Then I stop. I come upon a door. Not the infamous Red Door in Insidious. But a Black Door. It has a sign on it. The sign says Freedom.
I reach my hand out to open it and then…the dream ends.
However, when I open my eyes, I realize this dream could actually come to fruition. This dream can come true.
It was just like Cinderella said, “If you keep on believing; The dream that you wish will come true.”
My retirement numbers showing across my computer screen read $404,069. I was inching ever so closer to my starting goal of $500,000.
A part of me was jumping for joy. I knew this was a pretty good amount of savings to have in retirement as my research showed me less than 10% retire with $500k.
According to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, only 9% of American households have saved at least $500,000 for retirement. The average retirement savings across all families is $333,940, and the median is $87,000.
In addition, Ramit Sethi, in a recent episode of his podcast told a couple that had $468,000 saved between the two of them would be more than fine and were set up for retirement.
I’m only one person. So I figured I was doing pretty well.
The sleepless nights of lying awake thinking about how I’m going to pay the bills was over. I was earning enough to put away over $1,000 a month in my retirement accounts.
I had a family that cared about me.
I was able to take vacations to the beach.
And like that scene in The Summer I Turned Pretty when Susan says, “if you are lucky to be able to spend a day at the beach, you are lucky enough.”
But another part of me was sad, that my $500k journey was ending.
At one point, I was brown bagging my lunch 5 days a week, counting my spare change, eating brown bananas, studying up to 5 hours a day about personal finance and clipping coupons.
I longed to be free.
I wanted to go back to the days I slept in until noon, spent the day reading on the couch during lazy weekends like I did when I was a kid. Alas, it did not seem meant to be.
However, one day I came across a blog called Mr. 1500 Days. This was probably 8 years ago in 2016. He said he wanted a different life for himself instead of retiring in his 60s and so he set out to retire with $1M in 1500 days.
I thought to myself, I want the same thing. Freedom. No get-rich-quick schemes. Just good old-fashioned investing.
Do you want to retire in your 70s or live it up and retire in the Bahamas when you’re 44?
I knew I wanted the second option. So, I had to figure out a way to invest more money.
The simplest route was to pay off my car. I was spending hundreds of dollars a month on that gas guzzler SUV to the tune of $450. Instead of paying the bank, why not invest in my future self?
I felt I heard Eminem on my shoulder saying you only get one shot! You get one life. There are no do-overs! This is not a dress rehearsal. This is real. And if you want your dreams to become reality, then you have to start sacrificing now.
Debbie Allen’s famous 1982 speech in Fame always plays in my head.
I just kept thinking to myself that I had a dollar and a dream to make myself some cream. I was gonna have to fight for my freedom. Fight to be free from consumerism and instead conserve my money. So I cam up with a plan. Get to $500K in 500 days.
From here to $500,000
Here are the stats:
Money in the stock market: $402,714
Money in my brokerage accounts: $1,355
So, I have $404,069 and need to get to $500,000 and I am giving myself 500 days, or a little over a year. I’m going to assume my average return rate of 13.9%. I’ll also be contributing between $1,100 -$1,333/month towards my investments.
Total Savings in US Dollars (The breakdown of interest)
Years
Future Value (13.90%)
Total Contributions
Year 0
$404,069.00
$404,069.00
Year 1
$476,230.59
$420,065.00
Year 2 (500 Days)
$502,180.46
$425,343.68
So, actually over $500,000. I expect to be able to increase the amount I put in per month over time by at least 1% minimum per year.
Sure, I could run into some hurdles along the way. I could have a loss of income or the stock market could crash. It makes me no difference. No matter what happens or how many different curveballs come my way and plans I have to make, I will keep the goal.
The idea is not to live forever, it is to create something that will. – Andy Warhol
I’m back with another blast from the past. This time I’m taking you back to 1985 with The Heavenly Kid.
The movie poster image says: In Life & Love, We’re All Just Winging It.
However, in the real world “WINGING IT” isn’t going to cut it.
Anything you want, you are going to have to work for and pursue it. You must devise a plan, write it down, determine a strategy, chart a course, set sail, and execute that plan until you reach the finish line.
One of my favorite films from the 80’s was this gem. The movie had a kick ass soundtrack too!
What I really loved about The Heavenly Kid (THK) is that in the end what mattered most was people and not things.
Take a walk with memory down memory lane. You will not be sorry you came along.
Pinky promise.?
I pinky promise you.
The synopsis is as follows: A hip guardian angel named Bobby Fantana, who died in a car race in the 60s, reluctantly agrees to watch over lonely 80s high schooler Lenny Barnes who needs guidance on how to become cool.
This is how it all went down.
A young greaser-type rebel, challenges Joe Barnes (Mark Metcalf) to a game of chicken for making a pass at his girlfriend Emily (Jane Kaczmarek). Bobby wins the race easily when Joe dives out of his car, but Bobby is unable to get out of the car in time due to his bracelet getting caught on the gearshift. He dies as his car plummets over the cliff into a fiery wreck.
I know this is some sad sh*t, but it does get better.
Although, Bobby is no longer with us there is still some good he can do.
He wakes up aboard a speeding train, which stops at a station housing a huge escalator going up into a bright white light, which one of the attendants refers to as “Uptown”. Bobby is denied entry, and Rafferty (Richard Mulligan) appears and explains that he isn’t considered ready yet and needs to carry out an assignment in order to earn his ticket Uptown.
That train is hilarious. Basically, it is like some form of purgatory, but without any maliciousness. After what seemed like an eternity and many years in limbo, Bobby is finally given his assignment: he is to return to Earth and act as a guardian angel and friend for Lenny Barnes (Jason Gedrick), a promising high school student who is constantly picked on in school, particularly by school bullies Fred Gallo (Stephen Gregory) and Bill McIntyre (Beau Dremann).
The one and only Jason Gedrick.
Iron Eagle 1986 young hero
However, Bobby is instructed that he is only allowed to reveal himself to Lenny and nobody else.
Ooh, plot thickens.
Basically, Bobby is not allowed to enter heaven but has to stay in one of the lower levels or downtown until he has worked enough as an guardian angel in order to deserve paradise. Like all good things, you have to earn it first.
Get out the popcorn, it’s going to be a good read.
WINGED ADVICE #1: CONFIDENCE IS KEY
When Bobby meets Lenny he is for lack of a better word; a nerd.
Just for flare. I am providing one of my favorite meet and greet handshakes of all time. By my favorite WWE wrestler Mach Man Randy Savage with Hulk Hogan. Now he had style and oozed confidence!
And not the Steve Urkel type, but a kid that just has no confidence. Bobby is about to help him change that.
The first time he sees Lenny he is being picked on by a bunch of jerks from his high school. He notices that the “kid has no confidence cause he’s got no style.” Truer words had not been spoken.
I will not ever forget being teased in school. It only made me stronger. I remember thinking this is bull$#%t! I’m only here to get an education. I’m not here for you or your approval!
All people cared about were looks and popularity. I was like there has to be more to life than they way you LOOK!
I decided to ignore them and hit the books and the gym. I found an upperclassman that was willing to do my hair anytime I wanted, then I worked on having impeccably flawless hygiene and appearance.
I felt this. Just like Regine Hunter (Kim Fields) in Living Single.
I was like Beyonce in that b*tch! I WOKE UP LIKE THIS!
All the bullying and teasing stopped REAL QUICK.
That is why I focus so much on my health, education, and building wealth. And it paid off in spades. I own a home, have multiple retirement accounts, I have over $100,000 in just 1 index fund and I own a bunch of those! Thanks Jack Bogle for creating the first index fund in 1975 with Vanguard.
I’m not the only one that has been teased in school. Lots of folks have. I recently saw an interview with William Zabka (Johnny from The Karate Kid) while he was promoting Cobra Kai with Ralph Macchio.
When asked about bullying he said he hates it. There are 3 core people involved in bullying: the bully, the one being bullied, and the witness. Go tell an adult or someone you trust what is going on. Speak up. No one knows unless you tell them. Don’t be afraid to stand up, say something or defend yourself. Remember that bullying is only a season; it is not your whole life. This too shall pass. It is not permanent; it is only temporary. At the time, it seems like your whole world because in that moment it is, but you will grow up an this will end. Yes, he said all of that. He played the bully in a movie. That is fiction. In real life (IRL), he is anti-bullying.
In addition, I remember hearing Jillian Michael tell her story. She was chubby and overweight. The kids were relentless in their teasing. Once she started training in martial arts she said the teasing dried up like prunes and stopped real quick. Therefore, if you want to do anything in this life, the first thing you have to do after making sure you are safe, dry, and feed is to build up some confidence. It can change your life faster than just about anything.
How do you get it? Create a safe place and space for yourself to be who you are, but also to have a clean and neat appearance.
Coco Chanel once said the fastest way to change your appearance is to never underestimate the value of fresh-shaped eyebrows, clean glowing skin and a good haircut.
Basically, focus on hair, teeth, and skin.
You do this by drinking water, exercising, and eating well.
The End.
As far as clothing goes, just do the basics. You are in high school for goodness sakes! All you need are jeans, t-shirts, sweaters, and sneakers.
For the ladies, some fitted tops, jeans, skirts, dresses and heels. A nice blazer and black leather jacket are staples along with nude heels and black pumps. A little black dress is always great to have.
And most important, nothing too TRENDY! Styles change quick. They change so fast that styles have already changed while I was typing this sentence on this post!
Stick to regular staples and basic solid colors and you will never go wrong. Remember that red is the color of confidence.
Also, that you are your biggest cheerleader. You have to believe in yourself or otherwise no one else will. Find a way to build up your confidence and you will go a lot further along in your life.
That’s just my $0.02 cents. Smooches 💋
WINGED ADVICE #2: CRUSHES DON’T LAST FOREVER AND NEITHER DOES BEING BROKE
Lenny has a crush on a girl named Sharon who is the most beautiful and popular girl of the class. He was totally obsessed.
But she does not even notice him until Bobby helps Lenny change his image and boosts his confidence. By doing this Bobby dresses Lenny up making him a playboy and tough guy so that he gets what he wants although Bobby knows that this is not the best.
Lenny spent so much time obsessing over Sharon that the girl that really liked him wasn’t even in his eyesight, but was right in front of him in his friend Melissa (Nancy Valen).
Look we have all been there. Young love. Sometimes it goes unrequited. You will love again. I promise you. Like a friend told Romeo, during the infamous feud between the Montague’s and the Capulets), he must move on from Juliet, there are other beauties.
Shakespeare had that right. Nothing lasts forever. You must be willing to move on once you have done all you can. Did you do your best? Alright then, move on. Time heals all wounds and this includes a broken heart.
Now let’s talk money.
Don’t sped money like a drunken sailor.
Once you start earning some income, put some money aside. Even if it is only $5 dollars a week! This will get you in the habit of saving.
They say the niches are in riches. If that is so, then saving is the niche to building lasting wealth.
I started with nothing and slowly built what I have. First, I was saving $1 a day. Then it was $50 a month. I slowly started bumping it up every chance I got. Got a raise. Save it. Got a windfall. Save it. Can’t just let that money sit. Money can’t be idle.
Money must be invested and it has to keep circulating. Spend on what you need. If there is excess, then you can buy luxuries, but not before you have earned the money first. Learn it. Live it. Love it.
I finally started doing $150 a month and then doubled that. I started reading more on saving and figured “What the heck?” just cut out the crap, stop spending and save.
That is when I leap frogged from saving $3,600 a year to $5,000, $8,000, $10,000 and then $13,333. I sold, stop buying, or earned more and saved. From sacrifice comes great things. Get it. Got it. Good.
WINGED ADVICE #3: SHOPPING FOR A PURPOSE
One of my favorite scenes in the film was the shopping scene. Bobby takes Lenny shopping for new clothes. This boosts his confidence.
In addition, he builds Lenny a car. Now that he has a new set of wheels and fancy clothes, he is ready to take on the world.
I am all for new clothes and buying things you need. Lenny needed to burn those clothes he had or donate them (waste not want not). They made him sad and lonely. He went from geek to chic. And his attitude along with it. However, they only got what he needed. No $5,000 Rolex, or $700 sneakers. Enough for the kid to get by and feel good.
That is what I do. That is how I was able to save thousands in annual clothing expenses and bank that money.
He was also economical in how he got a car. They went to a junkyard and put it together from all the spare parts lying around. No $500 car note there, which is the average that Americans are paying. Stop trying to impress people with your fancy gadgets.
Take a note from 50 Cent’s playbook. When in doubt: sell. Here is a cautionary tale.
Therefore, he is paying $840,000 a year for his manse. He hasn’t even eaten yet! No gas was put in the Hummer (fill in any fancy car name here) and no food was put in the fridge. And don’t forget health insurance. That’s all got to be paid. In 9 years, 50 Cent will have paid over $7.5 million just to do nothing but sit on the sofa in his house! This 19 bedroom manse had no purpose other than to impress people. No one NEEDS 19 bedrooms unless they are running a bed and breakfast. Matter of fact, having a 10,000 or more square ft home is like having a small hotel. I’ll pass.
WINGED ADVICE #4: FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY OR FAMILY
Bobby later finds out that Lenny’s mother is his former girlfriend who has married another guy. Although not being allowed he makes himself visible to her…
and after some additional situations take place Lenny is challenged to a chicken race at the local quarry by Fred, Sharon’s former boyfriend. Having been told by Rafferty that Lenny will die just as Bobby did earlier, Bobby offers to trade his own chance to move Uptown (essentially, his own immortal soul) to save Lenny’s life. He vows to give up his soul. A selfless act indeed.
This unknowingly earns Bobby a trip to Heaven or “uptown” as the movie refers to it. Rafferty explains to Bobby that he had learned to love and value someone more than himself, and that is how one earned a ticket Uptown.
There are going to be times in this life when you will have to chose what matters most to you. What do you value? I remember hearing the Osmonds father (yes, those Osmonds of Donnie and Marie fame) tell his children: faith, family, then career.
I pick my investments based on what I value most: freedom. The freedom to choose what I do with my life and my time.
Money is infinite, but time is not. Once it’s gone, it is gone forever.
That is why I only do what excites me. You only get one life. One shot. One chance. I suggest we all do what Eminem says, ” You better lose yourself in the music, the moment You own it, you better never let it go You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.” I agree wholeheartedly.
If you like this post, then check out the film The Heavenly Kid. Because life and you money are too important to “just wing it.”
