It’s been a couple of months since our last financial update and there is no better time than now.
The markets have been on fire! But, we might be getting to that point where a pullback could be inevitable. We have certainly enjoyed watching our portfolio rebound to our pre home build levels. However, the reality is that the markets can’t go up forever. At some point there needs to be a pullback or even a correction. No one wants it to happen, but that’s what healthy markets do.
This year end could be similar to 2024. We had a good run until end of year profit taking started and the market fell pretty good. That would be ok though as it would set up nicely for 2026. But, what might keep the ball rolling this year are rate cuts.
Yes, we said rate cuts! The Fed finally decided to actually do their job after getting pounded relentlessly for their incompetence. As of now we only got one little 25 basis point cut. More should be on the way at the next meetings. That could fuel a longer run as yields drop and money moves into stocks looking for better returns.
Either way things are looking good. Lower interest rates, lower inflation, lower gas prices, a healthy economy and a booming stock market. Yeah, I voted for that!
As an added bonus the morons in Washington decided to close down the government. I don’t know about you, but I don’t see the government being closed as a bad thing. Especially if the reason is a burning desire to spend money on crap that we shouldn’t spend money on.
In my opinion, the executive branch should take this as a gift and permanently gut the bureaucracy. Cut the useless programs and fraudulent pet project spending for good. Then tell the whiners to shove it.
The money saved cutting all of that garbage could pay the troops and the other folks who are getting hosed by these losers. And nothing makes the crazies come to their senses faster than losing out on their spending scams. If these people want to play hardball then I say throw a high heater under their chin.
Then when the government reopens and people start getting paid again take the savings from shutting down these scams and put it towards the national debt. A growing economy and less spending can tackle that problem from both ends.
Now, I’m not naive about how government works. This is what should be done if we are really putting our country first. But, the Republican party has the spine of a jellyfish and the Democrats have now gone full blown communist. I guess just being socialists was still too far right for them.
So my opinion on the shut down is………who cares. The longer the government stays closed the more people will realize how useless and completely corrupt the whole scam is. If permanent spending cuts happen that would be icing on the cake.
Let’s check out the numbers!
Our Portfolio Month Ending September 2025:
Portfolio = $1,607,882
Change Since Last Update = +$86,559
Change YTD = +$138,490 or 9.42%
Net Worth = $1,840,483
Net Worth Change YTD = +$141,380 or 8.32%
Three quarters through the year and we couldn’t ask to be in a better position.
When we started our new withdrawal plan there was fear that it would stop our portfolio from growing. Of course, that could still happen if market conditions change. But that’s a point that needs to be made! There is always a chance that something could happen at anytime. Why let fear drive your decisions and rule your life?
The same fear existed when we decided to retire early and walk away from comfy income producing jobs. That’s the mental side of retiring early. The uncertainty and fear of walking away from the perceived comfort of a job is what prevents many people from taking the leap.
Here is the remedy:
1. Have a plan and stick to it.
2. Accept that there will be rough patches.
3. Do not overreact when things happen. Especially if they are out of your control.
So far everything has worked out well for us over the last 5 years. Has it been smooth sailing? Heck no! Look at what happened to our portfolio in 2022! After riding high and well above our $1.5M FI number we got decimated and lost over $300k when the markets tanked. But we didn’t panic, stuck to our plan and we recovered.
The same can be said for when we decided to get off the road and build a house. Talk about a bumpy ride! But, we got it done and here we are.
So when fear crept in moving onto this new phase we did what we always have done, we forged ahead. As you can see our portfolio has increased $138k this year. That’s net of our withdrawals BTW! Turns out, the fear was more about a change in our process than the reality of our situation.
Had the markets gone the other way we would have done the same thing as we did in 2022. Taken a big deep breath, exhaled and done nothing.
So what’s stopping you from pursuing your freedom? Is it the fear of the unknown? The fear of walking away from a paycheck? Is it because something might, maybe, could potentially happen?
Maybe you are just making excuses? Maybe you are allowing fear to self sabotage what could be a more fulfilling life? Just think about it.
If you have your financial ducks in a row then the only thing really stopping you, is you.
Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.
Until next time…….
Happy Trails!
Joe
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