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end of year 2024

Net worth increased 9.35% this year: from $3.770M to $4.076M. Real estate rose 3% and stocks improved 22%. Since I bought a large bit of property a few years ago, 2025 will now be the year that I have to start withdrawing from the IRA by getting SEPP under 72(t) since my current liquid funds are now only around $22k. I have no bond tent, but I do have Roth contributions that can be withdrawn in 2027, 2028, and 2029. The required withdrawal amount under SEPP will hopefully exceed our spending in the beginning, providing extra cushion for inflation down the line. Exact amounts have not yet been determined, but it should be about a $72k yearly withdrawal with $7200 being withheld for taxes and $4800 being set aside for interest in holding $125k of outside money (long story). In short, likely a $60k max spending target. We took a three-week trip to Kyoto in February and a three-week trip to Iceland/Finland in August. For 2025, we have a two-week cruise around the Caribbean, Central Americ...
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FAZ Article (free and translated)

The following is a translated version of the article that appeared in the August 10, 2024 version of the Germany's second-largest newspaper, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. I just returned from a three-week trip to Iceland/Finland, so apologies for the delay. I spoke with the interviewers for about eighty minutes but probably 95% of what I had to say was not included. I'll also note three clarifications that should be made, as something might have been lost in translation. #1. The 20-30 opioid prescriptions daily were not all invalid but rather a mix of legally invalid and ethically dubious. #2. I did not just call and immediately quit, but I gave a two-week notice. #3. The question of whether I would do it again was offered in the context of would I choose pharmacy as the method, to which I answered no.   -- If money weren't an issue, many people would probably spend their time very differently than they currently do. Traveling, volunteer work, pursuing hobbies, a differen...
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FAZ article

 From Germany's second largest newspaper... https://www.faz.net/aktuell/karriere-hochschule/buero-co/mit-38-in-rente-wie-man-frueh-finanzielle-unabhaengigkeit-erreicht-19907091.html
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end of year 2023

 Net worth increased 2.91% this year: from $3.672M to $3.775M. Real estate fell 5% and stocks improved 27%. Max withdrawals for next year will be $6,293 per month or $73,452 per year (2% of net worth). Had a four week vacation in Japan, along with another four week vacation in Central Europe. Planning a three week vacation to Kyoto in February and a three week vacation to Spain/Portugal/Andorra/Morocco in August. I've also been spending a lot of time running, weightlifting, and collecting vintage cards. I somehow set a new personal record in the marathon in Berlin with a 2:42:04. I'm 45 now.
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six year update

 I forgot that yesterday was six years since I left work. I don't do these on reddit anymore, so it was easy for me to forget. I bring in about $2500 per year in amazon clicks, so I'm definitely going to continue these post here for a while. Net worth dropped from $3,674,059 after year five to $3,592,482 after year six, mostly due to a slight correction in what was a red hot real estate market. Spending is about the same: about 1.5% of net worth per year. I broke my wrist in January roller skating, and it's not wanting to heal properly. Ten days later I went out and finally broke the top-three in my hometown race while wearing a cast above my elbow, finishing second at the Cedars Frostbite half marathon. The wife and I visited Japan for four weeks, hitting all the major spots south and west of Kyoto. Diablo 4 just came out, and that's taking a lot of my time. Running 90 miles and doing 3 hours of core work per week in preparation for Berlin.
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end of year 2022

Net worth increased 3.56% this year: from $3.55M to $3.672M. Real estate improved 20% and stocks fell 20%. Max withdrawals for next year will be $6,121 per month or $71,016 per year (2% of net worth). Had a four week vacation in Ireland and the UK, along with another four week vacation in California. Planning a three week vacation to Japan and another three week vacation to Central/Eastern Europe when I run in Berlin. I've also been spending a lot of time running, weightlifting, and collecting vintage cards.
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five year update

  FINANCES : I’m going to phone it in again this year with the update. Check prior contributions to see more history if you don’t know what this is about. Spending “budget” was $71,016 (based on 2% of net worth at EOY 2021): a meaningless amount that I won’t come close to hitting. Our estimated net worth went from $1,333,772 to $3,674,059 in five years. The biggest contributors to that (in order) were real estate appreciation, VTSAX appreciation, $200k early inheritance, student loan forgiveness, and semi-passive income. Philanthropy has gone way up. My stack of donation requests (junk mail) was six inches tall after coming back from a month-long vacation. YEAR FIVE : Life is returning to normal post-pandemic. Wife and I have started traveling again. In addition to a few local state parks, we made a quick return visit to New York City. Friend and I went to Los Angeles for a bit. And as I alluded, wife and I just got back from four weeks in Ireland and the UK yesterd...
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berlin marathon qualification

  People rarely share the toughest moments of their lives on social media. I am no exception. I was running the marathon of my life back in December 2019 in Huntsville, Alabama when a small group of us took a wrong turn because a volunteer who should have been directing us at an intersection abandoned her post due to the cold weather. I ended up with a 2:47:19 that day instead of the 2:43:12 that I felt like I rightfully earned. This might seem trivial to most, but it was more important to me than I could hope to explain. I was devastated but vowed to run even faster on the next race. The COVID outbreak had other plans and cancelled my April 2020 marathon in Carmel, Indiana and the December 2020 marathon back at Huntsville. I spiraled downward, vowed to never race again, and took up cycling to distract me from what had happened. I was 41 by that point and had no allusions that I could ever gain that level of fitness again, especially without knowing when another marathon would come...
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end of year 2021

**Spending**: Living expenses for 2021 came to $57,678 (max budget $46,848). We generated $20,167 of income this year from some almost entirely passive stuff. Our investment withdrawal was $37,511 this year, thus our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate was 1.60% for the year (max budget 2%). Without the additional income stream, our withdrawal rate would have been 2.46% for the year. Our net worth has gone from $1,333,772 (start) to $3,551,075 (current). Now I just buy things when I want them without thinking about it. A 43-acre tract of property that I bought for $250,000 in 2019 went under contract with a developer for $2.15M ($50k/acre) in 2021, but the sale fell through because the county is not allowing further development at the moment. For purposes of accounting, I place the value of it at only $688k ($16k/acre) since that is more in line with recent sales, but I have little doubt that I will be contacted again in the future. The student loans that I took over are going...
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four year update

  FINANCES : I’m going to phone it in this year with the update. Check prior contributions to see more history if you don’t know what this is about. Spending “budget” was $43,866 (based on 2% of net worth at EOY 2020). Actual spending was $47,384 but with $11,133 passive income (stimulus checks and ebay sales), withdrawal was only $36,251. Our estimated net worth went from $1,333,772 (year zero) to $1,471,164 (year one) to $1,488,092 (year two) to $2,010,995 (year three) to $2,534,758 (current). Huge bump in year three was from being pre-gifted an inheritance worth $200k. Huge bump in year four was from the massive explosion in local real estate prices and strong stock performance – both are up 30% this year. I’m basically 50/50 in VTSAX and real estate at the moment. I plan to make some moves into bonds and commodities to help mitigate asteroid risk.   YEAR FOUR : I stayed at home a lot over the past year due to the pandemic and followed politics closely. Wife and I hav...
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end of year 2020

  Spending : Living expenses for 2020 came to $39,458 (max budget $41,736). We generated $8,045 of income this year from some almost entirely passive stuff. Our investment withdrawal was $31,413 this year, thus our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate was 1.51% for the year (max budget 2%). Without the additional income stream, our withdrawal rate would have been 1.89% for the year. Spending guideline for 2021 will be $46,858 (2% of net worth). Our net worth has gone from $1,333,772 (start) to $2,342,926 (current). Did I panic when the market corrected 40%? No. Howling monkeys are always gonna howl. I rode it out, got all of it back, and padded the portfolio even further. The New York Times reached out to me again in March to see if I was financially ruined, but I had to disappoint them. Experiences : I ran nearly 2000 miles after my competitive running career came to a close (personal records: 5:12 mile, 17:37 5k, 36:39 10k, 1:17:38 HM, 2:43:12 marathon). Tha...
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three year update

**Performance**: Living expenses for the third year came to $42,812 (max budget $62,604). We generated $9,514 of income this year primarily from my wife’s previous fun job and the stimulus payment. Our investment withdrawal was $33,298 this year, thus our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate was 1.59% for the year. Without the additional income stream, our withdrawal rate would have been 2.05% for the year. Our net worth went from $1,333,772 (year zero) to $1,471,164 (year one) to $1,488,092 (year two) to $2,010,995 (year three, as of June 1, technically up another $40k since then). The large jump this year was primarily due to the de facto reverse mortgage purchase on my parents’ home/farm, as well as an approximate 10% increase in VTSAX over the past 12 months.   **Purchase**: I purchased my parents’ home/farm for $460k and gave them a guarantee of free rent for life. At the time of purchase, it was worth an estimated $750k (now estimated at $835k – Zillow has our z...
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portfolio update

We made a fairly significant change to the portfolio. My parents wanted to get their house and farm out of their name in case they needed to qualify for nursing home assistance. Instead of gifting it to my sister and me, I set up what appears to be a fair market value purchase but eliminated the actual transfer of most money by renting it back to them. I don’t feel like going into detail on all of that, but they were willing to part with a property that I had estimated to be worth at least $750k for $250k (enough to live comfortably for them). I bought out my sister’s half for $210k (a good deal for her considering we can do nothing with it until they no longer live there, and she’s free from potential realtor fees). I only have $460k tied up in the property. After crunching some numbers on comps in the area, I’m placing the value at $825k for accounting purposes (indexed at three times the zillow home value index of the zip code). Optimistic, perhaps. The downside is that a great ...
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two year update

Spending : Living expenses for the year came to $39,954. This is $7,353 over the targeted amount of $32,601. Our spending was 22.6% over budget for the year and 18.8% over since retirement. We generated $13,263 of income this year mainly from my wife wanting to work part time (not for money). Our investment withdrawal was $26,691 this year, thus our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate was 2.37% for the year, and 0.81% since retirement. Without the additional income stream, our annually-adjusted withdrawal rate would have been 3.68% for the year, and 3.56% since retirement.    Investments : The portfolio went from $1,025,772 (year zero) to $1,146,164 (year one) to $1,138,092 (year two). This is a 0.99% decrease for the year, but a 10.95% increase from the start. Dividends included, VTSAX (60% AA) went up 1.48% this year; VFWAX (20% AA) went down 6.18% this year; VWLUX (20% AA) went up 6.58% this year. Overall, investments went up 0.97% this year. ...
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end of year 2018

Spending : Living expenses for the year came to $38,329. This is $5,053 over the targeted amount of $33,276. Our spending was 15.2% over budget for the year and 16.8% over since retirement. We generated $16,746 of income this year from my wife wanting to work (not for money) and some of my old book royalties in addition to the $30,000 windfall. Our investment withdrawal was -$8417 this year, thus our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate was -0.76% for the year, and 0.32% since retirement. Without the additional income stream, our annually-adjusted withdrawal rate would have been 3.46% for the year, and 3.50% since retirement. Investments : The portfolio went from $1,109,284 to $1,052,876 (a 5.08% decrease for the year). Since retirement, capital income from the investment portfolio has produced the equivalent of a full-time employee generating $13.58/hr of labor income. To sustain the original portfolio balance, $20.30/hr is the pace needed for COL based on spending rate; $...
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business insider article (part two)

Andy Kiersz of Business Insider has written another article about the financial independence movement. I'm one of the subjects again.
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new york times article (part two)

The NYT did a followup article about some reader responses to their original article about financial independence. I'm included again.
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business insider article

I was featured in a Business Insider article by Andy Kiersz. If you're new here, welcome. Check some of the links to the left.
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new york times article

Well, the secret is out. I've been featured in a New York Times article by Stephen Kurutz. You won't see me because I wasn't too keen on the idea of pictures, but I have two sections in there: one near the middle and one at the end.
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1 1/4 year update (sept 2018)

INTRO: Considering the upcoming article in the New York Times that I've told practically no one about prior to its release, I've decided to provide an unplanned update at 1 1/4 years instead of 1 1/2. I don't really wish to dig too deep into the finances like you would see in previous entries, but I'll try to make it worth your while. FINANCES: Over the past three months, the portfolio has gone from $1.146M (June 1) to $1.144M (July 1) to $1.172M (August 1) to $1.191M (September 1). It peaked at $1.199M on August 29. Living expenses have been approximately $3500 (June), $2500 (July), and $3500 (August). I have no idea what to make of this market other than to think it's simply a case of TINA. At this point, $36k/yr is effectively a 3% spend rate ($30k/yr was my goal spend rate; $35k/yr is our spend rate after year one). Due to side-income, withdrawals would have remained around 2% without the inheritance. As it stands, we'll probably still have a negative ov...
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twelve month update (june 2018)

**Spending** : Living expenses for the month came to $1999. This is $774 under the 2018 monthly targeted amount of $2773. Our spending is 27.9% under budget for the month, 8.1% over for the year, and 14.9% over since retirement. We generated $1039 of income this month from my wife wanting to work and some of my old book royalties. Our investment withdrawal was $960 this month, thus our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate is 1.04% for the month, -5.16% for the year, and -0.76% since retirement. Without the additional income stream, our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate would have been 2.16% for the month, 3.24% for the year, and 3.45% since retirement. **Investments** : The portfolio went from $1,130,151 to $1,147,124 (a 1.50% increase for the month), which went down to a new total of (drum-roll) $1,146,164 after cashing the checks and paying the bills. This is a 11.73% increase from the original starting balance of $1,025,772. Since retirement, capita...
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eleven month update (may 2018)

Spending : Living expenses for the month came to $3471. This is $698 over the 2018 monthly targeted amount of $2773. Our spending is 25.2% over budget for the month, 18.0% over for the year, and 19.1% over since retirement. We generated $474 of income this month from my wife wanting to work and some of my old book royalties. Our investment withdrawal was $2997 this month, thus our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate is 3.24% for the month, -6.71% for the year, and -1.22% since retirement. Without the additional income stream, our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate would have been 3.47% for the month, 3.54% for the year, and 3.57% since retirement. Investments : The portfolio went from $1,130,151 to $1,133,244 (a 0.27% increase for the month), which went down to a new total of (drum-roll) $1,130,247 after cashing the checks and paying the bills. This is a 10.19% increase from the original starting balance of $1,025,772. Since retirement, capital income ...
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RRCA Tennessee State Marathon Championship

Training Four days per week, average of 39mpw over past eight weeks. Pre-race Two hours of sleep, two hours of driving, one hour of waiting. Coldest day in 40 year history of race. 19F windchill with 15mph winds. Race Started out in the lead. Ran with a guy for the first 16 miles. He kept catching up and fading back again. I couldn't see anyone behind us. At Mile 12, I thought someone had caught us but it was a half-marathoner (group start). My fingers and lips went numb at Mile 17. I looked back at Mile 18 and my friend was gone. I was in disbelief. I only took two gels the whole race because of my stomach. This decision caught up with me in the hills at the start of Mile 24. I knew I had a shot at the (fairly new) course record of 2:59:12 if I pushed at the end, and I came through with a 2:59:04. Tough course. Probably worth a 2:54-2:55 on flatter, calmer conditions. Post-race I've never won a race in my life. I cried when no one was looking. Bruta...
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ten month update (apr 2018)

Spending : Living expenses for the month came to $4628. This is $1855 over the 2018 monthly targeted amount of $2773. Our spending is 66.9% over budget for the month, 15.6% over for the year, and 18.4% over since retirement. We generated $30,804 of income this month from my wife wanting to work, some of my old book royalties, and an unexpected inheritance. Our investment withdrawal was -$26,176 this month (a $26,176 deposit), thus our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate is -28.32% for the month, -10.03% for the year, and -0.15% since retirement. Without the additional income stream, our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate would have been 5.01% for the month, 3.47% for the year, and 3.55% since retirement. Investments : The portfolio went from $1,117,315 to $1,103,975 (a 1.19% decrease for the month), which went up to a new total of (drum-roll) $1,130,151 after cashing the checks and paying the bills. This is a 10.18% increase from the original starting ...
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nine month update (mar 2018)

Spending : Living expenses for the month came to $2750. This is $23 under the 2018 monthly targeted amount of $2773. Our spending is 0.8% under budget for the month, 10.1% under for the year, and 12.7% over since retirement. We generated $5140 of income this month from a tax refund, my wife wanting to work, and some of my old book royalties. Our investment withdrawal was -$2390 this month (a $2390 deposit), thus our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate is -2.59% for the month, -0.89% for the year, and 1.58% since retirement. Without the additional income stream, our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate would have been 2.98% for the month, 2.70% for the year, and 3.38% since retirement. Investments : The portfolio went from $1,155,635 to $1,114,925 (a 3.52% decrease for the month), which went up to a new total of (drum-roll) $1,117,315 after cashing the checks and paying the bills. This is an 8.9% increase from the original starting balance of $1,025,772,...
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eight month update (feb 2018)

Spending : Living expenses for the month came to $2238. This is $535 under the 2018 monthly targeted amount of $2773. Our spending is 8.1% under budget for the month, now 8.1% under for the year. We generated $1491 of income this month from my wife's part-time fun job at the library, sales on ebay, and some of my old book royalties. Our investment withdrawal was $747 this month, thus our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate is 0.81% for the month, 0.81% for the year, and 2.19% since retirement. Without the additional income stream, our pro-rated, annually-adjusted withdrawal rate would have been 2.42% for the month, 2.42% for the year, and 3.44% since retirement. Investments : The portfolio went from $1,109,284 to $1,156,382 (a 4.25% increase for the month), which dropped down to a new total of (drum-roll) $1,155,635 after paying the bills. This is a 12.7% increase from the original starting balance of $1,025,772, even after withdrawals of $14,739 for living...
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seven month update (jan 2018)

Spending : Living expenses for the month came to $3618. This is $1054 over the 2017 monthly targeted amount of $2564. Our spending was 41.1% over budget for the month, now 19.7% over for the year. We generated $1227 of income this month from my wife's part-time fun job at the library and some of my old book royalties. Our investment withdrawal was $2665 this month, thus our pro-rated annual withdrawal rate is 3.12% for the month and 2.19% for the year. Without the additional income stream, our pro-rated annual withdrawal rate would have been 4.07% for the month and 3.59% for the year. Investments : The portfolio went from $1,098,383 to $1,111,949 (a 1.24% increase for the month), which dropped down to a new total of (drum-roll) $1,109,284 after paying the bills. This is an 8.1% increase from the original starting balance of $1,025,772, even after withdrawals of $13,992 for living expenses over seven months. Since retirement, capital income from the investment portfol...
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first three hour marathon attempt (34mpw)

Training I averaged 34mpw over a 16-week training period coming off an injury. I plateaued at 44mpw for a 6-week period. I very rarely ran on back-to-back days. My HM PR is 1:27:57 from February. I did a 1:28:48 in October on a hot and humid day. I think I was in 1:26:30 shape. I feel like I have improved somewhat since then. Pre-race Sleep from 9pm-11pm. Lie in bed awake from 11pm-3am. Get ready 3am-4am. Drive to race 4am-6am. Sit around 6am-7am. Gu at 10 minutes prior. Meet up with my new friend from same town who is also going for his first sub-3:00 about 60 seconds before the race. Plan is EVEN SPLITS (6:50/mi). Little did we know that this course is definitely LONG. My GPS was 26.52, and I'm decent at tangents. My HMs are usually 13.14-13.17. His marathon PR is 3:02; mine is 3:19. Mile 1 Fight the temptation to go out like a bat out of hell! Friend keeps hitting the gas but I hold back. I keep suggesting he play it cool and he eventually does. 6:49. ...
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six month update (dec 2017)

Spending : Living expenses for the month ($4092) were $1528 over the 2017 monthly targeted amount of $2564. Our spending was 59.5% over budget for the month, now 16.2% over for the year. We generated $792 of income from my wife's part-time fun job at the library and some of my old book royalties. Our investment withdrawal was $3300 this month, thus our pro-rated annual withdrawal rate is 3.66% for the month and 2.19% for the year. Without the additional income stream, our pro-rated annual withdrawal rate would have been 4.79% for the month and 3.49% for the year. Investments : The portfolio went from $1,080,121 to $1,101,683 (a 1.99% increase for the month), which dropped down to a new total of (drum-roll) $1,098,383 after paying the bills. This is a 7.1% increase from the original starting balance of $1,025,772, even after withdrawals of $11,601 for living expenses over six months. Since retirement, capital income from the investment portfolio has produced the equi...
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five month update (nov 2017)

Spending : Living expenses for the month were $3155 (including $500 from the lump expenses category), which was $591 over the 2017 monthly targeted amount of $2564 and up from $2491 the previous month. We are 23% over budget for the month, now 7.5% over for the year. We generated $870 from my wife's part-time job at the library (which she would enjoy enough to do without pay) and some of my old book royalties (google if interested). Our investment withdrawal was $2285 this month, thus our pro-rated SWR is 2.57% for the month and 1.89% for the year. Without the additional income stream, our pro-rated SWR would have been 3.69% for the month and 3.23% for the year. Investments : The portfolio went from $1,062,468 to $1,082,406 (a 1.88% increase for the month), which dropped down to a new total of (drum-roll) $1,080,121 after paying the bills (a 5.3% increase from the retirement figure of $1,025,772, even after withdrawals for living expenses). Since retirement, capital ...
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