September RETIREMENT Portfolio Update (This is CRAZY!) + YouTube Income💲

[@coreysmith5141]

Congratulations! You will double your KZbin monthly income soon.

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@HappyonMonday]

@@silentnot4812 That is very true. I've heard that also!

[@DougB64]

Hey Julie. Thanks for sharing all of this information. I'm set to retire now at 60. I plan to start collecting SS at 62. I'm struggling to muster up the courage to do it. I've been working since I was 12. I've often worked two jobs so that I could buy my house and stay as debt free as possible. I've very very frugal. My work has been such a big part of my life. It's a little scary to make such a big change and give up the security of a paycheck but the reality is that my health will start to decline as I age so I want to enjoy my healthy years while I can. Watching videos like yours helps me mentally prepare for the transition to retirement. Thank you for helping me on this journey.

[@HappyonMonday]

You are very welcome!! It is really important that you have a plan for what you're going to do when you retire. make sure you have lots of activities planned!! 😁

[@MichaelWilliams-kg8ex]

Hi Julie, I just found your channel it's very informative. I appreciate the transparency on your finances. I'm 59 with 1.4mil. Saved. I hope to retire at 62. Great videos.

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you!! Welcome to the channel! 😁

[@kristannonfire]

Hi Julie, another great video, and congrats on the growth in your portfolio and KZbin income! Also, thank you so much for the kind words about my channel. You are a such a generous soul!!! 🙏 blessed be! 😊

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you and you are very welcome! ☺

[@jcm9356]

Thank you for being so transparent. The production of the videos is already to a pretty high standard; I am sure it will continue to get better.

[@HappyonMonday]

You're welcome and thank you!! ☺

[@alcantwell]

Not that you asked for my opinion 😊 but don't tinker with the production of your videos. They have a look and feel that are unique and original. In the corporate world they call that a brand, and they don't mess with a winning brand. I always look forward to watching your next video. Keep up the great work!

[@HappyonMonday]

@@alcantwell Thank you so much! That's really nice to hear. ☺

[@evievazquez]

feel like I’m in class when I watch your videos 😊 Really like the graphics

[@HappyonMonday]

I hope that's a good thing! After teaching for 20 years it's hard to turn off that teacher voice. 😆

[@Grannystipsandtricks]

My husband and I both just retired from the educational system too! Love your videos ❤ I think I subscribe to every “early retirement” video there is lol. Dave Ramsey really helped us get on track too 😊

[@HappyonMonday]

Awesome - congrats!! Dave Ramsey has a lot of good ideas!!😁

[@jrlottery7]

Thank you for being so candid! i really like that you shouted out other channels and I enjoy the quote when you end your vid. Nice work!

[@HappyonMonday]

You're welcome and thank you!! ☺

[@anthonybutler3157]

Great video. You are so encouraging to us who have or will retire on modest savings and income. You are the antidote to those who just make up numbers for retirement financial needs. Retirement planning is hard work, but we'll worth it. You're rocking it

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you so much!! That's exactly why I wanted to start this channel! 😃

[@letschatfamilyfinances]

Great job managing all this for your early retirement! I enjoy your videos. We had a pleasant investing experience this quarter - we save for our six kids in 529 plans. Our oldest started college in the fall and we had to withdraw about $9,000 for her school expenses. However our total portfolio balance among all six kids grew by just over $9,000 this quarter. So exciting! That is why we are trying to use investing rather than cash flow to fund college.

[@HappyonMonday]

@letschatfamilyfinances That's awesome! I had something like 529 plans when my kids were that age. 😊

[@brendawick]

Congrats on your growth. I'm 42 and want to retire at 50 but looking more like 55. I've just started a CD ladder in July and it's building very nicely. Debt free but our house. Have around 17k saved so far for retirement in stocks and CDs. Love watching your vedios

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you!! Sounds like you have a great plan! 🙂

[@JD-tn5tb]

P.S. - that's so nice of you to mention other channels. I will check them out.

[@Opm0316]

As a teacher, being absent is really a pain, you’re already sick but you still have to make complete lesson plan, with all the directions, making copies and a lot of work. You might as well go in. I had a miscarriage and I went to work. I can’t imagine I did that. Now I’m out from teaching for good and I’m not going back.

[@HappyonMonday]

I totally agree with you!! I worked with shingles and lots of other illnesses. I'm so sorry you had to work after a miscarriage. That must have been hard. I won't be going back either! 😁

[@mickster1780]

congrats on the pleasant surprise with your HRA. that's awesome 😎. i was up 3% in September btw. very happy with that.

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you!! 😁3% is great!

[@annmariestanford9142]

Way to go Julie! Thanks for sharing your learnings with us

[@HappyonMonday]

You are very welcome! ☺

[@tonylevine2716]

Great job! 👏🏾 Nice surprise on the HRA account! There are some financial/retirement YT channels that disparage moderate income retirements but so glad you are proving them wrong!! You are closing in on 10K subscribers!! 🙏🏾

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you!! I am very happy about my HRA account! 😁

[@crystalgattis1073]

My thinking is that Financial Planners want you to retire with over a million so that they get more in compensation. If you live frugally, you don't need this much.

[@HappyonMonday]

@@crystalgattis1073 I agree 100%! 😃

[@plum_colored_dahlia]

Once a saver, likely always a saver in some form. You’ll probably figure out how to squirrel away a bit here and there, now and then as your channel grows or your month to month expenses fluctuate. Having a home you own outright is a huge help. You also have an option to garden if you want and put up produce as your energy and bandwidth allow which could give you an edge as inflation is such a booger. Way to go! Enjoy those Mondays especially as they are pretty much all Monday’s now. 😊

[@HappyonMonday]

Yes!! I think I will always be a saver! I agree that owning myb home helps a ton! I have a garden that I love!! 😁

[@SuburbanBBQ]

Great video. I think we're about the same age. I was born in '66. I'm about 3 years away from retirement, but I believe I could do it today, if needed. Keep the videos coming. I might get brave and take the plunge myself. 😁

[@HappyonMonday]

Yep! I was born at the end of 65. It's nice knowing you can afford to retire, even if you don't. You'll know when the right time is! ☺

[@CharlesAnsman]

That's a fantastic update ! You've been wise and lucky (HRA) with your planning. You should be very proud of yourself. 👍

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you!! 😁

[@tammy9964]

Great video. Keep up the good work. ❤

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you!! ☺

[@VTLovesSF]

Great vodeo! Almost 10k subscribers, look at you go!

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you!! ☺

[@ryanclark6602]

Really look forward to your videos. I’m doing everything I can to get to retirement by the age of 55. I’m 45 now and have about 130000 so far. I live very modestly so I know I won’t need much to live off of.

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you! That's great! You have 10 years for your money to grow!! 😁

[@Ethan-bu2zy]

Keep plugging away with saving and investing. In 10 years your money should double and then some. Best of luck!

[@CurtisRetiredLife]

Very nice update, congrats on all the growth since you retired.

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you!! ☺

[@marydawkins2673]

Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉another great video!!

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you!! 🙂

[@woodsparker7902]

The sick leave cash out was a nice surprise! At my school, the account will just be wiped clean, no payout. That is just the way it is. In fact, each year the hours accumulated over a certain number just drop off. It would be nice to have a cash out option, but administration doesn't support it. Glad to hear your portfolio performed well in September! I'm still waiting to receive my statement.

[@HappyonMonday]

It's interesting how it differs from district to district! That's too bad you lose it all. You'll have to use your sick days then!!😁

[@user-bg9em7ch6k]

I always felt the way you did- that prepping for, and cleaning up after, a sub was Waaay more work than it was worth (tho of course I was very lucky that I was healthy throughout my career). My district did give me something extra for my retirement, but I wasn’t able to determine exactly what it was. But it was definitely my choice not to take days off, and I know it was better for the kids, so I’m glad I was able to.

[@HappyonMonday]

@@user-bg9em7ch6k Yes, If I ever had a fever or was really sick, obviously I had to stay home. But the whole sub thing was a lot of work!! 😄

[@lisag-posty]

Great video. You are doing great. I will pay my last car note this month and will start investing that money and house will be paid off in a year. Getting closer to retirement! Going to Check out the channels you mentioned. I also watch “This is our retirement”. Tina and Norm are a hoot!

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you! Awesome - you are getting close then!! I've seen Tina and Norm - I agree! 😁

[@unexpectedgoodluck2210]

Congratulations, Julie! I really love your channel. I am up 1.74% and I am still working. I am a saver, too. I am reluctant to retire as I do not have a pension.

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you! It's great getting that growth - I hope it continues.

[@bunnobear]

We are the same, no pension and have to live off our superannuation (ie lifetime savings). We are living on the monthly budget we are planning for retirement just to make sure we have accuracy in our planning.

[@tracyt7319]

Hi! Interesting vids and it was great to see stuff with real numbers. I’m a major math nerd and enjoy analyzing my upcoming retirement in 1 or 5 years. For fun I converted everything to percents of my working income and estimate I will retire making 120% of my current salary for the rest of my life. I also computed that my retirement money is making $17 per hour for me this year. Yes it is a silly way to look at things but is fun.

[@HappyonMonday]

I love this! I'm also a math nerd and I love how you analyzed it!! 😃

[@ibenglish]

I am able to bank 60 days total of my personal leave days that pay around $300 each. I think I am going to try and save about 40-50 of these which will be paid to me in a check upon separation of employment. This now becomes an extra bucket for me to live on while I transition and await my annuity from my employer. I would never of known about this if they did not send a message telling me so. As for this video I would say you are doing excellent from a financial perspective. I have been watching the subscriber total as it approaches the 10k mark. Very impressive Julie. You have a wonderful night and stay positive! 🌹👍🏻

[@HappyonMonday]

That's great!! That will really add up! Thank you - you have a great night too! ☺

[@SchatziTravels]

Good morning , Julie! Great news re your HRA „surprise“! OK I‘ll continue watching now…

[@HappyonMonday]

Good morning and thank you!! 😁

[@SchatziTravels]

@@HappyonMonday My September portfolio was up a bit as well, but like you said, I’m not counting on that staying steady over the next bunch of months. I didn’t do anything special last month except plan a Xmas trip to meet family “halfway” (i.e. on the East Coast). It’s a temporary drain on my #1 bucket (holiday travel is sooo expensive, yikes) but well worth it. Life’s too short! Have a great weekend, Julie - well, weekend for us still working, you’re already in permanent weekend modus, ha, lucky you😆

[@HappyonMonday]

@@SchatziTravels Yes, it will be interesting what happens in the market. A Xmas trip - how fun!! 😃

[@OurRetireEarlyJourney]

Thank you so much for the shoutout! You know we love your content. 😍We are nervous about the transition from saving to spending. Amazing on the HRA bump! So glad you had a great month. We were expecting a huge drop in September luckily it didn't. Next month will be a little bumpy but this year looks to end up great for the markets.

[@HappyonMonday]

You're welcome! Yes, September was good. Fingers crossed for the rest of the year! 🤞

[@rocioocampo8735]

Hi 👋 great video 😊

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you! ☺

[@CourtneyRobinson]

We are a little up despite being very slow in our business and replacing an HVAC. We had to take a pay cut but with interest and market growth we have maintained and a little growth. I’m happy about it. Always great to see your videos.

[@HappyonMonday]

That's awesome!! Thank you! Let's hope this market keeps going in a positive direction! 🤞🤞

[@SandraEdstrom]

Love your videos! Love learning from your experiences!

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you! ☺

[@sherribrink5664]

Very good video. Thanks for your transparency. I like your channel because you retired with a modest income like my husband and I have done. Which makes you much more relatable than most. Your doing great. Keep up the good work. ❤

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you!! ☺

[@jordankendall86]

I am actually surprised by your KZbin earnings. Great job! I am curious how much time you are spending on these KZbin videos. Maybe you can break down the KZbin earnings by your hourly effort/work in your next month's update.

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you! For me making videos is a hobby. I spend up to 8 hours making a video start to finish. But I enjoy it! I will put the hourly breakdown on my list. 😁

[@jordankendall86]

@@HappyonMonday Thanks. I am grateful for all the details.

[@StephsHealthMatters]

Congrats on your monthly update

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you!! ☺

[@stephaniemitchell7684]

Wow keep up the great work 😊

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you! ☺

[@cyclingonplants7444]

Hi Julie 🤗 I'm in Canada and just retired last month. I also had a ton of sick leave that I never used and I lost the entire amount. I think I had about the same number of hours that you did too!LOL I'm thankful that I had sick time over the years to use when I needed it after a car accident, broken ankle and a wonky back but generally speaking I didn't get sick. This is great news that you got more that you figured for the HSA! Wow 🤩

[@HappyonMonday]

It doesn't seem fair to lose all that sick leave! Yes, I was very happy with how it worked out, even though I only got 25%! 😁

[@ProfChris]

My portfolio did well this last month too. And I've been using my HRA since July 2021 when I "retired" from my tenured position. I just teach a bit on the side now, usually online. I'm loving retirement. I haven't had to touch any accounts yet but will probably need to in another year or two. I am waiting as long as possible before taking SS. Love your videos, keep up the good work:-)

[@HappyonMonday]

That's great! Fingers crossed that the markets keep doing well! I will wait as long as possible to touch my accounts and start SS also! ☺

[@crystalgattis1073]

Did great this month as well. Up about $10,000 in one month! I also retired a couple months ago so am no longer making contributions.

[@HappyonMonday]

That's great!! Fingers crossed that it continues!! 🤞🤞

[@daveschmarder-US1950]

You're doing fine, Julie. See if you can stretch out the time before you take SS. Congrats on the YT income!

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you! Yes, I won't take SS unless I need to. ☺

[@bonitahill5239]

YAY!!! Nice Job! I just love all your vids just great information on retirement😊. You really got me thinking about that bridge account so I can exit a bit earlier.... Fingers crossed. It might have a few missing planks 😅

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you!! That's awesome! Missing planks - I love that! 😄

[@MerriannSherwood]

Found the comments on the HRA and sick leave interesting. I thought you suggested viewers save up sick time, but I don't think that policy exists for all employers. I just retired from a utility in CA. They stopped letting us accumulate sick time several years ago. Those of us who had accumulated time could keep it, but not increase the balance. They went to a new plan where they start everyone one off with 96 hours and you only accrue what you used the previous month up to 8 hours, but you lose it when you retire. I will receive 25% of the original capped time in my HRA at the rate I was making when I retired. Good for you for being able to do this for several years. That is such a blessing to have that much in your HRA now. Very happy for you!

[@HappyonMonday]

Yes it's very different with different employers! Thank you! ☺

[@christopheraquino4711]

New subscriber Ms. Julie. I like your blog and how you present your blog with great illustrations, thank you for sharing your financial portfolio so we can all be educated. I am turning 52 this Dec, 2024 and now counting 10 more yrs till i retire. I am putting 15% in Roth IRA at work fed match 6% =21% total and my wife doing the same. We both works in fed lucky to have pension if we retire, SSS and money in the stock market all our money are all placed in TSP or S&P 500. We only have the home mortgage no other debts , new electric cars but paid full we save money on gas and maintenance and we have solar panel at home. So excited for putting 10 more yrs before we retire, we do out of country vacation 2-3 times a yr while we are still young and able to walk good and energy. I hope we remain healthy so we can spend more quality time with our kids and enjoy our future retirement.

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you! Wow 6% fed match and a pension is fantastic!! Sounds like you guys are doing great! 😃

[@MyFrayedEndsOfSanity]

I had a nice month in the markets as well. October may see a correction though.

[@HappyonMonday]

Awesome! Yes, that's what I keep hearing too. 🙁

[@JD-tn5tb]

You are my favorite moderate income retirement channel. I'm sure you've thought of all of this but don't forget that medicare will come out of your social security and depending on your income, they can tax up to 85 percent of your social security so this could significantly reduce your ss. My investments aren't doing that great although I keep hearing how many people's investments are doing great. It's partly my fault because I have most of my 401k in low risk categories. But even my personal stocks aren't doing great - they are pretty volitile. for this reason, I just can't count on investments to take care of me for 20 to 30 years. It's just too risky for me. I just count on it for icing on the cake or extra money. I'm hoping my pension and ss will be able to be the income for life. And a couple of small annuities. For this reason, I'm trying not to take my ss for as long as possible. I know you might need to take your ss early but hopefully, your you tube income will grow and maybe you could pro long taking it. And yes, youtube does some strange things when typing in comments. I have typed comments and sometimes they disappear. The part I hate the most is when someone comments to my comment but then it's weeks later and my comment gets erased so I have no idea what they are talking about. That is nice of you to respond to everyone's comments. It's a lot of work and my feelings will not be hurt if it gets to where you can't respond. Thank you for your videos.

[@HappyonMonday]

That's so nice - thank you! Yes, I am aware that medicare will be taken out of SS. If there's any way I can delay taking SS I will!! Investment risk is very scary andd volatile! Thanks so much! ☺

[@FIRE_DrNinjaTurtle]

I am not as transparent as you. I do not report my actual finances as everyone is different. What works for me will not work for others. I love your transparency and I look forward to seeing more.

[@HappyonMonday]

It's all about that you're comfortable with!! 🙂

[@FIRE_DrNinjaTurtle]

I am late posting due to being at the lake

[@HappyonMonday]

@@FIRE_DrNinjaTurtle Have fun at the lake! 😃

[@themonogrammom]

Thanks to your videos, I am now tracking my portfolio monthly. During the month of September 2024, I had a nice growth of $9,634 and only contributed $500. I still have 5 years before I will need to touch these funds so I hope the trend continues.

[@HappyonMonday]

I love hearing that! That's great growth! I hope it continues too. 🤞😁

[@tracyt7319]

One thing that really surprised me was your KZbin income! Hundreds of dollars per month and it appears you only do a few short vids a week? I would be interested in seeing a breakdown of how that works.

[@HappyonMonday]

I have touched on this in other videos. I do two 10 minute videos per week. With the amount of time it takes me to make each video, it's less than minimum wage. But, I'm not doing it for just the income. It's like a fun hobby! 😁

[@bluesfool1]

You should try and use your savings as a bridge account until you reach your fra for social security. You can look at a safe withdrawal rate of 3.5 -4% and still be able to grow your savings. That’s what I’m planning to do. You’re doing great I think.

[@HappyonMonday]

Yes, if I can I definitely will! Thanks! 😁

[@clintonwhite2966]

401K is all in aggressive growth mutual funds. Actually in the TSP “C”-fund. It mirrors the S&P 500. My return for the month of September was 2.14% Pretty happy about a return like that in September.

[@HappyonMonday]

Yes! September was so much better than expected!! 😃

[@markharris142]

Another great video! You put the fun in the phrase "retirement portfolio update."

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you! I love that. 😄

[@monikaw1369]

Trying to learn what to do. Retired teacher here as well

[@HappyonMonday]

It's all about how much risk tolerance you're comfortable with! My portfolio is much more conservative than most! 😁

[@daniellem5175]

You are doing great. That's a lot of sick hours to accrue and shows your strong work ethic! ♥ I really like the channel- Ronnie Christian (A Resilient Life). He is very practical and wise like you are!

[@HappyonMonday]

Thank you!! I'll have to check out that channel!! 😁

[@ewe2b]

New subscriber, and retired earlier this year too. Even with no income we have more $$ in retirement accounts than when we were working. Do you track your expenses too? We are finding that we spend less than we thought we would.

[@HappyonMonday]

Welcome!! That's awesome! Yes I track my expenses and I am also finding that I spend less! 😁

[@CJ-Photo]

Hi Julie, I believe you had a link to a social security calculator where you can paste your earnings record and calculate early retirement, but I can find the video where it was. Can you please point me in the right direction?

[@HappyonMonday]

Of course! Here's the link. Social Security Tools: ssa.tools/

[@CJ-Photo]

@@HappyonMonday thank you!

[@kwaichangcaine8234]

I'm waiting for my statement 😮

[@HappyonMonday]

I always look mine up online! 😁

[@lizstyles4611]

Hi Julie❤ I know you said some teachers take the sick leave before they retire. Would an example of that be to take FMLA leave before retirement? In my state, they let you cash out 430 hours (I think that’s the number) but I have almost 1100 hours and I’m not sure what to do.

[@HappyonMonday]

What I meant is teachers taking every Friday off all year being "sick." I'm my district you can get 25% of your sick leave up to about 1400 hours. It's different in each district and state. I would look into it for sure! 👍

[@lizstyles4611]

@@HappyonMonday thank you 😊

[@sharonmontgomery835]

Hi Julie, thank you for sharing your success in retirement, you give many of us hope! I'm sorry if you've addressed this in a previous video, but is your SS affected by the WEP? I have 20 years in teaching, but I also worked 20 years in the corporate world and I'm hearing that my SS is going to either be eliminated or drastically reduced simply because I will be receiving a pension when I retire 🥺

[@HappyonMonday]

You're welcome! My SS is not affected by that. It depends on what state you live in and if you had SS taken out of your paychecks. Many teachers in the following states are not enrolled in Social Security: Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Texas. I live in Washington so I have always had SS taken out of my checks. 🙂

[@sharonmontgomery835]

@@HappyonMonday got it, thank you, good old CA 🙄

[@HappyonMonday]

@@sharonmontgomery835 😬

[@deborahgravett6148]

Your early retirement is similar to mine. I'm wondering if you track your net worth each month and if so, how do you account for pension in your net worth. Also, do you make New Years resolutions oriented towards your money or retirement journey. I do.

[@HappyonMonday]

@deborahgravett6148 Yes I do! I look up the value of my retirement accounts once a month. I haven't really included my pension in my net worth but I probably should! 😊

[@TheGilmore91]

I turn 57 in December. I never really thought about going from being a saver to a spender before. The thought of it gave me anxiety, LMAO.

[@HappyonMonday]

Yeah it's hard to adjust for sure! 😄

[@mikemiller3428]

April and July I had negative returns. Sept I earned 15000. I am on std and not working or contributing to my 401k but since may its grown 90000!! I want to retire this year at 55 so I'm happy.

[@HappyonMonday]

Wow that's amazing!! Great growth!! 😃

[@mikemiller3428]

@HappyonMonday ty...I have saved for 33 years. I love your vids, advice, and transparency. You are doing awesome.

[@HappyonMonday]

@@mikemiller3428 Thank you! ☺

[@bcusaaus4749]

Not sure if I’ve seen a video about if you own a home/ balance monthly living expenses. I so want to retire now at 62 but only have about 350k and renting

[@HappyonMonday]

Yes I have several videos about this. I do own my home. Start with this video! 😁kzbin.info/www/bejne/naiyY6qqottqa7c

[@BudgetingwithTracey]

😊😊

[@Financefunandfitness]

Hi, your social security is kind of low if you take it at 62. Is it because not enough of working years?

[@HappyonMonday]

I worked half time when my kids were little and I retired early! Also, teachers don't make a lot of money. I have 39 years on my SS record, but when you work part time and your salary isn't super high that's just what happens. 🙂

[@candiceblanc7227]

Are you currently receiving your pension, since you mentioned you were a teacher? I have a goal to retire in the next two years. Right now, I'm saving more than half of my income, and I will also receive a pension from teaching at that time. How long did it take you to save nearly $500,000?

[@HappyonMonday]

Yes, my pension is $800 a month and I started receiving it in September. It took me about 8 years to save this much! 😁

[@candiceblanc7227]

@@HappyonMonday estimated mine out they said it would be around $1800 and that's before taxes. I feel like you should of got more then $800

[@HappyonMonday]

@@candiceblanc7227 Yeah the issues were that I worked half time when my kids were little, so those years only counted as half years toward my pension. Also, I retired at 58. Just couldn't do it anymore! 😁

[@candiceblanc7227]

@@HappyonMonday makes sense to me. I'm planning on a buyout of four years since I'm feeling burned out. Without the buyout, I would face a 7 percent reduction each year, which I can't manage. I also can't continue working until I reach the age for full benefits, which is 59 and a half.

[@HappyonMonday]

@@candiceblanc7227 Oh I feel you! I couldn't do it any longer! 🙂

[@RealMuperSan]

Teachers have it made

[@HappyonMonday]

Really? How so?

[@PatriotSteve]

why is your ss so low? does that have to do with being a teacher? i made less annually than you (guessing avg around 52k) and my amount at 63 is 2200 per month.

[@HappyonMonday]

I worked half time when my kids were little and I stopped working at 58. That makes a difference!

[@hardlygamaliel455]

Instead of just looking at how many dollars you have in each bucket, translate that into how many months/years of expenses it represents. That's because $500K if you're spending $30K a year is very different than if you're spending $100K a year.

[@HappyonMonday]

That's true! I do have videos where I go over that. Thanks! 🙂

[@deannakatherine2564]

Prepper Princess

[@HappyonMonday]

I've heard of her! I'll have to check out her channel! 👍

[@monikaw1369]

Should the increase be taken and placed into something less risky? If the market goes down, the increase won’t be lost. ?????

[@HappyonMonday]

That's a tough one. My portfolio is pretty conservative. I just have the risky stuff in bucket 3, which I shouldn't need for a long time. There's got to be some potential for growth. ☺

[@Proof-l1u]

Not sure why you are considering taking social security at 62? Unless you are having health issues or you are low on money, there is no reason to take it early. You will only lock in a low benefit for the rest of your life.

[@HappyonMonday]

Yes I will only take it then if I need the money! 👍

[@jonathanfoster2263]

I plan on playing social security by ear. If my portfolio is doing well I may wait, but if the market has an extended downturn I will start taking it to avoid withdrawing on my portfolio as much while its down. My IRA portfolio went from 603,811.70 to 621,888.57.

[@HappyonMonday]

That's what I'm doing with SS too. Wow - great growth!! 😃