Early Retirement Extreme Forums

Good question. I'm making sure that I'm on track in terms of early retirement.

Perhaps it is a silly guide post and we should just save however much we can save?

Is this a reasonable way to calculate your savings rate:

Saving rate = (Employer contribution + Employee contribution) / (Take home paycheck + employer contribution)

Then go find something similar that is used and cheap, and I mean cheap (I'd look to something free-cycled first), because your mindset should be that you do not deserve to have a bicycle that costs much until you have proven to yourself that you will use it frequently and as intended. Once you ...

Thanks for the info. I wanted more than just a weekend warrior type of bike. The terrain is mostly flat but some occasional hills. Distance is not more than 4-5 miles (very short commuting). Will use it mostly in all seasons except winter. I have a pretty crummy one currently and the seat is welded ...

What's a good beginners bike for commuting to the train/work?

Sorry if this was asked before but couldn't find it in the search feature.

@1taskaday

Try a light box and use it for thirty minutes in the morning. It might make you feel less lethargic and down.

Thanks Jacob. My second read of ERE spurred this systems thinking quest. Meadows doesn't seem to touch on the idea of synergy you write in your book (i.e. That the best solution solves several problems and interacts with several systems).

I'm getting the sense that the opposite is true an effect ...

I'm reading Meadows book on Systems Thinking and I'm trying to make sure I understand feedback loops. From my understanding, balancing feedback loops keep the stock at the same level, while reinforcing loops reinforces the direction of change (so more input into the stock if more is there).

As an ...

<t>I've generally understood that determining whether to invest into a Roth 401(k) versus a traditional 401(k) is based on your current and future tax bracket.<br/>
So that:<br/>
<br/>
(1) Roth 401(k) if current tax bracket < Future retirement tax bracket<br/>
(2) Traditional 401(k) if current tax ...

<t>I'm looking to start getting into woodworking (which I've done in the past and I've enjoyed) and doing some home maintenance (replacing boards on a deck).<br/>
The different options for saws is dizzying. What's a good type of started saw to do all these things (decking, carpentry). Table saw ...

@Jacob: That's a good point. Outsourcing is not without it's difficulties.
@Ego: that's why I've recently only purchased needed items that require no servicing, or something that I can easily do.

<t>I'm curious what others have done with the burnout that can come with ERE--from working a full time job, to being a handyman, seamstress, laundromat, landscaper, cleaner, cook, plumber, etc. While you take a look at your neighbors and everything is outsourced. <br/>
There's not much idle time ...

I was wondering how big of a mortgage payment (+taxes+insurance) people had as a percentage of their take home pay (minus all deductions, 401k, etc, ie your actual paycheck)?
I believe Jacob had recommend 10-15% in his book. I wanted to see what everyone's percentage was?

<t>I was using my cell phone heavily for exactly what you described. But there are ways around it, you could always ask someone for local bars/etc. Also there is free internet in a lot of places, your friends likely have smart phones and they can look it up.<br/>
The solution I came up with was the ...

<t>@ JohnnyH: I doubt anyone is making triple payments and still have a mortgage after 10 years (unless they have a 50 year mortgage). With a 15 year mortgage, making double payments, you'd be mortgage free in 6 years. With a 30 year, around 9 years. The example you give is a good point but its just ...

@Mike: very good point about lavish lifestyle. People adapt to the circumstances, take nations that adapt to war, where people get used to no longer having electricity, hot water, etc. Indeed, you are wasting your time/energy on this.

<t>Interesting read. This is similar to Keynes arguying that work day should eventually go down to 3-4 hours per day due to increased efficiency. I wonder who read whom. Interestingly enough this is also the topic of the book: How much is Enough? But the authors argue, that blind pursuit of growth ...

<t>It's all about reading lots of books. It depends how much knowledge you have so far. You can start with basic books. I personally like the writings of william bernstein. You can start with Four Pillars of Investing. If you are interested in PP, check out the crawling road podcast. It goes through ...

<t>Have interest rates ever been negative? You'll be able to earn something though it may not be the 11-13% of days past. And of course some terrible event can wipe out your money (this is a bigger concern for me). Also with a low withdrawal rate you can get by with a lower rate of return ...

<t>@Jacob:<br/>
<br/>
I'm new to financing<br/>
<br/>
Rather than two NPVs, couldn't you just calculate one NPV (eg investing immediately) while your r would be the opportunity cost (eg rate or return of waiting before investing). NPV > 0 then invest immediately.<br/>
<br/>
Otherwise what r's would ...