conversation: User (ZonkyTheDonkey): "My fiance and I have merged finances already in every way and are getting married in the next 60 days. Together, we bring in about 137k/yr and have around 100k left post tax. We're both currently contributing 10% each to our 401k's through our employer; however, my employer offers no match and her employer offers a dollar for dollar match up to 4%. \n\nWhile we do have some debt (30k between a car note and student loans), the rate we're paying it off it will be all gone in the next 6-12 months.  Once that debt is gone, we'll easily be able to save 50% of our take home after 401k contributions every month. \n\nRealizing our position, my question is this...what investment vehicles are best suited to retiring before 60? I recognize the tax benefits of the 401k and IRA but if I can't tap into that money before I'm appx. 60 yo I can't really retire early. \n\nEDIT: Should clarify that I have a 6 month emergency fund built up and own my own home that has already appreciated 25% in value since purchase. \n\nEDIT: Just wow at the response to this first of all. I've taken a ton of time to read through this and like a lot of the ideas, I've always had a high tolerance for risk so things like real estate that are a bit more hands on and tangible seem feasible to me. The idea of getting an income stream right away is appealing. I live in Houston and real estate prices to buy here are insanely cheaper than the rest of the country. Rent on the other hand is so inflated due to demand and 600 sq ft apts can easily rent for $1300+. Something I'll def look into. \n\nAlso while I get where people are coming from saying don't get married...we both come from families where divorce just doesn't really happen. We've had extensive talks on the subject and we have the ability to communicate well enough to work through our issues. now it's no guarantee, but yeah, it's kind of unreasonable to just go up to her and say reddit says to get rid of you so I can retire by 45!!! We'll see about kids...we're both on the fence for a variety of reasons but it's not something in the immediate future. "
  Self: "I hope this is the love of your life because you never want to get divorced!  I was just talking to my second wife about this yesterday.  I got married the first time when I was 25.  When my first wife told me she was leaving I was 33.  At that time I have a retirement fund from work with about 30 grand, I'm a teacher in Texas, and a seperate IRA with 10 grand, and a savings account with about 12 grand.  I also didn't have any CC debt.  After the divorced and after all the dust settled fast forward 12 years, I'm now 45 and my current wife and I have been married 8 years and we are just now able to save money.  I had to cash in my Texas retirement, give the ex my IRA and she drained the savings in about three months after we separated.  I have about 10 grand built back up in TRS, 2 grand in savings, BUT, I now have 30 grand in CC debt and 40 grand in student loan debt.  My current wife is now a BSN working on her NP.  We hope her career in the next 20 years will help us as my teaching salary is useless.  It used to drive me crazy thinking about finances all the time and what I lost, but now as my relative time left on the planet speeds up, it really makes life easier to swallow and set/achieve finanacial goals.   "
  