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Friday, April 18, 2008

My millionaire to-do list! Ya gotta start somewhere...

million dollar club sealWelcome to J's "Million Dollar Club"! If you've ever dreamed about becoming a millionaire - and you actually want to DO SOMETHING about it - you're in the right place!

Can you imagine how killer it would be logging into your accounts one day and seeing a cool million there? I've been all about it the past couple years and there's really nothing stopping me now. I've got the desire, the patience, and more importantly the game plan! (what this post is all about).

And I'd love for you to join! Check out my "millionaire to-do list" below and then create one for yourself. It doesn't have to be much, just make sure it's realistic so you'll actually go through with it. Then review it every once in a while to remind yourself WHY you're saving so much more than all all those crazies around you ;) After that, just keep Motivated! "The Automatic Millionaire" and "The Millionaire Next Door" are excellent books for this. All the plan really entails is time and habits. You master those and it's easy breezy my friends! (besides, of course, finding the money to invest). But regardless, you have to start NOW.

In order for me, J. Money, to become a millionaire, I pledge to do the following:

  1. Max out my 401(k) every year.
  2. Max out my Roth IRA.
  3. Save/invest 1/2 of all future bonuses.
  4. Sell unwanted stuff on eBay/Craigslist.
  5. To be frugal, but not insanely frugal ;)
  1. $16,500 invested + $16,500 matched!
  2. $5,000 invested --> stocks, funds
  3. $2,500 *currently frozen...
  4. $500 est.
  5. $1,000 est.
That would mean a total of $39,500/yr if I could pull that off! Using CNN-Money's millionaire calculator with a conservative interest of 6%, and stripping away taxed vs. non-taxed money along with inflation, I will see a cool $1 Million in approx. 13 years and 9 months!

This means I will become a millionaire by the time I'm 43!

That $1 million might not actually be *worth* $1 million by then (and I can't predict future returns), but to be honest that's not what it's about for me. All I want is the ABILITY to retire happily with no concerns about money at all. And I'm pretty damn sure being a millionaire would cover that ;)

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So what do ya say - ready to join the club? Get your own pledge jotted down, and then link back or leave a comment and I'll add ya to the list! Here are the current soon-to-be millionaires:
  1. James @ DINK's Finance
  2. Ginger @ Ginger Won't Snap
  3. Erica @ Erica's Funny Farm
  4. Brian @ My Next Buck --> Brian's Millionaire List
  5. Brad @ Enemy of Debt --> Brad's Millionaire List
  6. Paul @ Fiscal Geek
  7. Shawanda @ You Have More Than You Think --> Shawanda's Millionaire List
  8. Financial Samurai --> Financial Samurai's Millionaire List
  9. Brandi @ A Life Change: My Journey To Happiness --> Brandi's Millionaire List
  10. Yellow Piggy Bank
  11. Michelle @ Penny and Nickel to Wealth --> Michelle's Millionaire List
  12. O1SP03 @ Five Girls Ditching Debt
  13. Megan @ Student Charade --> Megan's Millionaire List
  14. LuLu @ How I Save Money --> LuLu's Millionaire List
  15. Lisa @ Cents To Save --> Lisa's Millionaire List
  16. Jayde Moss @ Making Me a Millionaire --> Jayde's Millionaire List
  17. Broke M.B.A. @ The Broke M.B.A --> Broke's Millionaire List
  18. Ryan @ Planting Dollars --> Ryan's Millionaire List
  19. Roger @ The Amateur Financier --> Roger's Millionaire List
  20. The Financial Blogger --> Financial Blogger's Millionaire List
  21. Money Wise 24 --> Aleks' Millionaire List
  22. BudgetBabe @ Lean with Green --> BudgetBabe's Millionaire List
  23. Sabrina @ Freedom 45 --> Sabrina's Millionaire List
  24. Clayton @ Just Good Financial Advice
  25. YoungAndThrifty --> Young And Thrifty's Millionaire List
  26. Jeff Kosola @ Deliver Away Debt --> Jeff's Millionaire List
  27. Waking up with Money @ Waking up with Money's Millionaire List
  28. Broke by Choice @ If I Were a Wealthy Girl--> Broke by Choice's Millionaire List
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63 Comments:

Blogger Moneymonk said...

Seems like you have a good goals.

I never thought of the dollar a day thing, pretty cool

April 18, 2008 5:29 PM  
Blogger calgirlfinance said...

J., With this "15,500 invested, $15,500 matched!" are you saying that you get 100% match on all of your 401K contributions? If yes, that would be an insanely great 401K match since it's usually capped by a certain percent of your salary.

BTW, that's a great club that you started.

April 18, 2008 5:51 PM  
Blogger J. Savings said...

Thx moneymonk! yeah, it's easy at first but super hard to keep up. give it a shot though and let me know how it works :)

Calgirl - you got it! absolutely insane, right? i'd be a mad man NOT to max it out. it also helped spark my interest in personal finance as i really didn't understand it at first.

there actually is a cap, but it's set in a way that most of us can still max it out. works for me!

April 18, 2008 7:08 PM  
Blogger J. Savings said...

Oh, and you should totally join the club! this way we can all blog on the beach one day :)

April 18, 2008 7:09 PM  
Blogger enoughwealth@yahoo.com said...

I'd join the club, but I already hit $1m at the start of last year. Still can't afford to sit on the beach blogging though ;)

April 19, 2008 11:34 AM  
Blogger 1MansMoney said...

A 100% match on all of your 401K contributions? You, J. Savings, are a lucky guy. $31K total to your 401(k) each year adds up quick.

-1MansMoney

April 19, 2008 5:22 PM  
Anonymous James said...

I want to join. This sounds like fun!

April 19, 2008 8:26 PM  
Blogger lpkitten said...

great plan! i guess part of my list would be to find a 401k that would pay out as great as yours!

April 20, 2008 3:54 PM  
Blogger Bailey said...

Now just imagine if you added found change to your list. Instead of 15 years, you would be a millionaire in 14 years and 364 days!

April 20, 2008 4:19 PM  
Blogger J. Savings said...

ha ha, you guys are awesome!

enoughwealth - that's what i'm talking about, congrats! are you me in 15 years?

1mansmoney - lucky in wealth and love my good sir, we both can't complain there :)

james - damn straight, we'll be the new "it" club! haha

lpkitten - i send good luck vibes your way to find the master 401k plan :)


Baily - i like the way you think! that's the kind of creative thinking we need in our club...and before we know it, the pennies will start rolling in - literally!

April 20, 2008 5:40 PM  
Blogger Ginger said...

Sign me up!

I'll have to do my own list of goals...

I've started living like a frugal millionaire already though! It's working so far!

April 21, 2008 11:46 AM  
Blogger Tom said...

What about your Roth IRA?

Maybe after that you'll be a millionaire in 10 years!

April 25, 2008 9:44 AM  
Blogger J. Savings said...

Ginger - awesome! i'll have my eyes open to see your own personal goals :)

Tom - i like the way you think. i came close to putting a yearly amount down for that, but i only wanted to list those that i will def. do 100%.

with the future mrs. about to start Grad School, the odds that i can regularly add to my roth will be against me :(

thx for the comments everyone!

April 25, 2008 1:47 PM  
Blogger Super Saver said...

Wow, that's a great 401K match. I didn't know there were any companies being that generous. Maybe, I'd even consider coming out of early retirement for a perk like that :-)

May 12, 2008 11:38 PM  
Anonymous list mama said...

I am so impressed! I wish I had been more conscious of saving in my late 20s. Now I'm 35, we have a family of 5 (3 children), and it is not as easy to save now. We do, but not at the rate we could have before we had kids.

Jen
http://www.ListPlanIt.com

June 16, 2008 12:41 PM  
OpenID paradigmshifted said...

great match! good on you for taking advantage of it. you made me sit down and see how fast I would get to a million (using retirement accounts only). am so writing a post about that! thanks and good luck!

June 26, 2008 10:53 AM  
Blogger J. Savings said...

Super Saver - Oh yeah, the matching is what wakes me up in the morning ;)

List Mama - I think it has to do w/ when you're "forced" to budget and save, cuz THEN you get down to the nitty gritty. How wonderful your family sounds though!!! Congrats :)

Paradigm Shifted - Thanks! You should totally post about it. Link back and let us know so we can track it too! btw, what was your millionaire age?

June 26, 2008 2:43 PM  
Blogger erika's funny farm said...

This is awesome! I like the simple steps and long term planning. I want to join the club too.

February 11, 2009 3:10 AM  
Blogger J. Money said...

Come on down, the more the merrier!!! One day we shall all be on the beach enjoying our millions in the bank...100% stress-free baby.

February 11, 2009 12:24 PM  
Anonymous StoreCrowd said...

What age does the cash have to stay in your 401k in the USA before you can touch it? They've just upped the age to 67 in Australia.

May 17, 2009 6:10 AM  
Blogger J. Money said...

Oh wow, what was it before? It's currently 59 1/2 here...you can find more info at the IRS' website too if you're interested :)

May 17, 2009 7:49 PM  
Anonymous Paul at FiscalGeek said...

You bet this is inline with my family's fiscal goals, so in 15 years, the house will be paid for and the 401k will be growing very nicely indeed. I'm fortunate my employer as a Roth 401k option so it will really be one million. Added your badget to my site.

July 23, 2009 12:29 PM  
Anonymous JoeTaxpayer said...

"Can you imagine how bad a$$ it would be to log into your accounts one day and see a cool million in there?"

Not when it was over $2M before this recent crash. :(
Bad A$$, indeed.......

July 23, 2009 12:54 PM  
Blogger J. Money said...

OUCH. Okay, well think about it at $4mil then ;) Today's market was a good start, eh?

Thanks Paul!!! I'll be redoing this post shortly and adding in all the members. I'm hoping we can get some people excited and jazzed up about this. I'll throw a party once we get closer to celebrate ;)

July 23, 2009 5:07 PM  
Anonymous Brad @enemyofdebt said...

J. Money my Million Dollar Club list is posted over at EOD!!

July 29, 2009 4:35 PM  
Anonymous Shawanda said...

J. Money - Completed my millionaire to do list last night. I think I'll start calling my list items Pillars for Prosperity.

August 10, 2009 8:31 PM  
Anonymous Financial Samurai said...

Hey J. Money! I like this club, sweet! I'd like to join, as I plan to build $1million in cash within 10 years, so it'll be fun too.

Good stuff!

September 24, 2009 11:20 PM  
Anonymous Financial Samurai said...

Whoo hoo! Since I'm a computer illiterate, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to figure out how to put the code up on Financial Samurai but I just did. Nice! Clubs are fun.

Ironically, I started in July 2009 for a pledge to be a renewed millionaire, and started tracking all cash saved since. My goal is $1 million cash in 10 years, so we are quite similar.

I'm glad I'm not going on this journey alone and have fellow PF bloggers to experience with! I already know James @ Dinks Finance, so I already feel part of the family :)

So glad I found your site!

Best

September 24, 2009 11:31 PM  
Blogger J. Money said...

Wonderful! I hope you DO make that 1st Million in 10 years :) The first mil is always the hardest, right?

Let me know when your post goes live and I'll happily add you to the Millionaire List!

September 25, 2009 2:48 PM  
Anonymous Financial Samurai said...

Thnx J! My proclamation declaration to join The Million Dollar Club is scheduled to go up first thing Sunday morning. Well send you a track back for sure.

Yup, first million is the hardest I hear. And perhaps even harder is keeping it!

September 25, 2009 11:36 PM  
Blogger Brandi said...

Here's My To-Do list and game plan :)

http://brandishealthyjourney.blogspot.com/2009/09/millionares-club.html

September 28, 2009 2:29 PM  
Blogger Yellow Piggy Bank said...

Here is the link to my PLAN : http://theyellowpiggybank.blogspot.com/2009/09/million-dollar-club.html

September 28, 2009 11:08 PM  
Blogger 01SP03 said...

This is great. I am going to see if my friends will create there list on our blog.

September 28, 2009 11:12 PM  
Blogger J. Money said...

@Brandi - Welcome aboard! Linked over now :)
@Yellow Piggy Bank - You too!!! This is awesome.
@01SP03 - Just holler when they're live and you'll be members as well :)

September 29, 2009 11:42 AM  
Anonymous Michelle @ PennyandNickeltoWealth said...

As of now it will take me 30 years.....not good enough for me!
I will make it tho....

www.pennyandnickeltowealth.blogspot.com

September 29, 2009 2:02 PM  
Blogger Financial Samurai said...

Hey - Did I cause a sudden flurry of new members after I joined? Or is it just coincidence? :)

September 30, 2009 1:59 AM  
Blogger J. Money said...

haha, you are correct sir ;) thank you much!

September 30, 2009 12:56 PM  
Blogger Financial Samurai said...

Wow, sweet never thought I had much influence.

Financial Samurai's unite!

October 1, 2009 1:47 PM  
Blogger Financial Samurai said...

I think my buddy Lee at Five Cent Piece is gonna join too. Whoo hoo!

October 1, 2009 1:48 PM  
Anonymous Lulu said...

Add me, add me!!!!! My post is up at http://www.howisavemoney.net/save-money/joining-million-dollar-club/

October 16, 2009 7:47 AM  
Blogger J. Money said...

Sexy! You're now added my dear ;)

October 16, 2009 1:41 PM  
Blogger Lisa said...

I love the idea! Sign me up too! Thanks
Lisa @ Cents To Save

October 17, 2009 7:42 AM  
Anonymous Jayde Moss said...

This has been a great post and lots of fun to participate in! It looks like we have some similar goals on our lists. Can you add my list to your list? Looking forward to reading more everyday from your blog!

October 28, 2009 4:02 PM  
Anonymous Ryan said...

J, this is one of the first things I've done while setting up my new blog as I begin seriously tracking my financial journey. Very inspiring stuff and a great idea.

Currently at age 23 my goal is to hit this number by age 40.

Ryan @ Planting Dollars

December 17, 2009 12:18 AM  
Blogger Roger said...

Fantastic idea, and I'm glad that you are getting such a positive response. I made up my own list, which you can find here: http://www.theamateurfinancier.com/blog/the-amateur-financier-millionaire-to-do-list/ Fun, fun stuff.

December 17, 2009 11:59 PM  
Blogger J. Money said...

Rock n' roll baby! You're both now official Million Dollar Club members!

December 18, 2009 2:00 PM  
Anonymous Wojciech Kulicki said...

This is pretty cool, had no idea you were doing it!

December 18, 2009 2:19 PM  
Blogger J. Money said...

Well it's time you create a list now, ain't it Wojo? ;)

December 18, 2009 4:32 PM  
Anonymous The Financial Blogger said...

Hey! count me in the list!
http://www.thefinancialblogger.com/list-of-millionaire-prerequisites/

December 22, 2009 5:29 AM  
Anonymous Aleks said...

Very nice idea, and a cool, clear and straight-forward approach. I made up my own list at Moneywise24 Personal Finance, "http://www.moneywise24.com/2009/12/becoming-a-millionaire-and-the-million-dollar-club/", and I intend to start writing regular updates as of 2010 about how I am living up to them. Count me in.

Best regards, Aleks.

December 28, 2009 12:45 PM  
Blogger BudgetBabe said...

Count me in, too!

http://leanwithgreen.blogspot.com/2010/01/millionaire-to-do-list.html

January 5, 2010 2:42 PM  
Blogger Sabrina said...

Hi J! what a great idea to start a Million Dollar Club! While I am quite far from achieving the goal at the moment (I'm still in school), I am definitely trying to soak up as much information on various pf blogs so that I can start making progress towards financial independence once I start receiving a regular paycheck.

Here is my list:

http://freedom45plan.blogspot.com/2010/01/member-of-million-dollar-club.html

January 10, 2010 7:52 PM  
Blogger J. Money said...

It all starts with a plan! You all have been added as members now - get ready to rock it out ;)

January 10, 2010 10:32 PM  
Blogger Clayton said...

We all start somewhere, this is great and I'll be joining. I love writing down my goals and how I'm going to get there.

January 28, 2010 4:17 PM  
Blogger J. Money said...

Great! If you have a blog let me know when the link's up and I'll add it to your name. If not, we'll leave as just your name so you're an official member ;)

January 28, 2010 4:18 PM  
Anonymous youngandthrifty said...

Hey J. Money! Love the logo, please count me in!

Here's my Million Dollar Club List:

http://youngandthrifty.ca/saving/youngandthrifty-joins-the-million-dollar-club/

January 30, 2010 8:59 PM  
Blogger J. Money said...

Welcome aboard member #25!

January 31, 2010 2:09 PM  
Anonymous Jeff said...

Hey J. Money,

I've taken the challenge and with your blessing I will become the 26th member of the Million Dollar Club.

If Dr. Evil can take over the world with 1 Milllllion Dollars, so can I. Enjoy the read :-)

http://deliverawaydebt.com/net-worth/the-millionaires-club/

February 3, 2010 8:18 AM  
Blogger J. Money said...

Dude, I just checked it out - you are hilarious! You have gone above and beyond to join this club, and now you shall be paid handsomely for it ;) Welcome aboard pizza man!

February 3, 2010 10:39 AM  
OpenID Waking Up With Money said...

J. Money! Please count me in. I want to be a part of the Million Dollar Club soooo badly. =) I just started a blog so there's not much there but my millionaire to-do list is my 1st post!

February 6, 2010 4:16 PM  
Blogger Broke by Choice said...

I am in the negative now, but I will see everyone on the other side. Count me in.
http://ifiwereawealthygirl.blogspot.com/2010/02/million-dollar-club.html

February 8, 2010 3:18 AM  
Blogger J. Money said...

we all gotta start somewhere! both of you have now been added :)

February 8, 2010 5:42 PM  
OpenID moneyhandler said...

Hey, sorry, but I had to change the site and name of my blog where my millionaire to do list is located (it WAS waking up with money) but now it's http://moneyhandler.wordpress.com

Thanks!

Keep making the millions everybody! ;-)

February 9, 2010 12:06 AM  

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