This stuff works: a brief description of my investing path over the past decade+

[mrteacher]

Opened my Roth IRA in 2009, when I was in college, with $3,000.

By 2013, I'd managed to contribute another couple thousand and my balance was $17,000.

Between 2013 and 2016, I'd started to max out the IRA and contribute, and eventually max, to my 403(b). Total in the market: $83,000. Edited to add: found MMM in 2015

From 2016 to 2020, I married and continued maxing: both of our IRAs and my 403(b). Total in the market: $332,997

One year later, September 2021, continued maxing, total in the market: $480,000 

*in the market = VTSAX, Vanguard Target Retirement accounts, and the like.
**We've never earned more than $120,000 combined in one year

I cannot wait to eclipse half a million invested in the market, at which point we will hit $1million in 10 years even if we stopped investing altogether...and $2million in 20 years. Amazing. 

[boarder42]

Congratulations it truly is a remarkable counter culture group to discover.  Found mmm in 2014 and we are Fi now with my wife RE and I am done at the end of the year

[Bird In Hand]

Congratulations, and don't forget to thank the market for the last 10+ years of awesome returns (with few exceptions).  Also, don't get discouraged when the next crash happens -- just load up on more equities and hopefully ride the wave to early FI.

[mrteacher]

Congratulations, and don't forget to thank the market for the last 10+ years of awesome returns (with few exceptions).  Also, don't get discouraged when the next crash happens -- just load up on more equities and hopefully ride the wave to early FI.

I have the market to thank, for sure! It’s been an incredible 10 or so years. There've been some unsettling dips here and there, but on the whole it’s been almost uninterrupted positive gains.

[Bird In Hand]

Congratulations, and don't forget to thank the market for the last 10+ years of awesome returns (with few exceptions).  Also, don't get discouraged when the next crash happens -- just load up on more equities and hopefully ride the wave to early FI.

I have the market to thank, for sure! It’s been an incredible 10 or so years. There've been some unsettling dips here and there, but on the whole it’s been almost uninterrupted positive gains.

Regardless of the market performance, you also have yourself to thank for doing the hard work of saving.  Sorry, I didn't mean to gloss over that the first time.  Keep up the good work!