I enlisted in 2014 and left AD in 2017. During that time, I contributed $33k to my TSP. Ten years later, that money is now worth $80k.

That's the power of compound interest. The SP500 is up ~160% in that period.

I also contributed around another $8k in 2020 when I was full-time in the guard, and I can't unpack exactly how much of the growth on the $8k factors into the total amount. My original contributions at least doubled.

The point is this: contribute early and often to your TSP. Your future retired self will thank you.

If we ballpark that my TSP account continues to double every 10 years or so, by the time I reach retirement age my TSP could be worth $600k (unlikely the trend continues, but possible). Not bad for 3.5 years of contributions in my early 20s.

I was putting in 60% base pay as an E-3 and E-4. Yes, it is possible.

I had a car, insurance, had fun on the weekends, paid down students, and contributed heavily to my TSP. I did end up moving out of the dorms/barracks and collecting BAH, which helped tremendously at the end ($1.1k BAH, rent and utilities were ~$700), but I was doing it even before receiving BAH. Who knew that eating at the chow hall; not developing a nicotine, alcohol, or caffeine addiction; and not buying a brand new Mustang at 23% interest would be good financially?

I'd encourage any junior enlisted out there to put in at least 30% of your base pay in the TSP. Remember that the old adage of 10% of your salary towards your retirement is misleading as a military member – a large chunk of your salary is BAH/BAS, which is ignored by TSP contributions.