seeing my network go down, but then I move on to the spreadsheet where I track how many units I purchase each month and I’m happy again. Stock market is down, I get more for my money. That’s a good thing, right?
As for trolls… I once read that “If no one ever criticizes what you do, you aren’t doing anything worth noticing.” So there. 🙂
Beth says
October 6, 2015 at 4:39 amNETWORTH. Not network. It’s too early in the morning.
1500 says
October 6, 2015 at 3:41 pmThat is an awesome troll quote!
“…but then I move on to the spreadsheet where I track how many units I purchase each month and I’m happy again. ”
This is exactly how my mind operates too! I love adding to the pile every month. Stack, stack, stack…
Mrs PoP says
October 6, 2015 at 5:05 amNice! Now you need to go hang out at the local skate park and learn some tricks from the 12-year-olds there! =)
Mrs PoP recently posted…PoP Balance Sheet – September 2015
1500 says
October 6, 2015 at 3:42 pmAnd get ridiculed!!
Income Surfer says
October 6, 2015 at 5:06 amYou do not like Green Eggs and Ham?! Nice poem 1500s. Another great quote that fits in with the theme of this post, “We don’t give a damn about lumpy results”. In fact to hear Buffett and Munger talk, they PREFER them!
-Bryan
Income Surfer recently posted…An Update and a NEW BUY
1500 says
October 6, 2015 at 3:42 pmYeah, lumps are present buying opportunities. Bring them on!
Kate @ Cashville Skyline says
October 6, 2015 at 5:16 amI love your Dr. Seuss-like poem. And your skateboard rocks. I really want a long board from this local company, Salem Board Company. They’re kind of pricey, but they employ local kids in their shop. Pretty cool, huh?
Kate @ Cashville Skyline recently posted…September Monthly Budget Review
1500 says
October 6, 2015 at 3:43 pmI want a longboard too, but one skateboard/year is enough. Maybe next year?
Hannah says
October 6, 2015 at 5:56 amInteresting thoughts on portfolio allocation. We’ve been trying to calculate portfolio risk when you begin to include real estate (rental), it becomes sort of difficult because RE isn’t nearly as well studied as the stock market.
1500 says
October 6, 2015 at 3:39 pmThe thing about RE though is that it’s more in your control. If you’ve studied, you should know what kind of rent you’ll get. You’ll also know the condition of the home (pay attention to roof, mechanicals). It’s then up to you to get good tenants. Screen the &#%* out of them!
Kate@GoodnightDebt says
October 6, 2015 at 6:37 amYou’re a Poet! Grow pile, grow!
So, I have a query. How does the now gainfully employed Mrs. 1500 impact your plans? Isn’t the $1m for both of you to live off of? Could you live off her income and let your portfolio ride the wave for a while without tapping into it?
I look forward to reading about your broken arm! 😉
Kate@GoodnightDebt recently posted…Purge and Declutter
1500 says
October 6, 2015 at 7:24 amMrs. 1500 working changes everything. She makes enough for us to live on. So, if I quit today, we wouldn’t have to touch our investments. It is a HUGE weight off of my shoulders.
Sigh…
Mattattack says
October 6, 2015 at 8:39 amThe poem is awesome. One question though, you listed your 401K contributions YTD for 2015 as $36,925. How is that possible when the contribution limit is $18K. Even if it was for both of you and Mrs. 1500, that is still an extra $925 over the limit.
I may plagiarize your at my next poetry slam.
(jk I don’t do poetry slams)
Mattattack says
October 6, 2015 at 8:51 am**I may plagiarize your poem at my next poetry slam.
That’s what I get for not proofreading before posting. I ruined my own joke.
1500 says
October 6, 2015 at 9:03 amRegarding the 401k, I work in a corp-to-corp situation, so I’m including my corporation’s matching contributions. So, the Mrs. and I each do 18K as you’ve already figured out. Tax law allows a corporation to match up to 25% of wages. Mrs. 1500 will bring in $25,000 and I’ll bring in $50,000 in wages. So, the total contributions for the year will be $54,750 glorious, pre-tax dollars.
Poetry slam, ha! It’s OK to admit that you attend such events. We won’t judge, well maybe just a little. 🙂
Mattattack says
October 6, 2015 at 10:25 amNever heard of corp to corp before. Very interesting. So you have incorporated yourself as a contract worker? Therefore you can determine how much you decide to company match?
1500 says
October 6, 2015 at 11:00 amYep, I have an LLC and I’m a contract worker. This arrangement is really great if you’re a saver. I determine the match. Here are more details: https://investor.vanguard.com/what-we-offer/small-business/individual-401k
Brian @DebtDiscipline says
October 6, 2015 at 8:43 amDon’t break your arm, think of the medical bills. Will there be a Mr.1500 coffee table poem book in the future?
Brian @DebtDiscipline recently posted…Net Worth Update: September 2015
1500 says
October 6, 2015 at 3:29 pmOooh, a coffee table book would be awesome! Want to contribute? 🙂
OnlyKetchup says
October 7, 2015 at 6:11 amI think i will title this: “Financial Syphilis”
There once was a man with a Stache
Whose philosophy spread like a rash
Mr. 1500 got the itch
To live frugal, retire early and be quite rich
Based on his latest invention, it’s clearly spread to his brain
The double duty budget boobie is totally insane
1500 says
October 7, 2015 at 6:48 amLOL!!!!
Are you telling me that you want to be on the waiting list for my new bra? I think you are! 🙂
OnlyKetchup says
October 7, 2015 at 7:43 pmIs there a manboob edition? Think your current version might be a bit oversized for my moobs
1500 says
October 7, 2015 at 8:57 pmVersion 2.0 baby. You want in?
Fervent Finance says
October 6, 2015 at 9:44 amI guess the good part about being so far away from FI is that my contributions outpace the market gains (I mean losses) of late. I hope this isn’t the case in the near future as I want my pile to grow, baby grow as well!
P.S. – That skateboard is so rad!
Fervent Finance recently posted…Financial Independence Stealth Mode
Financial Velociraptor says
October 6, 2015 at 9:56 amYou’re a Poet? And I didn’t even know-it!
Financial Velociraptor recently posted…Avoid Junk Bonds and Other Risky Debt
Dividend Growth Investor says
October 6, 2015 at 11:52 amMr 1500 Days,
Speaking of dumb trolls, you should also watch out for other bloggers who try to post hateful messages on your site due to envy/jealousy.
Good luck on your FI journey Mr1500 Days!
Dividend Growth Investor recently posted…Quality Dividend Stocks versus Growth Stocks ( Part 2)
1500 says
October 6, 2015 at 3:23 pmI’m sorry you’ve experienced that DGI. I’ve had some of that too, but it’s been a while.
Just remember trolls/hate mail are a sign of success! If you weren’t successful, trolls wouldn’t bother! Still, I don’t know how people like MMM deal with it.
Amber Tree says
October 6, 2015 at 2:35 pm“Life is wonderful when you truly don’t care what people think.” This is for me a great quote. I consider it the best definition for FI…!
The skateboard is a great way to deal with a midlife… I feel mine is coming too… a motorcycle will get me into trouble with my mother and wife, but a skateboard…!
Amber Tree recently posted…Amber index and Saving rate – oktober Update
1500 says
October 6, 2015 at 3:22 pmHey Amber Tree-
It is great not to care! Being FI makes it easier too. Less stress because of less dependencies on others. I can just be my strange self!
Bryan @ Just One More Year says
October 6, 2015 at 3:12 pmThose are some amazing results for September. With only 498 days left, can you see the time line cut short before 1500 days? Meaning to heck with waiting until then, retire ASAP.
I was trying to work the “The Double Duty Budget Boobie” reference from your recent “Ask the boss article” into the poem. I think it belongs somewhere in this verse: “I ignore market blips, I ignore hot stock tips.” Probably best to leave that alone. 🙂
Loved the Dr. Seuss inspired creativity!
Bryan @ Just One More Year recently posted…Financial Considerations for downsizing our home
1500 says
October 6, 2015 at 3:20 pmI see where you’re going with that rhyme Bryan and I like it! But yes, best left alone!
I’m still considering my job options. Mrs. 1500’s new job changes everything though…
BeSmartRich says
October 6, 2015 at 3:30 pmLooks like almost everyone’s net worth has been dropped and they including myself and you care less about net worth drop. The reason is simple. We know time is on our side and as long as we keep save and invest wisely, the net worth will easily grow like there is no tomorrow. Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy your article.
Cheers!
BSR
BeSmartRich recently posted…Sep 30 2015 Net Worth Update: $131,439 (-$836, -0.6%)
DP @ Someday Extraordinary says
October 7, 2015 at 8:00 amThe market has offered some pretty good deals recently, but you’re right – it takes some guts to jump in. Oil has been hit hard over the last 10 months or so and other basic materials and commodities for the last few years, but if you truly have a long term mindset, there are some great deals to be had on companies that will be around a long time. Patience and the right mindset will be all you need!
-DP
DP @ Someday Extraordinary recently posted…Deliberate Practice in Pursuit of Goals
Team CF says
October 7, 2015 at 11:39 pmWow, never knew you were so poetic! Same as with you guys, our networth got hit too, but due to our real estate holdings the impact was rather limited considering the current stock market’s correction. Great time to buy though!
Take care.
Team CF recently posted…Dutch Taxes – Part 1: An Overview
Ed says
October 11, 2015 at 1:35 pmI really enjoy your site and we have a similar sense of humor….
I track my ‘total account balance’ monthly too and am ahead of my goal – yay!
I feel that since I am still accumulating and loading up on equities, the down market is just buying things on sale. I hope that I will still feel the same when I am not accumulating….
I guess I missed the troll, is its pile of poop still around or did it get cleaned up?
Keep on a rockin’
Edif says
October 31, 2015 at 5:20 pmEver thought about adding the total average annualized return to your goal tracker page? Might be nice as a kpi for your portfolio strategy.
1500 says
October 31, 2015 at 6:07 pmThat is a good thought. I’m a numbers fanatic, but it takes time to keep up with all of that. Good news is that I’m going part-time in 4 short weeks, so perhaps then.
Do you have any good suggestions for a tool that could do that? I don’t think Personal Capital can.