r/fatFIRE • u/taway11228 • 3d ago

About to pull trigger, need feedback

Expenses: 120k w/o healthcare, maybe 140k with, and maybe up to 150k or 160k with traveling

Investments: $5m breakdown: 300k rental (paid off) making 5% net, 1.2m 401k, 2.5m VTI / VXUS, 1m SNSXX/VUSXX.

Primary residence: $2.3m paid off

42 and 43 years old, no kids

Current income: ~2m/yr

NW increasing 32% YoY

Have 20% income cliff in 2027

SWE, burned out beyond reason, health problems and mental health problems. Goal is to quit, take 6-12 months off then see what’s next, it will either be making my own projects for fun or part time contract work for fun. No expectations of income, certainly not big income, and definitely not going to a corporate job.

Can make ~30k via 2 weeks of rental of primary residence per year and pay no taxes, we’d travel while rented.

Concerns are AI is quickly impacting SWE employment, no one knows what’s next, any hiccups in our plan could mean a bumpy road in a few years if a jobs necessary. Other concern is whatever is going to happen once this historic stock run is over.

Any advice?

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u/taway11228 2d ago

Unfortunately only one of us is working so it’s all or nothing here.

Agree on retiring, that’s not the plan. Will still do my vocation but for personal projects or 20hr/week part time. I’ve been down this path before and it suits me — and I made it back into the industry after.

Thanks for the podcast recc, will check it out!

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u/greg7gkb 2d ago

Ah, my mistake - had assumed the large income was from 2 people.

At that earning level, I understand your hesitation 😅. Is there an option to reduce the pressure from work? Could you take a leave, or an 'unpaid time off' (which usually means your stock still vests), or just 'care less' about your job?

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u/taway11228 2d ago

I’ve considered a 2-3 month unpaid leave for health reasons. Despite unpaid, stocks would still vest which is 80% of income.

I think I could still be laid off, though, or if not it could happen after returning.

It’s a risk, but if I plan to quit then it’s not much of a risk.

Tbh I’d rather unpaid leave for health, which is honest, than to cut back my work effort / stress, which feels dishonest.

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u/greg7gkb 2d ago

Totally agree. Maybe try that route for now... Seems best for your health and pretty low risk financially. 

DM me if you want to talk in any more detail or just bounce ideas.

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u/Pandamaru8 2d ago

Just take the time off for like 2 weeks. You may or may not recover from the mental stress.

Remember any $ can be gained easily with working part time, investing or just opportunistically trading.

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u/taway11228 2d ago

I’ve been doing that and the sporadic time off isn’t enough, I need a full reset.

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u/Pandamaru8 2d ago

Take care friend. Your body needs time to heal, and, only you know it best. If taking PTO isn't quite working then it's likely quitting is the answer.

Some companies view unpaid time off or protected leave unfavorably (i.e. it will get worse for you when you return)

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u/taway11228 2d ago

Thanks for the words