early retirrement

Guest Post: Turning “What If?” Into “Why Not?”

April 5, 2021 by Mr. 1500 Days 5 Comments

One of the most fun parts of FIRE Life is meeting with fun people who pass through town. A couple of years ago, I met Tina. We talked about FIRE, bikes, and ate subs late at night. (I highly recommend the Grape Ape from Cheba Hut). I was supposed to see Tina again last summer on my way to the West Coast, but then COVID happened.I hadn't heard from Tina in a while and then … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Turning “What If?” Into “Why Not?”

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
2/1: $3,582,368

Overall
2023 investment gains: $469,547
Investment gains since 1/1/2013: $2,996,325
Net worth***: $3,812,368

* 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!