Everyday Is Saturday

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Looking back, what would you suggest for someone in their mid thirties to get to retirement?

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First, Compound interest (1+k)^n is 8th wonder of world! We started immediately. Never stopped (even / especially in the “black swans” eg, 2008-10 Mortgage / Junk bonds bubble).

Recommendation: if not already doing so, buy assets that generate cash (eg, etfs/mfs - dividends) that will generate cash…on and on. I cannot amplify this enough! Take advantage of time to compound your cash. In your 30’s you have plenty of time ahead. Use it.

Second (related but moreso is mindset),
Income - Savings = Expenses. Our lifestyle followed Savings and not the other way around.

Recommendation: Live below your means. Pay your future self first. They will thank you more than you may realize.

Note - this is not to suggest FIRE / spartan lifestyle at all…we lived a very nice lifestyle but it was determined only after our investments were made.

Speaking particularly to those who seem convinced that 2 $80k+ vehicles in their 3-car garage w/golf cart, Ruth’s Chris lunches and multiple Disney trips per year while kids are drenched in Lululemon clothes…after private school and daycare, are lifestyle necessities.

Don’t let others dictate your financial dependence/independence. You control it.

Third, we did not chase the shiny returns. Generally speaking, strongly believe most will not beat the market over time. Therefore, we were not fancy. Invested in low cost Index funds (eg, VTSAX, VTIAX). This cumulatively returned 22X over 30 year career. That was good enough for us!

Objective was to create the financial independence that enabled us to have options to control our time / not be dependent on having to work. Blessed to be here!

Starting retirement at 55 and NOT have to live what inevitably would have been a miserable next 18 months in my final role. Thankful to have had the choice to say no to that.

If we can do it, most can do it.
Best of luck to you!