| I am an okay saver; I live on about 47% of my gross income and save the rest (after Uncle Sam, Pennsylvania and my home town take their share). Stocks consist of a broad mix of index funds and index ETFs. Retirement account is professionally managed by my company's financial advisor, except for a non-deductible IRA which I manage. Real Estate is a small, old house that I'm restoring (in a great location -- for Pennsylvania!). Most houses on my street are worth 3 to 4 times mine in value. Personal property includes a good amount of antiques and art, valued conservatively. Other assets are small business investments, and money due to me on a small loan I made to a friend. I am continually amazed at my friends and neighbors who drive expensive cars, live in McMansions, and send their kids to private grade schools. By and large, they are up to their necks in debt. In a way I admire their bravado, but I am not cut out to live that way. I am a very boring investor, and believe that slow and steady wins the race. |