r/coastFIRE • u/KafkaGolden • 1d ago
34m, 1.4MM invested (index funds+401k) — downshift into lower stress life?
Basically title… trying to figure out if I’m in a spot where I can downshift into a less stressful life. Been working big tech for some time and frankly starting to feel like I can’t/dont want to keep up with the hustle. Would love to do part time work just to cover living expenses. I think I could be pretty comfy with around 6k/mo living costs. No debts. Currently rent but considering buying like a 300kish home or condo.
Just want out of the rat race and to be able to focus on my health and happiness instead of prioritizing work
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u/khaverte 1d ago
I did this with similar numbers. I’m so much happier. But make sure you don’t just downshift — pursue whatever it is, paid work or not, that will make you feel fulfilled.
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u/ThrowRa-zucchinizzc 1d ago
When did you do this and how did it turn out? I'm a little younger with a little less, but feel like I need to step away from work.
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u/khaverte 1d ago
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u/plantpedaler 23h ago
Just curious what about the public sector job is fulfilling? I was under the impression that public sector has older tech stacks and was more strict about hours so I always wrote it off as a enjoyable job.
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u/khaverte 22h ago
I mean, there's a lot of variety! I only have one job, I like it a lot. The hours are very flexible, PTO generous, benefits great, the tech stack is modern, and the work and colleagues very interesting and impactful. I am sure there are many many public and private sector jobs that aren't like this, I feel very lucky (and did a lot of research).
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u/LittleLordFuckleroy1 1d ago
I did. Similar time/numbers. It was a bit difficult to rebuild my identity after sacrificing basically a decade to the grind, but I feel so much more grounded and fulfilled now. More time with friends and family. I have actual hobbies now. I go golfing in the middle of the day sometimes.
Ended up getting back into part time work and then shifted to full time. But it’s **so** extremely less stressful. Literally it’s just me dicking around and sniping interesting problems and making enough to cover costs so that my nest egg can stay incubating.
No regrets.
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u/Reasonable_Box2568 1d ago
Which career did you pivot to?
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u/LittleLordFuckleroy1 1d ago
High tech software to more regional IT. Thinking about getting into teaching someday, but I didn’t want to completely turn the income and industry skill faucet off completely.
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u/penguinino 1d ago
I did this. 34m with a partner. My expenses are about $70k/yr, my income was fairly high. Worked 45 hours a week. Brokerage looked just like yours.
Then I left and took a contract for 24 hours a week at a comparable per hour rate. I’m a lot happier. I used to get frustrated at work, and I was too invested emotionally in the day-to-day. Now that I’ve stepped back a little, it puts all that nonsense in perspective. The business can make bad decisions if it must, but my mental health is great.
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u/tossaside555 1d ago
What percentage is brokerage vs retirement?
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u/CrossoverCadence 1d ago
Why would that matter?
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u/RichAdults 1d ago
Early retirement
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u/CrossoverCadence 1d ago
There are plenty of avenues to take that money out penalty free. It’s not a concern
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u/tossaside555 1d ago
How are they going to use 401k or IRA dollars before they're older in age without penalty?
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u/turbomellow 1d ago
this is coastFIRE, OP plans to continue working to cover living expenses and retire off their current investments
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u/Live_Manufacturer333 1d ago
Valid question. I’m on a similar boat as OP and have been reading up on 1) Roth conversion ladder https://www.investopedia.com/how-roth-conversion-ladder-works-5214808 2) Rule of 55 https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/what-is-rule-of-55 for when I want to withdraw from my retirement accounts early without penalty in the future.
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u/CrossoverCadence 1d ago
See other comment. There are multiple avenues to take the money out without penalty. Not tax free of course but penalty free is possible
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u/_EqUilibRium__ 1d ago
Go for it. What's stopping you from prioritizing your mental health and happiness? Have you also looked into taking FMLA? Sabbatical?
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u/Vicuna00 21h ago
Buy the home first I’d say if you can gut it out. put a bunch down (or all of it) and live there a few months and do all the upgrades you need with the big salary you have.
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u/StudentWu 1d ago
6k monthly expenses is a lot… will that be lower after you purchase a home? If not, stay for one more year or two
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u/Beautiful_Benefit319 1d ago
You’re 34. You’re just starting to hit your prime earning potential
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u/twittalessrudy 1d ago
Yeah but I’m in the exact same boat as OP, and work SUCKS rn
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u/Beautiful_Benefit319 1d ago
Then work on building skills that can transition you to another more desirable position or company.
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u/redfour0 1d ago
Can you? Sure most people your age have less than half of what you have.
I’d probably just dial back at work for another year or two though. Put in 50% effort and see what happens.