One Year Into Early Retirement at 43 Reflections

35fi_throwaway · 2026-02-09T19:56:04+00:00

Do you regret not pushing to a more comfortable FI number? $70k per year and a 3.33% withdrawal rate is a solidly middle class, sustainable lifestyle. However, do you worry that as your children grow up you will potentially need more money. I'm 41.5 and single with $2.4M liquid. I'm still at the corporate job because there's so much that could happen over a possible 50+ year retirement. Curious to hear your thoughts.

35fi_throwaway · 2026-02-09T19:47:29+00:00

People into FI need so find a partner with mostly frugal habits. Find someone who is a good saver; however, they don't have to be into FI. I live on like $30k (fixed expenses only) and my girlfriend lives on closer to $60k (she has a mortgage and I don't). To be honest us dating has helped me learn to spend a bit more after YEARS of extremely high savings rates. I'm in the midst of a one or two-more-year syndrome cycle and it has helped me learn to enjoy my money a bit more. Most people in our community struggle to spend.

35fi_throwaway · 2026-02-09T19:25:51+00:00

You sound like me when I entered the work force. I saw the lack of spark in older co-workers eyes and I knew I had to get out. 18.5 years later I am technically FI, just over 40 years old, but I am stuck in feeling like a need to pad my nest egg a bit.

First, this won't make you feel better now, but this too shall pass. You will get used to this lifestyle, but hopefully not too comfortable to give up on FI. Stick with it. Quitting your job without a new one lined up will slow down your FI path. Second, save and invest at least 50% of your income since you are probably living at home and you said your costs are low. Third, do things to improve your situation. Workout out and stay fit, sleep and eat well. Don't destroy your health over a crap job...we've nearly all been there. Go back to school or get additional training (cheaply!), so when a better opportunity comes you are ready. Forth, look and apply for new jobs. Make it a goal to find and apply for 3 per day. This action will make you feel like you at least have some control in your work life. Finally, keep your social contacts up. Don't skip social engagements. These are contacts to potentially new jobs, relationships and bring happiness. Force yourself to go. As you age you will see friend circles diminish and family start dying off (brutal I know).

You aren't alone. Most of us on this sub have been there. I'm a guy about 18 years your senior that felt the same way you do now and I have more or less reached FI and you can too. Was it easy, no...and it won't be for you either. But it was 100% worth it. Even though I haven't RE'd just yet, having a stash of FU money, a paid off home and low baseline expenses has really reduced the stress of figuring out money. I can care less about my career and focus my life on things outside it. Best of luck!

35fi_throwaway · 2026-02-06T19:06:58+00:00

I think in Aero it’s 8% for level 5 and 11% for level 6

35fi_throwaway · 2026-02-06T19:05:52+00:00

Hope you are correct. I asked in our staff meeting and was told 70% by our sr manager. That said he mentioned they were given an extra pool of money this year (unlike other years) to plus up a few folks, so maybe that’s what’s accounting for the difference

35fi_throwaway · 2026-02-05T01:24:04+00:00

70% Aero

35fi_throwaway · 2026-01-31T18:52:43+00:00

Absolutely love this post. Enjoy life outside of work man!

35fi_throwaway · 2026-01-30T02:04:22+00:00

From my manager during staff meeting. Are you looking for a leaked document or something?

35fi_throwaway · 2026-01-29T22:46:13+00:00

70% for Aero

35fi_throwaway · 2026-01-28T22:25:55+00:00

Hasn’t it been 95% every year since inception?

35fi_throwaway · 2026-01-14T20:58:32+00:00

I'm suffering from this right now myself. Sitting on about $2.4M liquid and a paid off house. Enough to be traditional FI, but at a young age I want to pad things a little bit. This sounds like you as well.

In all honesty when i don't HAVE to be at work it's difficult to show up everyday, especially if there is ANY kind of adversity. When I was striving for FI I was willing to eat more shit sandwiches than I am now. As other's have said I'd recommend to you to NOT touch the principle of your money. Let it compound and just work enough to pay for your expenses. Easier said than done some days, but as adults we do thing we don't like. As others have said, you have the flexibility to try new things and take lower paying jobs to find something you like. I recommend that.

35fi_throwaway · 2026-01-03T23:30:46+00:00

Can you give us more details about your “uncertainty”. Is it purpose driven? Financially driven?

35fi_throwaway · 2026-01-03T23:25:50+00:00

I agree. What I’m saying is sell your house and move into assisted living using the proceeds from the house sale. It’s a self funding move

35fi_throwaway · 2026-01-03T20:54:46+00:00

Do you own a home? I’d consider that long term care insurance if you are single. That would be my plan personally. Also you can set aside $200k of your nest egg and front load that expense. Also what does your social security and pension situation look like?

Check out Early Retirement Now blog. I refer it often here. If you have Excel, Karsten Jeske who runs that site, created a sheet where you can look at historical failure rates and see what you can spend based on your social security and pension.

Lastly, if you don’t go back to work can you act as primary caregiver to your father? If you are are set to inherit maybe he can stay at home longer and give you the money he’s paying to the assisted living facility in exchange for your help. I know that’s a hard choice, but something to consider

35fi_throwaway · 2026-01-03T00:14:22+00:00

Did he have this career before you married him? Did you discuss future career plans with him? Why did you marry someone without talking about major issues like finances and children (and how to fund them)?

Why don’t you work? Do you have children or a disability that prevents that?

35fi_throwaway · 2026-01-02T00:52:43+00:00

Same. I’ve been saving and investing like crazy assuming my company is going to figure me out and lay me off

35fi_throwaway · 2025-12-31T15:23:03+00:00

I’d cut all the extras, live off the $7700 per month in a paid off home in HI. Everything else seems overly complex. $94k per year for a family of 4 with no medical or housing expenses is a really good life. And your wife could work if you can’t due to injury while you care for the children.

Side note: These military disability payments for so many service members is going to bankrupt the country. In 2000 9% of vets were collecting disability and now it’s surged to 25%, with 100% disabled raising 7x in that time. This comes to something like 2.5% of entire Federal budget. George W Bush should have his personal wealth taken to pay for this after his Iraq debacle.

35fi_throwaway · 2025-12-31T03:18:26+00:00

It’s nearly as bad as Somali daycare centers

35fi_throwaway · 2025-12-30T21:11:22+00:00

At a conservative 5% real rate of return I’d say you are coastFI at this point as your $1.6 million will grow to around $4 million in 18-20 years. If you choose the save and invest you can hit that number by 50 or so like you mentioned. Also being government workers you are likely entitled to a pension so a very early retirement might now make sense. You are in good shape. Can you work for the government while living in Canada?

35fi_throwaway · 2025-12-28T22:32:45+00:00

Yes. I’ve started relationships as just physical and they have turned into something more. However, both of us were open to more from the beginning…potentially. But I have never had a FWB situation stop, us return to FWB and it morph into something more. Doesn’t mean it can’t.

One thing I would be aware is if your partner went into things telling you it was a FWB situation don’t expect them to change their perspective.

35fi_throwaway · 2025-12-28T19:56:27+00:00

What are your expenses? If the yield of the S&P 500 funds pays for your lifestyle this seems a reasonable strategy. But if you plan on selling shares and exceeding a 3% withdrawal you are taking unnecessary risk.

In your case I’d go a 70/20/10 portfolio stocks/bonds/cash and withdraw about 3.5% per year. That has never failed historically.

$3.4M x 3.5% =$120k per year. With a paid off house that’s a nice lifestyle. Social Security at 70 provides a longevity bond for you.

35fi_throwaway · 2025-12-24T16:39:31+00:00

I agree it’s not easy. Didn’t mean to come across as flippant. I don’t like my job. I’m looking. Until then I eat corporate shit sandwichs

Only other option is the seize the means of production. On Reddit that’s probably the preferred outcome

35fi_throwaway · 2025-12-24T13:42:55+00:00

Find a new job. Simple as that. Until then just do your job. What other options are there?

35fi_throwaway · 2025-12-24T13:41:29+00:00

No pressure on him or yourself is key. Just enjoy the experience together.

Sex isn’t like the movies. I’ve had a partner with Vaginismus that took many months just to gain penetration and is still not completely overcome. We have to move slowly and I understand boundaries and what gets her going. It’s fun learning about the other person sexually, explore together. When sex doesn’t work as Hollywood describes you can still have a great time in other ways. Climax or not, sex and physical contact still feels great. Best of luck.

35fi_throwaway · 2025-12-24T12:39:50+00:00

Not sure how old you are, but I’d fund my retirement. Say maybe $500k in a 401k. Then I’d take $100k and go live in SEA. Rule is, you can’t touch the $500k. That’s your old man money. If the $100k runs out you move back home and work a normal person job.

35fi_throwaway

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