i’m 35 and technically done saving for retirement

Coast FI (financial independence) means the portfolio is big enough that it grows into my retirement number on its own. I no longer have to save. I just have to cover my living costs until 50. As you can assume, my lifestyle is pretty frugal so I’m going to keep saving. Hopefully shave 50 down by a few years. 1. I saved 30k to 40k a year and started at 26. Not glamorous. Just a high savings rate and a boring job that paid. 2. All of it went into a broad market index ETF (I use XEQT/VFV). Minimal stock picking. 3. Then I did the hardest part: nothing. Let it compound. Contributing $35k/year for 9 years (age 26 to 35) in the index from 2016-2025 7% gives you roughly $800k at 35. Coast from there. Add nothing. Fifteen more years to 50 at 7% (assume inflation adjusted returns) $800,000 × 1.07^9 ≈ $1.47 million From $419,000 at 35, coasting 30 years to 65 at 7%: The 7% figure is the long-run historical average, not a guarantee. Real returns will vary year to year.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ That is the whole strategy. Save aggressively for a decade. Buy the index. Let compounding do the rest. Not financial advice. Agree? Disagree? Holes in my plans? Would love to hear them! Follow for more time freedom tips. coast fi, coast fire, coast fire canada, financial independence canada, fire movement canada, retire early canada, index fund investing canada, broad market index etf, compound interest explained, how to invest in your 30s, high savings rate, tfsa investing, rrsp investing canada, 4 percent rule, early retirement plan, canadian personal finance, passive investing canada, build wealth in your 20s, investing for beginners canada, financial freedom canada

Added 1 Sept 2026