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But 2-3% of my assets. I wouldn't get too hung up on the details. I didn't earn 40k every year. Some years were less. And some were more (see FAQ). I didn't live in New York.

Everybody can run their own spreasheets for their personal income and tax situation presuming an expense level of 6k/year. Figure an investment return of 3%+inflation (so 6% or so total). See what you get.

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For some reason I initially assumed $300,000 plus was your retirement target. I am now assuming $175,000 in savings is what you define as "financially independent" That makes sense given your $7,000 per year expenses. ($7,000 divided by 0.04).

1) Starting from zero (because where else would we start for this analysis?)

2) We save $26,000 per year (2,166.7 per month).

3) Assume 6% return.

4) It takes about 5 to 6 years to get to $175,000.

Makes sense, a retirement fund that covers 7,000 per year in living expenses (i.e. about $175,000), takes only about 5 years of saving $26,000 per year (and conservative investing).

Quick and easy math here: http://www.math.com/students/calculators/source/compound.htm

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