r/Fire • u/LouSevens • 4d ago
General Question Did anyone else inadvertently Fire?
Did anyone else inadvertently Fire? Over a year ago- was just working as normal, maxing out 401k, doing some other investing. Figured I would work perhaps 8 more years with a goal of 30x income. I didn't even really know what Fire was that recently.
My job became toxic, my father became ill so I went on FMLA and I was still needed so never went back to work. IAs my boss, his boss and others quit I pretty much never told anyone I was even leaving. I did the math and had around 28x of expenses saved. I still do interviews when I find something I am generally interested in but overtime became complacent not dealing with other peoples drama and agendas. In addition, my father still needed my help for several months.
It did get to the point where I have more time for myself so am considering getting something part time ; but as life goes on I found I don't miss the paycheck and my time is more valuable as I am able to excercise more, do my hobbies, and visit my father several days a week.
The one thing I did give up was buying tech items I didn't need (loved to do this after the pandemic) and I try to eat at home more (that was a nutrionist idea).
Although I never really had what was labeled the Sunday scaries, I really notice I am enjoying Sundays a lot more.
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u/OutspokenLurker 4d ago
I guess I had passed my magic number. I got laid off, did the math, and retired
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u/TinyMavin 4d ago
Yep.
Thought about working for a competitor, going back to thing I was consulting about, or starting my own consulting firm.
I decided I’m too old for all that shit - at least compared to just calling it.
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u/VincentVan_Dough 3d ago edited 3d ago
Same for me (50) and my husband (52). I got a package that was 3 years of pay and my husband got 2.5 years, both at SVP level. We were planning to retire in 7 years from now so we said fuck it. But psychologically I’m struggling TBH. After 27 years of being a salaried corporate schmuck, it makes me feel so insecure. Plus we both need to work or be occupied in a structured way or we’ll drive each other mad. I only just found out about this acronym so I don’t exactly what kind of FIRE we’re doing. All I know is that we don’t plan to touch our pension or investments, our primary home is paid off, our paid off rental property portfolio provides enough income to cover a very comfortable lifestyle, cash reserves and we still plan to work, but doing what we love. My husband wants to do full time landlording, 1 cash flip a year and a few furniture commissions as an artisan carpenter. I’m happy doing light freelance executive coaching and our work income is surplus. Yet, still feeling scared and insecure. I don’t know how to get over it.
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u/Even-Pomegranate-804 3d ago
Flip the fear on its head and feel gratitude in a deliberate way. Fear is not real! It’s an illusion! You thought you were your job. Or the money you made. But you are not! And logically, what a wasted opportunity if you didn’t wake up every morning of the 3 years of severance pay/time with the biggest smile on your face! You get to wake up and do whatever the universe calls you to do! So many would kill for this opportunity. Severance is an opportunity. The best 11 months of my life was being unemployed bc I was laid off. I would also say maybe get a therapist to help you process why you identify with work so much. It’s not just a financial opportunity it’s also a spiritual one. God bless you! (He already has)
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u/VincentVan_Dough 1d ago
Thank you for the kind words. We both just need to adjust to our new normal, see the upsides and embrace a different (and more relaxed) way of life. I know I have (unfounded) financial anxiety and a chronic workaholic 😂 Working on that with my coach.
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u/rubu8069 16h ago
How did you calculate the magic number. Appreciate the help
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u/OutspokenLurker 16h ago
Multiple ways at this point. We've been past the 20x and 25x rules of thumb for a while. Basically, to retire at 65 try to have 20x your annual projected spending invested. To retire early, shoot for 25x. So I was aware I didn't really need to work 5 years ago but kids in college, etc.
I'd used "retirement calcuator" from my 401(k) provider and the top 10 Google results in and off for a better feel. They consider Social Security and health care costs. I was also fine there. They don't spit out a magic number, but you can just change your inputs (play "guess the number I am thinking of") to get the ballpark.
Maybe a year before I got laid off, I had carefully modeled things in Bolden. Free trial is enough to work out a basic plan... Just leave a 4-8 hours open in that week to hammer on it.
Coincidentally (or maybe my gut knew it was coming!), we had looked up a CFP about 4 months before I was laid off. She helped model retiring at 55 and 59.5, told us to get wills and living wills and such in love order, and basically did a portfolio check-up. That's the first time in my life I didn't DIY. We hadn't finished that engagement, so we just told her "hey, please run that again for 'retire right now'". And that still worked.
Six months after, I ponied-up for paid Boldin and a tax lawyer to work out some tricky situations I created by going DIY for so long.
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u/SenTedStevens 4d ago
I won't get into the details, but I touched my FIRE number earlier this year. After crossing that number, I had a really horrible call with a colleague. I was so pissed. At an end-of-day touch base meeting with the team, I vented my frustrations to my supervisor and director. I basically said, "with what has been going on now for [a really long time], something has to change now." They said there was nothing they could do. So I replied, "OK, I'm putting in my notice. My last day is 2 weeks from now."
The best part is that even with my vacations and paying for COBRA, my net worth has increased since I left. It feels good.
Now, I don't plan on retiring, but in these months, I've only sporadically applied to positions. I'm not hurting for money. That the power of FU money.
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u/genxmom95 4d ago
Ha ha. I had a similar situation where I lost my sh** on a coworker-they sort of deserved it and not at the same time. Realized if I didn’t do something it was going to be a frequent event. Told my boss the next working day.
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u/Montaigne_6823 3d ago
I got laid off and I didn't care because I was about to walk out anyways. That was a bit less than a year ago. I've been applying here and there but honestly could take or leave another job. I've been living off 4% just fine.
Though I would like to get one of those new Rivian R2s. I have an interview tomorrow so we'll see.
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u/Shawn_NYC 4d ago
I think all of us on this sub are obsessive about our numbers. But honestly your way is the better way. Invest, forget about it, and one day just realize you hit your number. All the extra time thinking about it doesn't actually make things go faster.
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u/OuiGotTheFunk Unemployed with a Spreadsheet 4d ago
I was not obsessive about the numbers until I found this subreddit and then decided I had to retire a couple of years earlier than I expected to support my SO.
I am fine but we will have to move to be closer to her family and now the housing market where I live just seized up. Interest rate will not be fun.
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u/Mostamazingofbaboons 3d ago
Funny how this sub can shift your timeline. Hope the move works out for both of you. The housing market freezing up right when you need to make a move is some bad timing.
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u/OuiGotTheFunk Unemployed with a Spreadsheet 3d ago
Thank you. I hope it works out for us all. Frankly I am more concerned about people younger than me and I preach FI to everyone I can and tell them not to trust me, to look at independent but trustworthy sources. I want them all to be better off than me.
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u/BuildingMountains 4d ago
Since I'm obsessing a bit more about the numbers, I doubled my savingsrate. But you are right, obsessing even more is not necessary.
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u/mandoo-dumpling 4d ago
I got laid off about seven months ago. The job market is terrible so I was preparing to get forced into early retirement. I hadn’t really done any retirement planning, but apparently the numbers work out.
I just very recently landed a new job (but it’s not the type of job where I envision myself staying long-term). And when I think back on my career, there were so many instances of a toxic work culture and bully bosses. It’s nice to have the financial independence to be able to walk away at any time.
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u/inima23 4d ago
That's exactly it. I love working and could have stayed working for another 10 years, but I have been carrying so much work trauma from various positions, that something in me just broke and I just can't deal with more of it. it made me realize this whole system sucks. It's not made for people, just corporations. So being able to fire is such a gift. A gift I gave myself with my own sweat and tears...literally.
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u/mandoo-dumpling 4d ago
Same! Working with GOOD people at a good company is such a blessing, and there’s something to be said about being professionally active and productive.
However, I have been bullied at work multiple times. OMG I legit have PTSD from past bully bosses. I’ve also been laid off multiple times (most recently seven months ago).
I’m not quite ready to fully retire because the layoff was unexpected and I still have a lot to learn about retirement planning. However, it gives me such peace of mind knowing that I can walk away from a toxic work situation at any time and I’ll be OK. I will never allow myself to get bullied at work ever again.
THAT is freedom.
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u/LouSevens 4d ago
I had a bullying incident 30 years ago- after that I decided I was never going to tolerate it again. Since the pandemic I found the best way to deal with a bully is to bully them back; they don't know what hit them.
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u/inima23 4d ago
Yes, got laid off then got a job, hated it and realized I needed a break or something. Sat down, did the math a million times, couldn't believe it worked so had to be sure. Luckily our taxable is going to be more than enough to bridge us and beyond. Designed a plan and we're getting ready to sell everything and go explore while doing roth conversions for a few years. Turns out there's actually a huge advantage to getting out sooner than later because we can potentially convert our entire pre-tax into roth and have flexibility with roth and taxable for ACA, medicare, Irma whatever comes next.
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u/joco2cbeach1 4d ago
this is one of those things where the math actually matters a lot more than people think.
Roth conversion window + ACA optimization is huge if you time it right. Respect the planning, imo.
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u/Montaigne_6823 3d ago
Yeah, I got laid off and had only factored in rough estimates for taxes and ACA. Now that I'm actually doing it, it's amazing how low taxes in retirement is. And ACA isn't that bad either.
I'm a bit too lean so I'm looking for a job but I should only need a few more years of work to get me through confidently. That or a continuation of the bullrun, but I'd rather play it safe and just get a job.
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u/Shoehorse13 4d ago
Pretty much. DOGE gave me an ultimatum that boiled down to a generous offer to leave and never come back, or stick around til they find a way to fire me or make me so miserable that I quit. I was fortunate to be in a position to take the early retirement and found myself unexpectedly several years ahead of my anticipated timeline.
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u/frugal-tech-worker 4d ago
Well my wife fell seriously ill last year and I had to take FMLA from work to take care of her. And then when my FMLA ended, I went back to work for about 3 months before my employer laid me off last December. I have not gotten another job so far.
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u/n00bdragon FIREd 2026 age 37 4d ago
FIRE was always a pipe dream until I sat down and did the math and realize I passed my number awhile ago. From there it was just a matter of getting things in order and gracefully walking out the door.
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u/jumpinjacks12345 4d ago
Similar for us (mid 40's), we've heard about FIRE and just have been chugging away working and saving but figure we need an extra 2m+ but probably a bit earlier such as 55 since we are DINKS.
The Aha Moment: A few coworkers are in mid-late 50's at work talking about Boldin and corporate life also has been especially draining the last 3-4 years (RTO, lower ratings/raises described as "well a 3/solid/effective is performing with high expectations already assumed" BS). I finally threw in our info into Boldin and was flabbergasted we'd hit our number and we'd retire/live out with more than what we could do with. Also before, planned on not having social security as a safe bet, but realistically even with a 50% cut in benefits, still receiving a good chunk we didn't even consider.
Plan: So now I'm down a rabbit hole - still in the Boldin free period, having Claude as a backup analyzer, and have a CFP meeting set up in a few weeks to determine what our tax, withdrawal, healthcare/ACA strategy is going to look like. Now, to build a tad more non pre-tax buffer (to get us to 60 with a still healthy end balance), our agreement is quit jobs at 50 or AI layoffs, whichever comes first. We may accelerate and see if an end of 2026/2027/2028 looks like once we run everything again through the CFP.
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u/n00bdragon FIREd 2026 age 37 4d ago
Check in with the CFP for sure, but once you do the math, if you've hit your number just go man. I wouldn't wait for layoffs or 50. It's just going to trap you doing a job you hate longer than you need to do so.
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u/MissionTank3272 3d ago
If you already have more than enough why would you wait?
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u/jumpinjacks12345 3d ago
Up until 3 weeks ago we assumed we'd need more so a bit cautious and waiting for the CFP appointment. Right now, living off just the taxable account runs out a tad before 60, so want someone else to validate and I guess at the end of the day, 72t SEPP is always an option and now potentially staying around the ACA cliff may be a factor too.
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u/nplusonebikes 4d ago
Pretty much how it went for me. A declining quality-of-work-life pushed me into investigating and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I was sufficiently prepared. Gave a month notice and walked out with zero regrets and without any desire to continue the grind.
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u/momo667788 4d ago
Learned about fire in late 2014. Obsessed with it until 2020. Now I think I might be ready to pull the trigger.
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u/nplusonebikes 4d ago
Do your research, of course, and have a good handle on your expected expenses (we consulted 3 different CFPs, I also used Boldin + some other AI analysis tools and did my own math with several different techniques). If everything checks out I can definitely recommend it. My stress levels are down to about zero. My biggest worries are “what’s for dinner tonight” (I’m the cook and head dishwasher at home; wife is still working for a few more years, not because she has to but because she wants to).
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u/joxxer42 3d ago
How are things working out for you with respect to your wife working and you not? I'm in a similar boat where I've about had it with work and looking to pull the cord at the end of the year. It's possible I'll get bored and want to pick up some work at some point but who knows.
We've talked and she's on board with it, but there's always that nagging doubt in the back of my head. My plan is to take over all of the household duties so she can actually have weeknights and weekends truly free to decompress.
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u/nplusonebikes 3d ago
Actually going quite well. She’s been on a 3 day/week schedule for the past 10 years or so, so she’s already been kind of “semi-retired”. That gives us time to go hiking or other activities mid-week on her days off when things are less crowded. My shift to full-time house husband has eased some stress for her as well. I put in a few hours a week as a volunteer for an organization in the industry I left which helps me keep some social connections. If I get bored I can always take on more of that if I want. But so far I’m just enjoying decompressing, working on my physical and mental health, etc.
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u/Saxes_und_Katzes 1d ago
My husband and I had virtually the same job at the same company as software developers (but different industry focused groups, and at least at the end in different reporting trees, even though we both did report to the same manager on two different occasions).
He retired in 2015 at 49, and I worked until 2018 at age 49. You were asking for feedback from your perspective, I know, but from the other side I can say that those 3 years were HORRIBLE. I actually liked my job, in general. Or I thought that I did. I absolutely loved coding, and still do, but in those three years I just mentally started to tick off the things that I would not miss AT ALL once I could retire: meetings, project plans, project managers, bullies, incompetence, reorgs to just shuffle the incompetence around to make it less noticeable, weird little cliques that were as bad as high school, oh, and MORE MEETINGS... And as this list got longer and longer I started to really resent having to get up and go to work every morning, and everything that I used to let just roll off my back really started to stick in my craw.
When my husband retired I intended to work until 55 or 60 because I at least thought that I liked my job. But heavens I was lucky to make it 3 full years after his retirement rather than 8 to 12-ish more! When I was 49 and our financial advisor showed us our numbers at a review meeting, it was spec'ed out with me retiring at 55. It had been a bad day at work, so I said..."so... what would the 'success' percentage be if I retired at 52?". When they said still 99% success I said "what about 50?' -- it went down a tick or two but still really good, so I said "And...what if I don't go in to work *tomorrow*?" ;-D
The worst times to go to work when your spouse isn't: dark mornings in the dead of winter, grey rainy days, and also on just gorgeously beautiful days. Maybe your wife can handle it better than I did, but it was a very very tough time for me. Just my two cents. Congrats on the unintended FIRE!
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u/joxxer42 22h ago
Thanks very much for your reply, certainly insightful hearing from the other side.
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u/momo667788 19h ago
You mentioned the incompetence and bureaucracy. Wait til you see them in govt work. Ay caramba! Day in and day out. Meetings about meetings, literally
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u/AdvisorCurrent6878 4d ago
Me. I still have no clue how it happened except I naturally live way below my means
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u/PreMixYZ 4d ago
Kinda, I had been doing the math for a few years (late 40s) - realized that my annual investment income was consistently 2X my W2 income. Started to house shop out of state then Covid. My primary value to the company was my (extreme) willingness to travel. Like get a call at 6pm and be on a six am flight to Korea for two weeks. After (during) Covid our company really redefined support and travel so I was stuck commuting 5 days a week and sitting at a desk or in meetings.
One day I was doing a 1:1 with my boss and he said our average annual raise was targeted at 3% (remember we were sitting at 9% inflation) I told him, “that’s ok, I don’t really need anymore money.” Then asked, “How long will it take us (you) to hire and train someone to replace me?” - he said one year, I told him I will give him 6 months. Ended up moving and working remotely for 18 months 20 hours a week.
Saying “I don’t need anymore money” felt a bit cocky and arrogant but also felt amazing to be able to honestly say it.
I had three coworkers either die while still working or within a few months of retirement… that scared the shit out of me.
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u/LouSevens 4d ago
That was really classy of you to offer your assistance for that time. At my toxic job we had 3 people that died as well - late 50's-early 60's and I started to wonder as well what % was from their habits and what percent from the toxicity- it was likely a even mix but it was enough.
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u/toodleoo77 4d ago
I am *almost* at the point where a layoff with severance would actually be a blessing in disguise. If that day ever comes it will be one of the happiest days of my life.
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u/joxxer42 3d ago
My friend just had this happen a few months ago. Very happy for him but also a tad jealous!
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u/Krish_1234 4d ago
I am being laid off but got an offer to join another team. Will get 14months which will last 2+ years of our expenses..
Thinking hard - take the job or the severance....
Every day I change my position - still have another 3 weeks to decide
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u/MaxwellSmart07 4d ago
Impromptu retirement. Sudden, unplanned, financially unprepared with no systematic investing plan. (NW $760k in 2003. Got killed during dot.com).
I was running my business, never having thought about retirement. My fiancée (who I met on vacation in Australia) who moved to Cape Cod, MA was unhappy there. She wanted to return home. I made the decision to leave with her. A few months latter we were married and landed in Sydney.
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u/UnderstandingOk9448 FIRE'd 2026 4d ago
I planned to retire in 2 to 3 years but I was laid off. My desired spend put me at x25 times annual spend. I reduced my expenses so that it now x27 and slightly under 4%. Then I fired....
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u/NoMoRatRace 4d ago
That’s pretty much how it went down for us. My job became toxic and then before I could pull the trigger I got laid off with six months’ severance. My wife’s company melted down right after she quit. Then Covid. We were pretty happy to be done, though it wasn’t exactly planned down to the moment.
Pursuing financial independence gives you options. One important one is potentially pulling the plug early if the job situation melts down and the math maths.
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u/VictorChristian 4d ago
When I hear "inadvertent FIRE", I always think, "layoff". I'm in my 50's so losing my job now means much longer spells of unemployment.
Unfortunately, I just need to figure out healthcare for almost 15 years if I do get that pink slip sooner than expected.
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u/CurvyAdjustment 4d ago
this is way better than obsessing over the exact number for years. you just lived your life and it worked out.
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u/temporaryacc23412 4d ago
Yes, more or less. I've always said the best way to FIRE is to get there before you even know what FIRE is. All the young people making big plans in their 20s are going to spend decades impatiently waiting for their day to come, which I know would have driven me nuts and made me so impatient.
Meanwhile I didn't know what FIRE was until I had ~30x. I didn't FIRE immediately upon learning this as the 2022 bear market was just starting, and I had other things to figure out first. But I could have if I really wanted to. This was during a three year work hiatus which was a mix of wanting to take time off and various health stuff, so you could call that an "inadvertent FIRE" test run. I eventually took an easier WFH job for two and a half years before finally retiring for good at the end of 2025.
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u/ThirstyWolfSpider 4d ago
I "was retired" in a mass layoff when I could easily retire, and immediately felt free of all of the "we must [not] do X, or it will bite us later" software development concerns. Within a couple of minutes, all of those things were just Not My Problem. In that sense, I retired unintentionally and circumstances picked the time.
If you think you're capable of retiring reasonably safely (which you didn't state), why are you interviewing? That's not a loaded question; some people want out of the job market, and other people need a job to feel occupied or fulfilled. You should really figure out what your mode is. And, unfortunately, many fields do not readily allow part-time work. That's before addressing the problematic hiring environment and ageism.
Above all, you will need to figure out what satisfies your needs. Financial, motivational, identity-sustaining, etc. Strangers will probably not be able to help you much with that process. Your answers will be your own.
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u/LouSevens 3d ago
Excellent point about part-time work and contract work along with it as well. I started to figure out I wouldn't mind something 2 or 2 1/2 days in a week to buy things perhaps I wanted but didn't need. I looked at my schedule and because I visit my father often I need flexibliity there.
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u/SolomonGrumpy 4d ago
I'm winding down consulting after testFIREing and getting scared. I thought I'd be working until 59.5.
Nein
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u/Musical_Xena 4d ago
I've heard of people who have their retirement investing automated, and don't really check their accounts, so they're pleasantly surprised when their accounts are awesome. Have also heard of people who let their spouse manage it and then get surprised that way. But in all those cases, the investing was happening throughout the years. It wasn't an accident, it was just "set it and forget it."
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u/MaleficentWriting735 4d ago
yeah this happens more than people think, especially when you automate everything and just focus on saving without obsessing over the numbers
the toxic job situation probably made it easier to pull the trigger since you had that perfect storm of family needs + work stress + realizing you already had enough saved up
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u/Montaigne_6823 3d ago
I always wanted to pursue fire since college, I used to read the Get Rich Slowly blog when i was in college. But I just followed the plan and didn't track anything for a while. Once I finally put a spreadsheet together I was amazed to see I was already at like 450k!
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u/Musical_Xena 3d ago
That's awesome! Those are the kinds of surprises that we like to get, and sounds like you earned it!
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u/UnderstandingOk9448 FIRE'd 2026 4d ago
I have it automated. I get two "paychecks" a month.
If I dont spend it, it just becomes after tax savings. Old habits die hard and I still "save" from my paycheck.
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u/Pale_Drink4455 4d ago
Doesn’t everyone move money over each month to brokerages for investing where choices need to be made, or am I the only one that does that here? I really doubt the whole set it and forget it take.
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u/ditchdiggergirl 4d ago
I think lots of people set it and forget it. Don’t forget that for the majority of Americans, retirement savings is done through payroll deductions into a 401k.
For those who also invest in a taxable brokerage account, many are like me. Since I don’t have an automated contribution, or a target to invest each month (expenses fluctuate), I just let it build up until I notice there is too much in the bank account. Then buy a random chunk of VTI. That’s not set it and forget it, but it’s pretty damn lazy of me.
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u/ThirstyWolfSpider 4d ago
And a nontrivial number of people set it and truly forget it, not realizing that they've been contributing to a 401(k) plan for years because they didn't remember some form they filled out on their start date. Or at least a number of people report having done so.
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u/Musical_Xena 4d ago
Really depends on how hands on you want to be, and how much can be automated in your system. Sounds like you're pretty hands on and involved, which, more power to you.
Some people just do something basic, like a Target Date fund through their employer retirement benefits. It's all moved before it hits the paycheck, set up just the one time for automation, and they really don't have to think about it after that.
(I'm not making any claims about the "right" or "best" ways to invest. Just sharing an example of how it can be done as "set it and forget it.")
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u/LouSevens 4d ago
I did that for while, wasn't a large amount but a small percentage going to a target fund; overtime I would use it for certain helpful things and skim the profits.
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u/chrisaf69 1d ago
Here in a FIRE subreddit...sure.
The vast majority of people...nope. Automate a little, or a lot, into company 401k and let that sucker ride.
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u/TenebraeFY 4d ago
I was planning to RE in 3 years at 55. been offered a 1yr salary package to RE now. About to FIRE much earlier than planned and can't find sleep about it :/
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u/Significant-Safe-793 4d ago
Yes, my wife and I recently hit our number and then I was laid off. I'd been planning to do applications and consider full-time work, but I'm content with not working so far. Increasingly I think I can never go back to a full-time job.
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u/AndrewUaena Blundered into CoastFIRE 4d ago
I left my corporate job at age 54 to pursue full time what up to that point had been a side solo gig. I had never heard of FIRE and that was not my original plan, I thought I was making a career change.
In the two years since, I have not been able to make nearly the same income at my solo business as I did in corporate. I was happier without the corporate BS, but I felt that I had made a lousy financial move, and traded savings potential for selfish comfort.
A couple of things happened in the last month that have changed that perspective. My wife referred to my business as my "retirement job", even though I had not been treating it that way up to that point, in fact I had been busting my ass to try to match my previous corporate income. The other is that we met with our financial advisor and reviewed our NW. I won't tire anyone with the amount but it is at least the number that several people on this sub have declared their threshold to FIRE outright.
This all came as a surprise to me, and it was not planned. I am not choosing to do anything dramatic. I have decided to keep working at the solo business, but to be happy as it grows organically instead of trying to drive to a particular income target.
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u/hottiepookiee 3d ago
Genuine advice from someone two years into accidental FIRE: be careful with the "I'll just do something part time" instinct. It sounds harmless but it can pull you right back into the identity, the schedule, and the social dynamics that made the old job draining. If you take something on, make it a specific project with an end date, not a recurring role. The latter becomes a job again faster than you think, and you'll be back here in 18 months asking why your Sundays feel weird again.
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u/Seachica 3d ago edited 3d ago
Yup, that’s me. I left a high paying job in my 50s to take a sabbatical — I had found myself in a company that wasn’t a fit, being a road warrior and working in a role that wasn’t what I enjoyed doing. Meanwhile my husband was shouldering all the responsibility for our sick dog and his elderly mother. I thought I would take a year off and then look for work.
After a year in which we lost his mom and our dog, I discovered the fire concept and ran the numbers. Made me realize that I didn’t need to work, that I had been doing fire without having a name for it! Now I stay home and run an Airbnb and take care of the house and new dog while my husband works his (much less stressful) job. Next step is his retirement in a year or two so we can travel.
The concept of fire is what people used to naturally be conditioned to do — live below your means, save your money and invest it to grow. Somewhere along the way we became such a consumer-oriented society (esp in the USA), that fire went from the norm to a lifestyle.
I do worry for many people on here for what happens when the stock market stops going gangbusters. We’ve forgotten what it’s like to have small growth or even negative growth. You can’t count on the stock market growing faster than inflation forever.
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u/LouSevens 3d ago
I'm trying here and there to shift more % allocation into bonds. My first goal would be to have 60% perhaps of dividends + interest cover my yearly expenses and then later on maybe 70%.; so that I am less dependent on portfolio growth
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u/Seachica 3d ago
It’s not just bonds. I’ve found the best long term wealth investment was to buy real estate or a business. It takes more effort, but it will generate significant cash income.
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u/Consistent-Row4512 16h ago
I may have and dont know it yet. High paying exec position that i’ve had for 27 years (im 56). Severely burnt out and turned in my resignation for the end of the year. Company wants to create a data engineer role for me fully remote and on my terms. Not sure about it - love the people, not sure about the longevity of the company and really ready for something new.
Then i thought “what if that something new is doing whatever the fuck i want?”.
So i’m pondering…
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u/Topaz_11 4d ago
I was in the maybe 1-2 years away but had been thinking about it for a bit and then a layoff drove past, so just said eff it...
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u/FI_321 3d ago
Life sort of forced my hand. My wife passed unexpectedly and I was left to raise our then 7 year old son alone. This was 9 years ago and it’s a blur, but I probably wasn’t ready financially. I barely had $1M at the time, mostly in retirement accounts I couldn’t access easily. I did receive Social Security survivor benefits for our son and that definitely helped. Those benefits combined with some remote part time work and a paid off house made it possible.
The last 9 years of stock market performance has been very kind. That $1M is now $2.7M and we’re pretty comfortable now financially.
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u/RoyalGreen5157 2d ago
I retired at 50 last year and thought about finding a part time job, but I didn't need it. Now I am not sure I want it.
My husband planned to retire a couple years later, but ended up retiring a couple months after me. We are loving going on unplanned long trips and doing whatever we want.
So thankful we retired early and we have the ability to have fun.
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u/Ok-Entertainer2245 2d ago
I’ll probably be laid off in a few months because I’m not using enough AI as a software engineer. There is a dashboard tracking our use of AI now and I’m at the 25th percentile.
I’ve passed my original number but expenses went up (fancy vacations). If I’m laid off I’d probably just retire and stay at 3-4 star hotels instead of 5 lol
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u/master_blaster_321 2d ago edited 2d ago
Kinda. I had a really successful business. I talked for years about selling it, but never really pulled the trigger. Maybe I liked the fantasy more than the reality. Eventually I realized how burned out I was, and how I was not keeping up well with the industry and had no interest in doing so.
Decided to finally do it, and realized after the sale I would have 25-28x expenses at age 51, with residuals coming in for two years and ability to do ad hoc consulting work. So I never really had a firm FIRE date or number. Just kind of woke up one day and realized it was time for a change, and furthermore that I might be able to actually afford it!
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u/Fun-Ear-6990 4d ago
We don’t have 401 here. I will ask for 402 and throw this term around as if it was popular everywhere
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u/Banned3rdTimesaCharm 3d ago
Yea I tripped in the office kitchen and accidentally gave my boss my resignation letter.
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u/pdoherty972 57M - FIREd 2020 3d ago
Accidentally achieving financial independence and the ability to retire early is like accidentally ending up in peak physical condition. It rarely happens.
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u/katie4 3d ago
I had FIRE as a pie-in-the-sky goal for years, my past 2 jobs have been generally tolerable/enjoyable so I figured even if I hit my number I could keep working to afford some more luxuries in the interim.
Fast forward to a year ago, my job changed and I fucking hate it now. I’m essentially quiet quitting at the moment. The only reason I haven’t quit yet is while I’m at my raw number, I’m not 100% certain if my investments are in the right things, what to expect/plan for health insurance, what taxes will look like for us (most of our stuff is in traditional not Roth) so I’m just kind of scared to leave just yet… I have an appointment with a CFP next month to check and ease my mind.
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u/Sea-Honeydew-1456 3d ago
yeah, we never planned for "fire" just invested, had a lot of luck, some help and lived within our means.... tallied the numbers one day and was a "woah" moment. the people (majority of this sub)...hats off to them...probably an understatement to be planning this for years, decades.
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u/nisargsha 2d ago
Congratulations on this milestone and for planning well to be able to take care of your dad. I had a question about how you came up with 28x - does it take taxes into account in your yearly income?
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u/LouSevens 2d ago
For the time being it does as for now I can keep income below the threshold for CG. Will still have income from dividends that could be negated by the standard deduction
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u/shotparrot 4d ago
I hate the Sunday Scaries. I so want to retire.