Race from 100 to 250k

[lcmac32]

Do you know how long it takes me to save $8K in cash?  Years.  Many years.  I've been very very slowly building my emergency fund for over 7 years now.  I've been trying to hit a number that equals to 6 months of my normal paychecks.  Now I'm actually going to be done building it by October.   I'm still a little flabbergasted by it all.  I feel like I'm turning a corner in this big financial game.

THis is so fantastic @LittleWanderer --I'm so happy for you! (as a relatively low earner, I also would be gobsmacked by an extra $8-10k!)

I love this @LittleWanderer! The fact that you are still at it even when progress seems slow is inspirational to me.  Thank you for this post!.  You will achieve my old definition of wealth, your investments make more than you can working, in due time.  Keep it up.  Your example makes me want to improve my financial game. 

[Serendip]

April '23 : $100,655
May '23  : $102,304
June '23 : $104,200
July '23 : $108,200
Aug '23 : $107,850
Sept '23: $105,270
Oct '23: $106,800
Dec '23: $110,000
Jan '24: $113,500
Feb '24: $116,950
Mar '24: $119,350
Apr '24: $115,700
May '24: $119,380
June '24: $121,004
July '24: $124,860
Aug ‘24: $126,778

Slow and steady.
 Lots of costs coming up but will just keep plugging away.

[LittleWanderer]

I love this @LittleWanderer! The fact that you are still at it even when progress seems slow is inspirational to me.  Thank you for this post!.  You will achieve my old definition of wealth, your investments make more than you can working, in due time.  Keep it up.  Your example makes me want to improve my financial game.

Awwww, thank you!  I appreciate your words of encouragement!  :)

[LittleWanderer]

August 2023 - $87,215
September 2023 - $83,271
October 2023 - $82,040
November 2023 - $90,530
December 2023 - $97,000
January 2024 - $99,131
February 2024 - $102,401
March 2024 - $108,679
April 2024 - $107,258
May 2024 - $111,045
June 2024 - $114,755
July 2024 - $125,286

August 2024 - $127,896

My 401K is officially over $100K this month.  My net worth has been in the 6 digits for a while now, but only in my spreadsheet.  Pretty damn cool to log in and finally see 6 digits in just one account.  I know I'm going to be at 6 digits for a long long time now!

Also my gym membership is officially being paid for by the interest in my HYSA.  That's so wild to me. 

[Stubblestache]

A drop in value despite adding £1,800 to the pot this month. The market is a cruel mistress.

The market is a loving partner gifting you a wonderful discount on your financial journey :)

Haha I have to remind myself of this!

[Stubblestache]

July 2018 - £20,385
 - Annual gain 2018 - £4,119

Jan 2019 - £25,295
Nov 2019 - £38,588
 - Annual gain 2019 - £13,293

Jan 2020 - £43,260
Aug 2020 - £50,172
Dec 2020 - £62,638
 - Annual gain 2020 - £19,108

Jan 2021 - £64,542
Dec 2021 - £105,802 (graduated to next thread!)
 - Annual gain 2021 - £41,278

Jan 2022 - £91,915
Dec 2022 - £103,544
 - Annual gain 2022 £11,629 BUT still down on Dec 2021. Awful year.


Jan 2023 - £109,683
Dec 2023 - £134,519
 - Annual gain 2023 £24,836

Jan 2024 - £124,775 - house reno money came out
Feb 2024. - £130,454
Mar 2024 - £136,887
Apr 2024 - £136,997
May 2024 - £140,804
June 2024 - £145,426
July 2024 - £144,885
Aug 2024 - £147,992

At least we moving in the right direction again. It feels like it's taking a lifetime to break 150k

[peppermint]

01/2021 - $156537.17
02/2021 - $158405.83
03/2021 - $163636.31
04/2021 - $166594.94
05/2021 - $172437.77
06/2021 - $175987.02
07/2021 - $132636.84 (bought house)
08/2021 - $142046.81
09/2021 - $140320.59
10/2021 - $138836.11
11/2021 - $148459.81
12/2021 - $147177.41
01/2022 - $152961.87
02/2022 - $150083.47
03/2022 - $150493.41
04/2022 - $153868.76
06/2022 - $162893.02
07/2022 - $159117.84
08/2022 - $168159.13
09/2022 - $167308.43
10/2022 - $161849.08
11/2022 - $168746.65
12/2022 - $178013.29
01/2023 - $176855.80
02/2023 - $187728.88
03/2023 - $184997.11
04/2023 - $190307.96
06/2023 - $189523.66
07/2023 - $197800.59
09/2023 - $197427.93
10/2023 - $192227.32
11/2023 - $191223.48
12/2023 - $201869.96
01/2024 - $215036.13
02/2024 - $216710.63
03/2024 - $224451.67
04/2024 - $231106.04
05/2024 - $225757.61
06/2024 - $233717.34
07/2024 - $236181.22
08/2024 - $240491.18
09/2024 - $248223.04

Excited to finally graduate this thread soon! It's been awhile coming.

[lcmac32]

July 2018 - £20,385
 - Annual gain 2018 - £4,119

Jan 2019 - £25,295
Nov 2019 - £38,588
 - Annual gain 2019 - £13,293

Jan 2020 - £43,260
Aug 2020 - £50,172
Dec 2020 - £62,638
 - Annual gain 2020 - £19,108

Jan 2021 - £64,542
Dec 2021 - £105,802 (graduated to next thread!)
 - Annual gain 2021 - £41,278

Jan 2022 - £91,915
Dec 2022 - £103,544
 - Annual gain 2022 £11,629 BUT still down on Dec 2021. Awful year.


Jan 2023 - £109,683
Dec 2023 - £134,519
 - Annual gain 2023 £24,836

Jan 2024 - £124,775 - house reno money came out
Feb 2024. - £130,454
Mar 2024 - £136,887
Apr 2024 - £136,997
May 2024 - £140,804
June 2024 - £145,426
July 2024 - £144,885
Aug 2024 - £147,992

At least we moving in the right direction again. It feels like it's taking a lifetime to break 150k

You are doing great!  This is the hardest race in the journey IMO.  It represents more than a doubling of your money ($100k to $250k) and although contributions are still a major driver, they  have that larger ($50k more than a simple doubling $100k - $200k) gap to fill.  You can still do this one 4-5 years easily.  Looking at your numbers the $250k-500k race will likely take less than 4 years (assuming normal market).  Then your contributions start to be less of a driver, but that is exactly what you want; that is winning!

I agree that it feels like forever, and I certainly should have been more frugal, but you are well on your way.  You can just now see the light at the end of the tunnel, but seriously push hard these next 8 years (more frugal) and you will be amazed at what you can do!!!

[Fifo]

This only includes my liquid savings/investments.

2017: $6,539
2018: $18,547
2019: $36,489
2020: $61,099
2021: $103,151

	2022	2023	2024
January	$102,690	$118,541	$142,408 (+$4,593)
February	$105,595	$120,353	$155,989 (+$13,581)
March	$107,269	$124,675	$163,644 (+$7,655)
April	$108,030	$114,108	$162,208 (-$1,436)
May	$104,108	$116,148	$166,714 (+$4,506)
June	$100,594	$123,164	$174,000 (+$7,286)
July	$101,599	$128,512	$175,450 (+$1,450)
August	$106,675	$127,473	$177,600 (+$2,509)
September	$104,663	$126,682
October	$110,356	$123,212
November	$115,708	$131,217
December	$116,633	$137,815
Increase	$13,943	$21,181

The market rebounded this month, but my local currency strengthened so much against the USD that it impacted my investments valuation by a bit. Mixed feelings about that haha.

[Feivel2000]

225.199 €
- 6.123 €

This month was bad. I spend more than I made resulting in a negative savings rate. All due to my reduced income from my parental leave. But it was more than worth it.
But most of the negative saldo came from the market, especially the crypto market. Better months will follow.

	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Jan	...............	110.053 €	138.241 €	139.708 €	181.015 €	...............	...............
Feb	...............	115.328 €	138.954 €	142.382 €	204.486 €	...............	...............
Mar	...............	123.950 €	150.359 €	145.986 €	212.514 €	...............	250.000 €
Apr	...............	122.597 €	147.293 €	143.015 €	205.879 €	...............	...............
May	...............	120.440 €	138.668 €	143.075 €	214.024 €	...............	...............
Jun	...............	124.056 €	128.938 €	144.937 €	217.347 €	...............	...............
Jul	87.134 €	127.401 €	130.726 €	147.484 €	231.323 €	...............	...............
Aug	88.989 €	134.533 €	129.533 €	145.789 €	225.199 €	...............	...............
Sept	90.473 €	133.571 €	127.691 €	145.605 €	...............	...............	...............
Oct	90.093 €	143.292 €	130.454 €	150.725 €	...............	...............	...............
Nov	96.957 €	144.693 €	131.327 €	161.202 €	...............	...............	...............
Dec	103.130 €	143.712 €	130.556 €	166.635 €	200.000 €	...............	...............
Change	~20.000 €	+40.582 €	-13.156 €	+36.079 €	...............	...............	...............

Looks like you will be well ahead of that 2026 goal of 250k in your table. Even with the flat purchase you are well on your way to hitting that goal early!

Yes, the 200.000 € goal from the end of this year looks pretty safe. 250k will come earlier. Maybe not this year, but probably way before 2026.

[J.P. MoreGains]

Got my numbers in for this past month. My expenses were at a all time high. Since I've done so well since last September decided to donate some, booked another Mexico trip, bought clothes etc. Sometime I want to go on a streak of not spending so much on trips and stuff.

Still I'm doing awesome and these numbers kind of make me feel a little dumbfounded. On my way to that 250k mark.

Once winter comes I even want a third job. I actually want to work more. My two jobs aren't that hard.

2024 Savings

	Income	Expenses	Save	Savings Rate
Jan	6,204.14	1,274.65	4,929.49	79.5%
Feb	6,383.08	1,201.51	5,181.57	81.2%
Mar	8,230.95	3,136.19	5,094.76	61.9%
Apr	8,700.96	997.66	7,703.30	88.5%
May	8,700.95	1,491.42	7,209.53	82.9%
Jun	8,700.79	2,675.31	6,025.48	69.3%
Jul	8,700.54	1,608.46	7,092.08	81.5%
Aug	9,356.37	3,503.33	5,853.04	62.6%
Sep	-	-	-	-
Oct	-	-	-	-
Nov	-	-	-	-
Dec	-	-	-	-
Total	64,977.78	15,888.53	49,089.25	75.5%

Snapshots 2024

	Vanguard	401k	457b	Pension	HSA	401a	Bank	TOTAL
08/30	130,113.98	36,568.19	33,338.45	8,764.67	4,228.47	2,846.25	7,956.64	223,816.65

Progress

	Total	Month +/-	Year +/-	09/06/23 +/-
09/06/23	115,236.73	n/a	n/a	n/a
01/05/24	147,842.08	n/a	n/a	32,605.35
03/29/24	179,559.31	n/a	31,717.23	64,322.58
06/27/24	204,276.13	n/a	56,434.05	89,039.40
07/30/24	212,318.41	8,042.28	64,476.33	97,081.68
08/30/24	223,816.65	11,498.24	75,974.57	108,579.92

[bcbaseballman]

2018                             2019                              2020                            2021                          2022                           2023                           2024
1/31: (5949.05)              1/31: 13,493.35              1/31: 44,514                 1/31: 85,576               1/31: 137,128              1/31: 144,932              1/31: 182,741
2/28: (5288.30)              2/28: 15,766.50              2/29: 48,891                 2/28: 86,616               2/28: 132,607              2/28: 149,381              2/29: 194,032
3/31: (4273.93)              3/31: 19,286                   3/31: 46,104                 3/31: 94,009               3/31: 141,282              3/31: 150,830              3/31: 206,283
4/30: (2592.07)              4/30: 19,283                   4/30: 52,720                 4/30: 96,128               4/30: 138,395              4/30: 152,583              4/30: 203,318
5/31: (629.70)                5/31: 18,676                   5/31: 55,177                 5/31: 95,056               5/31: 137,158              5/31: 153,509              5/31: 213,997
6/30: 1,206.77                6/30: 22,362                   6/30: 59,720                 6/30: 96,201               6/30: 131,597              6/30: 162,074              6/30: 221,156
7/31: 2,703.97                7/31: 24,646                   7/31: 65,792                 7/31: 97,017               7/31: 137,745              7/31: 167,006              7/31: 222,422
8/31: 5,651.70                8/30: 27,199                   8/31: 71,970                 8/30: 133,097             8/30: 133,694              8/31: 164,711
9/31: 8,039.01                9/31: 30,664                   9/30: 72,466                 9/30: 129,725             9/30: 126,048              9/30: 159,407
10/31: 7,803.49              10/31: 33,343                 10/31: 72,288               10/31: 135,443          10/31: 133,795            10/31: 157,578
11/30: 9,531.28              11/30: 35,249                 11/30: 80,093               11/30: 132,452          11/30: 139,717            11/30: 168,012
12/31: 9,296.79              12/31: 39,079                 12/31: 84,002               12/31: 139,677          12/31: 135,251            12/31: 174,941
Gain: 15,245.84                         29,783                            44,923                           55,655                       -4,416                         39,690

8/31: 232,237

Putting my numbers in this month I scrolled up to the top of the file. It is amazing how far I have came in just 6 years. From a net worth of 5k to 232k just seems crazy now. I mainly focus on the month over month and do not really look at where it all started. It is just a nice reminder that doing all of this really does pay off in the long run.

[TyGuy]

Student Loan Debt

01/12/19: $43,762
05/04/20: $21,456
01/01/24: $21,456
02/01/24: $21,322
03/01/24: $21,161
04/01/24: $20,909
05/01/24: $20,787
06/01/24: $20,589
07/01/24: $20,406
08/01/24: $20,209
09/01/24: $20,009 (Will be forgiven in ~4.5 years; paying the minimum)


Net Worth:

03/04/19: -$30,065 (Started tracking NW)
01/01/20: $1,447 ($31,512)
01/01/21: $21,735 ($20,288)
01/01/22: $63,049 ($41,314)
01/01/23: $87,715 ($24,666)
04/01/23: $105,349 ($17,634)
05/01/23: $111,080 ($5,731)
06/01/23: $112,849 ($1,769)
07/01/23: $126,069 ($13,220)
08/01/23: $134,332 ($8,263)
09/01/23: $133,481 (-$851)
10/01/23: $129,935 (-$3,546)
11/01/23: $130,515 ($580)
12/01/23: $143,548 ($13,033)
01/01/24: $157,250 ($13,702)
02/01/24: $162,835 ($5,585)
03/01/24: $176,903 ($14,068)
04/01/24: $186,666 ($9,763)
05/01/24: $190,354 ($3,688)
06/01/24: $208,938 ($18,584)
07/01/24: $216,037 ($7,109)
08/01/24: $217,241 ($1,204)
09/01/24: $222,660 ($5,419)


Happy with the progress, especially paying 2 mortgages right now. My previous home is now on the market, I am really looking forward to adding the equity from that home into my market accounts!

[lcmac32]

Got my numbers in for this past month. My expenses were at a all time high. Since I've done so well since last September decided to donate some, booked another Mexico trip, bought clothes etc. Sometime I want to go on a streak of not spending so much on trips and stuff.

Still I'm doing awesome and these numbers kind of make me feel a little dumbfounded. On my way to that 250k mark.

Once winter comes I even want a third job. I actually want to work more. My two jobs aren't that hard.

Snapshots 2024

I bow humbly before your insane savings rate.  Best I ever managed was about 40%.  Your 75% average is insane!!!  Well done!! Vanguard 401k 457b Pension HSA 401a Bank TOTAL 07/30   130,113.98     36,568.19     33,338.45    8,764.67    4,228.47    2,846.25    7,956.64    223,816.65 2024 Savings    Income         Expenses                  Save         Savings Rate Jan      6,204.14 1,274.65 4,929.49 79.5% Feb        6,383.08 1,201.51 5,181.57 81.2% Mar         8,230.95 3,136.19 5,094.76 61.9% Apr       8,700.96 997.66 7,703.30 88.5% May       8,700.95 1,491.42 7,209.53 82.9% Jun       8,700.79 2,675.31 6,025.48 69.3% Jul       8,700.54 1,608.46 7,092.08 81.5% Aug      9,356.37 3,503.33 5,853.04 62.6% Sep      - - - - Oct      - - - - Nov      - - - - Dec      - - - - Total       64,977.78 15,888.53 49,089.25 75.5% Progress            Total          Month +/-          Year +/-          09/06/23 +/-   09/06/23       115,236.73 n/a n/a n/a   01/05/24         147,842.08 n/a n/a 32,605.35   03/29/24         179,559.31 n/a 31,717.23 64,322.58   06/27/24       204,276.13 n/a 56,434.05 89,039.40   07/30/24       212,318.41 8,042.28 64,476.33 97,081.68   08/30/24       223,816.65 11,498.24 75,974.57 108,579.92

[/td][/tr][/table]

[J.P. MoreGains]

@lcmac32 Thanks! It's kind of easy being single and a minimalist. I see expenses for families and I see how tough it would be to have a great savings rate.

All that being said... if I could ever cut out international travel I could cut my expenses by a ton. That is my big ticket item by far. Maybe it means just giving it up for a couple years to put my savings into over drive. I forget that most people in the US don't even have a passport and here I am traveling multiple times a year. If I replaced that with camping that would help me out a bunch.

Or maybe I decide it's worth it. either way I want to make a decision where i really consider the value I get.

[Fifo]

@lcmac32 Thanks! It's kind of easy being single and a minimalist. I see expenses for families and I see how tough it would be to have a great savings rate.

All that being said... if I could ever cut out international travel I could cut my expenses by a ton. That is my big ticket item by far. Maybe it means just giving it up for a couple years to put my savings into over drive. I forget that most people in the US don't even have a passport and here I am traveling multiple times a year. If I replaced that with camping that would help me out a bunch.

Or maybe I decide it's worth it. either way I want to make a decision where i really consider the value I get.

I felt this so much! Travelling was my third biggest bucket for me (after savings and the parent tax), and I've spent more than I usually do on it, given that I've got a few huge trips this year. I've kept thinking how much more I could have saved... but then again I really do love travelling and I never regret any of the trips I have gone on.

It's a tough balance for sure!

[J.P. MoreGains]

Yeah I mean it's really just an analysis of value. This is a good thing about Mustachianism... finding the most value out of something.

In my past drifter vagabond life I would go somewhere for months... and living like a local the costs are really low. After the plane ticket the costs are spread out over months and you can live pretty cheaply in a lot of countries.

It's the vacation and packing everything into a week that ends up costing a lot.

So I'm asking myself if I want less now for more later. The idea being is that I solve my money problems now and enjoy a lot more freedom and longer live overseas trips later.

The one thing is though that even a short trip gives me something to look forward to, is fun and gives me a sense of having done something interesting. So a good argument can be made for saying the trips help me stay focused and not get burned out.

But... I've thought maybe I just focus on cheap outdoors stuff for a couple years - hiking in the summer and uphill skiing in the winter. I could have a lot of fun for a fraction of the cost of international travel.

I'll guess I'll see how it goes considering I kind of have 3 trips planned between now and February.

[lcmac32]

Got my numbers in for this past month. My expenses were at a all time high. Since I've done so well since last September decided to donate some, booked another Mexico trip, bought clothes etc. Sometime I want to go on a streak of not spending so much on trips and stuff.

Still I'm doing awesome and these numbers kind of make me feel a little dumbfounded. On my way to that 250k mark.

Once winter comes I even want a third job. I actually want to work more. My two jobs aren't that hard.

2024 Savings

Three jobs!  Awesome I have had two for at least 1/2 of my working career.  I want to get myself in order enough to take on a second one again.  Push to the end.

	Income	Expenses	Save	Savings Rate
Jan	6,204.14	1,274.65	4,929.49	79.5%
Feb	6,383.08	1,201.51	5,181.57	81.2%
Mar	8,230.95	3,136.19	5,094.76	61.9%
Apr	8,700.96	997.66	7,703.30	88.5%
May	8,700.95	1,491.42	7,209.53	82.9%
Jun	8,700.79	2,675.31	6,025.48	69.3%
Jul	8,700.54	1,608.46	7,092.08	81.5%
Aug	9,356.37	3,503.33	5,853.04	62.6%
Sep	-	-	-	-
Oct	-	-	-	-
Nov	-	-	-	-
Dec	-	-	-	-
Total	64,977.78	15,888.53	49,089.25	75.5%

Snapshots 2024

	Vanguard	401k	457b	Pension	HSA	401a	Bank	TOTAL
07/30	130,113.98	36,568.19	33,338.45	8,764.67	4,228.47	2,846.25	7,956.64	223,816.65

Progress

	Total	Month +/-	Year +/-	09/06/23 +/-
09/06/23	115,236.73	n/a	n/a	n/a
01/05/24	147,842.08	n/a	n/a	32,605.35
03/29/24	179,559.31	n/a	31,717.23	64,322.58
06/27/24	204,276.13	n/a	56,434.05	89,039.40
07/30/24	212,318.41	8,042.28	64,476.33	97,081.68
08/30/24	223,816.65	11,498.24	75,974.57	108,579.92

[J.P. MoreGains]

Multiple jobs make a difference.

Here is the average joe's formula to wealth: Work two jobs, get expenses down so the part-time job covers all your living expenses. Invest 100% of income from main job.

Simple but not easy.

[lcmac32]

Multiple jobs make a difference.

Here is the average joe's formula to wealth: Work two jobs, get expenses down so the part-time job covers all your living expenses. Invest 100% of income from main job.

Simple but not easy.

I 100% agree.  I have worked two jobs at least 1/3 of my career.  I don't think I ever got the expenses part down like you described, but agree that really is the path.

[TerrierTown]

            2024          2025          2026          2027            2028               
Jan         NT              -                -                -                  -
Feb         NT              -                -                -                  -
Mar         NT              -                -                -                  -
Apr  £180,000            -               -                 -                  -
May £181,365            -                -                -                  -
Jun  £185,990            -                -                -                  -
Jul   £197,713            -                -                -                  -
Aug £198,122            -                -                -                  -
Sep £205,100            -                -                -                  -
Oct          -                -               -                -                   -
Nov         -                -               -                 -                  -
Dec         -                -               -                 -                  -

[MommyCake]

Investments only:
9/4/18      73,600
10/4/18    75,950
11/7/18    75,960
10/7/21    96,760
11/12/21 101,000
6/8/22     119,755
8/9/22     120,000
4/25/23   128,500
7/18/23   139,280
11/30/23 146,900
2/23/24   164,990
3/25/24   170,500
6/28/24   182,000
9/17/24   191,400

I have been applying to different jobs recently trying to increase the income to get there sooner.  So far, no luck.  Maybe adding a second job is the way to go, but difficult with children.  We'll see.

[lcmac32]

@J.P. MoreGains

There is that slight aspect of YOLO, but more importantly YAOYO (you are only young once).  I am of the mindset that you should do some of them now while you are young-ish.  I am not young anymore.  I did a lot of travel with the family which set back my retirement for at least 5 and probably 10 years.  I am actually fine with it.  I will still be able to retire before full retirement age should I so choose.  Will it be before 55?  Not likely.  I do not regret the memories I have made with my wife and kids.  Going places and doing things is part of that and is money well spent.

Mustachianism is not being as frugal as possible.  Initially, you have to wake up to spending that does not provide value, and that is different for everyone.  If freedom from work trumps all other value spending then, yes extreme frugality may be necessary if not required.  On the other hand, if you are fine retiring at 40-50 and are on path to do so, then spend your excess on value (happiness) adds in your life. 

I am of the mindset that no FIRE minded individual should be saving less than 25% of take home pay.  Retire before 55 y.o. with that rate starting at 22 y.o.  40% is the top of the you are good at this range.  Those beyond are rare individuals, especially if earning $50-100k total. (rare in the general population sense, not as rare on this forum).

All that to say, you are more in one camp or the other.  There isn't a right or wrong, once you have optimized for the life you want to live.  It is after all your life and happiness.  Not defining it, and refining it (happy life) over time is the real mistake.

[J.P. MoreGains]

@lcmac32

Yes, it's figuring out what the trade offs are and where the best life really is. I don't really regret all of the travel and adventure in my youthful years.

At 45 it's kind of like a now or never with my finances. I'm still young enough to save and put money away and let it grow. People who put this off until 50s or 60s can be in real trouble. Also because I think as you get older there is less energy and drive in the tank to really go out there and mix it up and try to earn and save.

So I feel like now is the time to put the effort in and earn and save. Every time I go to Walmart, Costco, Dollar Store, wherever I see a lot of eldery people still working. I do not want to be that.

It kind of sucks giving up these young-ish years. I mean I still feel like I still have some youthful vigor. By the time I'm in my 50s it would be hard to say I'm "young". But I think that the 50s and beyond can still be great years especially since I'm pretty healthy.

So I think a bit of sacrifice is needed... and this is what I actually want to do. I'm having fun playing this save money game. I'm early in the game so my enthusiasm is high so I'm going to ride it. I could see myself in 2 years or so easing up a bit and having a bit more fun.

So at around ~220k I'm a ways off from FI. But this past year I increased 108k including market gains. If I can do that the next couple of years I'll be in a great place.

I'm definitely on frugal side - past year saved 75% of my income and only spent 22k which included 2 mexico city trips. Honestly I think I can do even better. I'd like to especially earn more eventually.

So I kind of want to embrace this phase, do my best, and then a couple years from now ease up a bit and have more fun. And then eventually have enough money to check out.

Everything you say I think is spot on. Only some things you can do while you're young so have to do those and get those in.

[lcmac32]

@J.P. MoreGains

I appreciate your sharing.  That savings rate is incredible!!  I have generally been above 20%, but below 30%.  Once I get through this unusually spendy year, I will get back to the 30% range.  We will see how it goes in 2025.  I would like to hit that 50% mark for at least 1 year. 

My current focus is on eliminating spending that really does not bring me happiness/life value.  I am fine to spend money if I can see and feel tangible life benefits (happiness) that outweighs the tangible life benefits of more saving and investing.  It does help that I could already FIRE (it would be lean by most standards). 

I am really only working for my kids benefit for the next five years.  They are doing fine, but am trying to get them completely established and on the FI path with some help from me.  When I FIRE, they will not be the benefit of my largesse anymore (not that large, but way more than I ever saw at their age).

[J.P. MoreGains]

@lcmac32

@J.P. MoreGains

My current focus is on eliminating spending that really does not bring me happiness/life value.  I am fine to spend money if I can see and feel tangible life benefits (happiness) that outweighs the tangible life benefits of more saving and investing.  It does help that I could already FIRE (it would be lean by most standards). 

I am really only working for my kids benefit for the next five years.  They are doing fine, but am trying to get them completely established and on the FI path with some help from me.  When I FIRE, they will not be the benefit of my largesse anymore (not that large, but way more than I ever saw at their age).

I agree a lot with this. First, finding value in what we spend money on. I think mustachianism is great at helping to really consider how we get value, well being and happiness in our lives.

The fact that you are already at Lean FIRE is great! Nice work! I think that allows someone to chill a little bit which is good.

As far as working for the kids I think that is amazing. I think a service motivation really is the best. Right now I'm in a "me" motivation mode to save up. But I've really thought hard about maybe working for a year after hitting my FIRE number to donate everything I earn for that year. It would feel really cool to work for a year and give it the earnings for that year away.

Or if I have a family do what you are doing. The idea being maybe have like 100k invested for a kid and then let that grow for decades. All they have to do is add to it and be responsible.

I think one of the big shifts that could come with FIRE is really changing to a service orientation to really help others instead of having to devote a ton of time and energy into working and surviving financially.

I think MMM is kind of a regular guy who is also like a sort of financial saint for other regular people. I like spreading this financial Gospel.

[lcmac32]

@lcmac32

@J.P. MoreGains

My current focus is on eliminating spending that really does not bring me happiness/life value.  I am fine to spend money if I can see and feel tangible life benefits (happiness) that outweighs the tangible life benefits of more saving and investing.  It does help that I could already FIRE (it would be lean by most standards). 

I am really only working for my kids benefit for the next five years.  They are doing fine, but am trying to get them completely established and on the FI path with some help from me.  When I FIRE, they will not be the benefit of my largesse anymore (not that large, but way more than I ever saw at their age).

I agree a lot with this. First, finding value in what we spend money on. I think mustachianism is great at helping to really consider how we get value, well being and happiness in our lives.

The fact that you are already at Lean FIRE is great! Nice work! I think that allows someone to chill a little bit which is good.

As far as working for the kids I think that is amazing. I think a service motivation really is the best. Right now I'm in a "me" motivation mode to save up. But I've really thought hard about maybe working for a year after hitting my FIRE number to donate everything I earn for that year. It would feel really cool to work for a year and give it the earnings for that year away.

Or if I have a family do what you are doing. The idea being maybe have like 100k invested for a kid and then let that grow for decades. All they have to do is add to it and be responsible.

I think one of the big shifts that could come with FIRE is really changing to a service orientation to really help others instead of having to devote a ton of time and energy into working and surviving financially.

I think MMM is kind of a regular guy who is also like a sort of financial saint for other regular people. I like spreading this financial Gospel.

1. Agreed with your sentiments, especially that MMM is a regular guy who did extraordinary things, or was he an extraordinary guy who inspired others to do life boosting regular (mostly financial) things.
 
2. Yes, I could FIRE, but it would be very LEAN at this stage.  Your point is correct in that I am less worried about next financial goal, but will still work to hit that. 

3. For the kids, my plan is to help them get to FIRE sooner, but earliest for each of them will be around 40 with them contributing the vast majority of it. I don't want to deprive them of the struggle to get there.  I want some of the refiner's fire in their lives, but do want them to FIRE sooner than I will.  Life is too short to be working FT for 40-50 years.

4. Finding value in spending.  Case in point: I love playing golf, but it is terribly expensive and so I played rarely like 2-3 a year.  When I moved to a new location for a higher paying job, I was invited to play with a great group of about 10 to play with them.  I had forgotten how much fun it is to play with a group.  Yes, I will spend way too much money on it this golfing season, but I am really happy when playing.  I have tried to reduce my food expenditures to compensate for it, and largely that has offset it, but I will not stress over it either way.  I am spending money on happiness and recognize that although I want full financial security, I realize I am not taking the money with me when I die. 

5. Working for others does provide good motivation for work.  I really do like working.  It is the reward feed back loop I enjoy.  I have a minimum of 5 years still to work. Beyond that hopefully, I can go part-time until I hit medicare age.  We shall see.

[Serendip]

April '23 : $100,655
May '23  : $102,304
June '23 : $104,200
July '23 : $108,200
Aug '23 : $107,850
Sept '23: $105,270
Oct '23: $106,800
Dec '23: $110,000
Jan '24: $113,500
Feb '24: $116,950
Mar '24: $119,350
Apr '24: $115,700
May '24: $119,380
June '24: $121,004
July '24: $124,860
Aug ‘24: $126,778
Sept '24: $127,647

Didn't have much to add to savings this month due to a costly brake repair, a ski pass and pet expenditures but thankfully investments still bumped the number up

[J.P. MoreGains]

Putting these in today. Got a flight to Mexico City tomorrow.

Really good month. Really seeing the gains and progress. I could only imagine the gains when you have a mil invested.

Just cruising right along, this is hard to believe. Almost hit 8k saved. Up over 13k for the month with market gains.

Now that I'm living out of my car my expenses are really low - in normal months should be under 1k. All the international travel I'm doing adds up on expenses.

Next month will be a bit tougher since I'll start paying taxes on my main job for having maxed out my 401k and 457b. Big contributor to my progress is that I max those out. Plus I don't pay into social security for either job. I have a 401a and a pension account where I keep the money if I leave.

Mentally have to be grateful for the good times and understand sooner or later there will be tough times of a recession and losses. So just have to gear up for when every month isn't just great gains.

I'll enjoy it while it lasts though.

I'm more motivated than ever for 2025.

Snapshots 2024

	Vanguard	401k	457b	Pension	HSA	401a	Bank	TOTAL
09/27	135,832.57	40,131.10	36,771.36	9,507.21	4,624.56	3,410.21	7,495.63	237,772.64

2024 Savings

	$ In	$ Out	Save	Savings Rate
Jan	6,204.14	1,274.65	4,929.49	79.5%
Feb	6,383.08	1,201.51	5,181.57	81.2%
Mar	8,230.95	3,136.19	5,094.76	61.9%
Apr	8,700.96	997.66	7,703.30	88.5%
May	8,700.95	1,491.42	7,209.53	82.9%
Jun	8,700.79	2,675.31	6,025.48	69.3%
Jul	8,700.54	1,608.46	7,092.08	81.5%
Aug	9,356.37	3,503.33	5,853.04	62.6%
Sep	9,012.47	1,012.61	7,999.86	88.8%
Oct	-	-	-	-
Nov	-	-	-	-
Dec	-	-	-	-
Total	73,990.25	16,901.14	57,089.11	77.2%

Progress

	Total	Month +/-	Year +/-	09/06/23 +/-
--2023--
09/06/23	115,236.73	n/a	n/a	n/a
--2024--
01/05/24	147,842.08	n/a	n/a	32,605.35
03/29/24	179,559.31	n/a	31,717.23	64,322.58
06/27/24	204,276.13	n/a	56,434.05	89,039.40
07/30/24	212,318.41	8,042.28	64,476.33	97,081.68
08/30/24	223,816.65	11,498.24	75,974.57	108,579.92
09/27/24	237,772.64	13,955.99	89,930.56	122,535.91

[DieHard_772]

1/28/21 - $79,429
2/28/21 - $83,727
3/28/21 - $88,303
4/28/21 - $91,120
5/28/21 - $93,394
6/28/21 - $96,779
7/28/21 - $99,024
8/28/21 - $101,830
9/28/21 - $102,641
10/28/21 - $103,926
11/28/21 - $102,885
12/28/21 - $104,673
1/28/22 - $104,762
2/28/22 - $103,300
3/28/22 - $105,700
4/28/22 - $102,853
5/28/22 - $103,282
6/28/22 - $100,458
7/28/22 - $105,046
8/28/22 - $109,546
9/28/22 - $106,293
10/28/22 - $110,186
11/28/22 - $114,523
12/29/22 - $115,943
1/28/23 -  $126,226
3/2/23 -   $129,906
3/28/23 - $127,530
4/28/23 - $134,145
5/28/23 - $135,861
6/28/23 - $141,030
7/28/23 - $156,490
8/28/23 - $155,956
9/28/23 - $155,866
10/28/23- $154,276
11/28/23 - $166,065
12/28/23 - $175,922
1/28/24 - $181,018
2/28/24 - $184,698
3/28/24 - $190,105
4/28/24 - $187,717
5/28/24 - $192,596
6/28/24 - $193, 904
7/28/24 - $197,567
8/17/24 -$200,302
9/28/24 - $206,263


It's super cool that our NW has grown by $100k in two years. I remember when I was dreaming of getting to the first $100k, hoping to do it in 5 years. It took slightly longer than that.

Progress feels good.

Onward...

[DieHard_772]

Putting these in today. Got a flight to Mexico City tomorrow.

Really good month. Really seeing the gains and progress. I could only imagine the gains when you have a mil invested.

Just cruising right along, this is hard to believe. Almost hit 8k saved. Up over 13k for the month with market gains.

Now that I'm living out of my car my expenses are really low - in normal months should be under 1k. All the international travel I'm doing adds up on expenses.

Next month will be a bit tougher since I'll start paying taxes on my main job for having maxed out my 401k and 457b. Big contributor to my progress is that I max those out. Plus I don't pay into social security for either job. I have a 401a and a pension account where I keep the money if I leave.

Mentally have to be grateful for the good times and understand sooner or later there will be tough times of a recession and losses. So just have to gear up for when every month isn't just great gains.

I'll enjoy it while it lasts though.

I'm more motivated than ever for 2025.

Snapshots 2024

	Vanguard	401k	457b	Pension	HSA	401a	Bank	TOTAL
09/27	135,832.57	40,131.10	36,771.36	9,507.21	4,624.56	3,410.21	7,495.63	237,772.64

2024 Savings

	$ In	$ Out	Save	Savings Rate
Jan	6,204.14	1,274.65	4,929.49	79.5%
Feb	6,383.08	1,201.51	5,181.57	81.2%
Mar	8,230.95	3,136.19	5,094.76	61.9%
Apr	8,700.96	997.66	7,703.30	88.5%
May	8,700.95	1,491.42	7,209.53	82.9%
Jun	8,700.79	2,675.31	6,025.48	69.3%
Jul	8,700.54	1,608.46	7,092.08	81.5%
Aug	9,356.37	3,503.33	5,853.04	62.6%
Sep	9,012.47	1,012.61	7,999.86	88.8%
Oct	-	-	-	-
Nov	-	-	-	-
Dec	-	-	-	-
Total	73,990.25	16,901.14	57,089.11	77.2%

Progress

	Total	Month +/-	Year +/-	09/06/23 +/-
--2023--
09/06/23	115,236.73	n/a	n/a	n/a
--2024--
01/05/24	147,842.08	n/a	n/a	32,605.35
03/29/24	179,559.31	n/a	31,717.23	64,322.58
06/27/24	204,276.13	n/a	56,434.05	89,039.40
07/30/24	212,318.41	8,042.28	64,476.33	97,081.68
08/30/24	223,816.65	11,498.24	75,974.57	108,579.92
09/27/24	237,772.64	13,955.99	89,930.56	122,535.91

That is awesome, @J.P. MoreGains

[Stubblestache]

July 2018 - £20,385
 - Annual gain 2018 - £4,119

Jan 2019 - £25,295
Nov 2019 - £38,588
 - Annual gain 2019 - £13,293

Jan 2020 - £43,260
Aug 2020 - £50,172
Dec 2020 - £62,638
 - Annual gain 2020 - £19,108

Jan 2021 - £64,542
Dec 2021 - £105,802 (graduated to next thread!)
 - Annual gain 2021 - £41,278

Jan 2022 - £91,915
Dec 2022 - £103,544
 - Annual gain 2022 £11,629 BUT still down on Dec 2021. Awful year.


Jan 2023 - £109,683
Dec 2023 - £134,519
 - Annual gain 2023 £24,836

Jan 2024 - £124,775 - house reno money came out
Feb 2024. - £130,454
Mar 2024 - £136,887
Apr 2024 - £136,997
May 2024 - £140,804
June 2024 - £145,426
July 2024 - £144,885
Aug 2024 - £147,992

At least we moving in the right direction again. It feels like it's taking a lifetime to break 150k

You are doing great!  This is the hardest race in the journey IMO.  It represents more than a doubling of your money ($100k to $250k) and although contributions are still a major driver, they  have that larger ($50k more than a simple doubling $100k - $200k) gap to fill.  You can still do this one 4-5 years easily.  Looking at your numbers the $250k-500k race will likely take less than 4 years (assuming normal market).  Then your contributions start to be less of a driver, but that is exactly what you want; that is winning!

I agree that it feels like forever, and I certainly should have been more frugal, but you are well on your way.  You can just now see the light at the end of the tunnel, but seriously push hard these next 8 years (more frugal) and you will be amazed at what you can do!!!

Thanks very much! I'm still plodding along but moving house and various other things have hit my finances. However, it's still going in the right direction.

Tbh my goals have shifted in the last five years since having children, I'm less focused on early retirement now and more on giving them the best educational start I can, which is fine and I'm happy with. I still don't spend much money, but now the money I invest is for something specific rather than just ????? :)

[Stubblestache]

July 2018 - £20,385
 - Annual gain 2018 - £4,119

Jan 2019 - £25,295
Nov 2019 - £38,588
 - Annual gain 2019 - £13,293

Jan 2020 - £43,260
Aug 2020 - £50,172
Dec 2020 - £62,638
 - Annual gain 2020 - £19,108

Jan 2021 - £64,542
Dec 2021 - £105,802 (graduated to next thread!)
 - Annual gain 2021 - £41,278

Jan 2022 - £91,915
Dec 2022 - £103,544
 - Annual gain 2022 £11,629 BUT still down on Dec 2021. Awful year.


Jan 2023 - £109,683
Dec 2023 - £134,519
 - Annual gain 2023 £24,836

Jan 2024 - £124,775 - house reno money came out
Feb 2024. - £130,454
Mar 2024 - £136,887
Apr 2024 - £136,997
May 2024 - £140,804
June 2024 - £145,426
July 2024 - £144,885
Aug 2024 - £147,992
Sept 2025 - £151,126


Horray, broke that 150k mark. Doesn't really mean anything, but nice to know that I have that done and dusted. Here's to the next 150k.

[Fifo]

This only includes my liquid savings/investments.

2017: $6,539
2018: $18,547
2019: $36,489
2020: $61,099
2021: $103,151

	2022	2023	2024
January	$102,690	$118,541	$142,408 (+$4,593)
February	$105,595	$120,353	$155,989 (+$13,581)
March	$107,269	$124,675	$163,644 (+$7,655)
April	$108,030	$114,108	$162,208 (-$1,436)
May	$104,108	$116,148	$166,714 (+$4,506)
June	$100,594	$123,164	$174,000 (+$7,286)
July	$101,599	$128,512	$175,450 (+$1,450)
August	$106,675	$127,473	$177,600 (+$2,509)
September	$104,663	$126,682	$180,047 (+$2,447)
October	$110,356	$123,212
November	$115,708	$131,217
December	$116,633	$137,815
Increase	$13,943	$21,181

Finally broke the $180k mark!! Honestly, would have been about $3k higher, but my currency strengthened against the USD even more this month, offsetting my market gains. Still pretty happy to know what I'm slowly but steadily heading in the right direction.

[J.P. MoreGains]

@DieHard_772

Thanks! Hard to believe the progress but it feels good. 4 years ago I was making 36k per year. Feels good.

[LittleWanderer]

September 2023 - $83,271
October 2023 - $82,040
November 2023 - $90,530
December 2023 - $97,000
January 2024 - $99,131
February 2024 - $102,401
March 2024 - $108,679
April 2024 - $107,258
May 2024 - $111,045
June 2024 - $114,755
July 2024 - $125,286
August 2024 - $127,896

September 2024 - $130,907

I paid my annual gym membership this month and didn't manage to stick anything in cash savings, but the market did some heavy lifting this month!

[TerrierTown]

            2024          2025          2026          2027            2028               
Jan         NT              -                -                -                  -
Feb         NT              -                -                -                  -
Mar         NT              -                -                -                  -
Apr  £180,000            -               -                 -                  -
May £181,365            -                -                -                  -
Jun  £185,990            -                -                -                  -
Jul   £197,713            -                -                -                  -
Aug £198,122            -                -                -                  -
Sep £205,100            -                -                -                  -
Oct  £209.764                -               -                -                   -
Nov         -                -               -                 -                  -
Dec         -                -               -                 -                  -

[bcbaseballman]

2018                             2019                              2020                            2021                          2022                           2023                           2024
1/31: (5949.05)              1/31: 13,493.35              1/31: 44,514                 1/31: 85,576               1/31: 137,128              1/31: 144,932              1/31: 182,741
2/28: (5288.30)              2/28: 15,766.50              2/29: 48,891                 2/28: 86,616               2/28: 132,607              2/28: 149,381              2/29: 194,032
3/31: (4273.93)              3/31: 19,286                   3/31: 46,104                 3/31: 94,009               3/31: 141,282              3/31: 150,830              3/31: 206,283
4/30: (2592.07)              4/30: 19,283                   4/30: 52,720                 4/30: 96,128               4/30: 138,395              4/30: 152,583              4/30: 203,318
5/31: (629.70)                5/31: 18,676                   5/31: 55,177                 5/31: 95,056               5/31: 137,158              5/31: 153,509              5/31: 213,997
6/30: 1,206.77                6/30: 22,362                   6/30: 59,720                 6/30: 96,201               6/30: 131,597              6/30: 162,074              6/30: 221,156
7/31: 2,703.97                7/31: 24,646                   7/31: 65,792                 7/31: 97,017               7/31: 137,745              7/31: 167,006              7/31: 222,422
8/31: 5,651.70                8/30: 27,199                   8/31: 71,970                 8/30: 133,097             8/30: 133,694              8/31: 164,711              8/31: 232,237
9/31: 8,039.01                9/31: 30,664                   9/30: 72,466                 9/30: 129,725             9/30: 126,048              9/30: 159,407
10/31: 7,803.49              10/31: 33,343                 10/31: 72,288               10/31: 135,443          10/31: 133,795            10/31: 157,578
11/30: 9,531.28              11/30: 35,249                 11/30: 80,093               11/30: 132,452          11/30: 139,717            11/30: 168,012
12/31: 9,296.79              12/31: 39,079                 12/31: 84,002               12/31: 139,677          12/31: 135,251            12/31: 174,941
Gain: 15,245.84                         29,783                            44,923                           55,655                       -4,416                         39,690

9/30: 239,234

I keep inching closer and close every month! this is going to slow down some though as I am going to be building a shed in my backyard here over the next serveral months.

[DieHard_772]

@DieHard_772

Thanks! Hard to believe the progress but it feels good. 4 years ago I was making 36k per year. Feels good.

@J.P. MoreGains
Hell Yeah. Way to go

[TyGuy]

Student Loan Debt

01/12/19: $43,762
05/04/20: $21,456
01/01/24: $21,456
02/01/24: $21,322
03/01/24: $21,161
04/01/24: $20,909
05/01/24: $20,787
06/01/24: $20,589
07/01/24: $20,406
08/01/24: $20,209
09/01/24: $20,009
10/01/24: $19,808 (Will be forgiven in ~4.5 years; paying the minimum)


Net Worth:

03/04/19: -$30,065 (Started tracking NW)
01/01/20: $1,447 ($31,512)
01/01/21: $21,735 ($20,288)
01/01/22: $63,049 ($41,314)
01/01/23: $87,715 ($24,666)
04/01/23: $105,349 ($17,634)
05/01/23: $111,080 ($5,731)
06/01/23: $112,849 ($1,769)
07/01/23: $126,069 ($13,220)
08/01/23: $134,332 ($8,263)
09/01/23: $133,481 (-$851)
10/01/23: $129,935 (-$3,546)
11/01/23: $130,515 ($580)
12/01/23: $143,548 ($13,033)
01/01/24: $157,250 ($13,702)
02/01/24: $162,835 ($5,585)
03/01/24: $176,903 ($14,068)
04/01/24: $186,666 ($9,763)
05/01/24: $190,354 ($3,688)
06/01/24: $208,938 ($18,584)
07/01/24: $216,037 ($7,109)
08/01/24: $217,241 ($1,204)
09/01/24: $222,660 ($5,419)
10/01/24: $228,818 ($6,158)


Happy with the progress, especially paying 2 mortgages right now. Still waiting for my previous house to sell, I am hopeful I will get a good offer this month!

[Feivel2000]

229.664 €
+ 4.464 €

Pretty solid month. Payouts for my new flat will start soon. I hope I can keep the savings rate up. Or at least positive ;-)

	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Jan	...............	110.053 €	138.241 €	139.708 €	181.015 €	...............	...............
Feb	...............	115.328 €	138.954 €	142.382 €	204.486 €	...............	...............
Mar	...............	123.950 €	150.359 €	145.986 €	212.514 €	...............	250.000 €
Apr	...............	122.597 €	147.293 €	143.015 €	205.879 €	...............	...............
May	...............	120.440 €	138.668 €	143.075 €	214.024 €	...............	...............
Jun	...............	124.056 €	128.938 €	144.937 €	217.347 €	...............	...............
Jul	87.134 €	127.401 €	130.726 €	147.484 €	231.323 €	...............	...............
Aug	88.989 €	134.533 €	129.533 €	145.789 €	225.199 €	...............	...............
Sept	90.473 €	133.571 €	127.691 €	145.605 €	229.664 €	...............	...............
Oct	90.093 €	143.292 €	130.454 €	150.725 €	...............	...............	...............
Nov	96.957 €	144.693 €	131.327 €	161.202 €	...............	...............	...............
Dec	103.130 €	143.712 €	130.556 €	166.635 €	200.000 €	...............	...............
Change	~20.000 €	+40.582 €	-13.156 €	+36.079 €	...............	...............	...............

[Serendip]

9/30: 239,234

I keep inching closer and close every month! this is going to slow down some though as I am going to be building a shed in my backyard here over the next serveral months.

Getting there though!! @bcbaseballman

[BobTheBuilder]

We made it to 250k! I still cannot believe it. We have 2 kids now, so we relaxed to quarterly calculations. What a journey. When I got my first tiny paycheck after university, I was at -20k€.

Jan 2015: -20k

2015 Q4: -15.6k
2016 Q4: -11k
2017 Q4: -4.4k
2018 Q4: -0.3K (New Job starting Q4)
2019 Q4: 20.5k
2020 Q4: 52k (restart my whole personal life, move cities, job)
2021 Q4: 82.4k
2022 Q4: 200k (starting family, finances joined)
2023 Q4: 211k
2024 Q3: 251k

Next goal: get liquid net worth up to 100k. Much of our net worth is "static" - bricks and mortar, pensions that can only be used in the far future...

[J.P. MoreGains]

We made it to 250k! I still cannot believe it.

Nice work on getting to 250k!