re: What are your realistic 5 year financial goals?

I started in 2006 also, and like you said made great returns on that money. Yeah it dipped low in 2008, but the growth since 2009 made it all back + more. I held steady though while many around me ran from it.

Good for you. I graduated in 2009 and was pretty poor for a while , and didn't seize the opportunity to contribute immediately. I'm making up for it now though, so it'll all work out.

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I have absolutely no clue how so many people on this board are on pace of saving 150k by 28. Are yall starting jobs at 70k+?

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Quite a few industries have starting salaries this high. Big law firm starting salaries in major markets are 160k and higher. Even at medium law firms and/or smaller markets, starting salaries are routinely 100k+.

thanks bud

I'm 31, I set these goals at the beginning of the year, currently have $100k in general savings and $20,000 emergency:

1) I want to own a home in the next 6 months, $500k max.
2) Pay off home in five years
3) Set up a $20,000 safety fund (done), bump by $10,000 each year
4) Buy a car for Mrs. Mule in 2016, $50k max (in cash)
5) Buy a car for myself in 2017, $50k max (in cash)

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I'm not trying to diminish your goals, and surely there is money to be made in rental properties, but I'm not sure many people appreciate the actual work involved in being a landlord.

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Completely agree. Owning rental property is not just having a property and collecting a check.
I've been fortunate to grow up around the business though.
For the one property I do own (mobile home on a lot), I maintain it by myself. All of the repairs, upgrades, etc. I will say I lucked up and got incredible tenants who keep up with the place and are on time with the rent every month. But trust me, they aren't all like that. I've seen the worst of the worst in properties my dad owns.
If you've got the know-how or some motivation to learn, real-estate goals aren't all that lofty.

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STLhog

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I was actually one of them so I'll let you know my plan. Like I said I already have $33k in stocks now. No 401k plan at work and maxed ROTH on current salary so all of my extra saving will go into brokerage. Next year I hope to make about $20k more as there is a big pay bump after the 1st year (very far from OT baller salary now). My expenses shouldn't substantially go up until I'm 26 and have to be on my own health insurance. My goal is to make $80k a year by the time I'm 28, which isn't extremely steep in my field with how I've done so far. 100k is probably high but I basically just rounded instead of saying 93k or some arbitrary number like that.

ETA: change some wording

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^ Major Market lawyer?

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Commercial Insurance - Wholesale Broker

I have been really blessed. Five years ago I finished grad school (MBA) and took a job making $37,500 with my current firm. Five years later I make 7 times that much.

Took my first big bonus last year and paid off both our cars and socked the rest away. Never intend to make a car payment again.

Correct, no kids. She does pretty well too. We're in Houston and want to live in the city. It's a pretty tough market but we're finally in a position to put the 20% down on things we want.

Good stuff guys.

This thread turned out a lot better than the shitty car thread.