Author Topic: UK Saving / investment progress updates  (Read 9081 times)

Monkeytennis

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 46
UK Saving / investment progress updates
« on: August 13, 2017, 05:39:01 AM »
Hi everyone, I suspect many UK posters will have seen a surge in their investments and FIRE progress as the pound has fallen in value post Brexit, but even accounting for that I thought it would be good to share our saving / investing progress, I know a lot of people have been tracking their progress for a long time and I thought it would be interesting to compare and contrast?

Also if you have a forward forecast, that would be interesting to see too.

skip207

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 422
  • Location: UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2017, 04:14:50 AM »
Rough perf over the last few years for me.

2014 +37%
2015 +22%
2016 +29%
2017 YTD +14%

This includes contributions as well as growth.  2015 was lower due to house move.
Goal is 30% YOY.

sea_saw

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2488
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2017, 04:35:39 AM »
I'm really curious to know how everyone tracks their investment progress, especially keeping track of what's new contributions vs performance of your funds, rebalancing, etc. I was kind of surprised to find you couldn't get historical reports automatically out of the platform I was using. It was easy for me at the time because I basically put in a lump sum, but when I start investing again it'll be more fiddly. So feel free to share spreadsheet templates as well as actual numbers!

Not that I plan to be obsessive about checking, but just to get a grip on basic record-keeping. Do you just have a simple table with rows for each thing you've invested in, and columns for their value at various points in time? And/or do you have a table of all the transactions, and summarise that with formulas? Etc.

I can say that my set-it-and-forget-it contribution of £12,000 in April 2015 reached £15,000 and change in April 2017 when I decided to take it out to buy my flat. I had 66% equities 33% bonds, and a geographical split of 30% UK, 30% US, 15% EUR, 15% Japan and pacific, 10% emerging markets. I also kept as much again in cash savings (actually, more than what I put in to the ISA, which I was a bit uncertain about doing at all).

This was before I found MMM etc, I would build a portfolio very differently if I was in that position again today. But various life things happened and plans changed. I'm glad I was encouraged to do SOMETHING other than just continue to keep the whole lot in the bank for another decade, and I'm extra glad I got lucky with the timing for what turned out to be a much shorter term investment than I thought it would be when I started it.

poppydog

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 156
  • Location: Scotland, UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2017, 10:18:58 AM »
Good thread.  I checked back, and including contributions:

2013 +10.3%
2014 +22.1%
2015 +21.9%
2016 +25.8%
2017 to date +19.0

We started to ramp up our savings rate from 2014 onwards, after I worked out that we had a good chance of reaching our goals by 2018 with greater focus.  So far, this is working out well.

sea_saws question about record keeping is interesting.  To properly know how much of your growth is down to your inputs, and how much down to investment performance, requires some nifty spreadsheet work usually referred to as "unitisation."  At a starting point, you divide your pot into, say, units worth £100 each.  Each time you invest some money, you value the portfolio and the money going in "buys" more units at the new rate.  I started doing this for a a few months and then gave it up - it wasn't worth the hassle.
 
« Last Edit: August 15, 2017, 10:28:58 AM by poppydog »

Monkeytennis

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 46
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2017, 11:17:17 AM »
End year net worth figures:

2007 - £13,097
2008 - £21,202
2009 - £32,110
2010 - £45,770
2012 - £60,652
2013 - £90,621
2014 - £112,311
2015 - £153,220 (purchased a house in this year)
2016 - £193,687
2017 - £286,771 ytd
(Just noticed I missed a year off, will update later)

This excludes my cash emergency fund

I've only been tracking investment / equities return for 5 years, over which the compound number is

5 years 72% increase.
3 years 36% increase
1 year 12% increase

These compound numbers exclude contributions and is investment return only.
« Last Edit: August 15, 2017, 12:30:30 PM by Monkeytennis »

sea_saw

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2488
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2017, 02:40:29 PM »
AHA, thanks folks.

Monkeytennis, nice to know that despite my conservative ratio of stocks and inexpert picks my 25% over 2015-2017 wasn't wildly off.

Poppydog, unitisation that was exactly the keyword I needed. If anyone else wants to read a bit more about it, monevator had the best summary here http://monevator.com/how-to-unitize-your-portfolio/. I genuinely own that mug that says 'I <3 spreadsheets', so I may well do this just for the fun of working out how to set it all up (when I next have anything to invest).

I can see the importance of unitising your tracking if you're tracking the movement of money coming in and out, but it's definitely not necessary for most of us here, myself included. I wonder, if your main aim is to see how much of the increase in your numbers is you earning and contributing more dosh vs the performance of the actual assets, if you wouldn't be better off simply keeping track of how much money you're adding in a given time period (whether £500/month, £5k/month, or irregular sums) and doing a straightforward subtraction from your totals. Then you know how much you'd have if you'd kept it under a mattress instead!

poppydog

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 156
  • Location: Scotland, UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2017, 02:03:41 AM »
sea-saw, your last paragraph above just about describes what I do.  I add up all the inputs into our pots I make over the year, then any excess returns I mentally ascribe to my investment profits.  As long as I'm moving forward not too far short of the general markets I'm happy.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2017, 02:06:16 AM by poppydog »

poppydog

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 156
  • Location: Scotland, UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #7 on: August 16, 2017, 02:24:43 AM »
Monkeytennis, that's pretty impressive for one decade.  May I ask what your target is?

I only started taking a keen interest in this topic towards the end of 2012.  Mrs PD and me both had current and previous employers' DC pension funds, and quite a lot of cash savings.  I discovered the tax benefits of SIPPs (I'm a higher rate tax payer) and started to move the cash into SIPPs, then started to max up my DC pension contributions with my employer.  I consolidated the old employer pension funds too into our SIPPs.

We targeted the end of June 2018 to retire, my wife's 60th birthday.  I worked out that we'd need £550,000 to invest in income biased funds and trusts, on top of some DB pensions that we have coming on stream, to replicate our net pre-retirement income - it is the maintenance of our net income level that defined our target.

As you can see we've smashed the target, with just another 10 months or so to work.  Mrs MP doesn't want to go earlier for professional reasons, and so we just keep adding to the pot.  Maybe we'll just blow the excess on extra holidays, or pass it on to the kids  / grandkids.

Anyway, here's our hard numbers from the end of 2012 onwards:

2012 - £277,774
2013 - £306,262
2014 - £373,957
2015 - £455,900
2016 - £573,324
2017 - £677,121 ( to date.)

londonstache

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 115
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #8 on: August 16, 2017, 03:12:36 AM »
You'll notice some general foolishness has taken place in previous years when I give you net worth from when I started tracking it and taking an interest. I tend to track at the end of tax years, so here we go:

2013  -£5,800 (estimated) - much face punching occurring here
2014  £2,510
2015  £30,464.25
2016  £53,350.64
2017  £136,888.38 (65,188.38)
2017  £156,012 YTD (80,412)

Mrs londonstache and I have bought a house this year which has spiked the net worth somewhat as there was an eye-watering deposit paid on the purchase. I've calculated net worth to include the purchase price of the property minus outstanding mortgage due. I'm still not sure if I can include property in net worth as it has no impact on FIRE unless we move and downsize, so I've put the non-property amount in brackets.

Getting married flattened the curve somewhat in 2016 but back in prime staching mode now. I personally should be close to breaking the 6-figure mark by the end of this next tax year in non-property net worth.Collectively we're around the £250k mark. FIRE still some considerable distance off but making steady progress.

skip207

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 422
  • Location: UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2017, 03:35:48 AM »
Personally at this stage (T-5 years FIRE) I include the primary property equity.

As we get closer to FIRE there will be a lot of adjusting to be done anyway.

Monkeytennis

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 46
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2017, 11:52:52 AM »
Poppydog, these are my figures and don't include my wife's. However we plan forwards together want to hit about £3.5m. But that's based on some pretty basic maths, it isn't inflation adjusted and I suspect we'll end up with some lifestyle inflation which will reduce it.

dreams_and_discoveries

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 924
  • Location: London, UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #11 on: August 16, 2017, 02:50:24 PM »
Monkeytennis, that's pretty impressive for one decade.  May I ask what your target is?

I only started taking a keen interest in this topic towards the end of 2012.  Mrs PD and me both had current and previous employers' DC pension funds, and quite a lot of cash savings.  I discovered the tax benefits of SIPPs (I'm a higher rate tax payer) and started to move the cash into SIPPs, then started to max up my DC pension contributions with my employer.  I consolidated the old employer pension funds too into our SIPPs.

We targeted the end of June 2018 to retire, my wife's 60th birthday.  I worked out that we'd need £550,000 to invest in income biased funds and trusts, on top of some DB pensions that we have coming on stream, to replicate our net pre-retirement income - it is the maintenance of our net income level that defined our target.

As you can see we've smashed the target, with just another 10 months or so to work.  Mrs MP doesn't want to go earlier for professional reasons, and so we just keep adding to the pot.  Maybe we'll just blow the excess on extra holidays, or pass it on to the kids  / grandkids.

Anyway, here's our hard numbers from the end of 2012 onwards:

2012 - £277,774
2013 - £306,262
2014 - £373,957
2015 - £455,900
2016 - £573,324
2017 - £677,121 ( to date.)

Congrats, you are in a great position, must be so freeing, to know you can effectively quit anytime.

frugledoc

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 743
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #12 on: August 16, 2017, 03:14:11 PM »
I've sort of stopped tracking it over the last few months so updated tonight.

I don't have any figures from before Mid 2014 because I didn't track things. 

Jan 2015   -   £495,000
Jan 2016   -   £589,000
Jan 2017   -   £770,000
July 2017  -   £854,000

Not included - DB Pension valued at approx £330,000
                   -  Spouses assets
                   -  Home equity as I don't own a home

I have been working like a dog for the last few years, and with recent arrival of my second child (beautiful son), I'm pulling back a bit which will impact my earned income.

I'm 38, and would like to retire at 45, or maybe 50, stretch target 55 - 60.  Quite conflicted, I like my job so guess I am happy to be almost FI and can just leave the RE bit until I get fed up. 

FI would be 1 million, but would like to get to 1.5 to 2million as I would like to spend more money when I retire, although I'm sure growing up kids will be happy to help me do that lol.

Also,  my NW could plummet a lot in a crash, as it is heavily invested, with no cash or bonds, but I'm happy with the risk.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2017, 03:22:38 PM by frugledoc »

poppydog

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 156
  • Location: Scotland, UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #13 on: August 17, 2017, 04:20:13 AM »
Poppydog, these are my figures and don't include my wife's. However we plan forwards together want to hit about £3.5m. But that's based on some pretty basic maths, it isn't inflation adjusted and I suspect we'll end up with some lifestyle inflation which will reduce it.

Wow, that's a great target.  Well done MonkeyT, I'm awestruck!

RetirementInvestingToday

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 76
    • Retirement Investing Today
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #14 on: September 24, 2017, 03:22:54 PM »
I managed to FI in a little less than 10 years:
- end 2007 £175k
- end 2008 £195k
- end 2009 £304k
- end 2010 £406k
- end 2011 £462k
- end 2012 £572k
- end 2013 £664k
- end 2014 £753k
- end 2015 £855k
- end 2016 £1,119k (the year I FI'd)
- 2017 YTD £1,237k

Annualised investment return over that period has been 7.0%.
Savings rate based on gross earnings has been circa 50%.

skip207

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 422
  • Location: UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #15 on: September 25, 2017, 09:39:30 AM »
I managed to FI in a little less than 10 years:
- end 2007 £175k
- end 2008 £195k
- end 2009 £304k
- end 2010 £406k
- end 2011 £462k
- end 2012 £572k
- end 2013 £664k
- end 2014 £753k
- end 2015 £855k
- end 2016 £1,119k (the year I FI'd)
- 2017 YTD £1,237k

Annualised investment return over that period has been 7.0%.
Savings rate based on gross earnings has been circa 50%.

That's good info thanks, my number is £800k ish and making similar progress to yourself now at £460k ish so good to compare how others have progressed thanks.

frugledoc

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 743
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #16 on: September 25, 2017, 01:21:35 PM »
I managed to FI in a little less than 10 years:
- end 2007 £175k
- end 2008 £195k
- end 2009 £304k
- end 2010 £406k
- end 2011 £462k
- end 2012 £572k
- end 2013 £664k
- end 2014 £753k
- end 2015 £855k
- end 2016 £1,119k (the year I FI'd)
- 2017 YTD £1,237k

Annualised investment return over that period has been 7.0%.
Savings rate based on gross earnings has been circa 50%.

Great to see one of my favourite FI bloggers on here!

Have you emigrated yet RIT?

RetirementInvestingToday

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 76
    • Retirement Investing Today
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #17 on: September 25, 2017, 01:35:40 PM »
Great to see one of my favourite FI bloggers on here!

Have you emigrated yet RIT?

Hey frugledoc
Haven't emigrated quite yet.  Back in July we made the big decision to do OMY.  We're good financially but just wanted to see how the Brexit shambles was playing out before we packed up.  The way it's falling out it looks like we're on for Cyprus in the summer of 2018 which gives us time to be registered and become residents before March 2019 (official Brexit day).  This is all partly helped by Cyprus currently being in the process of implementing a Cyprus NHS which should give us state healthcare access as a back-up once we're permanent residents (5 years of residency).  We'll go private as long as possible but acknowledge that at some point they might stop covering us.

Moiser

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 34
  • Location: UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #18 on: November 05, 2017, 01:48:05 AM »
Hey guys,

I only started tracking and budgeting my savings in Dec 16... before that I spent the majority of my money clearing my mortgage for my first property, which is currently rented.

I am currently working on an 80% savings rate, next year I am going to aim for 90%.

I need to do a little more research on how I should invest this money... I've just bought a second rental property, and I'm going to looking into throwing a decent amount of money into an index fund, along with some smaller, more risky investments in the crypto-currency market.

Anyway, here's my savings for this year so far.

Dec 2016 - £6,278.28
Jan 17 - £7,031.67
February 17 - £9,064.86
March 17 - £4,231.84
April 17 - £10,498.33
May 17 - £3,008.76
June 17 - £12,489.72
July 17 - £505.70
August 17 - £13,099.55
September 17 - £3,483.75
October 17 - £9,361.76

londonstache

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 115
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #19 on: November 07, 2017, 06:33:38 AM »
Anyway, here's my savings for this year so far.

Really impressive - looking at the figures involved would suggest that you are in a very high earnings bracket. Well done on the excellent savings rate.

dreams_and_discoveries

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 924
  • Location: London, UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #20 on: November 07, 2017, 06:55:36 AM »

I am currently working on an 80% savings rate, next year I am going to aim for 90%.


Well done, that's very impressive...90% would be outstanding - if I remember correctly, do you work offshore?

never give up

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7844
  • Location: UK
  • Kindness is free to give and priceless to receive
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #21 on: November 07, 2017, 01:49:31 PM »
Yes assuming your expenses aren’t out of control you are in a really strong position there

Burnthehousedown

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 16
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #22 on: November 07, 2017, 02:04:17 PM »
Hi Guys

This is my first post!

23m

Returns over the past year have been 12% over the past 2 years have been 16% p.a. (not including contributions).

See the below attached graph for ISA & Pension. Doesn't include: emergency fund - c£6k, house equity c£25k, or cash for house improvements c£4.5k.
« Last Edit: November 11, 2017, 04:01:01 AM by Burnthehousedown »

frugledoc

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 743
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #23 on: November 07, 2017, 02:17:52 PM »
Hi Guys

This is my first post!

23m

Returns over the past year have been 12% over the past 2 years have been 16% p.a. (not including contributions).

See the below attached graph for ISA & Pension (doesn't include emergency fund) - c£6k, house equity c£25k, or cash for house improvements c£4.5k.

you should be able to retire lol

Burnthehousedown

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 16
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #24 on: November 07, 2017, 02:34:57 PM »
Hi Guys

This is my first post!

23m

Returns over the past year have been 12% over the past 2 years have been 16% p.a. (not including contributions).

See the below attached graph for ISA & Pension (doesn't include emergency fund) - c£6k, house equity c£25k, or cash for house improvements c£4.5k.

you should be able to retire lol

c20% of the way to FI! (although I think I want a bit more than I technically need)

frugledoc

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 743
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #25 on: November 07, 2017, 04:05:21 PM »
Hi Guys

This is my first post!

23m

Returns over the past year have been 12% over the past 2 years have been 16% p.a. (not including contributions).

See the below attached graph for ISA & Pension (doesn't include emergency fund) - c£6k, house equity c£25k, or cash for house improvements c£4.5k.

you should be able to retire lol

c20% of the way to FI! (although I think I want a bit more than I technically need)

Sorry, misread your post and though 23m was 23 million!

Monkeytennis

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 46
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #26 on: November 08, 2017, 02:58:22 AM »
End year net worth figures:

2007 - £13,097
2008 - £21,202
2009 - £32,110
2010 - £45,770
2012 - £60,652
2013 - £90,621
2014 - £112,311
2015 - £153,220 (purchased a house in this year)
2016 - £193,687
2017 - £286,771 ytd
(Just noticed I missed a year off, will update later)

This excludes my cash emergency fund

I've only been tracking investment / equities return for 5 years, over which the compound number is

5 years 72% increase.
3 years 36% increase
1 year 12% increase

These compound numbers exclude contributions and is investment return only.

Individual net worth / assets

Aug 2017 = £287k
Nov 2017 = £323k

As a couple we are now over £1.1m

The “focus” I’ve got from MMM, thinking about my / our targets, saving rates etc has been incredible.


Burnthehousedown

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 16
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #27 on: November 08, 2017, 03:12:25 AM »
Hi Guys

This is my first post!

23m

Returns over the past year have been 12% over the past 2 years have been 16% p.a. (not including contributions).

See the below attached graph for ISA & Pension (doesn't include emergency fund) - c£6k, house equity c£25k, or cash for house improvements c£4.5k.

you should be able to retire lol

c20% of the way to FI! (although I think I want a bit more than I technically need)

Sorry, misread your post and though 23m was 23 million!

This is hilarious - I wish

Monkeytennis

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 46
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #28 on: November 08, 2017, 06:12:29 AM »
Hi Guys

This is my first post!

23m

Returns over the past year have been 12% over the past 2 years have been 16% p.a. (not including contributions).

See the below attached graph for ISA & Pension (doesn't include emergency fund) - c£6k, house equity c£25k, or cash for house improvements c£4.5k.

you should be able to retire lol

c20% of the way to FI! (although I think I want a bit more than I technically need)

Sorry, misread your post and though 23m was 23 million!

This is hilarious - I wish

Just to be clear for everyone “23m” = 23 year old male

Moiser

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 34
  • Location: UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #29 on: November 08, 2017, 06:32:27 AM »
Anyway, here's my savings for this year so far.

Really impressive - looking at the figures involved would suggest that you are in a very high earnings bracket. Well done on the excellent savings rate.

Yeah, I'm earning really good money at the moment, and also free of UK Tax.


I am currently working on an 80% savings rate, next year I am going to aim for 90%.


Well done, that's very impressive...90% would be outstanding - if I remember correctly, do you work offshore?

Thanks mate, 90% is going to mean a year of "shoe string" travel, something I haven't done in a while. I'm hoping to complete my Dive Master via an internship next summer, that should help keep my costs low.

Yeah, that's right... I feel a little like I'm the exception to the rule out here, there's a lot of guys with nice cars and nice watches!

RetirementInvestingToday

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 76
    • Retirement Investing Today
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #30 on: November 11, 2017, 01:55:35 AM »
c20% of the way to FI! (although I think I want a bit more than I technically need)

You'll be FI with circa £175k of wealth?  What are your assumptions for that as it seems like a very small number to me?

Burnthehousedown

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 16
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #31 on: November 11, 2017, 03:57:15 AM »
c20% of the way to FI! (although I think I want a bit more than I technically need)

You'll be FI with circa £175k of wealth?  What are your assumptions for that as it seems like a very small number to me?

I was including my cash deposits - so it's more like £45k x 5 =£225k, which will cover my current monthly spending of c£750 (excluding commuting costs but including things like my mortgage) - I should also note that this monthly spending represents my half of mine and my partner's expenses, which I understand probably wouldn't be enough if I was on my own!

Although, my technical FI number isn't the number I'm aiming for - I'd like somewhere more in the region of £600k.

P.S - I love your blog RIT
« Last Edit: November 11, 2017, 04:10:54 AM by Burnthehousedown »

RetirementInvestingToday

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 76
    • Retirement Investing Today
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #32 on: November 11, 2017, 05:41:12 AM »
I was including my cash deposits - so it's more like £45k x 5 =£225k, which will cover my current monthly spending of c£750 (excluding commuting costs but including things like my mortgage) - I should also note that this monthly spending represents my half of mine and my partner's expenses, which I understand probably wouldn't be enough if I was on my own!

Although, my technical FI number isn't the number I'm aiming for - I'd like somewhere more in the region of £600k.

P.S - I love your blog RIT
Thanks for the clarification BTHD.  Thinking about what you say crudely - As a couple your FI number is £450k and as a couple your FIRE number is £1.2M.

Thanks for the hat-tip there also.

Burnthehousedown

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 16
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #33 on: November 11, 2017, 07:13:17 AM »
I was including my cash deposits - so it's more like £45k x 5 =£225k, which will cover my current monthly spending of c£750 (excluding commuting costs but including things like my mortgage) - I should also note that this monthly spending represents my half of mine and my partner's expenses, which I understand probably wouldn't be enough if I was on my own!

Although, my technical FI number isn't the number I'm aiming for - I'd like somewhere more in the region of £600k.

P.S - I love your blog RIT
Thanks for the clarification BTHD.  Thinking about what you say crudely - As a couple your FI number is £450k and as a couple your FIRE number is £1.2M.

Thanks for the hat-tip there also.

No problem, I realise my original post probably wasn't as clear as it should have been!

Yes I think you're probably right with those numbers. Interestingly I've never really thought about the fact that the difference would be FI vs FIRE - that's probably a much better way of putting it than I did.

poppydog

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 156
  • Location: Scotland, UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #34 on: November 12, 2017, 02:17:55 AM »



Thanks for the hat-tip there also.
[/quote]

Another thumbs up from me to RIT for his excellent blog!

The Cardinal

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 34
  • Location: UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #35 on: November 23, 2017, 03:00:02 PM »
I've been saving regularly into S&S ISAs since early 2007 (aged 26), although until this year it was really "for a rainy day" as opposed to aiming for something specific like FI.  I discovered this site mid-2017 and it's been a bit of a revelation to realise that I could focus on financial independence.

For simplicity, I will exclude property and pension here.  I've generally contributed £600 per month, with two years (2014, 2015) in which I made greater contributions. 

The below measures April in each year - for overall growth and return on the investment (i.e. change, excluding contributions for that year):

Year              £                    Overall growth             Investment return   
2007             1,583             -                                  -
2008             8,295             424%                          -6%
2009             12,000           45%                            -29%
2010             19,800           65%                            4%
2011             32,621           65%                            24%
2012             37,620           15%                            -6%
2013             52,908           41%                            19%
2014             67,317           27%                            5%
2015             90,627           35%                            11%
2016             100,301         11%                            3%
2017             120,535         20%                            13%
2018*           136,000*       13%*                          6%*         *forecast for 2017/18 based on in-year trend

I'd welcome any comments on this (including whether my calculations are correct!).  I use my in-laws' financial adviser and hold three funds: one UK defensive, one UK adventurous and one worldwide.  I need to look at these arrangements.

I've posted elsewhere about my aims, which seem quite conservative and basically involve getting the above to a sum of £460-610k; depending on whether I want to achieve FI at 45-50 (I'm 37 now). 

I'm currently focusing hard on paying-off mortgage and other debt and will increase ISA contributions as this is achieved within the next 18-36 months.  I've managed to get this down from £38k to £31k just since discovering this site in May.
« Last Edit: November 23, 2017, 03:04:19 PM by The Cardinal »

skip207

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 422
  • Location: UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #36 on: November 25, 2017, 12:06:21 AM »
Looks like you have been doing really well so keep up the good work.
Cant advise on funds as I only just started an ISA myself this year. 
Went with Vanguard 80 from what I was told to do off here.
Out of interest do you have any other investments? 




RetirementInvestingToday

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 76
    • Retirement Investing Today
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #37 on: November 25, 2017, 04:58:57 AM »
I managed to FI in a little less than 10 years:
- end 2007 £175k
- end 2008 £195k
- end 2009 £304k
- end 2010 £406k
- end 2011 £462k
- end 2012 £572k
- end 2013 £664k
- end 2014 £753k
- end 2015 £855k
- end 2016 £1,119k (the year I FI'd)
- 2017 YTD £1,237k

Annualised investment return over that period has been 7.0%.
Savings rate based on gross earnings has been circa 50%.

Mr Market (plus a bit of savings) keeps on giving, but for how long.  Wealth now up to £1,278k in just a couple of months.  That's £41k which is about 1.5 years living expenses.

For me it's actually about Euro's but positively that's up also.  Now at EUR1,429k.

Slow road to freedom

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 288
  • Location: UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #38 on: November 26, 2017, 10:34:56 AM »
Investment progress, mmm...

I’ve only really noticed what I’ve been saving in the last couple of years; this year I’ve been stashing c £6k - £7k / month into a combination of pension / S&S ISA.

Total excluding house equity right now just tipped over £400k, with £100k of that outside of pension - which is important as I’m 45 and wish to FIRE before 55. I reckon Mr Market has contributed at least 10% (probably more) of that value just in the last year, which is phenomenal.

Just a few short years ago (2013) my pension statement said I had £170k, and I had no S&S ISA savings (thank you MMM friends). I haven’t worked out what the returns are - to be honest, I’ve lumped the stash into index funds - mostly Vanguard 60% Lifestrategy in recent times - and I value at the end of each tax year, taking away cash I’ve put in. It generally has gone up.

A bit of a ramble, but I’m beginning to feel that momentum is building. Great encouragement from this forum, thank you!

dreams_and_discoveries

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 924
  • Location: London, UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #39 on: November 28, 2017, 06:05:00 AM »
Investment progress, mmm...

I’ve only really noticed what I’ve been saving in the last couple of years; this year I’ve been stashing c £6k - £7k / month into a combination of pension / S&S ISA.

Total excluding house equity right now just tipped over £400k, with £100k of that outside of pension - which is important as I’m 45 and wish to FIRE before 55. I reckon Mr Market has contributed at least 10% (probably more) of that value just in the last year, which is phenomenal.

Just a few short years ago (2013) my pension statement said I had £170k, and I had no S&S ISA savings (thank you MMM friends). I haven’t worked out what the returns are - to be honest, I’ve lumped the stash into index funds - mostly Vanguard 60% Lifestrategy in recent times - and I value at the end of each tax year, taking away cash I’ve put in. It generally has gone up.

A bit of a ramble, but I’m beginning to feel that momentum is building. Great encouragement from this forum, thank you!

Some cool progress there, you'll be there in no-time.

shanghaiMMM

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 189
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #40 on: November 29, 2017, 10:41:36 PM »
Combined for me and my wife (I'm 31, she's 29):

End of 2014: $68,000
End of 2015: $153,000
End of 2016: $245,000
End of 2017: $345,000 (c. 256,000 gpb)

In $ for reasons unimportant! But momentum is growing after finding MMM and it's outrageously exciting to me to see numbers growing like this. FI and then FIRE really is within sight in the next few years (5 maybe? dependent on too many factors at the minute to be sure) which seems incredible, even after several years at it now.

The Cardinal

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 34
  • Location: UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #41 on: November 30, 2017, 07:11:22 AM »
Looks like you have been doing really well so keep up the good work.
Cant advise on funds as I only just started an ISA myself this year. 
Went with Vanguard 80 from what I was told to do off here.
Out of interest do you have any other investments?

Thanks. :)

No, I don't currently have other investments (although my wife does).

icbatbh

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 35
  • Location: UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #42 on: December 13, 2017, 05:09:38 AM »
Background info: I found MMM in December 2015. It took me a few months to get my backside into gear and clear my consumer debts (leased car, couple of thousand on credit cards, sofa on 0% finance). Once cleared I started to invest in April 2016. I also own a home (mortgaged) in which I have equity, but I do not count this as I intend to live there after FIRE. I'm almost 31 years old, and my goal is to have £100k by my 35th birthday.

December 2016 - £25,360.75
December 2017 - £44,770.67

Up £19,409.92 from last year.

poppydog

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 156
  • Location: Scotland, UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #43 on: December 13, 2017, 05:24:14 PM »
Well done Icbat.  With the magic of compounding, your stash will soon grow exponentionallly. Keep up the good work!

icbatbh

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 35
  • Location: UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #44 on: December 14, 2017, 06:13:33 AM »
Well done Icbat.  With the magic of compounding, your stash will soon grow exponentionallly. Keep up the good work!
Thanks. Although I have seen a good amount of growth through stock market gains, I'm looking forward to things growing exponentially. I was saying in another thread that a couple of years ago the thought of having just £25k saved up was very exciting, but now with almost double that it feels pretty 'meh'. I am really looking forward to getting to the £100k milestone one day and strongly hope that it's not too anticlimactic.

financialfreedom

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 26
  • Age: 41
  • Location: UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #45 on: December 14, 2017, 07:44:59 AM »
It's always anticlimactic, and we've reached £500k +

It's been said a few times here, but make your life about more than collecting the money. Put it aside and one day you'll wake up rich.


PhilB

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5705
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #46 on: December 14, 2017, 10:49:14 AM »
I wonder how much of the difference between those early milestones and the later, bigger ones is that the early ones tended to be pretty well all cash and were therefore 'real' whereas the later ones are full of much more volatile assets and could very easily drop back down again tomorrow?

Mrs Hen

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 34
  • Location: UK
Re: UK Saving / investment progress updates
« Reply #47 on: December 14, 2017, 11:04:26 AM »
Interesting to think about this, and I've crunched my numbers.  I have changed to tracking by financial year (easier to keep track of ISA contributions), but here are my end of year figures so far:

Dec 2015  £48,677
Dec 2016  £73,355    +50.7%
Dec 2017  £114,928  +56.7%

Most of this is contributions, but the dividend snowball is starting to roll.

I don't include Pension or House Equity in my numbers as the money is inaccessible, but the house is paid off, and the pension is valued at around £650k. If I was 55 I'd be stopping work!

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!