Gonna count it as a milestone

[Warlord1986]

My investments with USAA went up over $38,000. This may not seem like much to some on this board, but I've made a serious effort to build up my ROTH IRA and other investments, and things were a little tight at times. I'm really happy and seeing that number makes me feel like my efforts are paying off. I'm a ways away from retirement, but this is still good.

[onlykelsey]

Congrats! Especially if you're born in 1986, I bet youre ahead of the curve already.

[FIRE me]

My investments with USAA went up over $38,000. This may not seem like much to some on this board, but I've made a serious effort to build up my ROTH IRA and other investments, and things were a little tight at times. I'm really happy and seeing that number makes me feel like my efforts are paying off. I'm a ways away from retirement, but this is still good.

That's about $37,500 more than I had when I was 30.

[Warlord1986]

Thanks Onlykelsey. I was born in 86. Dunno if I'm ahead of the curve, but I'm ahead of where I was this time last year.

FIRE me, can I ask how old you are now? And if you'll be ringing in the New Year with a retirement, you must've grown your 'stache.

[onlykelsey]

I'm 1986 as well.  If my friends are any indication you are miles ahead of the curve.

Someone recently pointed out to me that because of the way interest compounds, the halfway point to various amounts isn't actually 50%.  If you assume 7% returns, the halfway point to a million is in the mid 300-s, which is where I am right now. THIS IS SO EXCITING! I guess it lines up with the line you always hear about the first 10K/100K/million being the hardest.

[rubybeth]

Congrats! Very exciting, indeed.

[Warlord1986]

Just an update, because I want to brag. My investments now total $41,010!

[LivlongnProsper]

Good to see the ball start rolling isn't it. Just don't get too bummed when the market takes a downturn. At your age just look at it as buying stocks on sale.

[Warlord1986]

It's great to look at where I was a few months ago and compare that to now. :) Makes me feel so much better about my progress and life in general. Like, I'm dealing with some disappointments and frustrations, but I'm in a much better situation to handle them! I'm honestly thinking about starting a journal.

I don't worry about downturns. I just try to scrounge up some extra money to buy low. I don't understand much, but I understand that at least.

[MonkeyJenga]

Congrats! I highly recommend starting a journal. There are a lot of benefits you can't predict before you do so.

[SwordGuy]

Congrats!

You're doing way better than I was at 30.  We had a net worth of about $0.  That was the year I finally got a job that paid decent wages.  The only reason we weren't in the negatives is because we were wise enough to know we were poor (and our health held up).

You are way ahead of the curve!

http://time.com/money/4258451/retirement-savings-survey/

[Warlord1986]

Thanks, guys. And holy cow was that article terrifying. 0.0