One word: Yes.
I know there are some skeptics out there, but I am here to assure you that it can happen to anyone. How so? Let me explain.
We just got to do some math.
Historically the stock market has returned at least ~10% over the last 30 years vs. real estate that has only returned about ~4%.
If you stick with the market over the course of that time, you can make it into millionaire status.
Compound interest is our friend. If you want to get to 1,000,000, then you just have to set aside some funds every year and then let compound interest do its thing.
If you invest $5,600 a year, over 30 years, you will have over a million saved ($1,013,283.18). Not too shabby.
If 30 years is too long for you, then just play with the numbers.
Investing $9,300 over 25 years, would net you ($1,006,090.42).
Investing $16,000 over 20 years, will net you ($1,008,039.99).
So you see, it is possible.
You just have to be willing and able to put the money aside.
Even after the dot-com bust of the 2000’s, the Great Recession, wars, 9/11, the search for capturing Bin Laden and 6 presidents the market has continued to rise.
After doing some research, the best place to park this money, water it and watch it grow seems to be the Vanguard index fund VTSAX. Why you ask? Basically, this index fund is not only low in cost at ~0.04%, but it includes the entire US equity market with over 3600 stocks!
It is your one stop shop for investing.
It’s the super Walmart of stocks. And like Walmart, it is open and working for you 24/7.
Why not the Vanguard 500 index fund VFIAX? Well this fund is limited in scope as it only includes the 500 largest companies in America. The VTSAX has them all.
In addition, the best part about an index fund is that if a company starts to slide due to bad management, scandal, hostile takeover or a combination of the three, then they are cut form the index and another company that has a stellar performance and track record takes its place.
Thereby, making sure your fund never goes to $0 and you continue to make money no matter whether or not a business goes bankrupt or sells to a competitor.
Meaning you will not ever lose all of your money.
Simply put, it is like if this fund plays in the mud with the other kids, gets dirty, then it will take itself to the car wash and start fresh playing with a new group of kids.
I think the reason most folks don’t get to this level is because they are too busy focusing on today instead of on tomorrow. I remember reading a quote that still has a profound effect on me today.
It went like this: The wealthy plan for three generations. The poor plan for Saturday night.
I get chills every time I think about it.
As humans, we are hard-wired to focus on what is right in front of us. It is difficult to see and plan for something that is years or even decades away.
However, we must. Our future selves are depending on us to do so.
Those years are going to go by anyway so why get so caught up in how long it will take you to save a million. Why not just do it.
I feel too many folks get caught up thinking that they need a high income to get rich.
Hate to break it to you, but tons of high earners go broke!
Folks are so busy worrying about what doctors, lawyers, sports stars or entertainers are making, that they forget what really matters isn’t what you make, it’s what you keep.
I’ve heard of couples making $250k a year saying they broke! What gives? That is more than ~96% of Americans. An income that size puts them in the top ~4% of income. But most folks do not eve have that amount in retirement savings, let alone making it as an annual income.
According to Business Insider, The average 401(k) balance is $92,148, according to a 2019 Vanguard analysis of over 5 million 401(k) plans issued by the company. But most people don’t have that amount of retirement savings. The median 401(k) balance is $22,217, a better indicator of what the majority of Americans have saved for retirement.
So a high income don’t mean squat if you squander it.
Don’t let this be you.
Change the conversation and get your spending under control so you can put that $6,000, $9,300 or $16,000 in your retirement account every year and earn your way to a fortune.
However, whether or not you FIRE, you can help others. It can be done with money or time. Either way, with financial independence comes the ability to choose what you do, as you become the master of your time when you no longer have to punch a clock.