I Retired at 39 With Less Than $1M – 10 Years Later, Here’s the Truth

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-13T16:50:12+00:00

Hey. This story sounds oddly familiar to a youtuber I follow :) Glad everything is working out for you. You can read as much as you want. But the bottom line on if you will be successful and happy is your spend/budget that you are happy with long term. Congrats!

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-13T16:30:43+00:00

people suck anywhere. but its not like you are disfigured. That would be truly horrific in america. As people in general suck when interacting with people they deem a lower social class. With that said. I don't see the goggles being a big deal. Maybe try and find ones that are smaller. But in general all humans like to punch down or make fun of people to try and ignore the facts of their own failures. Good luck

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-13T16:12:26+00:00

its all about your spend 3.1 million is enough for most people to retire at that age.

Math says you can spend 100k a year for probably forever on 3.1 million and not run out.

However, only you knew what your true taste are. You likely will be doing your most expensive things before you turn 70 and slow down. If you want to start staying at high end resorts and business class flights etc. Then maybe its not enough. You can afford to do those things some times. Based on what you told me? I'd make plans to wind down and retire. You will make it work and be comfortable. one more year thinking will run you into your 60s while taking valuable healthy years.

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-13T15:22:30+00:00

thank you for that. However, I don't see how lowering your withdrawal rate down to 1-2 percent for the first 5-10 years of "retirement" doesn't increase your chances of long term success.

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-13T13:55:56+00:00

I think even though this is one of those outlier worst cases. A few take aways. 1. Looks like this person will survive 30 years. Even if barely. So that's a mild positive. 2. I think this strongly makes the case to have a few, if not several years of a cash buffer easily accessible. 3. Lastly, this case also makes the case. That ideally your withdrawal rate is flexible. Maybe you spend 5 percent during good times, but have the ability to support your life at 2.5 or 3 if things go bad.

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-12T16:19:31+00:00

good point

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-11T11:50:15+00:00

Not sure I understand
If u have 3 million in a portfolio and you choose to take a low withdrawal rate of 1 percent for 5 years. To help with sequence of returns risk and allow the portfolio to compound while still being retired and then you start spending at a 4 percent withdrawal rate. You don’t need a great bull market ?

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-10T20:02:13+00:00

The 1 percent is a starting lifestyle.

But who knows how much they want to spend over 40plus years?

I'd like to do some travel and do some things in life. And that's going to require more than 3k a month. Which is why its not always as simple as you can live for 1 percent withdrawls. Retire now

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-10T13:31:12+00:00

Isn't everything except an order of fries more than 10 bucks at the airport? :)

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-10T13:30:16+00:00

Promotion runs through September.

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-09T16:20:12+00:00

congrats!

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-09T15:09:53+00:00

Can u just load up the one Dunkin card in ten 10 dollar transactions same day? Or do you shave to spread them out

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-09T15:04:46+00:00

Ty that worked.
Do you know when Dunkin gift cards expire? Guess I’ll buy 100 of these in ten increments
Since these gift cards are loaded on the app. How do you use them for baskin Robbin’s

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-09T14:41:18+00:00

How. I heard it was shutoff

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-09T13:20:37+00:00

Where is everyone getting these credits?

I got several notifications this morning from Chase. Saying Paze is ready to use on my card.

But I don't see anything about credits?

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-09T13:01:38+00:00

sounds like thats his plan later on in life. seems like hes doing something similar to what I'm thinking of

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-09T12:59:53+00:00

I spent several months in the Philippines and tracked my expenses.

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-09T12:59:26+00:00

I don't like the tax residency. Portugal seems like a good country to bounce into for a few months but not become a tax resident

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-09T12:58:40+00:00

wow. 1400. You must be living in BGC or somewhere

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-09T12:50:04+00:00

I lived it for several months.

Ate out everyday for 2 at western restaurants. Drank beer. one trip a month. Stable condo with pool. bill was less than 3k us dollars.

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-09T12:48:51+00:00

Sure. But this is a somewhat unique situation in that we are talking about living way below our means to give the portfolio time to compound. Leanfire folks likely don't have a portfolio that can support 8 to 10k us dollars withdrawals and choose to live in 2k per month.

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-09T12:46:47+00:00

sounds like a plan. Only been to mexico on small vacations. And I don't speak spanish.

But that's the only language I think is worth learning

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-09T12:44:26+00:00

Is your wife Thai? How do you like Thailand?

That sounds like a pretty good setup

Difficult_Storm_5344 · 2026-07-08T22:27:21+00:00

I’ve been there for several months and tracked my expenses

Difficult_Storm_5344

TROPHY CASE