M$D: 8/5/2028

Meet Monica

Age: 26

Monica’s main concerns, in her words:

My income isn’t crazy high (active duty military), but I’m able to save  and invest 50-60% of my take-home pay depending on the month, while feeling that I live a pretty high quality life.  I have a somewhat closeted goal of being financially independent by 35. I say somewhat closeted, because if I reveal that goal to 99.9% of people, I’m hit with all the reasons why that’s impossible.  I’ve done the math, the retirement calculators, and have briefly ran my plan and the numbers a by financial counselor who said I’m doing what it takes to make that goal.  I feel like I’m ahead of most Americans, but that’s only because most Americans choose to do nothing when it comes to financial planning.  I’m curious if I’m really tracking toward my goal, are there some things I should be doing (or am forgetting to do) since I’m fairly new to the financial independent (“early retirement”) game?

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Pete the Planner®

Peter Dunn a.k.a. Pete the Planner® is an award-winning financial mind and a former comedian. He’s a USA TODAY columnist, author of ten books, and is the host of the popular radio show and podcast, The Pete the Planner Show. Pete is considered one of the foremost experts on financial wellness in the world, but he’s just as likely to talk your ear off about bass fishing.