re: Portfolio Allocation, Age, and Years Until Retirement

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Probably the most impactful decision was to consistently put away as much as I could reasonable afford as soon as I began my career. My 401k contribution is maxed out and has been for several years.

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Really is the way to go. I was maxing out my 401k and took a job that offers a 401k and a 457. I took almost all the extra salary from the switch and now max both of those.

I think it's easier mentally to do it this way instead of reverse. If you max out all your accounts and then get a raise, you can adjust up your lifestyle without issue because you're already doing what you need to do.

However, it' a lot harder IMO to be putting in whatever, get a raise, and not adjust your lifestyle up before your savings, constantly never making up the savings you need to have.