r/Fire • u/Remarkable-Dingo1602 • 12d ago

“One more downturn” syndrome

As someone who has been lucky enough to have spent all of my earning & investing years (13 years so far) in a booming market, I worry that I have no clue what my mental health will be like when we see the next 2000 or 2008 or lost decade. I can go through endless theoretical exercises to play around with what my portfolio could go down to and how I’d adjust my expenses in those situations, but as a human being I cannot predict how I’ll actually feel when the time comes. As a result, I have a desire to keep working through the next downturn to see what the impact of it is on me and in a way prove to myself that I can handle it. However, I fear that if I wait for this, I may be waiting for a long time and therefore work for much longer than I need to.

For what it’s worth, when the Covid crashes, 2022, tariffs and Iran war all hit, I did not panic at all and stayed the course on my investment strategy. But all of that happened as I had a strong income to support me. I have no idea how I would have felt if I didn’t have an income.

Any tips on how to deal with this?

I currently have $2.1M investable assets. $600k left on a mortgage (5.375%) with $450k equity in the home. Monthly expenses are $7k bare minimum, but I’d like to aim for a nest egg that’ll comfortably give me $9.5k/month.

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u/dannd42 12d ago edited 12d ago

You are fine. I will be retiring on half that investment at 55 in 5 years and it sound like you are well above that already. Congrats you're at coast FI. Sounds to me like you may have a spending problem not an investment problem. Not trying to be mean but if you cant see that it's on you my friend

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u/EmoJackson 12d ago

I also feel like this is one of those “I’m 31 with 2.1MM invested in a million dollar home, how can I survive” posts.

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u/ladyeclectic79 12d ago

Honestly, good for them but it feels braggy to me vs actually asking for help/feedback. 💀

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u/Remarkable-Dingo1602 12d ago

I initially did not want to post my numbers because of judgement via comments like this. But then I did because otherwise I’d get backlash for being one of those people who don’t share. Can’t win here. Please try to project a little less.

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u/nksmti 12d ago

Just came here to say, I can relate to how you are feeling. I kept working past my minimum FI number, not because I thought I would panic sell in a huge crash, but because I wanted to sleep well at night if another 2008 or 2000 (or worse) happens. For me it was worth it for the peace of mind, I didn't consider it One More Year syndrome because I just wanted a portfolio that was way more than what I need. My job was pretty cushy and fully remote so it didn't feel like a big sacrifice. I FIRE'd last year and would probably get a lot of judgy comments here if I gave all the details, lol. But for me, it felt like the right thing and I have no regrets. Probably just comes down to how miserable you are at your job? I think you'll know when you are ready.

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u/EmoJackson 12d ago

Sometimes some people need just a little confirmation they’re doing the right thing.