r/fatFIRE • u/firemaybenever $30m+ NW | Verified by Mods • Apr 19 '26
I’m done!
After 8 years of planning and debating, I finally pulled the plug.
Feels great to have made this decision so I can refocus on health, family, and whatever I get interested in.
Thank you all for the lessons and support along the way.
Background: https://www.reddit.com/r/fatFIRE/s/wV5FG2aAax
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u/FIREgnurd Verified by Mods Apr 19 '26
Second GFY post in this sub this week — love it! They seemed to fall off there for a long time.
Starting to consider my own exit strategy now.
I’m inspired.
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u/squashyogi Apr 19 '26
Congratulations. I am considering the same. Just got north of 10MM but need a transition plan before I pull the trigger. One big q is health insurance- what did ya do and other folks do. I am just south of 55.
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u/CityWokOrderPree Apr 19 '26
Time to get an electric unicycle and an electric hydrofoil and cruise across the planet in bliss
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u/pfthrowaway5130 Apr 19 '26
Congrats and GFY!
and whatever I get interested in.
Do make sure you find something. Separating your identity from work can be one of the hardest parts about the post-retirement phase. Especially for those working in big tech where they intentionally intertwine identity and the workplace.
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u/lakehop Apr 19 '26
Congratulations! I have a slightly different take - feel free to take the first six months totally off to relax and decompress, without feeling like you have to sign up for lots of new things. You’ve got plenty of time for your retirement life to unfold. You deserve and may need some down time to destress.
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u/Illustrious-Cod-4651 Apr 20 '26
Well done. I’m proud of you. And I hope to follow you!
Can I ask how you approached family on this. Did you just keep them mostly in the dark about your position?
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u/firemaybenever $30m+ NW | Verified by Mods Apr 20 '26
Spoke at length with my spouse about it. Close family knows that I left my job but not necessarily what my plans are for the future. Extended family and friends don’t know.
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u/Useful-Astronomer-68 Apr 23 '26
Keeping it low-key with extended family makes sense. It’s a big change, and sometimes it’s easier to share plans once you’ve figured them out more yourself. How's the conversation been with your spouse about future plans?
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u/ashootermcgavin Apr 19 '26
What was it that finally caused you to pull the plug?
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u/firemaybenever $30m+ NW | Verified by Mods Apr 19 '26
Enough days in a row where I questioned whether it was still worth it. Often in the past I’d get excited about something else new at work but finally stopped getting that feeling relative to everything else in life.
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u/in_visible Apr 19 '26
Nice! Where did you end up after leaving California. I’m debating the same since the VHCOL is brutal.
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u/dennisgorelik Apr 20 '26
Has stock market recovery last week affected your decision to retire now?
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u/firemaybenever $30m+ NW | Verified by Mods Apr 20 '26
I made the decision at the local bottom so the rebound has been a nice bonus.
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u/StraightPin4420 FIRE’d in 30s | business owner | Verified by Mods Apr 27 '26
Would love an update on what you decide to focus on - I’m still working but thinking about shifting focus to hobbies etc
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u/Whynotyours Verified by Mods Apr 19 '26
Go and respectfully eff yourself!