Calculating Freedom Number

[Zach D.]

Hello, my wife and I just sold our sfm home that we rented out after we moved to the burbs. We boggled the “cash flow” aspect of the rental but made money in appreciation. Anyway, we are a little smarter now and understand what to do after researching and living and learning. We are under contract on a multi family property and hope to grow our portfolio in the next few years. We both work normal jobs and have ROTH and 401(k). I was wondering if/when people calculate their freedom number do they take into account “stock market” investments as an expense?

For example, if each month 1k goes to 401(k) and ROTH would I count that as an expense when I left my job? Since our rental properties will presumable turn into our retirement do we still save money in the stock market? Or does that expense leave and we bank totally on real estate moving forward?

Assuming this is personal preference but just wondering what some people are doing.

Thanks,

Zach

[Daniel McNulty]

@Zach D.

The simple answer is no, people stop contributing towards investment accounts and begin to live off of the wealth they have accumulated.

In reality it’s more complicated than that. Many people have years and months where they make far more than they need and then reinvest it.

The general idea of financial independence / retirement is that you do not HAVE to keep contributing to your wealth. You may choose to, but you should not HAVE to.