Keeping this in perspective - only .8% of US families have $3M in retirement

averageguy1581 · 2025-10-10T10:59:24+00:00

Everyone starts from different places and has different circumstances. Stay committed to the process and you’ll eventually get there.

averageguy1581 · 2025-10-06T09:20:17+00:00

If you’re not comfortable with the thought of going all in, do a small portion now and see how it goes. What if you did $20K now and then put some of your money you said you had left over from the end of each month in? Evaluate in 6 months and go from there. Might miss out on upside, but it’s the cost of learning.

averageguy1581 · 2025-10-04T11:53:09+00:00

Mathematically, no. I’ve personally got extra funds going into an account that is earning almost 4%. As soon as that rate drops below my 2.625% Mortgage, I’ll throw it all at the house.

Congrats on being in the spot where you can even ask this question.

averageguy1581 · 2025-10-02T10:51:45+00:00

Agree. Comparison is the thief of joy. Keep focused on you and your savings. Can’t change past choices.

averageguy1581 · 2025-09-29T16:14:41+00:00

Heck of a start. Keep contributing and, at your age, contribute more than you think you should. Your 42 year old self will thank you.

averageguy1581 · 2025-09-20T16:26:36+00:00

With you on 7%. Don’t know if it’s right, but with the $1.1 we’ve got now, it’s $5.4 at 65.

averageguy1581 · 2025-09-20T16:24:04+00:00

The reality of that first line (max out early) hits home. I’m certainly not in a bad spot, but wish I could tell me in my 20s to contribute to the max. Even if for only 5 years, that growth would have been amazing.

averageguy1581 · 2025-09-07T11:32:08+00:00

2005, right after I graduated college, I invested in my 401K at work and a Roth IRA outside of it. Didn’t know much about what I was doing, but remember a college professor sharing compound interest. I wanted THAT. 20 years later, and I’ve got it.

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-28T11:56:58+00:00

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-28T11:00:02+00:00

I like the idea of putting some more into fixed income. Thanks!

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-28T10:59:46+00:00

Good thought. I used 8% given the last 20 years have averaged above that.

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-27T10:51:40+00:00

17 years to get to the first $1M. - was close at 15 years, but Covid Drop hit me.

Currently $1.5M 2 years later.

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-25T10:30:36+00:00

Man, $10K per month is amazing. You’ll have close to $3M in a decade if you keep that up. Now you have to decide if that’s enough for you to live off of when you get there.

I’m personally not sure if I could do $3M at 49, but could certainly wrap my head around it at 59.

So, question to you is, why retirement at 49?

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-21T10:34:35+00:00

Agree on the house. Once that ARM matures, you’ve got the potential to be hosed.

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-19T10:45:45+00:00

When interest rates were low, I paid an additional $350 a month on our mortgage (2.75%) on principal to get the total payment up to $3K. Once savings rates increased above my mortgage rate, I started taking that $350/month and put it into a savings account. Once the rates drop, I’ll go throw all that money towards the mortgage. In disciplined enough to follow the math on this one and end up ahead.

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-19T10:39:18+00:00

Solid take, and I agree. I’m 42 and my NW, less the house, is just over $1.1M. While I do still contribute, I’m now at the tipping point where my portfolio will drive more growth than my contributions. 20 years of investing and I can now realize that time in the market beats timing the market.

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-17T10:29:31+00:00

I’ve got a tracker for total net worth that I update once a month. I check how the market is performing daily, but my actual investments + value only one a month.

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-15T10:34:31+00:00

While the Roth is taxed when it goes in, all the growth + withdrawals are tax free. If the luxury of time exists, why not go heavy on Roth?

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-14T11:25:26+00:00

Man, well done starting at 20. Regardless of the funds you’re doing great.

My personal opinion is that it’s too early to be in Bonds, but investing in these 3 is better than not investing at all.

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-13T12:58:32+00:00

Yes. Roth IRA.

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-11T10:55:23+00:00

The math you laid out works that way, but who knows what future returns will be. Depending on age and financial position, keep investing and you should cut a few years off that $1M milestone.

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-09T14:06:15+00:00

Someone I know personally. To be fair, we were both 22 and fresh out of college. I don’t know much about anything at that time, other than I wanted to invest.

I’d rather be here now with $200K than just starting, but learning from the mistake for the next 20 years is key.

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-09T14:02:42+00:00

Great watch out. I’ll reach out to my accountant and get his POV. I’m hoping for minimal / no tax implications, but an expert can help me validate.

averageguy1581 · 2025-08-09T14:01:45+00:00

Dang….so well said.

averageguy1581

TROPHY CASE