Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am op and I should note, DH trades actively and makes about 300k a year trading options and he has beaten the S&P since the Pandemic (when he started actively trading). I imagine that will continue even in retirement.

Note, he trades up markets and down markets. Total he is up 1.5 million in profits since the Pandemic (March 13, 2020 to July 3rd, 2025).

Too funny. Teams of very smart guys on wall street with almost unlimited resources can't outperform day trader hubby lol

What do you want me to say? He has been trading since he was in high school (off and on). His father was a stock broker in the 80s. He has been around this stuff since he was a kid.

Also, they do outperform--a good hedge fund will beat the S&P.

Next hater comment will be--if he is so good you all should be retired. No, because we had to use the money over the years--buy houses, private school tuition through high school, etc. As I said, we value education to a fault. It worked out, achieving what we wanted to for our kids' education for high school, colleges, and law schools.

Anonymous wrote:I am op and I should note, DH trades actively and makes about 300k a year trading options and he has beaten the S&P since the Pandemic (when he started actively trading). I imagine that will continue even in retirement.

Note, he trades up markets and down markets. Total he is up 1.5 million in profits since the Pandemic (March 13, 2020 to July 3rd, 2025).

Too funny. Teams of very smart guys on wall street with almost unlimited resources can't outperform day trader hubby lol

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am op and I should note, DH trades actively and makes about 300k a year trading options and he has beaten the S&P since the Pandemic (when he started actively trading). I imagine that will continue even in retirement.

Note, he trades up markets and down markets. Total he is up 1.5 million in profits since the Pandemic (March 13, 2020 to July 3rd, 2025).

Assuming the HHI of 300-400K you posted in the OP does not include this 300K, you guys are making 600K/year. Your net worth is way low compared to that level of income. Why?

Elite private colleges and law schools--also realize 300k we make trading is in a retirement account which we have drawn some to pay tuition. We believe in education. Kids went to Ivy and Ivy or Ivy level law schools. That is how we use our money.

50 (me) and 53 (DH). About $2.3 million in investments/retirement and cash, and $1 million in home equity. Kids’ college fully funded by my parents. (We’re very fortunate.). We make $410k per year together (plus investment income). We both will have pensions and access to employer health benefits through retirement. Current plans are to retire at 62 and 65, though I may retire a few years earlier if DH lets me.

Anonymous wrote:I am op and I should note, DH trades actively and makes about 300k a year trading options and he has beaten the S&P since the Pandemic (when he started actively trading). I imagine that will continue even in retirement.

Note, he trades up markets and down markets. Total he is up 1.5 million in profits since the Pandemic (March 13, 2020 to July 3rd, 2025).

Assuming the HHI of 300-400K you posted in the OP does not include this 300K, you guys are making 600K/year. Your net worth is way low compared to that level of income. Why?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s the avid trading killing you. How many bad years are you talking about? I’ve been tracking net worth since 2012 and the only year I’ve been down (with adding money every year) is 2018.

Made a million in 2020. Made 300k in 2021. Lost 500k in 2022. Made 300k i 2023. Made 300k in 2024. Up 300k in 2025. From trading. Those are the years I traded.

Therein lies the problem. If you had stopped in 2020 and invested that $1M in an indexed fund, you would be up the amount you stated below.

I am op and I should note, DH trades actively and makes about 300k a year trading options and he has beaten the S&P since the Pandemic (when he started actively trading). I imagine that will continue even in retirement.

Note, he trades up markets and down markets. Total he is up 1.5 million in profits since the Pandemic (March 13, 2020 to July 3rd, 2025).

Anonymous wrote:Private undergrad just isn't going to happen for our kids unless they get major scholarships.
HHI 200k - one spouse full time, one part-time
Retirement $1.7M
Stocks outside retirement $1.3M
529s $200k
House worth $1.2M with $300k remaining balance
We have a vacation home with about $300k equity we are selling this year - will pay off our mortgage

Not bad, I think you could swing private colleges. Mine are now taking out loans for law school (all 3 will go eventually to law school). Two are going this fall. They are at top schools so they will be able to pay off the loans but will have to work many hours at a big law firm.

Private undergrad just isn't going to happen for our kids unless they get major scholarships.
HHI 200k - one spouse full time, one part-time
Retirement $1.7M
Stocks outside retirement $1.3M
529s $200k
House worth $1.2M with $300k remaining balance
We have a vacation home with about $300k equity we are selling this year - will pay off our mortgage

I have ~20M in stocks (it fluctuates), and still doubt myself every time I send that check to kids' private universities. Sometimes it's not about one's ability to pay, but just the sheer insanity of college tuition. It shouldn't cost this much. And yet I'm a sucker like a lot of people.

I want a cookie. I'm 56 and have been saving a lot too. It's hard. I'd rather spend it. I think I deserve a cookie. I hope they are homemade.

Just checked and since 2020 this is the total in realized gains (not including stuff I just bought and held). So about 1.6 million made from trading.

+$1,589,117.22

Anonymous wrote:It’s the avid trading killing you. How many bad years are you talking about? I’ve been tracking net worth since 2012 and the only year I’ve been down (with adding money every year) is 2018.

Made a million in 2020. Made 300k in 2021. Lost 500k in 2022. Made 300k i 2023. Made 300k in 2024. Up 300k in 2025. From trading. Those are the years I traded.

Anonymous wrote:You paid for college out of your retirement funds while you had 500k sitting in crypto?

Takes all kinds.

She said had 500k in rental properties and then said "some crypto"--not sure where you read 500k in crypto.

56, $3 million in retirement (mix of 401k and brokerage), home value $1,200,000 - mortage paid off, kids done with college. One of us is retired with a $3k/month pension, and health care covered for life through previous employer, other earns $120 annually and is on the other's free health insurance. Retirement is imminent for the one still working