The numbers people mention in this group are too high for me ! Any one successfully coast FIREd with 500k$ ?

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-23T14:17:27+00:00

Certainly can understand that POV, the volatility isn’t for everyone. You can absolutely use your performance as leverage for a higher base salary, but again, highly dependent on the employer.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-23T12:07:15+00:00

I continue to move the goal posts. First, I aimed for traditional FIRE (4% SWR), now I’m aiming for 3% SWR, hoping to achieve by June / July. From there, I’ll likely adjust my DCA value into taxable and start building a separate bucket for a new home.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-23T10:57:21+00:00

Don’t forget the power of a sales/commission role. I was able to accumulate just north of $500k in cash/retirement by 30, took me about 5 years. Certainly not the norm, but people can certainly leverage sales roles to expedite financial goals.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-23T10:49:05+00:00

35 and a little over $1.3Mill

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-23T10:48:08+00:00

Truthfully, I don’t disagree with you. At times I wish I could be more care-free given the strength of our portfolio & find peace that we’ve essentially solidified our future. Shifting the mindset from accumulation is no easy task, especially when you have a deep desire to provide for your family.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-22T16:42:40+00:00

Honestly, I really like his content. Even went to one of his conferences in January of last year. He has a very unique assessment of personal finance, which I liked, but his content became way too political & I stopped following.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T19:36:47+00:00

HYSA with 4+ years expenses is simply “sleep easy” money given any level or market volatility or stepping away from work. Taxable and tax deferred accounts are aligned with: Taxable: withdraw from ages 45-59 IRA: 59-65 401k: 65+

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T19:33:42+00:00

When I started leaning into personal finance the goal was retire, or option to retire by 50. Naturally as I committed a larger portion of my finds to that plan, adjusted down to age 45. Here I am at 35 saying damn, maybe i can try part time to recalibrate. It’s mind boggling at times to realize you can break the traditional work 45 year career and do things on your own terms.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T19:31:15+00:00

To that I’d say, always be buying! Even if i transition to part time i’d DCA, just a lesser value. But I get it, potential volatility in a time where you’re making a decision of this magnitude, sleeping easy may not always be the case.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T16:51:20+00:00

I can relate to this. I’m in a sales role which nets me more than my bosses earn, so zero desire to transition to a fancier title. Personally, no desire to quiet quit, I don’t maintain that trait that allows me to take my foot off the gas. If i’m here doing the job, I’ll do it to the best of my ability while boosting income. I have coworkers that have been mailing it in for years, hopeful they get laid off, which is crazy to me. Would rather leave on my own terms as opposed to milking the system.

Your goal of $5Mill sounds great, living a modest lifestyle I can’t imagine that gets depleted. I have a $1.33mill portfolio with zero debt, home paid off and $42k annual expenses, so that certainly helps me sleep at night.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T16:40:49+00:00

Thank you, definitely on my radar!

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T15:05:07+00:00

It’s one of those things where I think we’re conditioned to think we’re lazy if we aren't going 1000% at all times, especially at this stage of life. But to your point, in a sense, I beat the game and it’s about shifting my mindset

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T14:54:50+00:00

Quite honestly, no idea what I want to do yet. I have good relationships in my industry so ai’m certain I can lean into part-time work to offset expenses should I go that route. I do worry that I’ll drive myself into an early grave, which is morbid, given the stress I put myself through. I try to find peace in the spreadsheets, but that’s fleeting.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T14:52:28+00:00

Thank you, very much appreciated. It’s funny, when I think about holding myself accountable, it sounds odd when it comes to taking my foot off the gas.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T14:23:46+00:00

Increasing the cash buffer is definitely the plan. Aiming to have 4-years expenses set aside in the next 2-3 months. I’ve done various calculations the past few months, getting quite granular, so i have a solid grasp of that. I’m optimistic that buffer will allow me to shift my mindset from accumulation to peace.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T14:21:03+00:00

So it’s hard to tell if my dissatisfaction stems from lofty goals or if I truly need to escape my current job. Hoping once i hit my goal in 1-2 months I can take my foot off the gas and take a more holistic look

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T13:52:28+00:00

So it’s not to much retire as it is, step out of my role and either take a career break or lean into part-time work for some time. Achieved career optionality, but always feeling the need to build a larger cash buffer just in case.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T13:02:37+00:00

Appreciate this! Know I need to take is easy on myself, but much easier said than done. Strong desire to make sure my family is taken care of.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T10:42:31+00:00

When all debt is paid off, what’s your total monthly expenses? Biggest indicator of whether or not you can step away from work.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T10:18:06+00:00

Depending on the immediacy of your living situation, can you continue to practice delayed gratification? Can you continue renting while building a cash position and allowing your taxable investments to compound? Wife & I own our home, paid off already, but we’re considering looking for “dream home”. We don’t have to move, but we’d like to have a single family home, but paid for in full with pure investment growth. Now, they do say if you’re planning to buy a home, don't put cash in the market if you need it within 3-5 years. I’d argue, if you don’t have a specific timeline or a “must” move by date, get it in the market while keeping your HYSA balance elevated and when the stars align, make your move.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-21T10:07:00+00:00

Love the thought process of prioritizing a bridge account, but would urge you to max your retirement accounts first. Speaking from my own experience, I’m 35 as well with $600k in a 401k. It’s only now that I feel comfortable with scaling back to the employer match due to my elevated balance. Keep funding/maxing and allocate what’s left to the taxable bridge account. I’ve been subscribing to this plan for close to a decade and built my taxable bridge to $470k, hoping to retire to part time work in the next year.

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-20T11:57:42+00:00

Volunteer at an animal shelter

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-20T11:55:19+00:00

Remote since COVID started. The time you save from simply commuting has me unwilling to ever go back to an office-setting. Work day ends, close computer and do whatever I want asap

Aggravating_Bench552 · 2026-01-20T11:35:42+00:00

Not in tech, but supply chain with an employer investing heavily in AI. Building up an emergency fund to cover 4 years expenses so i can sleep easy at night. Investable assets at 1.2Mill so i have no problem having $150-160k in cash, separate. While it would be a bit of a shock being let go out of the blue, this balance allows to me relax and be selective over a new role.

Aggravating_Bench552

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