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Old 01-06-2011, 11:50 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CTgolfer View Post
I'm a numbers person. However, when actually calculating what we would need to live on after retirement, I ignored % and put together what our Essential expenses would be, what our Discretionary expenses would be, and added a buffer. That's what you need, and that has nothing to do with a %. Our Essential expenses are pretty common: Utilities, cable, all insurances, property taxes, telephone, groceries, gasoline, mortgage, Federal income tax. Discretionary expenses would cover your dining out and other activities you enjoy (golf, etc.). What I find to be the largest Essential expense is insurance (health, auto/golf, life, house, umbrella, long-term care).

Even though I'm going to work while in TV, this is exactly the way I'm planning it.

Figure out what we need and move forward. I would guess that I'll need about 50% of our current income which is going to be higher than my income when I work as an RN in TV and my wife either doesn't work or just works for 'fun' money. I wouldn't move if I didn't think it would work long-term.

But I agree that a blanket 70% isn't valid for many, many people.