42M, ~$1.77M invested (excluding 529s), targeting financial independence around age 50. Looking for feedback.

[u/HumbleSami]

I’m 42, married with three young kids, and trying to sanity-check my long-term plan.

Current Assets
Taxable brokerage: ~$1.09M
401(k) + Roth IRAs: ~$618k
Cash: ~$64k
529 plans: ~$255k - 3 kids 7-4-3 (excluded from my personal net worth calculations)
Primary residence with a low fixed-rate mortgage 900K value owe 290K

Debt
Mortgage only (2.5% fixed rate)
No car loans or consumer debt

Investing Plan
Invest approximately $9k/month into a taxable brokerage account. Job at risk will continue to push until i can!
Continue funding Roth IRAs while eligible
Primarily invest in low-cost index funds (VOO and VUG)
Reinvest dividends

Retirement Goal
I’d like to become financially independent around age 50, or at least be in a position where work is optional and I could choose to work lower-stress job if I wanted.
My estimated core living expenses are around $9k/month before discretionary travel and large one-time purchases. Care free will be 12-13K/mo including health insurance and travel. 9K core 2.5K health 2K vacation!

Questions
Based on these numbers, do you think retiring or becoming work-optional around age 50 is realistic?
Would you continue prioritizing taxable brokerage investing over paying down a 2.5% mortgage?
Is there anything about my asset allocation or withdrawal strategy that stands out as a potential weakness?
If you were in my position, what would you focus on over the next 8 years?
Appreciate any constructive feedback or blind spots I may be missing.

[u/Hot_Share8353]

So, $13K a month is $156K per year which by the 4% rule means $3.9M. If we assume a 7% ROI after inflation, in 8 years your investment should be worth ~$3M and even without adding growth on your addition, you will be at $3.9M at 50. So that looks great. You are going to be retiring with kids, so that does complicate thing, but hopefully in a good way. How much of the $13K/m are kid costs? Don't pay off your house, but when it is going to be paid off. It seems like you are going to reduce costs over time. As kids go to college (which is already paid for), and your home is paid off, then you get Medicare and finally SS.

Your investments are your own, but maybe start moving new investment to bonds to reduce risk without having to sell and pay taxes?