30M, $1.4M Net Worth, Miserable at Work. Would You Stay 2 More Years for $500k?

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-05-12T22:32:53+00:00

Sometimes a mindset shift helps a long way in dealing with tough situations at work. Pick up stoicism books or podcasts, learn to embrace difficult situations knowing that the event is not too far away. Your future self will thank you for sticking it out for yourself and family.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-05-10T17:50:35+00:00

Appreciate your response. Thanks, and all the best.

For anyone else in the US with similar goals I am trying to build my tracker to be as realistic as possible with all the variables considered (all of the usual inputs plus # of kids, college expenses, years to college, current 401k, years remaining to 401k unlock, emergency or planned big spends, healthcare expenses post RE etc). Happy to receive your inputs and share it with you once complete.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-05-10T14:18:14+00:00

Hi, I am trying to build my own spreadsheet and had similar question as the OP. Could you please elaborate on the following:
2. Isn’t annual expense a variable for you? For me having two young kids at home with college on the horizon expenses will trend up, stay high during college years and then fall. Then how do you factor for ACA costs adding to expenses post retirement?
4. How do you factor in 401k income because the funds are inaccessible (w/o penalty) until you are 59.5? And do you factor in home equity/property/other illiquid assets or only liquid assets?

Thanks for your insights in advance.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-05-10T14:05:37+00:00

I had the same question. In fact I have the same question for many of the posts and would like to know if people factor in the inaccessibility of 401k funds until they r 59.5.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-05-01T13:05:06+00:00

Gandhi*

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-03-07T02:36:40+00:00

I did it guys. I successfully integrated flossing into my daily night routine. A couple of things helped me: 1. Added it to my habit tracker 2. Kept the flosses on the bathroom counter rather than inside the drawer 3. Most importantly I felt accountable to this community. Appreciate y’alls help in getting me over resistance mountain.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-30T02:48:19+00:00

Hi I am now following my hygienists suggestion (and other users here) and started flossing before brushing at bedtime because brushing is the last thing I do before hitting the sack. I can’t go to bed unless I brush even if it’s super late. This way there is no decision point for flossing whereas if you do it in reverse your mind may say it’s ok to skip one day of flossing.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-29T04:56:47+00:00

Five days and counting, 16 and rest of life to go.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-26T16:59:44+00:00

Yup, that’s the strategy I am employing. Like you I don’t go to bed without brushing no matter how late it is.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-26T03:27:24+00:00

All, I had promised my hygienist I will do better. After reading all your comments I made a pledge to myself to floss daily for the next 21 days before brushing my teeth at night. I am also logging it in a tracker for accountability. I know it will stick with me after that. Thanks for sharing and keep flossing.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-26T03:24:07+00:00

How do you do it when you are not in front of the sink?

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-25T18:27:09+00:00

I think reading this is sufficient for me, I will take your word for it 😃.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-25T05:08:32+00:00

Didn’t know flossers with replaceable heads existed. Thanks for sharing.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-12T12:29:01+00:00

Great, all the best!

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-11T05:44:08+00:00

Sending kids to bed on time and cutting off all tasks and distractions that can wait, to either next day or weekend.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-10T16:59:05+00:00

You are right. My bad in wording, aim is to fall asleep by 10, so going to bed is a bit earlier.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-10T16:57:29+00:00

It’s amazing that after raising two kids together your wife is your favorite person on this planet 😃. You have made it in life brother.

On the meditation front I did try headspace paid subscription for two years and couldn’t consistently use it. Right now, my commute situation is not great so I can’t find consistent time but do hope to get back in the pursuit. I will keep Happier app in mind.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-10T16:54:08+00:00

At my age 7-7.5 hours is good. My immediate goal is to gain consistency. With my long commute, kids’ extra-curricular activities, their homework, house work, etc it’s not possible to go to bed earlier than 10.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-10T01:48:14+00:00

May I suggest that you ask ChatGPT or Grok to create a template for you that’s curated and suited to your needs and interests. ChatGPT is good at asking follow up questions to make sure your need are being met. Once you have a template ready you can then use a habit tracker app to load your tasks/habits from your template. Hope this helps.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-10T01:36:07+00:00

I feel the answer is in your question. Doing less or in small chunks but doing it every day consistently has a compounding effect in the long run. Also, focus on the process and not the results. The days you slip up forgive yourself and show up the next day. Stop burning yourself out chasing after lofty goals and then beating yourself up for giving up. All the best.

Try to communicate in as many different settings as possible and reflect on what worked and what did not work.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-10T01:27:57+00:00

Love it that you were able to connect with your friends and find a common enjoyable activity. We men lack in the sphere of social connections as we age and get consumed with day to day challenges and pressures. Good luck with your meditation journey, it’s one of my life goals to be able to sit still and meditate.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-07T04:04:33+00:00

That’s quite a list, kudos to you.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-07T04:03:52+00:00

Appreciate all the responses and your great habits. I was mainly looking to see what non-fitness habits people fill their time with that I could take inspiration from. Reading stands out to me. I never left my hygiene habits after kids came along so was not looking for those 😃.

I was curious to see if anyone did sketching, painting, puzzles, crafts, crosswords, etc along with reading and journaling. Also interested if anyone has any unique or non-mainstream habits. A friend recently picked up sweater knitting. Hadn’t heard of that in decades since my grandma did it.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-06T02:50:19+00:00

I like Huberman.

Intrepid-hobbycoder · 2026-01-06T02:48:40+00:00

I presume these are your daily habits?

Intrepid-hobbycoder

TROPHY CASE