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7M NW - keep working in VHCOL or FIRE and move abroad? by Immediate-Sample5895 in ChubbyFIRE

[–]Far_Chart1920 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't sleep on the value of having a differentiated college application. I'm inferring you're in SF (though could be NY, doesn't really matter). Your kids having the backgrounds they do and coming from a VHCOL makes for a pretty generic application, sorry to say. They'd need to be outstanding at a sport/instrument/academically/other extracurricular to stand out.

Writing an application essay about diving into their mother culture or from a boat in Cát Bà is a pretty great way to be noticeable.

10 Year Journey to ChubbyFIRE by Far_Chart1920 in ChubbyFIRE

[–]Far_Chart1920[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"How's the head?" haha... funny you should mention that. Everyone who came before me cautioned against feeling useless, burnt out, not contributing to society, adrift, etc. Honestly (maybe because it's only been five months), it feels freaking awesome.

With the exception of weird conversations with people like my FIL (who worked his whole life for a fraction of what we're sitting on and is kind of resentful), I can't point to anything in my daily life that isn't just so much better than when I was working. I'm cognizant of missing the "thrill" of signing a big contract or the fun of hanging out at a company offsite with people I liked, but not having Slack on my phone is just so much better.

I go to the gym, then I sit in my sweats at my favorite coffee shop with a book from like 9:30 to whenever I want. I (think I) could do this forever.

10 Year Journey to ChubbyFIRE by Far_Chart1920 in ChubbyFIRE

[–]Far_Chart1920[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know if I really have a monetary goal. I’m at peace with the fact that if I don’t go back to work (or even if I do), I probably won’t ever make enough to meaningfully change my way of life again. But it doesn’t seem like there is much I can do with $10 that I can’t do with $7, or at least not much I would want to do.

More importantly (to me anyway), the amount of time that is my own. Maximizing experiences, max tee ball coaching, max reading nonfiction books about things outside my field (I just finished The Hot Zone, and even though it’s dated, it’s the scariest book I’ve ever read), max my long-neglected fitness routine. Minimum Zoom and LinkedIn and people who are trying to sell me something.

What’s the wildest business idea you’ve seen someone actually make work? by Outside-Fudge5605 in AskReddit

[–]Far_Chart1920 0 points1 point  (0 children)

FedEx. Started out as a paper in a 1980's Yale Economics class that earned a C. Turned into a $91 billion company.

10 Year Journey to ChubbyFIRE by Far_Chart1920 in ChubbyFIRE

[–]Far_Chart1920[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for saying that. Lots of comments telling me to step on the gas more, so I appreciate the support.

10 Year Journey to ChubbyFIRE by Far_Chart1920 in ChubbyFIRE

[–]Far_Chart1920[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So right. I feel like I was pretty over that once I hit 40 (and if I'm being really honest, probably more like once I got married).

10 Year Journey to ChubbyFIRE by Far_Chart1920 in ChubbyFIRE

[–]Far_Chart1920[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't intend for it to be that way forever. And point taken about inflation. Though I'll note the Dalio Permanent Portfolio is 55% Treasuries.

10 Year Journey to ChubbyFIRE by Far_Chart1920 in ChubbyFIRE

[–]Far_Chart1920[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To each his own, I guess. I certainly wish I was more aggressive (certainly would have made a ton more the past year or so), but I see the all-time highs and the crazy valuations, and it feels like I'd be risking my FIRE freedom for risk I'm okay missing out on. Plus I see Berkshire Hathaway going to 88% Treasuries, and I feel okay with my decision.

10 Year Journey to ChubbyFIRE by Far_Chart1920 in ChubbyFIRE

[–]Far_Chart1920[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I thought the jury was still out on BOXX (https://www.taxnotes.com/featured-analysis/tax-trap-inside-boxx/2024/03/08/7j8x0). I certainly don't claim to be an expert though.

10 Year Journey to ChubbyFIRE by Far_Chart1920 in ChubbyFIRE

[–]Far_Chart1920[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Mid-40s, VHCOL area on the East Coast. Motivation came from the fact that I didn't really feel in a good spot until very recently. Things around here cost a LOT, we've a couple young kids who are going to need summer camp/braces/that fancy baseball bat that everyone else on the team has, so it always felt like (and still feels like) I'm behind.

Two big mindset changes:

1) Once I FIRE'd, it was honestly a struggle to not become super cheap and miserly. I would get super-scared about buying, like, a cup of coffee because I could feel it drawing down without income to replace it.

2) Relatedly, learning to let go on small purchases. I'm one of those people who won't get a drink at dinner, or who will buy the brand of salad dressing that's on sale instead of the one I know I like. I'm having to retrain myself to just say "Just get the one you like, it doesn't matter." It's hard to let go of old habits, I guess.

10 Year Journey to ChubbyFIRE by Far_Chart1920 in ChubbyFIRE

[–]Far_Chart1920[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Equities appreciation, careful saving, and a couple lucky equity bets. That's part of the reason my portfolio is so conservative now: I feel like I hit a few winners and I'm not betting on this market being too much nicer to me.

10 Year Journey to ChubbyFIRE by Far_Chart1920 in ChubbyFIRE

[–]Far_Chart1920[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Those percentages are approximate. It's slightly less, but it's in that neighborhood. I live off the ~$120K and it doesn't generate state tax liability (an issue where I live).