I want to half brag and half thank everyone here for all the incredible information and support I've gotten over the years. I've popped in and out on different accounts but I've never stopped lurking, reading, and learning from all of you.
My husband and I started with nothing and while I was always frugal I can honestly say we would not be where we are today without this forum. Our net worth just hit $126k and I can hardly believe it. To go from a place where an unexpected expense of $75 felt like a crisis, to being early 30s and having no debt and this much in investments feels absolutely phenomenal.
I also just want to encourage anyone out there who is really young or really low income or in a ton of debt OR who doesn't understand math (I can only do basic arithmetic). You can do it too. No, you won't retire at 25 like some of these crazy smart high earners here (good for you guys too, btw!) but don't you dare believe for a second that this stuff won't work for you, because it will. It requires a tighter budget when you're lower income and more time, but it can be done. Live cheap, rent if it makes sense, have roommates way after your friends have stopped, don't eat out, go without a car if at all possible, skip vacations until you can legitimately afford them, find ways to increase your income, do whatever it takes and it will pay off.
Anyway, thanks again to all of you. I'm a wee bit emotional so I'm tearing up a bit, but this community has just given me so much and I hope that I can give back in some way. I can't really offer investing advice or that type of thing, but if any low income folks or really young people starting out need support or advice on basic budget slashing, I'm here! Feel free to PM me.
Gotta go polish my crown, cuz I'm a hundred thousandaire now ;)