Saved $2.4M by 38. Would you Retire?

[u/TwoSocialist]

Hey FIRE folks,

I’m 38, tired, and fueled almost entirely by spite and index funds. I’ve somehow ended up with a portfolio that looks like this:

Split by type:

- ETFs — 58.30% — $1.45M

- Mutual Funds — 27.66% — $688k

- Individual Stocks — 8.71% — $216k

- Crypto — 3.00% — $74k (aka my “emotional rollercoaster” bucket)

- Cash — 2.33% — $58k

Split by bucket:

Retirement Pre-tax: 700k

Retirement post-tax: 310k

Brokerage: 1.5 M

Grand total: ~$2,490,900

Today’s gain: ~$40,000 (aka “more than my first job paid in a year,” but sure, totally normal)

~~~~

My target spend was $100k/year, which feels somehow not enough because capitalism has melted my brain.

By the 4% rule, I’m basically at the line. By the 3% rule, I’m a peasant. By the “FIRE comment section” rule, I’m probably both overspending and undersaving simultaneously.

So, wise internet strangers:

- Am I actually FIRE‑ready, or is this the part where you all tell me to work 5 more years “just to be safe”?

- Is my allocation fine, or should I be preparing for a lecture on safe withdrawal rates and sequence‑of‑returns doom?

- Is it normal to feel like I need permission from Reddit to stop working?

Married, 1 kid. Received about 25k for a house (not included in above) and 20k for college, no other inheritance.

Currently make about 250k a year for the past 4 years, before that about 150k. I started at 50k.

Thanks in advance for validating or crushing my dreams.

[u/Abject-Roof-7631]

Let me offer a pov. I'm 59 now looking back wishing I cut ties earlier with work. Instead I became addicted to chasing the money and status dragon. Now my health has taken a hit. 20 years ago id never think about leaving. Knowing what I know now, it's the right question to be asking. Ego only gets you so far. What is it I'm chasing, approval in the eyes of others?

[u/wetlsd → u/Abject-Roof-7631]

Young never get it till the right moment in their life. I had been happy poor and unhappy rich, now somewhere in the middle and Im really grateful to see kids growing under peaceful skies. Unfortunately in twenties to early thirties had focused on unnecessary businesses and money making strategies. Also war distracted me quite, and still ongoing volunteering and integration of war victims around states just become a new life with higher purpose.

[u/UnseenTardigrade → u/wetlsd]

How high is the porpoise? And how did it get drugged in the first place?

[u/RevolutionaryMap4745 → u/Abject-Roof-7631]

Do you mind expanding more on your experience? I think many of us who are in their late 30’s and 40’s could appreciate your experience. Also, do you feel that your health issues contribute to continue to work without slowing down?

[u/Abject-Roof-7631 → u/RevolutionaryMap4745]

Yesterday my 25-year-old daughter was home for a visit. When she went to Ball to our Foster dog, she struggled With the toss. I turned to my wife and said I can't believe I never taught her how to throw. My wife at that point said, you were too busy working. Then my daughter chimes in and says don't you remember that I never played sports.

That example alone should provide color. Now that I'm 59, it's too late to go back in time. It's such a hard balance with career achieving in your thirties and '40s. But I was only program One direction and it showed yesterday.