Hello to Bigger Pockets and Goodbye to the Rat Race!

[Steven Johnson]

Good afternoon everyone,

After trolling for the last 12 months on the forum I have decided to post - why? Because action doesn't occur without interaction. I have made a self-proclamation that 2017 will be the year I focus on wealth production versus wealth management.

I differentiate the two because with the 401(k)'s and the IRA's we are too focused on making incremental investments into these vehicles as a means of gaining wealth; in reality these vehicles do a great job at maintaining wealth not so much a good job at building/creating wealth.

Here's some background on why I feel this way:

• I am 30
• I make ~$400K/yr
• I max out my 401(k)
• I max out my IRA (via a back door-Roth)
• I have a general investment account where I stash 10% of my income
• No kids, recently married, not tax breaks (but am cash-flowing a 529 plan)
• No debt

In short - even though this sounds good, and I'm in a "good" position financially, I'm not getting rich. And sadly enough this level of savings might not allow me to retire at the same level of lifestyle. I live in an extremely expensive location in Connecticut to support my daily commute to Manhattan.

I've binged 2017 (and 2 hour commutes on the train) reading Dave Ramsey, Millionaire Fastlane, Rich Dad, Poor Dad and others; it's time to start engaging with like-minded folks and joining in on the conversation.

~Steve