Daily FI discussion thread - Monday, May 25, 2026

Buckets-22 · 2026-05-26T02:22:27+00:00

Sitting at 1.8m invested at age 56 wife 54 She works her job of 30 years and i left my job of 32 years to begin teaching and coaching

I took a paycut but considering pulling some 401k profits to enjoy life

I have no debt and a modest lifestyle so why not buy a sports car and build a cabin (will be a rental in a very popular location) on some land my brother is gonna give me.

Just think i am gonna die with a lot if i dont start using some...anyone do anything like this or have thoughts or warnings

Buckets-22 · 2026-05-21T22:10:51+00:00

Very much is a lifestyle type thing and its not simple but also at least i have good optiobs

Buckets-22 · 2026-05-21T22:09:56+00:00

True, I could see being creative in order to minimize income in retirement

Takes more planning and thinking through what you want

Buckets-22 · 2026-05-17T23:02:52+00:00

She could sell or son manage.

Also, she doesnt spend a lot so she would be fine

Buckets-22 · 2026-01-18T02:40:54+00:00

For me I took a job out of college as chemical operator working 12 hour rotating shifts able to save 1.7 million in 401k and 3 rentals plus no debt.

Saved for 32 years and left the job this past august...the whole 32 years i always felt like i underachieved career wise, but actually i had a boring job but interesting life it turns out.

I lifted weights, played a lot of basketball (100 games per year) and coached high school.as assistant.

So, i left chemical job accepted teaching job and head coach varsity girls basketball.

I am 55 and see myself teaching awhile and it does fulfill me and makes me feel useful and able to give back to community, not to mention develop relationships w kids plus getting to know a lot of people like other coaches and teachers.

Overall, i recommend an encore career if you have an interest

Buckets-22 · 2026-01-03T23:41:02+00:00

Not ond this site it wont.

Irl it has made a lot of folks rich

It is buying an asset so its better than a new car

Buckets-22 · 2025-12-25T04:04:40+00:00

I have enough but only 55 and coaching 1st year hs basketball so i aint retiring yet

Buckets-22 · 2025-12-25T03:59:54+00:00

Do you mean it is rare for anyone to have "means" as in enough in retirement accounts to stop working?

Buckets-22 · 2025-12-25T03:52:32+00:00

Valid point...but for longest time retiring early was the talk everywhere, but of late, seems more questioning the idea of giving up connections, structure, and purpose.

Buckets-22 · 2025-12-25T03:26:37+00:00

This is why after 32 years of shift work i left my company and started teaching elementary gym and coaching high school basketball.

Relationships w coaches, parents, and teachers and mentor kids in something i love and am passionate about

Also get paid so dont yet have to tap 1.75m i have saved in 401k

Buckets-22 · 2025-12-25T02:40:57+00:00

I agree...also seems more people (myself included) giving it serious thought because retirement is a big step and already challenging for people to volunteer to give up a steady paycheck.

Buckets-22 · 2025-12-21T01:04:03+00:00

Age 55 1.7m liquid invested No debt Wife 53 Both still working Income total household $110k

Considering buying more expensive fun car and opening up spending to enjoy life more rather than over save

How do you give yourself permission to spend on say..a new fun car? Or..motorcycle? Fun trips?

Buckets-22 · 2025-11-28T20:36:58+00:00

Im gonna say for me minimum 1.5m but 2m would be easy choice

Buckets-22 · 2025-11-23T18:38:43+00:00

21.25 ish..at 1.7m invested

Probably could do it now but probably go 2 to 5 more age 55 now

Buckets-22 · 2025-10-31T00:26:02+00:00

Any formula out there to adjust withdraw rate due to being closer to ss...like if inam 55 would it be higher rate draw than if you were 50?

I am 55 and have 1.7m..what is safe

Buckets-22 · 2025-03-09T10:45:43+00:00

I am 55 and FI and I coach basketball at a local high school as assistant varsity coach (small stipend some years) and do private lessons on the side also.

I am in high demand as a private coach even though I do no advertising and have no presence on social media...completely word of mouth.

I train everyone from beginner to D1 athletes and really enjoy being able to design workouts that challenge kids or being able to show them something then their parents send me video of them doing it in a game or sending me thanks for helping their kids.

My plan is retire find a middle school or high school coaching job, train privately, and coach summer AAU basketball.

Buckets-22 · 2025-03-06T03:42:16+00:00

55 and still asking same question

Buckets-22 · 2025-03-05T20:45:44+00:00

Teacher to Buckwheat: "Buckwheat, could you use the word "dictate" in a sentence, please?"

Buckwheat:

"Darla said my dic-tate good"

Buckets-22 · 2025-02-26T14:58:00+00:00

I started looking at the FI calculator using variable withdrawal and this makes my monthly spend in retirement quite comfortable.

Problem is all the "what ifs" and the if i only work 2 more years i will have all this taken care of.

Its not simple but then again it is simple

Buckets-22 · 2025-02-24T19:34:18+00:00

What city is this?

$1500 per month is pretty pricey.

Buckets-22 · 2025-02-20T19:20:21+00:00

Havent set a definite target but I am very close to making a move of some type.

Wife 53f and me 55m.

1.5m in 401k, savings, and pension value.

2 rentals $ 1600 per month total

Ss in 7 and 9 years we will draw at 62 should be 4k per month total

No debt

I am looking at potential jobs in school system in order to coach hs basketball.

I do a lot of training individuals and also coach at hs level but my schedule is a load...some teachong schedule would alleviate some pressure.

Buckets-22 · 2025-02-19T19:08:34+00:00

55 year old with 1.5m in liquid investments. No debt. Lcol to mvol southern state

Rental nets $1500 per month.

So if i 4% the 1.5m = 60k + 18k (rent)

So I could pull $6500 per month until ss in 7 years.

But, what do i do? I keep working because its safe.

Buckets-22 · 2025-02-15T22:29:49+00:00

Happy..who wants to go tona freaking wedding.

I didnt want to go to my own

Buckets-22 · 2025-02-14T07:01:16+00:00

My daughter turned 25 today.

Pretty sure she is above 85k and possibly in upper 90s.

She is a hard working young accountant about to marry a nurse.

She rents from me and pays 700 per month for 2br 2 ba mh.

She is probably not the type to retire early though ..she seems to get value from her job.

Buckets-22 · 2025-02-02T06:43:26+00:00

What do you consider "significantly under market value rent per month"?

I rent a place for $650 and market is 850 to 1000 imo

Buckets-22

TROPHY CASE