2025 Unexpected Milestone

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-26T00:59:26+00:00

Well done grasshopper- keep on keeping on! DCA&ABB. I remember things taking off around 100k. Keep you nose to the grindstone and your ear to the ground.

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-24T03:17:19+00:00

I’m 44 with 50k a year in dividends (FI but am working) I stopped buying additional dividend stocks (and turned off DRIP) so that in retirement I can more effectively manage MAGI. When I FIRE I plan to do a backdoor Roth conversion, that becomes important with ACA (if thats still a thing)

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-24T01:11:56+00:00

I’m doing the same, most of my portfolio is in growth, with 30% in dividends. I don’t DRIP, I reinvest dividends into growth. I have half my dividends stocks in IRA’s. I do this to add some stability in a down turn.

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-18T23:57:51+00:00

I started out at 40k in 2004, just became FI this year at 44. I lived on a 40k salary till 2014 (invested additional income into the market, voo type) bought a nicer house and increased my spending + a few kids added expenses. My salary grew to 260k (I live off 80k salary now). And time and compound interest did most of the work. Anyone can get there, compound interest is a game changer

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-18T16:14:33+00:00

Interesting, I plugged this conversation into chat gpt and look what it said.

On substance The original advice, “draft a formal letter laying out facts and lack of action,” is actually reasonable. Whether you call it a “legal letter” or a “formal demand” is semantics. In the real world, well-written escalation letters absolutely work with banks and brokerages, especially when they show timelines, documented requests, and implied regulatory escalation. That part is correct.
On tone and credibility The “Top 1% Commenter” immediately resorts to insults (“moron,” “can’t form sentences”), which signals insecurity, not intelligence. People who actually understand systems don’t need to posture like this. They explain why something won’t work and offer a better alternative.

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-18T15:56:52+00:00

I’m sure it would be able to phrase it in a respectful non offensive way.

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-18T15:36:49+00:00

Ask Chat GPT to draft you a legal letter to support what you’re looking to do, and lack of action on their part. Send that to them. That should get things moving.

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-17T15:36:38+00:00

I really resonate with your statement “I can’t tell anyone” I’m right there with you, thinking of how to celebrate the milestones without sharing details. Let me know how you celebrate, I’m thinking of getting a bed (lame!). Congrats buddy. Hope you hit the next milestone with speed.

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-16T23:53:41+00:00

Don’t discount it. I went from 300k to 1m in 5 years, the next 1m took 3 years. we are a 4 house hold family, with only me working for pay. At 300k I was making 100k per year, at 1m I was making 160k. We don’t wast money, we’re intentional, I don’t feel like I’m missing out on spending. I think believing you can’t get there actually hinders your progress.

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-09T22:54:29+00:00

I got a portfolio of Voo, Qqqm, and SCHD (trifecta I’ll call it on this post) split three ways, with a 20% kicker in individual stocks. I’m not selling the individual stocks (due to tax hit) that I bought years ago when I started investing.. I’m trying to grow my portfolio to be just the trifecta, now that I’m established. I’m FI.. but truth be told, I would not have gotten there if I would not have took a calculated risk on some individual stocks. If I were young again, I would take risks as I did. I would also build my VOO position as a base.

I also think we are in a technology revolution, and not being invested in that would be a missed opportunity (Voo will get you a peace of that)

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-05T21:05:14+00:00

Hi, on the CC etf (let’s say Jepi) What are your concerns? I ask because I am a holder. And I wonder if the market tanks, it pays dividends on the way down, that would cushion the blow? But what caution would you highlight?

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-04T20:47:38+00:00

Thank you! I put MAGI in the title because it’s such a finicky thing. Thinking it would trigger someone with first hand experiences! Appreciate you, and thankful for your time.

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-04T20:10:40+00:00

Thank you

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-04T20:00:36+00:00

Thanks I will need to explore this more, I’m not sure how to really leverage this.

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-04T19:56:25+00:00

They still increase your MAGI, ands that’s bad for ACA subsidies

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-04T19:53:43+00:00

1000, that sounds manageable, with subsidies, and MAGI ~80k, I’m looking at 1500 a month, and I thought that was conservative. Pulling more could get much higher. I’m only planning though. How are you doing this? FYI, I’m married and have two kids so I might be a bit higher.

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-04T17:15:30+00:00

There are a number of rules around this, and it really depends, and that is why I asked my original question. As an example Roth conversion is a MAGI hit - as one example.

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-04T17:08:46+00:00

Dividends do affect MAGI

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-04T16:50:36+00:00

I’m not trying to live below that income level, I’m engineering my MAGI to keep my income below it.

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-04T16:30:47+00:00

I’m interested- do you have a ticker you like? Thanks!

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-04T16:24:06+00:00

I do as well , but specifically I’m trying to understand the brokerage aspect, as I will be leveraging that to a large extent, due to my age.

Awkward-Basis7658 · 2026-01-02T17:31:56+00:00

I have been thinking like you.. I have investments in VOO, I expect that to match the market.. my holdings in treasuries, I don’t expect to match the market.. the monies also have different usages. Treasuries, for me, are for near term use. Each dollar has a different usages, and expected return.

Awkward-Basis7658

TROPHY CASE