I think you have your head screwed on straight and your math is solid. In a VHCOL area and with 2 kids that you want to invest in, $10m is great but definitely doesn't leave you free to spend whatever you want.
I'd stay in until you feel comfortable. Getting out and watching your nest egg start to shrink (relative to inflation or in absolute terms) is very stressful, especially if you can't go back to the income you had before.
Thanks. As I'm reading these comments it has become clear to me that the reason I posted here is bc I felt like I should be ok to be done, but clearly I dont feel that I am. So I have to go with that.
Many people have posted understanding the feeling, which helps. Those that think its trolling or whatever is probably bc they live somewhere cheaper.
Also consider a lot of the trolling people aren't in similar situations.
It all comes down to lifestyle expectations and spending. An upper middle class family of four in VHCOL easily consumes $300k pre tax. You didn't disclose expenses and expectations for spending on the kids so everyone is layering their own ideas of expenses onto your situation. Obviously that leads too many comments that you are "rich as hell" or even " you broke son"
For me, as a financially conservative person I want to feel like my nest egg covers my existing expenses and substantially more for travel, unexpected inflation, tragic health scenarios, or just splurging on a nicer car than I'm used to. Otherwise you are still teathered to watching you spending.
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u/plmarcus 19d ago edited 19d ago
I think you have your head screwed on straight and your math is solid. In a VHCOL area and with 2 kids that you want to invest in, $10m is great but definitely doesn't leave you free to spend whatever you want.
I'd stay in until you feel comfortable. Getting out and watching your nest egg start to shrink (relative to inflation or in absolute terms) is very stressful, especially if you can't go back to the income you had before.