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Performance Update (Day 1733): The Root of Competitiveness

October 10, 2017 by Mr. 1500 Days 38 Comments

My main goal* was to build an investment and cash portfolio of $1,120,000* in 1500 days**, starting from 1/1/2013 and ending in February of 2017. I made my goal last year and my 1500 Days are over, but in the interest of openness, I’ll continue to share my numbers.

Root of Competitiveness

Justin from Root of Good recently pointed out he and I are in a death match to reach the $2,000,000 mark:

Man, you edged me out on the net worth front by a tiny fraction of a million. I bet we’ll both cross the $2,000,000 threshold in the same month though! Will it be in a few months or will it be in several years after the next crash? Don’t you wish we could know that now!

What? He didn’t utter the phrase death match? And he inferred nothing about competition? Of course not. I made that all up because I am competitive. At the gym, this ridiculous thought has gone through my head:

And if I’m honest, this one too:

But I digress…

Justin has pulled ahead of me big-time this month ($1,936,000 versus $1,917,000). I’ve got some ground to make up, but October is earnings season and also time for syndication payouts.

Really though, I’d like nothing better than for Justin and me to cross the finish line together. Here is how it goes down in my mind’s eye:

Justin and I are running to the finish line together in slow motion. We’re both wearing running outfits like Richard Simmons except without the pink or sparkles. Chariots of Fire is playing. We are both a sweaty mess.

Richard Simmons + Justin = ???

The crowd goes wild as we break the tape together. Justin and I turn to look at each other with big smiles. We high-five like drunken frat-boys before we embrace in a hug. Again, don’t think of Richard Simmons. It’s a manly hug.

The scene fades away…

Try to purge that imagery from your head.

On with the Performance Update.

 

Performance Update: September

Personal Capital!***

September was another month of progress. Our portfolio started at $1,450,133 and ended at $1,462,077 for a gain of $11,994:

2017 (as of 9/1/2017)

  • Days elapsed: 272
  • 2017 gains: $204,949 (including 401(k) contributions**** of $44,000 and car purchase of -$45,000)

Since the start (1/1/2013)

  • Days elapsed: 1733
  • Portfolio gains since 1/1/2013: $876,034
  • Needed to quit work ($1,120,000 in investments): Mission accomplished!
  • Net worth: $1,917,077 which includes:
    • Investment portfolio and cash: $1,462,077
    • Home equity: $390,000
    • Silly toy car: $45,000
    • Other cars, bikes, dinosaurs: $20,000

 

Fitness Update

I’m on the home stretch of my weight loss battle with Mr. WoW. I still have a lot of ground to make up, but I’m not giving up:

The good news is that I’m making progress. The belly is melting away:

And if I don’t make my goal, I’m hiring Justin Simmons to be my personal trainer:

 

 

Just can’t get enough?

  • For more titillating text, follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retirein1500
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*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. So, if I were to quit my job now, I could spend about $48,000 in my first year of retirement. I’d stick very close to that number too because market valuations are ambitious. Let’s say that Mr. Market caught a cold tomorrow and my portfolio dropped down to $800,000. No big deal. This would mean I’d be safer stretching my spending a little north of 4%.

**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. My compromise is to have enough money put away to cover the mortgage at the 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 (me) makes some cold, hard, beautiful, cash. Personal Capital is a totally free and awesome 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 you are a fine person of above-average intelligence.

****My 401(k) contributions include my own, Mrs. 15oo’s, and the contributions from my corporation. Self-employment with a solo 401(k) is a very powerful savings tool. I should have done this years ago.

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Filed Under: Performance Tagged With: performance update, Root of Good

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mustard Seed Money says

    October 10, 2017 at 4:14 am

    $2 million is amazing!!! Hopefully you and Justin cross the mark next month together but I”m sure you all will analyze minute by minute to see who won the photo finish 🙂

    Keep up the awesome work and remind me to never run next to you on the treadmill 🙂
    Mustard Seed Money recently posted…Betterment vs. Wealthfront: Which is BetterMy Profile

    Reply
  2. [HCF] says

    October 10, 2017 at 4:31 am

    This is a nice line to cross together, I will be cheering for you at the finish line (not in cheerleader dress to stay at manly things).
    Anyway, the image burned into my imagination.
    The numbers look awesome, congrats.
    [HCF] recently posted…Funny Friday – Rushmore EditionMy Profile

    Reply
  3. MrWow says

    October 10, 2017 at 5:09 am

    Your minions are doing me in! Well that and my complete lack of self control. There’s just too much beer.. too much sitting around idle with great conversations… ahhhhh…..

    Trying… to…. stay…. on….. path….. next week it’s all kale and lemon juice.

    Congrats on the money stuff. Well done!

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 10, 2017 at 8:46 am

      Go minions! I mean, I have no idea what on earth you could possibly be talking about!

      In better news, for you anyway, a friend made a cheesecake on Sunday and I had a massive piece. Nothing like putting down 2000 calories in 2 minutes…
      Mr. 1500 Days recently posted…Performance Update (Day 1733): The Root of CompetitivenessMy Profile

      Reply
  4. Gwen @ Fiery Millennials says

    October 10, 2017 at 5:55 am

    I was going to suggest you Photoshop his face onto Richard Simmons and then you did. Now…. I’m kinda horrified haha. I hope you both cross the finish line together! $2 mil is nothing to sneeze at!

    Reply
  5. FullTimeFinance says

    October 10, 2017 at 6:06 am

    I’ll never erase that image of Richtin…
    Here’s to reaching the finish line, whenever it may be.

    Reply
  6. PedalsforPennies says

    October 10, 2017 at 6:28 am

    Finances and Fitness – you are rocking both! Nice work!
    PedalsforPennies recently posted…I Strive to be Below AverageMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 10, 2017 at 8:47 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  7. Justin "Simmons" Root of Good says

    October 10, 2017 at 6:29 am

    Ok, get back to your workout Mr 1500. 10 more jazzhands and 10 more crunches and you’ll be FABULOUS!!
    Justin “Simmons” Root of Good recently posted…Exploring La Alhambra and the Narrow Alleyways of Granada, SpainMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 10, 2017 at 8:48 am

      Justin, I have to say that seeing you in that little blue workout outfit is highly inspiring. I’m off to the gym right after I finish responding to comments. When is your workout video coming out again?

      Reply
      • Justin "Simmons" Root of Good says

        October 10, 2017 at 9:23 am

        LOL. I went mall-walking for the first time ever today. I channeled my inner Richard Simmons and worked it out! In my next life I’ll get more into jazzercise fitness videos.

        Jazz hands!
        Justin “Simmons” Root of Good recently posted…Exploring La Alhambra and the Narrow Alleyways of Granada, SpainMy Profile

        Reply
  8. FIbythecommonguy says

    October 10, 2017 at 8:14 am

    Hilarious!! The race is on, it will be fun to watch and see who hits that $2M mark first. Ahhhh, that image is now stuck in my head. Good Luck.
    FIbythecommonguy recently posted…September 2017: Net Worth Update #6My Profile

    Reply
  9. Mrs PoP says

    October 10, 2017 at 8:42 am

    Hold hands and skip across the line together! We’ll all be there cheering you on. =)
    Mrs PoP recently posted…“It’s Just Stuff” Has A Whole New MeaningMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 10, 2017 at 8:51 am

      Now that sounds very Richard Simmons like.

      Reply
  10. Physician on FIRE says

    October 10, 2017 at 10:32 am

    The site redesign looks fabulous! And I said that in the Justin Simmons voice. You should have heard it.

    I’ve been wondering when the bear market might hit, but I think you just answered it for me. It’ll start when you or Justin reaches a net worth of $1,999,999.

    Way to jinx it. Or did I just jinx it?

    Cheers?
    -PoF

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 10, 2017 at 12:22 pm

      Scary. He’s close too. The bear could rear its ugly claws before end of year if J.S. keeps up his torrid pace. Someone, slow this man down!

      Reply
  11. Financial Velociraptor says

    October 10, 2017 at 5:04 pm

    Congratulations on the weight loss. I’ve been at it since March 2015 and it has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
    Financial Velociraptor recently posted…Write Puts GrubHub Inc. (GRUB)My Profile

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 10, 2017 at 6:21 pm

      Hell yeah, it’s really hard. I just ate a plate of broccoli. Ugh.

      Reply
  12. Heather says

    October 10, 2017 at 5:48 pm

    Enter me in the race! $1.932M as of 9/30! 🙂

    Congrats on being so close to crossing that line!

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 10, 2017 at 6:20 pm

      Woot! Let’s do it!

      Reply
  13. Mr. Tako says

    October 10, 2017 at 7:07 pm

    Funny stuff Mr. 1500. Once you pass the 2 million mark, the race seems to get less interesting.

    We’re approaching 3 million, but I honestly don’t look at our net worth very often!
    Mr. Tako recently posted…September 2017 Dividend Income And ExpensesMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Team CF says

    October 10, 2017 at 11:20 pm

    I’m very visually orientated, pretty sure this post will haunt me for a while….. you and Justin running in slow motion…
    Anyhow, will be keeping a close eye on your death match with Justin 🙂
    Team CF recently posted…FIRE Journey and the JobMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Joe says

    October 11, 2017 at 7:56 am

    Great job. You guys are neck to neck. $2 million is awesome. Will you feel rich when you are a multi millionaire? I’m in a race with Mr. Tako, but he doesn’t know about it. 🙂
    Whoa, the Justin Simmons picture is … strange… You’re looking good with the weight loss, though.
    Joe recently posted…How We’re Generating Passive Income in 2017My Profile

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 11, 2017 at 9:16 am

      Ha ha, I’ve felt rich for a while now. I wouldn’t turn down feeling a little richer though!

      Reply
      • Ten Factorial Rocks says

        October 11, 2017 at 11:08 pm

        Engaging post as usual, Mr. 1500. Come Oct. 16, I will give you, Justin and Joe one more target to race to…just kidding 🙂 But yes, after a year of deliberating, my big reveal is coming that day on my website. We will chat after, right?
        Ten Factorial Rocks recently posted…Eating Well in Beautiful CopenhagenMy Profile

        Reply
  16. Mr. Pop says

    October 11, 2017 at 8:33 am

    Why keep competing if you’ve already won the race? There will always be somebody with more of XYZ.
    Mr. Pop recently posted…“It’s Just Stuff” Has A Whole New MeaningMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 11, 2017 at 8:46 am

      Damn right.

      Reply
  17. Michelle says

    October 11, 2017 at 1:49 pm

    You freaking make me laugh! Sending good vibes re: the 2 mill mark. You’ve got this!

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 11, 2017 at 3:52 pm

      Thanks Michelle!

      Reply
  18. Done by Forty says

    October 11, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    I need to wash my eyes with something. Beer? Dish soap?
    Done by Forty recently posted…Inside the IndexMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 11, 2017 at 6:41 pm

      Muriatic acid?

      Reply
  19. Michael says

    October 12, 2017 at 6:05 am

    Well that sounds grand!. Justin looks amazing … nice photoshopping …. I have reached around the same numbers …. maybe more …. it fluctuates … through real estate ….. from the far side of the planet …. think like the opposite side of earth ….
    I find teaching can also take you anywhere … God Bless 🙂

    http://christianprofessionalsoverseas.com

    Reply
  20. Mrs. Picky Pincher says

    October 12, 2017 at 6:32 am

    Dude your fitness journey is so inspiring! Keep up with the great work; it looks like you’re making great progress. 🙂
    Mrs. Picky Pincher recently posted…How The Picky Pinchers CleanMy Profile

    Reply
  21. SpacemanFry says

    October 12, 2017 at 2:35 pm

    Competition is good. Without it we’d probably still be cavemen. Of course, as with anything it can be taken to unhealthy extremes. Also I find the best competition is with yourself. I’m more motivated to improve and beat my numbers/performance than comparing myself to someone else.

    I think the picture that cannot be unseen should count as a negative on your net worth balance sheet!

    Reply
  22. Will says

    October 16, 2017 at 9:15 am

    what are you gonna do if the market crashes badly and your portfolio drops below $1.12m?

    Reply
    • Mr. 1500 Days says

      October 16, 2017 at 9:59 am

      Same as I’m doing now. Corrections are normal. I expect that on any given day, my portfolio could crash by 50%. As long as you’re confident in long-term growth of the economy, everything will be alright.

      Reply
      • Ten Factorial Rocks says

        October 21, 2017 at 6:04 am

        Good reply Carl. I don’t know why corrections scare people so much. A healthy correction is actually a good sign the market forces are working and your portfolio value, while relatively lower from the peak, is also not so overvalued! So, it makes sense to stay invested.
        Ten Factorial Rocks recently posted…Counting The MarblesMy Profile

        Reply
  23. Michael @ Financially Alert says

    October 18, 2017 at 2:17 pm

    Hey boys, I’m just around the corner! 😉
    Michael @ Financially Alert recently posted…Early Retirement is Worthless if You’re Dead!My Profile

    Reply

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Freedom!

My goal was to build a portfolio of $1,000,000 by February of 2017; 1500 days from the birth of this blog (January 1, 2013). And hey look, I’ve since retired!

Investments only (primary home excluded)
1/1/13 (The Start): $586,043
1/1/14 (1 Yr Later): $869,635
1/1/15 (2 Yrs Later): $987,351
1/1/16 (3 Yrs Later): $1,057,961
1/1/17 (4 Yrs Later): $1,257,128
1/1/18 (5 Yrs Later): $1,527,701
1/1/19 (6 Yrs Later): $1,549,440
1/1/20 (7 Yrs Later): $2,035,040*
1/1/21 (8 Yrs Later): $3,379,746**
1/1/22 (9 Yrs Later): $4,762,642
1/1/23 (10 Yrs Later): $3,112,821

2023: Investments only
1/1: $3,112,821

Overall
2023 investment gains: $0
Investment gains since 1/1/2013: $2,526,778
Net worth***: $3,342,821

* The big jump between 2019 and 2020 was partly because we bought another home, but kept the previous (much more expensive) one as a rental. We have since sold it.

** Tesla.

*** Includes our primary home equity in addition to our investment portfolio.

Finally, we still have about $290,000 in mortgage debt (which I love!). No regrets about the debts!

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