Once in a while, I'll log into my 401(k) account just to see the balance and put a smile on my face. I've been invested for long enough (and am diversified enough) that even with the decline in the market, I have a net gain. So I look at the number I've invested over the years (it's listed as the amount I can take out as a loan), and then the total balance, and I can see how much I've made just by contributing every month. It's pretty satisfying.I feel silly admitting this, but it really is something I do sometimes.
Are there any other confessions?
1 comment:
I do the same thing! :-) My Vanguard account online shows two lines in a chart: blue for what you've contributed and orange for market value. Every month when the account updates I eagerly log on to make sure - and revel in the fact - that the orange line is much higher than the blue, and that both are trending upwards.
It's reassuring and motivating in a way. Of course I also revel in fantasies that if I really wanted to I could afford to quit my job, head to the airport, and move to an exotic locale or travel for a year. Such fantasies pacify me when I wonder what it's all worth and why I work so hard.
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