United States 1950-2001 was an absolute powerhouse, I do not expect the same domination for the next 50 years, not of that magnitude.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#24974015)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#24974089)

All the hypo supposes is that you start investing in your early 20s. The "miracle of compounding" is thanks to markets, which obviously fluctuate dramatically and do not offer consistent returns/

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#24973993)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#24974016)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#24974038)

Here's a 5-year example:

Joe invests $1000 in 2002. The market grows 10% each year. In 2007, he thus has about $1600 after 5 years.

Jim invests in 2008. The market drops 38%. He's down to $620.

It increases 18% in 2009, so he's now up to $731.60. In 2010 it increases 11%, bringing him up to about $810. In 2011, he sees a 7% increase, so he's now at 867. He's up 5% in 2012, bringing him up to about $910.

Joe is thus up 60% in 5 years; Jim DOWN nearly 10%.

There was no difference except for when they began investing.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#24974177)

If not then I might yolo and move to the philipines or some shit at 50 with a couple of million.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#24974009)

At least my gf has a 401K that she contributes up to the match limit.

But she is 29 years old and this is her first year of contributing to a roth.

WOmen are fucking children.

"But I make 1/4 of what you do" she clucks.

"Except when I was 22 making $38,000 I still maxed out my roth," I lisp back.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#24974025)

*Invests from 2001-2008*

*Is PWND*

*Is guy 2*

*Begins investing in 2008*

*PROFITS*

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#24974133)

I started investing seriously in 2006 or so, and sure, I got hammered in the couple of years following that. But after the crash I still had something (didn't sell) and it's since recovered. That portion of my savings wouldn't exist if I hadn't saved it early.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#33734072)

Dude waiting until 27 probably was in grad school or something

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#24974146)

The real way I could see myself getting a big Roth IRA would be to get axed from law, and then start converting $30K or so a year from my 401k during a number of years with little to no income.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#24974306)

my parents had very little just 20 years ago and now have a $3-4 million net worth. just make sure you get on a career path that is pretty lucrative and you'll be fine even if you don't save a penny until the age of 35-40.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#24977623)

There's a reason this "phenomenon" is common knowledge and yet remarkably few people seem to benefit from it to the extent promised.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#30296237)

Literally did this. So I'm set 4 life?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#30296292)

*fade in cannibal holocaust theme*

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#46800635)

401K = SCAMs

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#32659870)

Don't be a boomer, save your money.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2488792&forum_id=2).#32660046)