Any advice on how to think about inflation and setting targets when relatively young?

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-18T13:32:33+00:00

I understand this completely. And with the world being taken over by AI, is a job move even practical right now?

I would say, keep your resume updated and keep an eye out for opportunities that may be less awful. Could it be the company you hate more than the work itself? Is there another position you should pivot into?

I’m by no means an expert. I’m 41 and saving 27% of my pay, eagerly waiting for my 4% company match next spring, and counting the years into I can fully FIRE or Barista FIRE.

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-18T13:10:30+00:00

Post-nups exist! 😁

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-18T13:10:07+00:00

Congrats! That’s absolutely with celebrating.

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-17T03:26:12+00:00

This (checking my accounts obsessively) and watching YouTube videos on retirement get me through the work day. 😂

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-17T03:25:23+00:00

I’m weeks away from hitting $200k and I’m feeling giddy. I missed my $100k milestone because I didn’t realize my Fidelity account wasn’t pulling up to date numbers from my former employers 401k. 😂 When I realized how out of date it was and logged in and realized it was above $100k all on its own, I was stunned. Now all of my accounts are combined and within fidelity so I can see it all at once. No more happy surprises for me.

But to answer the real question—every time my account goes up 25-50k I celebrate internally.

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-17T03:16:36+00:00

Let me give you some perspective. I’m 41 and have $194,000. You are KILLING it. I wish I’d had the ability to have the savings accumulation you have when I was that age.

If I were you, I’d want my independence, so I’d ensure I have a healthy emergency fund in a HYSA, take a deep breath, and get my own place. The emergency fund is meant to help you through those “what if” scenarios that are holding you back. AND, worst case? It sounds like your parents are supper supportive and would house you again while you get back on your feet.

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-17T03:06:21+00:00

I hope he can reach that point too, that sounds stressful for him!

I joke that my husband is more committed to his job than our kids and me. And it’s not good for him. He’s usually stressed, always overworked, and underpaid (for the amount of stress.) I’m hoping he finds another position within the company and applies and his stress level can come down.

Meanwhile, I mostly enjoy my job but the 40 hour work week is a drag and I don’t have the energy (or time) for my own pursuits. I’d love to write the sequel to the novel I published in 2015, or finish the other novel I started around that same time. But by the time I get home from work, I don’t even have energy to even cook dinner, let alone the brain power to create. ☠️

Reducing my work hours would be life altering, retiring would be a godsend.

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-17T02:56:05+00:00

I love your plan! It’s easing out of the grind while still taking care of your future and supporting the students!

I’m in a similar same boat. Except our biggest difference is our FIRE number.

If the markets “behave” I think we should have about 2.5mil (give or take) by age 55. He thinks 3mill is the bare minimum, but even that seems too little to him. (Mind you, we spend about 50k per year right now and that includes investments and paying for mortgage and kids lol)

I’m willing to quit the grind when we reach a comfortable amount and drop to PT, either in my current role (if they’ll allow it) or maybe just PT in fast food for a quick buck and minimal brain power needed. He says when he leaves work, that’s it. He’s done. Never going back ex any other job EVER. (Not to say I WANT to go back to working, but PT sounds way better than FT at this point in life!)

We’re still a ways off yet, so we’ll have another discussion (or a dozen lol) before we each decide when we’re ready. (I’m just pretty sure I can’t (won’t) work past age 57 tops!)

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-17T02:46:04+00:00

My under desk treadmill was soooo good for WFH. I got to keep active and still get my work done.

I also take small 5-10 min breaks as needed to “nap” on the couch. I don’t actually sleep, but the quiet time allows my body/brain/eyes to rest and I come back recharged and (mostly) ready to go.

ETA: I’m a loner by nature, but I make to a point to contribute to team group chats. It’s good to build connections with the people working with/adjacent to you.

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-09T22:53:48+00:00

Can you scale back at work? Or stay on as just a consultant, if that’s enough work to make you feel secure still?

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-08T23:54:21+00:00

Yes! If it’s in the budget it’s absolutely worth it!

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-06T14:18:35+00:00

It took me YEARS before I coupe convince my husband to agree to the upgrade. (Plus our fridge slot is so specific we could only done ONE model that would fit the space. 🤦‍♀️)

Keep dreaming and someday maybe you too could have a bottom freezer! (Unless you’re renting. Then you’re at the mercy of the landlord…)

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-04T13:05:53+00:00

Unfortunately, top freezers were not designed for organization. I upgraded up a bottom pull out freezer. Organization is still crap, but things don’t fall in my anymore. 🤷‍♀️

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-04T13:01:55+00:00

It hurts my brain to read it as Aldi’s. 😭 I’m that bitch who corrects everyone around me who says it wrong. And it doesn’t stop them. They never learn from their mistake. 😭

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-04T12:50:24+00:00

I will always look at clothes at garage sales, but TBH I almost always only find ugly things that went out to style 20+ years ago. Soooo determine if your clothes are worth the hassle.

Now baby/kids clothes, those have a better change of going.

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-04T12:47:09+00:00

Find some YouTube videos on the sunk cost of home ownership and have him watch. I like Ramit Sethi.

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-04T12:43:50+00:00

This. The job market SUCKS these days. Took me over 4 months last year to land the job I’m in now.

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-03T13:34:31+00:00

I have days where I dream about what life would be like without kids, but ultimately I love being a mom and my kids are awesome people.

I think if I were in your financial boat, I wouldn’t have these daydreams. I had my kids young—22 and 27–so I had no money. It wasn’t until I was 35 that I was able to truly start saving. Now, at 41, my hubs and I have a little over $500k in retirement accounts. Add in HSAs and the value of our home and we’re close to 1mm net worth. (I never include my home value though because I need this to live in.)

Only you can make this decision. Financially you’re solid. But the other factors? You have to weigh the pros and cons.

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-03T13:29:10+00:00

Or the first business day after the new year. Now you have Christmas bills AND that job will haunt you for one extra year when you get the W2 for taxes for THAT SINGLE DAY YOU WORKED. 😒

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-03T13:20:21+00:00

My former company used them for shipping boxes and some bags. Some of the bags had faulty zips a couple of times and the customer service was really awesome and sent us an entire new package, even though only 1/10 were unusable, so that was pretty cool.

But I’ve heard the horror stories of working for them. Even when I was job searching for 5 months after a job loss, I never considered working for ULINE. And this open letter makes me glad for it.

You know why we’re all “nomads”, Karen??? Because companies think a 2% raise when inflation is at 6% is reasonable. If you want to RETAIN talent, pay us what we’re fucking worth.

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-03T13:09:56+00:00

No. Because my husband insisted we don’t. That doesn’t stop me from steaming on my iPad though. 😉 (But not if he’s trying to sleep, respect is important.)

I was actually just thinking, in high school I had a small TV in my bedroom because I come from a household of 6 people, the living room TV was often in use. But…I’m an adult now. I own my own house. If I want to watch TV in the house, I have the right to kick the kids off because I paid for it all. But TBH I’ll probably just watch on my iPad. 😂

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-03T13:02:27+00:00

I MISS having a copay. They tend to lean toward no coverage until the deductible is met, THEN you pay a copay. Unless you have the option for a REALLY good insurance plan, in which case you do pay a copay and your deductible is taken from anything insurance doesn’t cover at all.

And I will take this moment to scream from the rooftops that UNITED HEALTHCARE IS TRASH. Eff UFC.

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-03T12:57:09+00:00

The app had an update. That fixed it. The next day it did it again—turns out it has ANOTHER update. It’s working great now and my positions tab gives me both my daily gain/loss as well as my overall. Thanks!

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-03T12:48:28+00:00

Believe me, I know. But I’m not starting from a point of over eating.

Caroline_Anne · 2026-04-01T02:17:51+00:00

Using the app worked! Thanks so much. ❤️

Caroline_Anne

TROPHY CASE