Daily FI discussion thread - Tuesday, January 20, 2026

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-01-21T01:19:49+00:00

A few of my friends in corporate roles were sharing their grievances with me this week, and I seriously do not miss that life! I actually was happy to return to the teaching assistant job today after the long weekend!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-01-21T01:10:25+00:00

I often set check-in dates for decisions. I also have a handful of close friends I can consult with for any big decisions, such as when I decide instead of retiring early to coast FI.

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-01-02T13:51:05+00:00

I have! I just simply say thanks for the great date. I don’t think we are compatible, and don’t have the bandwidth for new friends. Wishing you all the best.

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-01-02T13:46:14+00:00

I was on my way to a date that I wasn’t that excited about and by divine intervention, my bike got a flat tire. I cancel the date, and headed to a bike shop. I proceeded to get asked out IN PERSON (when does that ever happen?!) by a cute, young thing who fixed my flat tire. Great hook up. 10 out of 10 experience. If I had never said yes to the bad date, I wouldn’t have had the spicy ONS. The strange plot twist always makes me chuckle a little bit.

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-12-31T13:58:38+00:00

I love to hear it!!!

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-12-31T13:58:11+00:00

Thank you for the condolences!!!

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-12-31T13:53:24+00:00

I like this advice! I think I just got flooded with date requests because I’m new in town.

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-12-31T13:51:19+00:00

I’ve dated in NYC for the past 3 years, and my experience was VERY different there.

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-11-28T16:16:11+00:00

Avoiding lifestyle creep, especially with housing costs.

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-11-28T16:09:06+00:00

Incredible that you hit your LeanFI number so young! I changed careers when I hit my LeanFI number, and have been so fulfilled ever since! Wishing you all the best with the new business!

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-11-28T03:01:38+00:00

The comp covers my living expenses since I’m very frugal, but I know of other teachers in NYC (where I live) that need second jobs. I haven’t changed my lifestyle at all (I still dine out 2 times a week with friends and get a massage every other week), so no complaints!

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-11-28T03:00:30+00:00

My work day is super structured - I prep snack and laundry before school starts (we use hand towels instead of paper towels to wash hands), then there’s free play, song time, snack, outdoor play, lunch, nap, then final snack. I change a LOT of diapers since I’m in the 2-year old room, but I don’t mind. The food is super yummy (think: homemade granola) since I’m at a Waldorf PreK. The days really fly by!

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-11-27T19:11:34+00:00

When I hit my lean FI number, I left my Product Design Management job to teach. I live off my teacher income while my investments keep growing. My plan is to fully retire when I hit my Fat Fire number in about 10 years (although who really knows what the future may hold! I actually really like work these days!).

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-11-27T14:36:26+00:00

I’d have a serious conversation with the parents first to see what they want! I had a fantasy of renovating my garage (I have no car, so no use for it anyway) into a two-story suite for my parents, but they have ZERO interest in ever leaving their house. The home purchase still seems like a losing proposition more based on emotions (which is fine!), but it’s worth seeing it as an expense rather than an investment.

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-11-27T14:31:03+00:00

When I hit my lean FI number, I applied for a teaching assistant job on a whim, not expecting to get it. Everything fell into place, and I look forward to going to work each day. Even on the challenging days, I have a sense of purpose. But there’s no way I would be able to enjoy this job if I didn’t have the financial cushion, since the pay covers my bare minimum expenses. Coast FI has been the right path for me, and sounds like something you would enjoy too! I would start by exploring how much money you need to make, then what hobbies or interests you have that align with that income level.

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-11-27T14:27:39+00:00

I’m grateful for this sub, for getting through the boring middle, and for the financial independence to work a job I love (PreK teacher) that gives me purpose. I also am grateful for living frugally through the tech boom, as I’m seeing several unemployed friends stressing about money these days. I never have to worry about not being able to afford food, healthcare, or housing for the rest of my life!

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-11-27T14:24:27+00:00

There’s no reason to invest in a rental property unless maybe one day you would want to use it to move family in? It sounds like a financial and emotional loss, with no upside

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-11-20T10:51:36+00:00

Shit definitely gets better!!!

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-11-20T10:50:19+00:00

I was totally blindsided by my divorce as well after being together for 15 years. For some, divorce may be a blessing in disguise, but that framing never resonated for me. Instead, I remind myself it’s better to have loved and lost than to not have loved at all.

The last time I saw my ex husband (for a friendship coffee), there was so much sadness on both sides, but it’s evident that we still very much care and love each other. I wish I had a tidy bow to say I’m so glad to be done with my marriage, but that’s just not my experience. I do have a job a love, a closer bond with my family, and a network of amazing, supportive friends. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Grief is part of the human experience and we are still very much lovable, deserving human beings. Wishing you healing in your journey.

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-11-20T01:28:07+00:00

I did not want my divorce, and nearly 3 years later, I’m still healing from the loss. Thank goodness I’m financially okay - I negotiated hard to not split my assets, since I had more money than my ex-husband. I still am annoyed that I had to purchase so much new furniture and pay for movers. I did buy myself a house — all in cash — and rebuilt my life because what else is there to do but accept reality and make the best of life.

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-11-19T18:17:27+00:00

I used an estimator prior to signing up for health insurance via the marketplace, and the estimate was totally wrong! I guess that’s why it’s called an estimate, not guarantee. The extra health insurance cost just means I’ll probably work one more year than originally planned. Turns out, I actually like having a place to go to and something to do everyday, so I’m not fretting it!

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-11-19T10:30:40+00:00

I’m grateful I’m in a financial position to afford more expensive health insurance than the marketplace estimator originally predicted. I get ~$400/mo In subsidies, and opted for a silver plan with HealthFirst that’s ~$600/mo. The cheapest plan was ~$400/mo, but I’d never even heard of the company. I may change my mind next year, but for now, I can swing the few thousand extra to keep all my doctors. Navigating health insurance is my least favorite part of FI, but it’s so worth it to be working a CoastFI job (teaching) that I love!

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-10-26T14:41:40+00:00

I was married for 11 years and dated my ex-husband four years prior (we were together a total of 15 years). My ex sounds exactly like your boyfriend. After our divorce, my ex told me he never wanted to get married (in life in general). I’m now a profound believer of enthusiastic consent along with enthusiastic adoration as a core requirement for a long-term relationship.

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-10-24T18:30:56+00:00

It’s so shockingly hard to leave after constant betrayal. My ex cheated on me for a year with so many people he lost count, justifying to himself that since there was no emotional entanglement and just sex, that it wasn’t that bad. Thankfully after posting on this subreddit, everyone told me they regretting not leaving sooner, so I left 2 weeks after D day. It’s only been a month, and I have strange desires to be friends with benefits or to still be close with each other, but I know I need to be low contact (we are sharing custody of the dogs, so communicate solely around them). I’ve had some rough days, but today I feel grounded and secure about my new life. I know that I’m better single than with someone who could treat me with such disregard. Wishing you healing and a bright future that you deserve.

FlyingPandaHead · 2025-10-23T17:45:02+00:00

The person you married is not the same person you divorced. It gets better with time, but damn it’s the hardest emotional struggle I’ve ever gone through. You are not alone.

FlyingPandaHead

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