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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: wallacemerle on March 05, 2016, 02:45:05 PM

Title: enough in my 401 K question
Post by: wallacemerle on March 05, 2016, 02:45:05 PM
My questions is in response to post
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/11/11/how-much-is-too-much-in-your-401k/
and the option #1 listed there.
I cannot figure the math and I wonder if anyone can help me based on my own numbers:
13 years til 59.5
195,727 in 401k

trying to get to the 622,000 # in 13 years. I dont think the 5% growth mentioned in the option #1 will get me there, so I do not see an 'early' retirement for me, but can someone use my # and explain the math?
how does one calculate : "The answer is of course 144,000 x 1.05 to the power of 30 (years)." (from the original post)
in my case the 195,727 x 1.05 to the power of 13 years?
If you have a good link to a calculator that will help me figure out this kind of growth only scenario and then allow me to add in various contributions, I would welcome that. Thanks for your help!
Title: Re: enough in my 401 K question
Post by: bearkat on March 06, 2016, 09:42:36 AM
This is the calculator that I like to use:

http://www.thecalculatorsite.com/finance/calculators/savings-calculators.php

In 13 years, it shows you getting up to $369k from earnings alone. To get to ~$622k, you would need to invest an extra ~$1,200 / month.

Good luck!
Title: Re: enough in my 401 K question
Post by: Jeremy E. on March 07, 2016, 09:57:31 AM
I like using excel, it's pretty quick once you get the hang of it, not as quick as a calculator, but I still prefer it.
I threw your numbers into excel and got almost the same numbers as bearkat,
I ended up with you would have $374,417.1 if you didn't add any in, and if you added in just $1130 per month you could get to $622,010.70 in 13 years. This is assuming 0.4167% gains every month for 13 years.
If you have excel and want some pointers, let me know.
Title: Re: enough in my 401 K question
Post by: MDM on March 07, 2016, 02:59:59 PM
Quote from: wallacemerle on March 05, 2016, 02:45:05 PM
how does one calculate...1.05 to the power of 30...?

Assuming the part above is the heart of the question,

In Excel:                  =1.05^30

In the Windows 7 Calculator:      1.05   xy   30   =

In many hand held calculators:   1.05   yx   30   =

All the above should give ~4.322 as the answer.  Then 144000 * 4.322 = ~622000.
Title: Re: enough in my 401 K question
Post by: wallacemerle on March 17, 2016, 10:06:34 PM
thanks to all. I am mulling this over-- I think I've got it...