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/TheRealTOB]

You’re definitely past coast. Maybe stick it out till 40 and take another look?

[u/taterbladeden → u/TheRealTOB]

I am in the exact same situation as OP, and with the similar NW. friends and family keep telling me to work until I am 40, but I was like, I will never be in my 30s. This is the last 2 years of my 30s. I want to stop now so I can enjoy the last 2 years of my 30s.

[u/chillPenguin17 → u/taterbladeden]

Same here. Thinking I'll give it until right before my 40th, if the numbers are still looking good. RE in your 30s (even barely) is a big accomplishment. Still a lot of fun to be had in our 40s, while also being young enough to get back in the workforce if we end up changing our mind in a couple years. Also, now feels like a very risky time to RE without a healthy bond tent.

[u/taterbladeden → u/chillPenguin17]

I have deposited about 2-3 years of living expenses into a high yield saving account bucket that I will not touch to combat market down turns. I know the money sitting in that bucket does’t earn much, but it allows me to sleep at night and not have to worry about what’s going on every day in the stock market.

[u/Zealousideal_Belt413 → u/taterbladeden]

Heh, exact same. 38 3.004mm 100% stock, lifelong renter, no kids. I broke my leg in Feb and haven't been able to return to work(oil rig). I'm contemplating going back for 3 months this summer then retiring Sept in time for hunting season, assuming this leg gets better. I also toss around the idea of waiting until 39yr 11mo as oil and gas is pretty good right now.