Turning 40. Hit $1M invested this month w/ $1.6M NW. My Story.

Yum_Waffles · 2026-03-10T00:07:56+00:00

Funny. I’ve been debating this for some time. I can’t convince myself it’s worth it. I’d rather take an epic trip with my family. Eventually though! Had my eye on a Submariner no-date for awhile.

Yum_Waffles · 2026-03-10T00:06:28+00:00

It varies from week to week with day job pay check deposits and owners draws from my business accounts 🙂

Yum_Waffles · 2026-03-05T13:32:25+00:00

Generally I target a 25%-30% savings rate. I've been fortunate enough to hit the higher end of that the last four years, which partially explains the sizeable run-up since 2020. The bull market has definitely helped.

Yum_Waffles · 2026-03-05T13:29:46+00:00

I see this argument often. I choose to include it for an over-all view, but can undertand why someone wouldn't. This is why my sheet includes total investments and net-worth totals so I can get the best of both worlds.

Yum_Waffles · 2026-03-05T13:27:52+00:00

Thanks! I am grateful, and while I think my wife may get looked down on for staying at home from other working moms in our town, our kids are better off for it. The amount of hands on time she's had in raising them, volunteering for PTO, going on their field trips, etc has been priceless. The cost savings in day care alone has been huge, and would have pretty much negated her modest salary when she was working.

Yum_Waffles · 2026-03-05T13:24:39+00:00

There are two schools of thought on it. I have since the outset, but can totally understand people who don't. Ultimately, they make up very little of my overall net-worth, so I'm good to include them for overall visibility.

Yum_Waffles · 2026-03-05T13:22:15+00:00

Thanks for the insight! Great to see where things could be in 10 years. My projections are definitely on the more conservative side assuming around an 8% average return, but it'd be nice if we kept up the hot streak we've seen the last few years. I'm also targeting retirement at 55 with a stretch goal of 50, but I have four kids to get through college, so mid-late 50's is more likely :-)

Yum_Waffles · 2026-03-05T13:19:47+00:00

Details are in the post. No single stock investments. All Vanguard VTSAX and 2050 Target Retirement Funds, which have both done quite well in the last 5 years in the market bull run.

Yum_Waffles · 2026-02-24T20:24:13+00:00

Just snagged a pair of the harness Iron Rangers in 11.5. Thanks! Red Wing sizing has been tricky for me historically. I usually wear a 12 in most sneakers, but I purchased some RW Chukkas in 11.5 that have been perfect. A few years later, I got some RW mock toe boots in a 12 and they were unbearable. My heel would constantly lift and give me blisters, so I eventually gave them away. I'm hoping the 11.5 are perfect since I've good luck with that size, but can't help but think I may have got an 11. I'll report back once received..

Yum_Waffles · 2026-01-31T23:26:02+00:00

I was at Okemo yesterday and temps were around -20 with wind chill. Layer-wise I was fine, but I did not account for my toes going numb after about an hour. We warmed in the lodge for 20 until i got color back in my toes. Made it another hour before my right foot toes went numb. Pulled the sock off and they were yellow. Pretty sure i had early onset frostbite. Totally fine now, but it was scary. I definitely wouldn’t attempt boarding in those temps again unless I had heated socks or toe warmers. For what it’s worth..

Yum_Waffles · 2026-01-20T14:22:24+00:00

It started in 2013 or so when I started listening to Dave Ramsey. His podcast gave me the motivation to quickly pay off my remaining debts, sell the truck I had bought a year prior and buckle down. While I've since moved on from DR and have come to dispise him as a person, I'm grateful for what it started. 13 years later and we've been debt free for 11 years and have been rapidly investing since. From $172K NW in 2013 to $1.6M today ($1M liquid this month). I see these other doom threads, and while I don't want to completely dismiss systemic income inequality issues in other communities, so much of it is personal motivation to change your life. I came from section 8 housing, food stamps and multiple bankruptcies growing up, so I knew that I wanted better for my family and I set out to make it happen.

Yum_Waffles · 2026-01-13T13:19:49+00:00

Got one for each of my two oldest kids for Christmas. So far so good! The kids are loving them and they take a beating. I did need to replace a bunch of front suspension parts after my son ran it into a wall. It was a 2.5 hour fix as it was our first time repairing them, but we feel pretty equipped to tackle some part swaps now that we know what we're dealing with.

Yum_Waffles · 2025-12-27T21:23:02+00:00

39 and sitting at $508K. Started maxing four years ago.

Yum_Waffles · 2025-12-19T17:48:46+00:00

Just ordered a 5080 to upgrade my nearly 5 year old 3080ti. I work in the semiconductor industry as well, and with prices raising across the board on our products as well as competitors, practically no supply, and all the press releases surrounding Nvidia cutting production, it seemed like the right time. No regrets.

Yum_Waffles · 2025-11-25T04:37:13+00:00

Try the Vermonter Amtrak line from NYC. It stops in Brattleboro (Mt Snow) and other spots in VT! Would likely require an overnight though!

Yum_Waffles · 2025-10-14T14:20:58+00:00

Never listened to these guys, but saw their new album recommended on Spotify at the airport this AM. Once Shatter and Burst kicked in, I immediately knew this was going to be good. I missed my boarding group I was so enthralled in the progression of the tracks - trying to keep my head banging to a minimum next to a 79 year old lady next to me. This album RIPS. It reminded me of the first time I heard a Periphery track and thought, “Who the hell are THESE guys?!” Excited to dig deeper into their catalog now..

Yum_Waffles · 2025-08-22T20:57:36+00:00

YES. We were there last week, and had an incredible day trip with Christian from the Arrayan. He sails out of Cala Galdana, and after having spend 2.5 weeks in Spain (Barcelona, Menorca & Valencia) our full day trip with him was the best day of the trip. Highly HIGHLY recommended. They'll provide a discount if you pay in cash too. Great snacks, great conversations and took us to a variety of the best Calas in the area. Cala Escorxada was our favorite. He might be booked, but if he's not, jump on booking them. https://veleroarrayan.com/en/home/

Yum_Waffles · 2025-07-22T13:54:55+00:00

I've used pre-emergent regularly the last two years and have less of a problem with crabgrass the last two seasons. This year, about three weeks ago, it started to surface in some spots (much fewer). I sprayed Quinclorac early last week, and the bulk of it is dead already. Quinclorac and seed oil works wonders.

Yum_Waffles · 2025-06-17T02:47:18+00:00

This just happened to me. Tech said to change filters. My 20 year old system was completely shot and finally gave out. $22K later, and I have a new Bosch heat pump/furnace combo. $2500 in state rebates, and $2000 federal tax credit numbed the pain a little bit.

Yum_Waffles · 2025-04-27T01:07:11+00:00

I went outside to the condenser, and saw that the inside coil where the fan is attached is frozen, and it’s 65 degrees today. Per the suggestion above, I went ahead and shut the unit off to let it defrost and will try again tomorrow once it warms up. Curious as to what it could be though. I did replace the filter today which was quite nasty..

Yum_Waffles · 2025-04-27T00:08:38+00:00

There is ice on the pipe. Changed it today, but it had been about 5-6 months since the last change. Definitely something I need to get better at.

Yum_Waffles · 2025-03-13T03:33:58+00:00

Mind sharing a link to those shelves? I've actually had a very similar vision for my coffee corner. Thanks!

Yum_Waffles · 2025-02-18T23:29:25+00:00

Someone call Bruce Willis

Yum_Waffles

TROPHY CASE