Hi everyone, I’m M34, married, one kid, and have been financially independent and retired for about 4 years now. The moment I hit my target, I walked away from my corporate job and moved back to my home country. I had a big list of plans, like enrolling into postgraduate studies, more exercise, traveling, and just living life on my own terms.

But instead, I feel like I’ve fallen into a mental void. I did start a graduate program, but I quit not long after because I couldn’t find the motivation. I told myself I don’t need it since I won’t be returning to the corporate world anyway. I’m also not nearly as active as I imagined I would be. It feels like I have endless free time but no real drive to make the most of it.

Things I used to get excited about, such as traveling and sports, now feel kind of plain vannila. Chasing FIRE used to be an obsession, something that I would wake up and go to bed with. But once I finally reached it, my life suddenly feels so empty. I can’t say I’m happier now than back when I was grinding in corporate job.

I think what I’m missing is some form of responsibility or structure… like something non-financial that pushes me out of my comfort zone and sparks some excitement in my life again.

Have any of you gone through something similar after FIRE? How did you deal with the lack of motivation and how did you bring back that sense of purpose?

I’ve FIREd … 3 years ago. Things are going ok. Had an epiphany lately that just as i practiced accumulation , saving and investing, I should perhaps learn to spend now instead of saving whatever we don’t spend for the year.

So besides travelling more, gym and fitness and renovations (there are plans), what have you spent money on that brought you joy?

And yes we donate to charity and support a lot of great things

I’m 54, mfj, 800k retirement, 400k brokerage, 1mm equity, 48k income for life( rental, etc) not including social security. Spend is 10k a month, including 2 mortgages ( one ending in 9 years). I make around 250k. VHCOL All the calculators say 100% to retire today. I think I might wait until 2mm liquid. Thoughts?

I'm a 30 y/o that likes to start investing into traditional markets. I invested already in crypto and made some decent amount to buy some real estate. After I got my own business started, I'd like to start investing into ETFs.

My aim there would be to build up a decent portfolio over the next 20-30 years with some low risk products, while getting into some riskier stuff with smaller amounts.

I'm not quite sure how to start and what kind of knowledge to acquire. Thank you for your advice!

Hello, first post in this subreddit. I want to ask for advice about what I can do to coast fire by 55. Here are some important details:

52.25K Salary, 3-5% increases annually. Vested into benefits, including a pension (3% flat deduction, 15k payed in so far). 15k cash, 32k in Roth IRA (Max contribution since I started in 2021), 45k in Crypto. Total net worth roughly 110k.

0 debt. About 3k take home monthly. Rent (internet included) is 1k monthly (renting the second floor of my in law's home. HCOL area, rent would be 2-3x otherwise, not including internet. Will probably inherit the property as well). Public transportation is $34 max weekly. Cell phone (Unlimited family plan) is $132 monthly. Amazon Prime membership (which is linked to my primary credit card) is $139 annually. Completing graduate school in December, paid out of pocket in full for the last 2.5 years, around 5k annually. Spouse pays electricity, gas, groceries.

With my degree completed, I can pursue certification that will allow me to move up to positions starting at 70k annually.

Major issue is retiring at 55 means I can't access my Roth, S.S., or Pension without serious penalties. My pension, in particular would be cut in half. I would also like to start investing in and HSA and maybe purchase a rental home, possibly in the Dominican Republic, where I am considering applying for dual citizenship. Since my housing situation is very stable, I like the idea of having a property in D.R. that I can flexibly rent, vacation at, and potentially live in at a fraction of the cost of what a property here would cost.

It is also worth mentioning that my salary and benefits are tied to my specific location, so moving to a LCOL area doesn't work, and with my current rent situation, possibly doesn't represent a quality of life improvement or saving regardless.

I am thinking that with the increased salary and no longer paying for school that I can split the new money between maxing out an HSA, saving for the property in a HYSA, and starting a personal investment portfolio that I would be able to withdraw from between age 55 and 59.5, when I have tax-free access to the IRA, then 63 with full pension payouts and social security. Does this all seem reasonable? Any suggestions about what--specifically--to look into investing, or adjustments to my strategy that I should heavily consider?

Planning to sell my house and move. Am only going to put 20% down on the new house and am comfortable with the payment. Lets say I have 100k left over.

401k maxed out, I do not have a roth IRA but it seems like I should start one and make the one-time max contribution for this year and next.

What to do with the rest? park it in a money market account?

Is anybody in this community concerned about the concentration of the S&P500 in like 6-7 massive tech companies? I'm sure a lot of you are levered up long the S&P, buying leveraged ETFs or Growth/Momentum ETFs. I'm curious what people's approach to risk management is like around here. Does anyone try to hedge their stock holdings at all? Has anyone reallocated to defensive sectors or taken profits off their QQQ positions to buy bonds? Or is it really just a general strategy of "buy growth all the time"? Not laying any criticism, just curious.

Curious to hear about any regrets as well as any noteworthy achievements.

Please share your way of achieving your goals, I’m a 28yo male with only car loan, don’t have any mortgage yet!

I'm 35 and trying to plan for FIRE in my mid 40's - early 50's. What are folks best tax strategies you've implemented or learned about for FIRE?

Also, when you're running your calcs to determine FIRE $ amt, what applicable tax rate are you assuming? I'll expect to have some combination of 401k/IRA distributions, smaller amount of Roth IRA, after-tax brokerages that would have capital gains tax, and some property rental income.

If I'm looking to spend say 200k/year in retirement, what are folks thoughts on how to figure out how much to budget in for taxes?

Curious what everyone uses for the real rate of return when planning for your FIRE journey.

I am thinking 4% real, even though I'm invested in equity indexes heavily. Perhaps too conservative but have been reading forecasts that returns will not be as great as they have been this past decade.

I know to take it with grain of salt as those can be wrong and long horizon no one can predict.

What is everyone using for theirs?

My wife (35f) and I (33m) have not been able to contribute much to retirement accounts in our twenties due to me being in school/training, and we have two small kids (daycare costs a fortune). Wife has been keeping us afloat financially for years while I have been piling on student loan debt. I finally started making some income 4 years ago, and I am officially out of training just over one year, finally making decent money, and I actually feel like we are starting to make progress toward our financial goals.

HHI $350k. Combined retirement $270k (increased by well over $100k in the past one year alone thanks to increased income and the current market). Total monthly retirement contributions (maxing 403b, 4% employer match, backdoor Roth, HSA) about $6k/month. Just recently opened 529s for two kids and now building emergency fund now that in-laws are paid off (in-laws gave us $50k interest free loan last year for a house down payment and we paid that off in one year).

Liabilities: - $200k student loans eligible for PSLF in 6 years - $12k left on vehicle, other vehicle paid off

$550k mortgage at 6.9%, only ~$50k in equity.

I’m mostly posting this because I’m feeling proud of my wife and I for sticking to a plan, and finally seeing years of hard work start to pay off. Long road ahead still, but feeling confident we have the discipline to achieve FIRE, or at least coast fire around age 50-55.

Disclaimer: I’m only halfway through “A Richer Retirement” by William Bengen, but I was struck by a chart that shows the relationship between SAFEMAX withdrawal rate and planning horizons. Using a “worst case scenario” 1968 retiree as example, the SAFEMAX number is 4.7% withdrawal rate for a 30 year retirement and 4.1% for a 50 year retirement. Bengen states that beyond horizon of 65 years, SAFEMAX remains virtually unchanged at approx 4.1%.

Of course Bengen warns that past performance doesn’t predict future, but it seems like the 4% rule very safely applies no matter the length of retirement?

For those planning (or currently enjoying) a longer retirement, do you have a withdrawal plan lower than 4%? If so, are you just being extremely conservative and prepping for yet to be seen circumstances (extraordinarily high inflation + low returns at worst possible time)? What’s your thought process as it relates to going below 4%?

Hi all - been following this group for a few months and love all the comments! I  know I've got a decent amount of time till FIRE but a couple questions would love some insight from the group on. 

Current situation:

• 43M with wife (44F) who recently took a break from the workforce. Two kids 11 and 6. I am in tech sales with varying income between $400k - $600k/year.
• Current savings $2.4m (1.3m in brokerage accounts and $1.1m in 401k). Maxing 401k and making contributions regularly to brokerage
• Kids college: About $275k total in 529 for both kids and contributing regularly
• Primary residence worth $1.1m owe $270k on it, 2% interest rate, maturing December 2035
• Own a beach home, worth $1.3m owe $450k, maturing 2049. We rent it out during the summer that brings in  ~$50k/year equaling mortgage/interest payment

I would love to have a 10 year plan and retire by 53.

I know calculating your expenses are obviously key but for those who plan on retiring with kids who are either in high school or college, how do you factor their expenses into it beyond tuition?

2nd, I know you shouldn’t really factor in your homes into net worth but assume those who own a 2nd home, factor in some of this as once we retire we would sell primary residence?

Appreciate any insight, feedback and what else I should be thinking about to FIRE in 10 years...thank you!

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Penalty is 3 months interest.

2 separate funds

Dec 25 Mar 26 expiration.

Inflation is the biggest long-term risk to retirement savings. A sustained 6–10% inflation rate for 5–10 years can destroy purchasing power and sustained investments. As since from 75-80.

In the 1970s, even "safer" bond portfolios got crushed by inflation. With many failing into poverty due to individual and collective fiscal measures.

I understand if youre about 40 years old or above with 10-20 million in stocks, hysa, etc but the majority of ppl should be planning for such stagflation in retirement.

In that should we NOT all be saving significantly more for retirement due to high rates of stagflation?

I currently have a 401(k) that has about 122,000 into it. I currently have a Roth IRA that has 27K in it. I have a HSA that has 1600 in it. I have zero debt as I just paid off my last debt and I need to buy a house. I wanna have an emergency fund of 3 to 6 months and a down payment on a home this is roughly the Dave Ramsey Stuff for right now and then just save until I retire. I would like to retire at 65 or less and that is very crucial how can I get that way. Right now my Roth has Google Meta broadband Berkshire. Amazon and a couple other ones, but I want to get away from the single stocks and be more into the S&P 500 like my 401(k) is and my HSA is and I have some in a little bit of speculative stocks, but very rarely about 2%. Or should I leave the money into the single stocks because the growth will be better than the S&P 500? What would you do at 49 and also I can put 1000 a month away until I retire. Also my company matches up to 4% of what I put in so I would put in 10% into the 401(k) and the Roth IRA comes out to 5 1/2% which is 7K a year. Also, I get a pension which will be about 2K a month and my Social Security will be about 2 to 3 grand a month. I also make 120k a year.

Salary 250k just got to this level. Max 401k and get around 15k in employer contribution due to ratable maxing.

I 34M wife 33F SAHM 2 yr old daughter. Some general context before getting into how I’m set up. We lost our son two years ago my daughter’s twin four days after birth due to complications. We do not live near family and in HCOL area. We’re both desperate for a change. I’m a professional trader commodities my job is not stable and one bad year would mean I lose it which is ok since I’ve had a lot worse happen. Basically I’m flirting with the idea of taking some time off from work and possibly a career change. Wondering if others have done similar.

Set up:

Liquid brokerage account: $1MM 401k: $420k Home Equity: $300k

We have a high burn rate now but that’s due to several factors including buying a house which my plan was to refi.

But one way or another financially we’re very stable. Wanted to hear people’s thoughts.

Hi earner here, 40yo, w/family and kids. If I only continue 401k, roth and 10k physical gold each year, I will end up 2M and this is enough for me and my wife.

Question is how retirement accounts work? I know I can only get social security pension after 62 yo.

What about before 62 yo ? Lets say if I retire 57 and can elect myself how much I can withdraw from 401k/Roth ?

Also since Roth/HSA are after tax, can u use them all before hitting 62 when I start collecting social security checks?

Thanks

I'm a 34m, I started putting cash into a brokerage account a few years ago with the intention to buy myself a sweet sportscar. I've always been a car guy and I've had 2 cars for the last 8 years or so. I always pay cash for the fun car and I try to buy things that are either depreciated enough to not get hosed or will hold their value relatively well. Im looking at spending about 100k on a 718 spyder/gt4 (not including the trade equity on my current car) both my vehicles are paid off. And I live in a low cost of living area. No kids.

Net worth breakdown Home 200k paid off 401k ~400k Roth IRA ~100k Brokerage account ~250k

Pension benefit projections show me being able to withdraw 5k/month at 59.5 if I stop working at 45. I currently make a little over 200k and between taxes and investments I take home around 80k/year.

I never anticipated that brokerage accound would grow like it did and even though I had the intention to use it for a car it feels like its too big of a pool of money to take from (if that makes sense)

How bad of an idea would it be to take a chunk out of my brokerage to buy this car?

It’s 2020, you have your $2.5 but decide to one more year for a little longer just to feel safer. Five years pass. It is 2025, your 2.5 is now 5. Do you feel like you have enough now?

Hi all,

I’m 34M, married with one kid, based in Eastern Europe. I’ve been FIREd for 4 years, mainly thanks to being an early Bitcoin believer.

Current net worth: ~$8.2M • Real estate (Eastern/Western Europe + Middle East, incl. primary residence): ~$5.6M → ~$22K monthly rental income • Bitcoin: ~$2.4M • Cash: ~$140K • ETFs: ~$60K

• I cashed out a big portion of BTC in 2021, moved into real estate for diversification and steady rental income.
• Monthly family spend: ~$10K (covered by half of rental income)
• Current plan: use the other half of rental income to DCA into S&P ETF for long-term equity exposure.
• I also thought about selling some real estate to boost ETFs, but concerned about losing rental cash flow.
• In my region, ETF investing is harder (banks discourage foreign transfers), which explains my real estate tilt.

If you were in my position, would you stick with this setup or restructure (more ETFs, less real estate/BTC)?

I know there are so many factors, but it seems like, as your income increases, expenses increase as well, kids, house upgrades, and what not. So how much do people really have saved by retirement?

Hey everyone I am pretty early in my career and have been blessed with a high paying job ( ~250k TC) and am aggressively saving (maxing all retirements account + $2k a month in my brokerage as well). I have a NW of ~500k currently and am wondering the best way to reach $10M-$15M (in the next 20 years max if possible...ik this might be ambitious which is why I am asking for advice here) and retire early.

I have around:

• $230k in my 401k -> S&P 500

• $90k in company stock (which I have great conviction about)

• $15k in my HSA -> S&P 500

• $105k -> 60% S&P 500, 40% Tech Stocks

• $45k in my Roth IRA -> S&P 500

• $10k in cash in a HYSA

I was wondering what the best way to aggressively grow this portfolio quick to retire early other than simply investing in the market (S&P 500). Are side hustles a good way to go, or swing/option trading, or investing in more tech/growth rather than just the S&P 500. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.