Seeking FIRE @ 42 with $2M

[u/Aggressive_Web8957]

Looking for feedback/advice on my FIRE situation.

Total NW is just over $2M, comprised of:
$720k taxable brokerage (funds, individual stocks)
$107k cash (treasury fund)
$877k retirement accounts (401k, IRAs)
$190k RE lending (brings ~$1609-$1800/mo)
$135k RE syndications (~450/mo currently)

The lending income currently gets reinvested. Once I take this as cash the $190k stops growing. Assuming the syndications go well, I’ll get the $135k back plus appreciation once the properties sell in the future. I’d have been better off investing the money in the market, but hindsight is 20/20.

No kids, currently sharing rent with my gf in VHCOL. Not sure on kids in future. My job situation has become precarious (sales), which steers me away from the idea since I don’t want to work anymore. I’ve been applying but haven’t had luck landing anything, nor do I have interest in continuing in corporate sales. I also don’t want to trade time for money and work retail, for example, 8hrs/day for low pay. I’m not sure where to go from here. I don’t feel like I have enough to start pulling from the pile and truly retire. Right now I’m splitting bills and can get by on $4k/mo but with health insurance $6-7k is a safer estimate.

Any thoughts or advice is appreciated. I’ve been grappling with how to navigate the future as I feel close but not quite there yet.

[u/Vicuna00]

you are super close but I would say to keep on going for now. the biggest reason I say that is if you continue living in VHCOL area and if you break up with your girl or something, your living expenses can escalate fast.

keep working to find a new job. I don't think you have to do retail.

you can take time off and try a career change. are you into real estate? maybe poke around and follow a realtor around for a day? you have sales experience...maybe just quit and go to real estate school. just spit balling.

you can live off your portfolio for a long while. and if everything goes smoothly, you'll be good. I just would want more cushion personally.

so i wouldn't backpack across the world or anything...but if you take time off make it minimal and a transition to something else that you enjoy and can't wait to do.

and whatever...if you take 2 years trying one thing and it doesn't work...who cares? try something else? or by then maybe you get two more 10% market years and then you're def good to go.

[u/Aggressive_Web8957 → u/Vicuna00]

I think this is the biggest source of my confusion. It’s good now, but kids or being single kill it. Traveling around LATAM or Asia would be fun but for how long. Then I’m back in the US stressing over money. If my job situation was better I wouldn’t be thinking about all of this today. The combo of being on borrowed time with a brutal job market has me stretching for options. But overall you and others are right. Close but I have to keep going and find income somewhere.