Hi,
Basic requirements
-high quality leather - preferably ‘worn’ leather not hardened or polished.
- trifold with flip ID style wallet, think police style
- must have coin pouch that latches.
Hard nos
-no zippers!
-coin pouch must latch not just fold shut
-no strategy polyester
I’m trying to get a realistic read on my early retirement timeline and whether I’m on track or being overly optimistic.
I live in California and make around $105k–$115k per year. Current finances:
$265k invested total
$48k in 401k
$41k contributions
$7k employer match
$217k in brokerage (includes $70k Roth IRA)
$12k cash
+38.8% overall gains (about $60k–$70k unrealized)
I max all retirement accounts and also invest an additional $100–$300 per month into my brokerage. My portfolio is almost entirely broad market index ETFs and growth-focused funds.
Long term, I’ve considered eventually shifting part of my portfolio into dividend or income ETFs once I am closer to retirement so cash flow becomes more immediate and stable.
My questions:
At what point does it actually make sense to start shifting from pure growth investing into dividend or income focused ETFs?
Based on my current savings rate and portfolio, what does a realistic FIRE timeline look like?
I am not looking for best case scenarios, just a grounded expectation based on typical market returns and actual FIRE math.
My rough thinking so far:
From what I’ve modeled, I feel like I might be somewhere in the 10–15 year range depending on returns and consistency, but I am not sure if that is realistic or overly optimistic given taxes, volatility, and California cost of living.
Would appreciate any feedback from people who have actually reached FI or are further along the path.
I make around $105k–$115k/year in California and wanted to get a reality check on whether I’m doing well financially for my age.
Current totals:
• ~$217k invested overall
• ~$48k in my 401(k) - I max out every year for past 2 years
• ~$41k contributed by me
• ~$7k employer match
• ~$157k in brokerage investments
• ~$4k cash
Portfolio allocation is mostly diversified ETFs/index funds:
A combined yearly maxed Roth and brokerage.
Roth $69k
• ITOT – 23.7%
• VO – 12.2%
• GSLC – 10.6%
• LRGF – 9.1%
• IEFA – 8.9%
• GSIE – 8.7%
• GEM – 7.5%
• IEMG – 6.7%
• IJR – 5.2%
• PDBC – 4.9%
Performance so far:
• +$59.5k unrealized gains
• +38.8% overall return
I’ve mainly focused on long-term investing, broad diversification, and consistent contributions instead of trying to stock pick heavily.
For someone earning my salary in California, am I ahead, behind, or roughly on track for my age?