Race from 250 to 500k!

[J.P. MoreGains]

@Vindicated

This is mind-boggling to me.  I'm impressed!  What is your living situation that allows such low spend?

Good to learn something with Delta.

For last 5 months I live out of my SUV and have a little mattress in back. So my basic expenses are really low. This year I took 3 trips to Mexico City and a trip to San Diego where I stayed with a friend but gave him some money.

Just based off of feel I think my travel expenses were 25% or likely more - especially because I tend to spend freely while on vacation. So flights, Airbnb, food, things to do, etc. I think my vacation spend is a lot.

I think next year I want to cut back some... it's a little over the top. The idea is when I get closer to FI maybe do a sabbatical or get to Coast FI or something and live overseas like I like to do.


Here's to a great 2025.

[Avolonte]

I joined this thread on 12/31/23 with $259k. We ended the year with $386k, an increase of $127k. Our savings rate isn't even that high and we had a stupid spendypants year, so I am astounded and thankful.

Our high spending is a reflection of how tired and stressed we feel because of our jobs (more eating out, no time and too tired to DIY and it's easier to just buy, buy, buy, etc.). We committed to doing better as we talked about it yesterday. I hope we can keep it up in the new year, so we can just be done once and for all!

I'm looking forward to a year of mindful spending and steady progress. Everyone participating in this thread is an inspiration, and I want to encourage all of us to stay the course in 2025. We've got this!

[J.P. MoreGains]

I joined this thread on 12/31/23 with $259k. We ended the year with $386k, an increase of $127k.

That's an awesome increase! Something special being over 100k richer than the previous year!

[zygote]

For context: I'm 35 in a HCOL city. I'm married, but these are my own numbers since we keep our finances separate. Includes cash, retirement, and credit cards, which are used for normal expenses and paid off in full every month.

3/18: $48,533.91 (found MMM and started tracking)
3/19: $83,762.93 (1 year tracking)
8/19: $101,572.33 (graduated to the 100-250k thread)
3/20: $118,287.76 (2 years tracking)
3/21: $206,593.43 (3 years tracking)
11/21: $254,300.88 (graduated to the 250-500k thread)
3/22: $251,915.95 (4 years tracking)
3/23: $290,001.63 (5 years tracking)
3/24: $381,059.81 (6 years tracking)
4/24: $396,130.57 (+$15,070.76, +3.95%)
5/24: $376,749.65 (-$19,380.92, -4.89%)
6/24: $398,060.42 (+$21,310.77, +5.66%)
7/24: $410,497.26 (+$12,436.84, 3.12%)
8/24: $424,298.49 (+$13,801.23, 3.36%)
9/24: $433,805.98 (+$9,507.49, 2.24%)
10/24: $441,550.73 (+$7,744.75, 1.79%)
11/24: $450,008.71 (+$8,457.98, 1.92%)
12/24: $474,337.95 (+$24,329.24, 5.41%)
1/25: $462,029.90 (-$12,308.05, -2.59%)

Market back down again, but I'm up $104k/29% for the year so I can't be too mad about it.

[Avolonte]

@J.P. MoreGains It does feel good! There is definitely something to this compound interest thing :)

It's nice to be part of the $100k+ club!

[Tyson]

Sept 2015 - $125k
Sept 2016 - $192k
Sept 2017 - $339k
Sept 2018 - $395k
--DIVORCE--
Nov 2018 - $95k
Nov 2019 - $126k
Nov 2020 - $164k
Nov 2021 - $214k
Nov 2022 - $205k
Dec 2023 - $283k

Today - $353k.

[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              9/30: 239,234
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             10/31: 241,936
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             11/30: 252,641
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             12/31: 251,587
Gain: 15,245.84                         29,783                            44,923                           55,655                       -4,416                         39,690                          76,646

I'm slightly down for the month but happy with the year overall! On to 2025.

[JAYSLOL]

2024
Jan 1st - $254,600 (+$3,600)
Feb 1st - $260,400 (+$5,800)
Mar 1st - $275,000 (+$14,600)
Apr 1st - $286,600 (+$11,600)
May 1st - $288,700 (+$2,100)
June 1st - $306,200 (+$17,500)
July 1st - $316,400 (+$10,200)
Aug 1st - $324,300 (+$7,900)
Sept 1st - $322,900 (-$1,400)
Oct 1st - $336,700 (+$13,800)
Nov 1st - $346,700 (+$10,000)
Dec 1st - $355,200 (+$8,500)
2025
Jan 1st - $365,700 (+$10,500)


$111,100 increase in invested NW in 2024, pretty crazy, and by far my biggest increase ever. Sadly, this will be my last post in the 250-500 thread for a while, I’m demoting myself back to the 100-250 thread. I’m only tracking invested NW here, and have been renting for 15 years, but decided to jump into the housing market. Thanks to the stock run up this year, I’m going to take out $180k for a down payment, and another $30k for closing and moving cost etc to go towards our first home. I had insanely cheap rent, and that’s going away, which led to purchasing a home rather than continuing renting.  Unfortunately, savings rate is about to take a really big hit for the next few years, even with a chunky down payment, housing cost is going up 4x, and I’m still on the fence about making a career switch which might slow me down temporarily. I hope to be back above 250 within 2-3 years, but I won’t be shocked if it takes a bit longer. Hope to see you all have graduated and moved up when I get back.

[shrimpwd]

	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
January	$6,455	-	$14,460	$34,473	$77,625	$107,916	$304,101	$337,044
February	-	-	$14,991	$36,257	$83,384	$114,364	$306,897	-
March	-	-	$14,632	$38,256	$85,694	$112,955	$315,627	-
April	-	$10,960	$13,884	$47,021	$93,539	$118,460	$322,177	-
May	-	-	$17,011	$52,533	$86,952	$118,924	$317,035	-
June	-	-	$19,255	$54,094	$89,131	$226,232	$323,570	-
July	-	-	$20,358	$55,927	$83,281	$234,961	$327,385	-
August	-	-	$21,993	$58,821	$101,031	$290,312	$315,526	-
September	-	-	$23,312	$67,274	$100,303	$288,681	$326,296	-
October	-	-	$24,777	$67,897	$93,821	$283,917	$327,739	-
November	-	$13,466	$26,407	$72,781	$104,050	$283,091	$330,172	-
December	$9,518	-	$30,697	$73,730	$109,646	$295,542	$343,633	-

I'm fairly happy with 11% growth for the year. Here's to the next!

[TyGuy]

Net Worth:

03/04/19: -$30,065 (Started tracking NW)
01/01/20: $1,447  (First month in the black)
01/01/21: $21,735
01/01/22: $63,049
01/01/23: $87,715
04/01/23: $105,349 (began the race 100k-250K)
01/01/24: $157,250


01/01/25: $250,328


Coming over to this thread from the previous thread (race from 100k-250K). I have not yet determined a goal for graduation from this thread, but I will include it in my update in February!

[mgardner88]

7/1/2020: $46,295
8/1/2020: $49,461 (+3,166)
9/1/2020: $51,488 (+2,027)
10/1/2020: $52,753 (+1,265)
11/1/2020: $53,942 (+1,189)
12/1/2020: $56,152 (+2,210)

1/8/2021: $63,512 (+7,360)
2/5/2021: $67,571 (+4,059)
3/3/2021: $70,618 (+3,047)
4/2/2021: $74,861 (+4,243)
5/5/2021: $80,447 (+5,586)
6/7/2021: $84,957 (+4,510)
7/6/2021: $90,092 (+5,135)
8/5/2021: $96,511 (+6,419)
9/3/2021: $98,221 (+1,710)
10/8/2021: $101,351 (+3,130)
11/2/2021: $108,952 (+7,601)
12/2/2021: $111,949 (+2,997)

1/5/2022: $119,012 (+7,843)
2/2022: MISSED
3/3/2022: $119,373 (+361)
3/30/2022: $127,293 (+7,920)
5/5/2022: $124,563 (-2,730)
6/1/2022: $126,047 (+1,484)
7/6/2022: $123,834 (-2,213)
8/1/2022: $134,800 (+10,966)
9/1/2022: $135,884 (+1,084)
10/4/2022: $131,765 (-4,119)
11/1/2022: $140,759 (+8,994)
12/1/2022: $153,083 (+12,324)

1/5/2023: $149,173 (-3,910)
2/1/2023: $158,557 (+9,384)
3/2/2023: $161,557 (+3,000)
4/3/2023: $170,948 (+9,396)
5/1/2023: $177,777 (+6,829)
5/31/2023: $181,632 (+3,855)
7/5/2023: $188,234 (+6,602)
8/8/2023: $194,053 (+5,819)
9/5/2023: $196,069 (+2,016)
10/4/2023: $193,897 (-2,172)
11/6/2023: $198,247 (+4,350)
12/1/2023: $206,271 (+8,024)

1/1/2024: $217,857 (+11,586)
1/31/2024: $224,730 (+6,873)
3/1/2024: $235,031 (+10,301)
4/1/2024: $245,339 (+10,308)
5/1/2024: $241,715 (-3,624)
5/30/2024: $251,833 (+10,118)
7/1/2024: $261,459 (+9,626)
8/1/2024: $258,821 (-2,638)
8/29/2024: $277,996 (+19,175)
10/1/2024: $288,586 (+10,590)
10/31/2024: $296,854 (+8,268)
12/1/2024: $310,366 (+13,512)

1/1/2025: $306,619 (-3,747)

The market giveth and the market taketh away. 90k increase in a year though? Much more giving. Happy New Year everyone.

[poetdereves]

7/1/2022   $104,281.96
8/1/2022   $130,183.28
9/1/2022   $127,931.79
10/1/2022   $128,898.99
11/1/2022   MISSED
12/1/2022   $141,418.82
1/1/2023   $121,714.98
2/1/2023   $142,417.22
3/1/2023   $134,691.79
4/1/2023   $142,945.07
5/1/2023   $149,890.62
6/1/2023   $162,561.19
7/1/2023  $174,911.20
8/1/2023  $187,499.33
9/1/2023 $192,180.06
10/1/2023 $188,633.94
11/1/2023 $202,069.37
12/1/2023 $209,686.68
1/1/2024 $221,242.93
2/1/2024 $232,927.06
3/1/2024 $249,749.58
4/1/2024 $250,729.25
5/1/2024 $257,516.11
6/1/2024 $269,741.20
7/1/2024 $284,089.86
8/1/2024 $280,295.79
9/1/2024 $298,568.10
10/1/2024 $307,768.62
11/1/2024 $308,011.63
12/1/2024 $328,688.30
1/1/2025 $319,949.24 (-$8,739.06)

Market swings at the end of the year had us on a roller coaster for sure. Overall, up right at $100k for the year. Not too shabby considering I stopped working in July and we became a one income household.

[eav]

January 2024: $278,601
February 2024: $297,409
March 2024: $308,077
April 2024: $317,802
May 2024: $322,448
June 2024: $338,180
August 2024: $350,534
September 2024: $364,235
October 2024: $370,528
November 2024: $380,834
December 2024: $401,920
January 2025: $392,759

(Only counting liquid assets/FI number)
Happy New Year - onward and upward!

[Ensheneer]

01 January, 2020 : 0 EUR
01 January, 2021 : 9,499 EUR
01 January, 2022 : 217,370 EUR
01 January, 2023 : 176,482 EUR
01 January, 2024 : 251,449 EUR
01 January, 2025 : 373,498 EUR = $385,132

01 February, 2024: 262,979 EUR
01 March, 2024: 282,313 EUR (+19,334!)
01 April, 2024: 293,801 EUR
01 May, 2024: 288,430 EUR
01 June, 2024: 293,346 EUR
01 July, 2024: 318,904 EUR (+25,558!)
01 August, 2024: 316,669 EUR
01 September, 2024: 316,677 EUR
01 October, 2024: 325,341 EUR
01 November, 2024: 335,436 EUR
01 December, 2024: 379,203 EUR (+43,767!)
01 January, 2025: 373,498 EUR = $385,132

Glorious results for 2024!

[FrugalFukuoka]

@Psyche congrats!! That's amazing progress.

|          | 2020     | 2021     | 2022     | 2023     | 2024     |
|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
| January  | $35,800  | $72,268  | $113,961 | $168,896 | $231,167 |
| February | $37,608  | $73,771  | $120,440 | $189,374 | $234,399 |
| March    | $41,735  | $80,126  | $118,341 | $176,853 | $257,492 |
| April    | $41,673  | $81,821  | $125,182 | $149,615 | $249,155 |
| May      | $45,178  | $87,008  | $115,157 | $158,254 | $262,296 |
| June     | $51,127  | $89,574  | $114,029 | $158,977 | $270,913 |
| July     | $53,320  | $92,983  | $104,767 | $163,445 | $271,482 |
| August   | $56,781  | $95,877  | $115,084 | $165,270 | $277,221 |
| September| $61,376  | $101,957 | $163,661 | $179,853 | $285,036 |
| October  | $61,503  | $98,956  | $155,795 | $173,014 | $286,882 |
| November | $60,956  | $106,875 | $159,137 | $208,899 | $314,721 |
| December | $66,804  | $112,890 | $167,896 | $219,415 | $311,346 |

Holy cow.. We graduated the thread!
Despite a big unexpected expense back in February things have been going quite well. Market gains have definitely pushed this way beyond expectations. I'll give it another 2 months before I move on to the next thread, never know where the market will take us next.

Graduated the prior thread back in March, first post here. We had some big expenses including the birth of our second son! Still pending my employers contribution this year to my 401k equivalent here later in November which should get us closer to 300k.

And our final update for the year; really happy with where we're at considering with had some big expenses this year. Hopefully in 2025 we can up our savings, as I don't expect the same kind of market returns.

[FICurious]

	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028
January	$260,470	$315,533	-	-	-
February	$260,200	-	-	-	-
March	$269,213	-	-	-	-
April	$277,837	-	-	-	-
May	$268,052	-	-	-	-
June	$278,669	-	-	-	-
July	$281,323	-	-	-	-
August	$294,760	-	-	-	-
September	$308,676	-	-	-	-
October	$316,333	-	-	-	-
November	$313,193	-	-	-	-
December	$330,148	-	-	-	-

Tough market to end the year.

[VodkaWater]

2024 NW/Investments

Jan:  $359,594 / $375,193
Feb: $379,828 / $391,888
March: $391,463 /  $403,023
April: $ 371,935 / $385,760
May: $396,566 / $401,526
June: $409,887 / $414,536
July: $414,393 / $418,763
August: $431,296 / $433,376
Sept: $443,989 / $445,569
Oct: $437,534 / $442,254
Nov: $431,386 / $465,886
Dec: $428,411 / $461,861

Finished out the year with a 25% increase in retirement. That included pulling out of a deficit with being laid off last year for 5 months and buying a car this year. We had a medical issue over Christmas so I am hoping that cost wont break us in this year. I am expecting it to be around $10K but hopefully less. Ambulance and a few hours in the hospital for observation.

I am really hoping for an uneventful 2025 but I suspect that's not going to be the case.

[EchoStache]

Stache:
January 2020:  $35,500
January 2021:  $38,706
January 2022:  $111,025
January 2023:  $179,454
February 2024: $275,000 two incomes up to this point(both similar)
January 2025:  $382,000 one income

January 2026 projection: $469,000

[RNfi2021]

New Year! let's beat this challenge!

Started 2024 with 276571.68

Ended 2024 with 432357.18

[YarnBudget]

Oops, I'm three weeks late for my end-of-2024 post...

EOY 2019 = $32,211.58
EOY 2020 = $79,741.14
EOY 2021 = $137,899.88
EOY 2022 = $141,965.79
EOY 2023 = $214,272.39
Jan 2024 = $220,715.53 (+$6,443.14)
Feb 2024 = $231,709.07 (+$10,993.54)
Mar 2024 = $242,909.50 (+$11,200.43)
Apr 2024 = $236,738.55 (-$6,170.95)
May 2024 = $249,657.70 (+$12,919.15)
June 2024 = $260,363.33 (+$10,7738.63)
July 2024 = $263,986.09 (+$3,589.76)
August 2024 = $275,789,76 (+$11,803.67)
September 2024 = $282,795.64 (+$7,005.88)
October 2024 = $283,133.97 (+$338.33)
November 2024 = $300,091.17 (+$16,957.20)
December 2024 = $296,684.33 (-$3,406.84)

Well, I was down a bit for December but up a whopping $82k on the year so I certainly can't complain! And I'm actually up another $14k at the moment, which is just wild.

Wishing us all some solid rides on the market roller coaster in the coming year!

[mgardner88]

7/1/2020: $46,295
8/1/2020: $49,461 (+3,166)
9/1/2020: $51,488 (+2,027)
10/1/2020: $52,753 (+1,265)
11/1/2020: $53,942 (+1,189)
12/1/2020: $56,152 (+2,210)

1/8/2021: $63,512 (+7,360)
2/5/2021: $67,571 (+4,059)
3/3/2021: $70,618 (+3,047)
4/2/2021: $74,861 (+4,243)
5/5/2021: $80,447 (+5,586)
6/7/2021: $84,957 (+4,510)
7/6/2021: $90,092 (+5,135)
8/5/2021: $96,511 (+6,419)
9/3/2021: $98,221 (+1,710)
10/8/2021: $101,351 (+3,130)
11/2/2021: $108,952 (+7,601)
12/2/2021: $111,949 (+2,997)

1/5/2022: $119,012 (+7,843)
2/2022: MISSED
3/3/2022: $119,373 (+361)
3/30/2022: $127,293 (+7,920)
5/5/2022: $124,563 (-2,730)
6/1/2022: $126,047 (+1,484)
7/6/2022: $123,834 (-2,213)
8/1/2022: $134,800 (+10,966)
9/1/2022: $135,884 (+1,084)
10/4/2022: $131,765 (-4,119)
11/1/2022: $140,759 (+8,994)
12/1/2022: $153,083 (+12,324)

1/5/2023: $149,173 (-3,910)
2/1/2023: $158,557 (+9,384)
3/2/2023: $161,557 (+3,000)
4/3/2023: $170,948 (+9,396)
5/1/2023: $177,777 (+6,829)
5/31/2023: $181,632 (+3,855)
7/5/2023: $188,234 (+6,602)
8/8/2023: $194,053 (+5,819)
9/5/2023: $196,069 (+2,016)
10/4/2023: $193,897 (-2,172)
11/6/2023: $198,247 (+4,350)
12/1/2023: $206,271 (+8,024)

1/1/2024: $217,857 (+11,586)
1/31/2024: $224,730 (+6,873)
3/1/2024: $235,031 (+10,301)
4/1/2024: $245,339 (+10,308)
5/1/2024: $241,715 (-3,624)
5/30/2024: $251,833 (+10,118)
7/1/2024: $261,459 (+9,626)
8/1/2024: $258,821 (-2,638)
8/29/2024: $277,996 (+19,175)
10/1/2024: $288,586 (+10,590)
10/31/2024: $296,854 (+8,268)
12/1/2024: $310,366 (+13,512)

1/1/2025: $306,619 (-3,747)
2/1/2025: $318,542 (+11,923)

Early payday. This month has felt surreal and not in a good way. Times are scary and not only because of my line of work. Just hanging in there.

[Vindicated]

Still chuggin' along...

Net Worth / Investments                         2024                2025                2026                2027                2028                January $229,361 / $154,659    $326,319 / $228,762    - - - February $244,573 / $163,859    - - - - March $268,588 / $171,474    - - - - April $261,445 / $168,856    - - - - May $273,526 / $175,739    - - - - June $259,296 / $181,603    - - - - July $271,886 / $191,002    - - - - August $283,359 / $196,453    - - - - September $292,254 / $204,018    - - - - October $308,389 / $208,236    - - - - November $321,180 / $221,721    - - - - December $323,861 / $223,877    - - - -

[peppermint]

12/2024 - $260292.90
01/2025 - $254691.31
02/2025 - $266101.34

[zygote]

For context: I'm 35 in a HCOL city. I'm married, but these are my own numbers since we keep our finances separate. Includes cash, retirement, and credit cards, which are used for normal expenses and paid off in full every month.

3/18: $48,533.91 (found MMM and started tracking)
3/19: $83,762.93 (1 year tracking)
8/19: $101,572.33 (graduated to the 100-250k thread)
3/20: $118,287.76 (2 years tracking)
3/21: $206,593.43 (3 years tracking)
11/21: $254,300.88 (graduated to the 250-500k thread)
3/22: $251,915.95 (4 years tracking)
3/23: $290,001.63 (5 years tracking)
3/24: $381,059.81 (6 years tracking)
4/24: $396,130.57 (+$15,070.76, +3.95%)
5/24: $376,749.65 (-$19,380.92, -4.89%)
6/24: $398,060.42 (+$21,310.77, +5.66%)
7/24: $410,497.26 (+$12,436.84, 3.12%)
8/24: $424,298.49 (+$13,801.23, 3.36%)
9/24: $433,805.98 (+$9,507.49, 2.24%)
10/24: $441,550.73 (+$7,744.75, 1.79%)
11/24: $450,008.71 (+$8,457.98, 1.92%)
12/24: $474,337.95 (+$24,329.24, 5.41%)
1/25: $462,029.90 (-$12,308.05, -2.59%)
2/25: $479,310.54 ($17,280.64, 3.74%)

Getting closer to graduating! I might hit $500k in the next few months. Hard to predict exactly when since market fluctuations affect my balance so much more than my contributions now.

[eav]

January 2024: $278,601
February 2024: $297,409
March 2024: $308,077
April 2024: $317,802
May 2024: $322,448
June 2024: $338,180
August 2024: $350,534
September 2024: $364,235
October 2024: $370,528
November 2024: $380,834
December 2024: $401,920
January 2025: $392,759
February 2025: $408,400

(Only counting liquid assets/FI number)
Turning 31 in a couple weeks. Definitely surpassed the goal of having 300k at 30, which feels great. Now I'm not so sure what goal to shoot for next. 500k seems achievable in the next year if the market behaves, but I'm still cash-flowing some large expenses, so we'll see!

[J.P. MoreGains]

12/24: $474,337.95 (+$24,329.24, 5.41%)
1/25: $462,029.90 (-$12,308.05, -2.59%)
2/25: $479,310.54 ($17,280.64, 3.74%)

Getting closer to graduating! I might hit $500k in the next few months. Hard to predict exactly when since market fluctuations affect my balance so much more than my contributions now.

@zygote

Nice work, closing in on that 500k target!

When did you feel like the market fluctuations really became apparent? What are you contributing monthly?

The +24k, -12k, +17k looks like a wild ride.

I'm closing in on 300k and have seen some nice gains but I still feel like my contributions are a major part.

[J.P. MoreGains]

@eav

At 31 you are doing awesome! Congrats!

[J.P. MoreGains]

$283,900.93

Up: $6,487.50

- Saved: $4,117.69
- Gains: $2,369.81

Well, I finally gave in and dropped the pen and paper and started using spreadsheets.

I have a trip to Europe here in a week... after that going to pick up a second job to keep making the progress I did last year.

For me 2 jobs + good market = plus 100k per year.

Given that trending toward 400k by early 2026. Let's hope for good things.

[VodkaWater]

2024 NW/Investments      2025 NW/Investments
      
Jan:  $359,594 / $375,193      Jan: $444,517 / $477,329
Feb: $379,828 / $391,888      
March: $391,463 /  $403,023      
April: $ 371,935 / $385,760      
May: $396,566 / $401,526      
June: $409,887 / $414,536      
July: $414,393 / $418,763      
August: $431,296 / $433,376      
Sept: $443,989 / $445,569      
Oct: $437,534 / $442,254      
Nov: $431,386 / $465,886      
Dec: $428,411 / $461,861      

This has been an exhausting month all around. I'll take the gains.

[J.P. MoreGains]

This has been an exhausting month all around. I'll take the gains.

461k to 477k is nice!

[FICurious]

	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028
January	$260,470	$315,533	-	-	-
February	$260,200	$328,435	-	-	-
March	$269,213	-	-	-	-
April	$277,837	-	-	-	-
May	$268,052	-	-	-	-
June	$278,669	-	-	-	-
July	$281,323	-	-	-	-
August	$294,760	-	-	-	-
September	$308,676	-	-	-	-
October	$316,333	-	-	-	-
November	$313,193	-	-	-	-
December	$330,148	-	-	-	-

[YarnBudget]

EOY 2019 = $32,211.58
EOY 2020 = $79,741.14
EOY 2021 = $137,899.88
EOY 2022 = $141,965.79
EOY 2023 = $214,272.39
EOY 2024 = $296,684.33
January 2025 = $311,756.33 (+$15,072.00)

Always nice to start off the year with a five-paycheck month! And of course the returns didn't hurt... but the roller coaster is sure to continue...

[poetdereves]

7/1/2022   $104,281.96
8/1/2022   $130,183.28
9/1/2022   $127,931.79
10/1/2022   $128,898.99
11/1/2022   MISSED
12/1/2022   $141,418.82
1/1/2023   $121,714.98
2/1/2023   $142,417.22
3/1/2023   $134,691.79
4/1/2023   $142,945.07
5/1/2023   $149,890.62
6/1/2023   $162,561.19
7/1/2023  $174,911.20
8/1/2023  $187,499.33
9/1/2023 $192,180.06
10/1/2023 $188,633.94
11/1/2023 $202,069.37
12/1/2023 $209,686.68
1/1/2024 $221,242.93
2/1/2024 $232,927.06
3/1/2024 $249,749.58
4/1/2024 $250,729.25
5/1/2024 $257,516.11
6/1/2024 $269,741.20
7/1/2024 $284,089.86
8/1/2024 $280,295.79
9/1/2024 $298,568.10
10/1/2024 $307,768.62
11/1/2024 $308,011.63
12/1/2024 $328,688.30
1/1/2025 $319,949.24
2/1/2025 $328,800.71 (+$8,851.47)

[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              9/30: 239,234
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             10/31: 241,936
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             11/30: 252,641
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             12/31: 251,587
Gain: 15,245.84                         29,783                            44,923                           55,655                       -4,416                         39,690                          76,646

1/31: 272,928

Alot bigger month that what I expected! I am currently in the process of building a shed so that will slow this down a little bit but hopefully not to much.

[lcmac32]

12/24: $474,337.95 (+$24,329.24, 5.41%)
1/25: $462,029.90 (-$12,308.05, -2.59%)
2/25: $479,310.54 ($17,280.64, 3.74%)

Getting closer to graduating! I might hit $500k in the next few months. Hard to predict exactly when since market fluctuations affect my balance so much more than my contributions now.

@zygote



Nice work, closing in on that 500k target!

When did you feel like the market fluctuations really became apparent? What are you contributing monthly?

The +24k, -12k, +17k looks like a wild ride.

I'm closing in on 300k and have seen some nice gains but I still feel like my contributions are a major part.

J.P. - Not that you asked me, but it really started for me in the 400's.  I had a super year and made it to $600k from $400k in a year.  $8,000.00 was contributions.  In 2025, my goal is to set up Self-Employed 401k and make roughly $60k in contributions.  If the market returns 10% on current amount, then contributions to gains will be equal.  $60k each.  So, I guess it depends on how you define it.  If it is gains contribute more than savings, then last year was definitely when it started.  If scenario plays out the way described it will be 50/50.  Of course, 10% per year from that point forward would have gains making the bigger difference in 10% return years.  Of course, markets can have negative returns, so then contributions are the real deal. 

On another side note, I achieved my 20 year old self's definition of wealth which is:  I am wealthy when my investment (passive) income exceeds my earnings from employment.  It took me over 30 years to get there.  Of course I kept making more income YOY so I was always chasing, but 2024 was my highest pay ever and the investments still beat it.  Of course, the caveat is that if I was suddenly unemployed, then $100 in a CD would define me as wealthy!  ;-)

I am still rooting you on from the next race above.  I look forward to you doing the SUV living and two jobs.  You are on fire for FIRE!  So inspirational.

[41_swish]

Looking at a thread like this makes me want to get past 100k so bad. That first 100k really does seem the hardest.

[Ensheneer]

01 January, 2020 : 0 EUR
01 January, 2021 : 9,499 EUR
01 January, 2022 : 217,370 EUR
01 January, 2023 : 176,482 EUR
01 January, 2024 : 251,449 EUR
01 January, 2025 : 373,498 EUR = $385,132

01 January, 2025 : 373,498 EUR
01 February, 2025 : 394,101 EUR

Taking a break on contributions to pay off the car loan!

[lcmac32]

Looking at a thread like this makes me want to get past 100k so bad. That first 100k really does seem the hardest.

Some say the first $100k is the hardest.  I believe it was easier if you really dial in your budget.  The next race is the hardest in my mind.  $100k to $250k is more than a doubling whereas most of the races are doublings.  A I remember they were something like race to $10k, 50k, 100k, etc.  The $100k to $250k felt long.  The $250k - $500k was a grind until the last couple of fantastic market years did the heavy lifting for me.  That is when I really started to see the compounding returns effect.

You got this.  I am much older than you and you will make it.  I absolutely believe most people can have a $250k stash by 30.  Keep grinding (strong budgeting and increase your earnings capacity) and you will hit the magical $1,000,000 by 40.  That is very doable, if that is your desire and you in fact derive happiness in the journey.  Many people in these forums crush that and are done in the early 30's.  It is really more up to you and what and when you want to be there.  But, you can without any doubt do this!!!

[41_swish]

Looking at a thread like this makes me want to get past 100k so bad. That first 100k really does seem the hardest.

Some say the first $100k is the hardest.  I believe it was easier if you really dial in your budget.  The next race is the hardest in my mind.  $100k to $250k is more than a doubling whereas most of the races are doublings.  A I remember they were something like race to $10k, 50k, 100k, etc.  The $100k to $250k felt long.  The $250k - $500k was a grind until the last couple of fantastic market years did the heavy lifting for me.  That is when I really started to see the compounding returns effect.

You got this.  I am much older than you and you will make it.  I absolutely believe most people can have a $250k stash by 30.  Keep grinding (strong budgeting and increase your earnings capacity) and you will hit the magical $1,000,000 by 40.  That is very doable, if that is your desire and you in fact derive happiness in the journey.  Many people in these forums crush that and are done in the early 30's.  It is really more up to you and what and when you want to be there.  But, you can without any doubt do this!!!

Anecdotally, I really agree when it comes to dialing in the budget. Before I was a mustache, I was a good budgeter but had enough income to be a little loose where the money was going.

Now, I have trimmed the unnecessary fat form my diet and increased my automatic investments. This has helped me increase my NW a bunch in just four months. I will be interested to see what happens at the 1-year mark.

[zygote]

12/24: $474,337.95 (+$24,329.24, 5.41%)
1/25: $462,029.90 (-$12,308.05, -2.59%)
2/25: $479,310.54 ($17,280.64, 3.74%)

Getting closer to graduating! I might hit $500k in the next few months. Hard to predict exactly when since market fluctuations affect my balance so much more than my contributions now.

@zygote

Nice work, closing in on that 500k target!

When did you feel like the market fluctuations really became apparent? What are you contributing monthly?

The +24k, -12k, +17k looks like a wild ride.

I'm closing in on 300k and have seen some nice gains but I still feel like my contributions are a major part.

I contribute ~$2600 per month between my 401a, 403b, and Roth IRA. That includes my employer match in the 401a, and of course the total is higher in a 3 paycheck month.

I'm basically 100% VTSAX or similar, and I started really noticing the fluctuations in March 2020. My net worth was just over $100k at that point, and the market was very up and down for obvious reasons. It took me forever to graduate to this thread because I kept swinging above and below $250k when the time came. I hit $250k for the first time in November 2021 and didn't stay there until November 2022...

At this point, any market swing > 0.5% in either direction impacts my net worth more than my contribution, so it's definitely a wild ride! I like my job, so I'm mostly aiming for FI at this point and the volatility doesn't bother me.

[J.P. MoreGains]

Looking at a thread like this makes me want to get past 100k so bad. That first 100k really does seem the hardest.

@41_swish At 26 with this knowledge you'll be way ahead of me by the time you are 45! Keep at it!

How much are you saving each month? That's a big factor for your progress... if you can find a sweet spot where you are making big jumps you'll feel great about the progress.


Also agree with what lc mac said... you can definitely do this! Being young you can choose to go all out. You got a lot of young energy to give it 110% and make great progress. Two jobs if need be. Cutting expenses to absolute minimum if need be. Might be worth it to make quick progress. At 45 I'm going to extremes but it's because I have less time and have to do this.

Something can be said about working all the time... I first saw this when I was 39 and worked as a mechanic on ships... maritime industry is great to save money. All you do is work, sleep and eat. No time to spend money.

With two jobs and working all the time you can make quick progress. Depends how much you want to sacrifice.

[J.P. MoreGains]

@zygote Yeah, that would be tough to hit a milestone and then give it back and not fully keep it for a year. I'm prepping mentally for some of the down fluctuations. This past 1.5 years has been a lot of good news.

[41_swish]

Currently a Roth IRA, $583.33, an HSA, $348.00, traditional 401k $1958.33 + 4% match. No brokerage.

[J.P. MoreGains]

@41_swish That's almost 3k a month... that's great progress!!! You are miles ahead of most people your age. You should be really excited about your situation.

If you keep doing that you'll be doing great in the future. At your age you probably like free time and friends and hobbies and stuff.

Or you could always double down and try to get a second job or cut some big expenses.

For me once I started saving over 4k a month that felt huge. This year I'd like to cut down on travel and find a new second job to get in the 7k range per month.

But I'm older and I'm willing to just make big sacrfices because I don't have a lot of time.

You got time so congrats on doing this while you're young! Also... if you stick with this eventually you'll have enough in investments where you'll make a 100k jump in a year! Just stick with it. That 100k will almost make itself compared to the first 100k.

[41_swish]

Thank you, J.P.. I am also happy with the situation. I am moving back in with roommates soon, so this will help a ton. I do enjoy my free time, but have toyed with the idea of doing some freelance work.

[lcmac32]

@41_swish That's almost 3k a month... that's great progress!!! You are miles ahead of most people your age. You should be really excited about your situation.

If you keep doing that you'll be doing great in the future. At your age you probably like free time and friends and hobbies and stuff.

Or you could always double down and try to get a second job or cut some big expenses.

For me once I started saving over 4k a month that felt huge. This year I'd like to cut down on travel and find a new second job to get in the 7k range per month.

But I'm older and I'm willing to just make big sacrfices because I don't have a lot of time.

You got time so congrats on doing this while you're young! Also... if you stick with this eventually you'll have enough in investments where you'll make a 100k jump in a year! Just stick with it. That 100k will almost make itself compared to the first 100k.

I want to second the getting a second job.  Yes, you have good friends and they will always want to do something.  Be like the good musician or comedian - always leave them wanting more. Remember, you will still do fun things with them, not as often, and you will actually enjoy it even more for at least two reasons.  1. Scarcity of the fun activity does make it more fun. 2. You know you are on the path to have all the free time you want in roughly 10 years at the rate you are going. Which makes the spending on these excursions with friends less detrimental to your financial goals.

I plan on getting the second job for the third time in my career, and I am currently making 2.12x more than my last highest salary.  I am older than J.P and really ready to be done. 

I really do not think you will regret the second job at all.  It is so satisfying to think that you have the time, the energy, and the drive to keep cranking harder than others are willing to do.  Should we benchmark ourself against what others do?  No, BUT its does show an intense motivation to achieve goals when you do it.  People are a lot stronger than they believe they are.  You've got this!!

[J.P. MoreGains]

Working two jobs forces me to be more efficient and I realize how much time I actually waste.

Granted I don't have all day to hang with friends... but I can schedule time and enjoy it.

With two jobs I just have to be about efficiency, scheduling things and not being lazy and just sitting around for no reason.

There's a saying... "if you want something done give it to someone who is busy". Busy people get things done. Lazy people sit around all day and any task takes hours.

I'm not going to do this forever... but there is something that feels good about giving 100% and making great progress.

I saw the power of the "work all the time" formula when I was a service tech. In the maritime industry you work all the time. The overtime adds up when you work 7 days a week 12 hours a day.

So I'm going to alternate putting my foot on the gas, going 100% and then after awhile back off the second job to chill and work one job... then get back at it again.

Destination 500k by end of 2026 I'm hoping.

[lcmac32]

Working two jobs forces me to be more efficient and I realize how much time I actually waste.

Granted I don't have all day to hang with friends... but I can schedule time and enjoy it.

With two jobs I just have to be about efficiency, scheduling things and not being lazy and just sitting around for no reason.

There's a saying... "if you want something done give it to someone who is busy". Busy people get things done. Lazy people sit around all day and any task takes hours.

I'm not going to do this forever... but there is something that feels good about giving 100% and making great progress.

I saw the power of the "work all the time" formula when I was a service tech. In the maritime industry you work all the time. The overtime adds up when you work 7 days a week 12 hours a day.

So I'm going to alternate putting my foot on the gas, going 100% and then after awhile back off the second job to chill and work one job... then get back at it again.

Destination 500k by end of 2026 I'm hoping.

You know I will keep following your progress, and  I 1005 believe you will get there.  Markets are a little choppy at the moment, but they will find their footing and help you on the quest. 

[J.P. MoreGains]

@lcmac32 Thanks! We're all in this together. Let's both have a great 2025. I like seeing anyone on this forum win!

[TyGuy]

Graduation Goal: January 1, 2028


Net Worth:

03/04/19: -$30,065 (Started tracking NW)
01/01/20: $1,447  (First month in the black)
01/01/21: $21,735
01/01/22: $63,049
01/01/23: $87,715
04/01/23: $105,349 (Began the race 100K-250K)
01/01/24: $157,250


01/01/25: $250,328 (Began the race 250K-500K)
02/01/25: $260,644 (+10,316)


I set my goal for graduation and had good progress to start the year!