27M, 300k (~$350k) - How working abroad set me on the path to FIRE

Doubling money in 8-10 years is feasible, even expected. But that’s not what’s going on here. I make $85k or $65k annually after taxes if I max my 401k. If I save $40k a year, in 4 years (without compounding) I would have $160k. With compounding and a very optimistic 15% annual return, I would have $200k, which is still not near the $300k-$350k reported here. Compounding is very weak on a 4 year time scale.

The explanation is the combination of another income. While there’s nothing wrong with that, there’s more to the number than compounding in this case. Also, good broker or bad broker, everyone is subject to the market. With the exception of Warren Buffet and a few ex-Renaissance traders, simply being a good broker is not enough to return 15% annually over a consistent 10 year period.

/r/financialindependence Thread