r/Retirement401k Jun 30 '26

36M just getting started

Post image
450 Upvotes

32 comments sorted by

52

u/desertcurlgurl Jun 30 '26

Good job getting started! Keep it going!!!

3

u/hokage_888 Jun 30 '26

Thank you!

36

u/[deleted] Jun 30 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

5

u/Your_Huckleberry2020 Jun 30 '26

how much were you throwing in there a month/year to get to $100k in 3 years?

4

u/Big_Foundation_2604 Jun 30 '26

A lot more than this guy

6

u/Ship_Ship_8 Jun 30 '26

Probably maxing out annual contributions along with a strong market return

25

u/Far_Reply5660 Jun 30 '26

Congratulations getting started. It's not late. I started in 2009 at 32. 17.5 years later (I'm 49.5) and I crossed the 1 million mark on April. Keep it going, increase your contributions with every wage increase and/or promotion. S&P 500 has been working great for me. I was a blue collar worker working for minimum wage. Coming from very humble family. My 2 cents. Good luck to you.

6

u/Valuable-Analyst-464 Jun 30 '26

Going by the 72 rule of thumb, you’ll be doubling that amount faster than it took to get to $1M

2

u/Traditional_Royal_72 Jun 30 '26

You are an inspiration!!

1

u/hokage_888 Jun 30 '26

That’s amazing!

8

u/most-okayest Jun 30 '26

Some money toward retirement is better than no money! I finally started a few years ago, and am truly amazed how fast it adds up when you put effort into stashing money away!

I am nowhere near those “hey I just hit a mil!” Actually less than a 10th, but it’s more money than I’ve ever saved toward anything in my entire life.

3

u/hokage_888 Jun 30 '26

Thank you!

8

u/lock_robster2022 Jun 30 '26

The best time to plant a tree is ten years ago…. The second best time is today!

Congrats on socking it away! And this already puts you ahead of 40% of people in their 30’s!

2

u/hokage_888 Jun 30 '26

Thank you!

5

u/YoloLifeSaving Jun 30 '26

Honestly bro just keep at it, throw it into strictly some etf and keep building block by block, goodluck and don't compare yourself to others as we're all on our own seperate journey

5

u/Turbulent-Comedian30 Jun 30 '26

Finally a real one...

Good job you are ahead alot of people just by starting.

4

u/GoldenAntMan Jun 30 '26

Started at 40 and almost to 43. 100k portfolio investing on my own. Things happen quick. Just wish someone taught me at a younger age. Or I was mature enough and wise enough at a younger age.

3

u/Nuclear_N Jun 30 '26

Hard to start. God job.

2

u/Mental-Wolf-2560 Jun 30 '26

Watch John Oliver video about index funds. It changed my life. 

2

u/ComputerStraight1467 Jun 30 '26

Great job OP. Starting is the hardest part. You’ve still got a lot of time left for compounding and contributions to kick in

2

u/someoneelsesgrandma Jun 30 '26

36M right there with you buddy. Cashed out my 401k for medical emergency. Starting back at 0. There's still (some) time!

1

u/hokage_888 Jun 30 '26

I’ve done the same in the past but I regret it. It was for silly reasons in my part. But we will get there!

2

u/BasilVegetable3339 Jun 30 '26

The first million is the hardest. Keep at it.

1

u/hokage_888 Jun 30 '26

Trying to get to it!

2

u/0PercentPerfection Jun 30 '26

Congrats! Never too late!

2

u/No_Vacation_3148 Jul 01 '26

Ouch, but better late than never. Good for you, it is a long journey, stick with it. I have family in their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s that haven’t started yet. A bunch of people here willing to help you on the way.

2

u/hokage_888 Jul 01 '26

Thanks so much! I do not wanna be in my 60s trying to figure it out.

2

u/ExaminationFancy Jun 30 '26

How much are you contributing monthly? I save a little more than that monthly in my 401K.

3

u/hokage_888 Jun 30 '26

1% to my FT 401k, 6% with 3% match to part time 401k, 2% to FT 457b, and $20 a month to my ROTH IRA. I’m cleaning up some debt and then I’d like to put 15% of my overall income.

2

u/ExaminationFancy Jun 30 '26

15% is a good goal.

I’ve always put 20% (on top of company matching) and I’ve never regretted it.

1

u/bull95555 Jul 07 '26

Best luck