Let’s dive right into the December 2018 FIRE progress report.

The Numbers

21.6151%

This is our invested assets/target number. Our invested assets span across a variety of investment vehicles such as 401k, HSA, IRA, Roth IRA, ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Program) and standard taxable mutual funds.

116

The number of months until my 45th birthday and our finish date.

114.20

The number of expected months until we reach our target number based on our current expected monthly contributions, assuming a 10% annual return.

Where We Saved This Month

401k – $1754 total (employee and employer)

HSA – $420

Roth IRA – $900

ESPP – $231

Taxable Investments – This will start after we’ve built up an extra cushion in our savings account, probably closer to the end of the year.

What’s Happened and What’s Happening

Usually the end of the year will show a boost to all accounts with capital gains and dividends being distributed. Not only that, but starting next year, the amount we contribute to the Roth IRA will increase in order to invest up to the new maximum in place for 2019.

The ESPP (employee stock purchase program) started this month and will continue into the future with a higher amount showing up soon because of it hitting both paychecks each month. The plan is to withdraw it when the stock is purchased an buy other index funds.

I’ve found that having scheduled deductions pull the money out before I even realize it helps significantly with staying on track. It’s very easy to spend what shows up when it doesn’t have an explicit purpose. That’s one reason I signed up for the ESPP.