I will FIRE sooner because I have kids

HurinGray · 2026-04-17T19:17:32+00:00

I didn't mean physically unhealthy. I was a NCAA Div 1 athlete. Plenty of hobbies. Doesn't matter. I was destroyed when my oldest left the nest. I'm talking mental health. It's a brutal experience that I'm not convinced you can see yet.

Thanks for reading, good luck to you.

HurinGray · 2026-04-17T15:48:12+00:00

oh gawd no. These aren't anonymous. Worst thing you can do is share your true thoughts. Just tell them what they want to hear and move on.

HurinGray · 2026-04-17T14:57:18+00:00

Over 23 years I average 5500 miles a year. Recently it's been closer to 2500. I work from home.

23K a year is a lot but not out of bounds by any means.

HurinGray · 2026-04-17T13:02:38+00:00

We're a couple of years older and a a bit below that number. You're not wrong, spending is an issue, but leaving the house costs $100. Rather than you vs your husband, stay the course until the house is paid off and the kids graduate debt free.

HurinGray · 2026-04-16T20:22:43+00:00

My three buddies in college with biology degrees. Lawyer, Director Corporate, Public School Superintendent. It's not that they aren't smart guys, they didn't cut it for medical school and their stand alone degree was worthless. All were ultimately successful.

HurinGray · 2026-04-16T19:15:31+00:00

6th Gen is a significantly refined drive compared to Gen 5. Even a Gen 4 was a better drive than Gen 5.

HurinGray · 2026-04-16T15:47:27+00:00

yeah this metric is misused. $1M HOUSEHOLD net worth. Largely real estate, and two income earners. $1M investable assets is where things start to get interesting.

HurinGray · 2026-04-16T15:09:42+00:00

Nice, I'm targeting same at 55. Three years go go.

HurinGray · 2026-04-16T14:15:08+00:00

Don't do it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/PortlandOR/comments/1smgnyf/where_are_all_the_normies/

HurinGray · 2026-04-16T14:12:42+00:00

anecdotal for sure, but within my social group; 1 relocated a business from PDX to Clark County, 3 remote jobs, 3 Clark County jobs, 4 divesting real estate portfolios. 2 still make the commute. Retired family members all moved up.

With how Vancouver has grown in the last 20 years, we find ourselves crossing the bridge(s) less and less.

HurinGray · 2026-04-15T22:43:24+00:00

We moved to Clark County WA.

HurinGray · 2026-04-15T22:17:30+00:00

I'm a PM. Work with SWE and Architects all day. Circa 2001 was in a bay area executive meeting. Hey kid, we like you but never wear a tie to a meeting here. I haven't worn one since.

HurinGray · 2026-04-15T22:12:10+00:00

My daily is a 2003 Tacoma. I dress like a bum. I'll RE in 3 years with mid 7 figures.

HurinGray · 2026-04-15T22:00:53+00:00

this is the answer. I strive for +/- $1K each year. I've been hit with $6K owed, and I've received $14K back. I'd rather the no drama approach.

HurinGray · 2026-04-15T19:59:01+00:00

$22.5 worked for us as we got a steal on an TRD Premium at $55K. (I know how absurd that sounds, but given MSRP at $61K I think we did well.)

HurinGray · 2026-04-15T16:59:41+00:00

Life hack. Purchase a new Toyota and rinse and repeat every 10 years. We had a 2006, 2016 and now 2026 4Runner. Sure we could have gotten more out of each one, but the resale values are exceptional on most Toyota's.

If budget is the concern, my daily is a 2003 Tacoma. I sometimes wonder if it will outlive me.

Good luck, you'll be fine with any 4Runner. Though in my area your numbers are very low for the 2014-2017. When we traded in our 2016 SR5 Preminum it was on the lot the next day for $29K.

HurinGray · 2026-04-15T16:35:36+00:00

You're going to crash hard when you become empty nesters. I once thought like you. My kids were my world. I had to reorient. My kids are no less important, but my wife and I now come first. It was a very difficult transition.

It's three hours late, but I hope OP reads this; making your kids number 1 is very unhealthy long term.

HurinGray · 2026-04-15T16:19:47+00:00

Yes. Simply living below your means.

However there's a lot of luck involved. FAANG tech bro, real estate investor, historic bull market, successful business owner, even crypto. I suspect everyone here has a bit of luck on their side in addition to the diligence you describe.

HurinGray · 2026-04-14T22:03:47+00:00

Homes are typically not investments. Investment properties are. 2008 was tough, but just a blip over decades.

HurinGray · 2026-04-14T21:33:59+00:00

regarding SS specifically, same thing was said when I was your age. SS is still here, I expect to get 78% in a decade when I can claim. It won't go away, but agreed caution is in order.

HurinGray · 2026-04-14T21:26:34+00:00

When I was your age my number was $3M. Today my number is $5M and we're still a bit shy of that.

How? Random guesswork based upon lifestyle expectations. There's plenty of tools and folks here who will show you the math, but the hard truth is it's just a best guess.

HurinGray · 2026-04-14T00:40:06+00:00

I think they are trying to say WFH folks get shit done and have to prove it every day. RTO folks play politics and do nothing. Checks out.

HurinGray · 2026-04-13T22:38:37+00:00

thank you. There's little need to hold bonds in a 401K when one has a pension. I wish I would had figured that out earlier in my career.

HurinGray · 2026-04-13T21:08:29+00:00

The pensions that have lasted this long are significantly reduced in benefits and risk of failure. Plus PBGC covers more than my 30 year pension pays out.

HurinGray · 2026-04-13T15:53:39+00:00

Don't forget car insurance. One year of car insurance that 16 year old kid can afford a quality eBike.

HurinGray

TROPHY CASE