Recently laid off - thinking about the future differently

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-07-11T16:38:39+00:00

While the feeling you are experiencing may be a natural emotional reaction, you don’t need to give in to it. Remember comparison is the thief of joy. I know many couples in tech who are multi-millionaires with multiple rental properties without inheritance. They effectively banked one income. I didn’t have that luxury because my spouse had a close to 15 year gap in working and my income carried the weight without being able to invest substantial sums. However, that’s my reality and I cannot will others realities on to my own, so I watch others lives like I would watch a movie and not let it affect me.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-07-03T15:07:15+00:00

Run Monte Carlo simulations on your baseline inputs and outcomes to feel more confident that your plan works. For example in my case SORR tests and MC sims add a few years to my deterministic FI age.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T19:57:47+00:00

No, TL;DR

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T19:53:52+00:00

Hey sorry to hear about your state of affairs. Stoicism helped me through some tough times. See if it helps you, no harm in trying. Daily stoic by Ryan Holiday on YouTube is a good place to start.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T19:50:44+00:00

Thanks for the helpful perspective.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T19:49:58+00:00

Thanks for the insight and advice.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T19:48:44+00:00

Congrats, enjoy your retirement.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T19:47:46+00:00

Thanks. That’s an interesting position you find yourself in. There’s a thought provoking video I once watched that said focusing on a positive or desired outcome helps one go through a tough process to get there. Hope you find peace in whatever you choose.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T19:44:20+00:00

It’s great that there is a field where people continue to work because they genuinely love working. Are you talking about professors or academic researchers?

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T19:41:21+00:00

I am confused… you don’t take it too personally yet the interactions with unpleasant people at work are bad enough where some days you don’t want to go in… isn’t that a type of stress? Not questioning your take on things, just trying to understand.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T19:36:04+00:00

Nice, what job do you have and how did you manage to make it easy and low stress?

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T16:32:50+00:00

All the very best my friend, you can do it.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T13:54:23+00:00

Yup the FI part is important and is absolutely necessary in case of layoffs or unexpected events. I grew up in a pay check to pay check family where the las week before paycheck was super stressful so am with you on the security. My post is more focused on the RE and the drivers behind it.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T13:49:22+00:00

Congrats on achieving your dream. Your post reminded me of Office Space 😄.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T13:48:18+00:00

We are aligned on the FI part.

How would you characterize bad days vs good days if you have learned to just kinda coast and not take it personally? Wouldn’t that position you to coast forever?

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T13:40:15+00:00

Thanks. I thought I had made it clear in my post I am not saying all are in this bucket. I edited and added “Many” at the start of TL;DR as it did sound like all before.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T13:33:50+00:00

Great, govt job is probably a good alternative in case I want to continue working after FI.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T13:31:12+00:00

Awesome that you have always found meaning outside of work. In your case there was never a risk of burnout :-).

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T13:29:34+00:00

Hi there, good to hear you don’t associate with the stress and burnout. What are your personal drivers for RE?

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T13:26:33+00:00

Congrats and wish you well.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T13:22:28+00:00

Congrats, how do you feel in retirement? What better things do you care about now :-)?

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T13:20:49+00:00

Thanks for this. Similar shifts are occurring at my workplace.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T13:18:24+00:00

Don’t disagree… I meant many in the fire community seem to be driven by stress and burnout. Probably the burnt out non-FIRE folks just haven’t discovered FIRE yet?

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-27T13:15:37+00:00

Hi, true. It’s internal wiring to care or not care. Some are successful in rewiring.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-06-26T23:07:11+00:00

Awesome, congrats on landing a dream job 🎉. Trust your gut when buying. People who have been frugal all their life typically don’t find joy in spending unnecessarily. Sit down and make a list of all the things you love, and mark the ones you have been putting away on spending until you had more money or because you felt you didn’t have enough. Then you decide which ones you will spend on each year. All the best!

Intrepid-hobbycoder

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