I fully agree with the general thrust of Nisi's posts. For most of my career as a relatively low-paid (compared to others on this forum at least) small-college professor, my only investments were in my tax-deferred 403(b) plan at TIAA, funded through automatic payroll deductions that I increased somewhat regularly until I hit the maximum aroung age 50. I didn't open a taxable brokerage account until I received an inheritance in my mid 50s. When the 2000-03 dot-com bust and the 2008-09 crash hit, I simply kept on going with my 403(b) contributions unchanged. I retired at 63, 9 years ago, with more than enough.
It helped that my wife was also a professor with a similar salary and savings, so I'm not supporting two people financially.
It helped that my wife was also a professor with a similar salary and savings, so I'm not supporting two people financially.
Statistics: Posted by 22twain — Mon Jan 05, 2026 8:50 am — Replies 4 — Views 407