Original Message

For the first few years I put in the match, jumped up to 20% about 20 years ago and have been maxing it out for the last 7 years. I am on the agressive side and try not to look at it. Did very well under Trump and luckily changed my selections when Biden got in, or I would have lost my shirt. So for 2023 it was $30K, which when you consider how much of that would have gone on taxes I don't really miss it. I'm sure some would say I should have put less in the 401K and more into something else, but i'm not really that smart. I find that the 401K doubles every 7 years or so ad advertised.

I'm a big Dave Ramsey fan, and my kids went the trade route over college so that helped alot. We looked at a degree for $150K of student debt, and none of the kids wanted that.

My eldest is a welder and makes more than me after only 2 years on the job. He works in a high tech industry and surprised me by how clean his job is.

The only rule I had for the kids is do what makes you happy and told them it won't feel like work. I know that is how I feel about flying helicopters.