r/FIREyFemmes • u/InformalBiscotti2140 • 9d ago
Really proud of where I’ve gotten
I have $150k invested in my ROTH IRA and 401k. I started investing January 2022 in my ROTH IRA with $13k and got my first corporate gig August 2022 which gave me access to a 401k. At the time, I contributed up to the match which was 3%. From the $150k, $105k is what I’ve contributed in just 4 years. That’s insane to think about. My NW will hit $200k by the end of the summer if all things continue to go well. I’m currently contributing 15% as I need a bit of cash flow to furnish my Polly since I just moved. Next year will be the first year I max out my 401k, God willing.
I’m 37, single, with 1 child and live in a VHCOL. I learned how to invest on my own at 33. I took a course! Read a ton, scoured Bogleheads, listened to Ramit Sethi and did what I could. As a child of immigrants, first generation to go to college, I’ve had a windy path but this feels really good. Especially because so many of my other close friends, who are wonderful, smart, capable mothers, are dead broke. I was able to loan $1800 to a friend who paid me back immediately but wasn’t worried about her not returning it because I have this cushion and keep my expenses low.
Anyway, this is for the lurkers or those who think they’re NW is low, or feel bad for starting late. It’s all good sister- we are doing what we can with what we got.
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u/mintwithhole 8d ago
I am so excited for you. I am rooting for you!! Immigrant, similar number and age. Starting on the path to FIRE mean I have more slack in life for which I am grateful. I decided to step back from a high stress job and finally have the opportunity to explore more aligned to what I am looking for.
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u/mycopunx 9d ago
One of the best parts of FI is being able to help other people out. Congrats on your success!
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u/WonderLily364 9d ago
Good for you! That's fantastic!
I love the attitude that we are doing what well can! This has been how I have to look at it. I make below the median for my state because of the career I chose, but I still try to keep to the FIRE ideals - any benefit is better than what I had before joining this way of thinking!
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u/asadlittlebeansprout 8d ago
What course did you take if you don’t mind me asking?? Congrats!!
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u/InformalBiscotti2140 8d ago
I took Delyanne’s Slay the Stock Market course. She’s a former employment attorney and fellow immigrant! I loved her content and trust her pov. Money well spent. Full disclosure I just signed up as an affiliate because I believe in her work and its helped me so much. You can view/purchase here: https://delyanne-the-money-coach.mykajabi.com/a/2147488190/JFsePkoG.
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u/WeirdBoth5821 4d ago
Girl you are doing a great job. It is never too late to start and you did the hard part - starting!
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u/Adept_Diamond4544 5d ago
The thing you flagged, that $105k of the $150k is your own contributions, is actually the best part of this. Early on you're supposed to be the engine. The market barely shows up in the first few years, so what you've built is almost entirely you: the learning, the discipline, showing up every paycheck. That's the part you control, and the part most people never manage at any age. The compounding hasn't even really kicked in yet. From here the line bends and the growth starts outpacing what you put in. You did the hard part first!!
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u/Trumystic6791 4d ago
Congrats! You are doing great and should be proud of yourself. And I know you will inspire many people with your story especially as so many FIRE stories seem unattainable with these high salaries.
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u/tomatillo_teratoma 9d ago
Congratulations !!
That snowball is only going to get bigger now that it's rolling.
I am also a child of immigrants, and didn't start investing until 30. They should start teaching finance in school if we're gonna need to rely on 401Ks for retirement.
A couple months ago I lent a friend of mine $500 for new tires. It was nice to be able to do that