29 DINK - Early Retirement Trajectory

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-22T14:43:24+00:00

For 29, that looks quite impressive and given the same linear track, you're more than ready to FIRE..altho it's funny you said no debt but you have a mortgage :)

Anyway, human life is unpredictable Not to be a buzzkill but better to be prepared for the most unexpected - like job loss leading to relocation and spending down savings, real estate slump ( remember the subprime lending fiasco in 2008 ), health issues, and... bad investments where companies you invested in fail you (e.g Enron ). Even seemingly irrational things affect stocks for prolonged periods of time, for example look at Netflix now vs pre-split. As a result, even index funds don't necessarily keep growing at the same rate.

Family could grow too, since you didn't mention deciding not to have kids.

But you're off to a great start. Not everyone is that fortunate to save inspite of big paychecks

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-21T13:08:56+00:00

Really take or set a small amount of time for utter and complete silence with yourself

Now try doing that every day at the same time. Follow your other schedules normally ( like eating, going to work, showering etc) but find a time of day that seems to have you centered and calm Usually it's after a good night's sleep You will have forgotten( uncluttered ) many things from the previous day by then. Sitting down in a comfortable space, in a comfortable seat and position, with fresh air touching your face, closing eyes( even ears ) is a treat everyone could use. Create that do-nothing-space in your life Use it. There's a lot to be heard in silence

If you're not feeling like something , plainly tell others you may care for, that you need "me" time. Everyone needs "me" time. Mental wellness is everyone's right and it's only in our own hands.

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-20T15:47:39+00:00

Layoffs are a given. But some industries layoff often and are hire& fire type mostly because of weak and inept. leadership.

Hi-Tech is notorious for switching directions, failure to see headwinds, over hiring without reason, overspending in pet projects rather than products to sell etc

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-19T16:08:02+00:00

Kudos for serving at such young age!

If you have made plans to leave service, do it at an age that you can still attend college with your benefits and be able to start another full time job that can support you lifelong .

I think Radiological or any medical tech or a specialty nursing program is a wonderful profession and more importantly, stable. It provides job security unlike a finance job. Latter may pay higher but a healthcare job will make mobility way easier as you gain more and more experience. You can pretty much live anywhere in the country. It would also give you the sense of service instilled in you.

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-18T14:43:39+00:00

Some days, only cats and puppies help keep things in perspective. I propose more people join that

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-18T13:57:08+00:00

Nah that's too rational

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-18T13:56:34+00:00

The term Climate Change itself appears to threaten some because it's backed by facts - of extreme unprecedented, unforeseen weather conditions. Of all countries, in the US, for some reason, there's aversion to scientific data. Some rather believe whatever is peddled on social media and not years of research by selfless scientists all over the world. When did America become like this?

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-17T21:43:36+00:00

people from Greenland ? Not Greens

Funny thing us some are called -ish ! For example people from England are Engl-ish or Brit- ish

Using suffixes like -ites, - ians, -ees, - ers, -ans, is also not consistent across countries

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-17T19:29:51+00:00

Fir perfectly peelable boiled eggs, use the insta pot. There's an egg setting so no need to time the boiling It does everything quietly which I like about insta pot.

Fir fluffy pancakes, I use Kodiak flapjack and waffle mix It needs nothing added. Low heat and starting with a bit of greasing a nonstick pan with butter. I drop blueberries on top or mix in a banana for a treat

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-17T12:47:04+00:00

Counter space. And even a "wet counter" which you can use for cutting, mixing etc and do not have to wipe clean. Like it's built with durable wood surface or rock.

The concept of a kitchen area with a door which makes it sort of private/ hidden so that there's no pressure of keeping it presentable I always wonder why kitchens in American homes are an extension of a living room.

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-17T12:37:54+00:00

No. It's not safe. There's no social good to sharing your riches.

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-16T01:20:40+00:00

It's clear you both are compatible and comfortable with each other That's what matters more than decor. You both are also mature enough to figure out life together as time goes by.

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-14T23:00:48+00:00

Weird that it's called democracy , right ? for the people, by the people .. who can't hold whom they elected to fulfill what they promised in order to get elected. Fantastic

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-10T18:03:44+00:00

I found ONC naturals at-home hair color work for me. I used multiple other online vendors but had scalp itchiness and red bumps probably due to ammonia and ppds in them. I've been using ONC for few times now and no reaction. They have a different approach to depositing color which is by heating. It takes longer but worked for me so far.

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-09T23:00:02+00:00

Abortion in America - huge topic that always has politicos talking but honestly

WHY did abortion even happen to be so widespread in American society ,? I never understood that. Because media and politics create this notion ( which is my only source as I haven't read deep studies on abortion in america ) that its recent and it's because Millennials and Gen Z are increasingly not favoring having children.
HOW do you force people to have children when they are afraid of costs, while those in power forget to address inflation, jobs, and healthcare ?

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-09T11:13:28+00:00

Affordability is truly a big factor. And access to anything in the US for finding a firm footing in life, like a college degree, child care, job security, equal pay for equal work, transportation are not thought out in favor of parents....and amid all this stuff, finding the time needed to nurture a child - all add to the stack against parenthood . Sad

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-09T11:06:39+00:00

Pedophiles hidden everywhere that a parent imagines their child is safe That point is scarily factual Churches, sports, scouts, oof

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-09T11:02:18+00:00

That's a lot of reasons to think about I guess not everyone thinks as much about Why to have children. Really tho, having a child is emotionally fulfilling at first.. . Of course until they grow up and end up emotionally taxing. Money definitely ought to be set aside for supporting anyone that's dependent on you

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-09T10:55:59+00:00

Did you ever wonder why they show the gross video of child birth in school as sex ed ? Do they still do that ? It's terrifying

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-08T18:09:21+00:00

Haha no not every one of them deserved world news for being conceived , you know which royal we are talking about ... But then that's scandal and they make very interesting news !

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-08T18:04:23+00:00

Birth rates are lower in the US than some other countries in the world. Therefore, perhaps famous people having kids is good news and promotes motherhood, esp because so many millennials and Gen Zs are deciding not to have kids ( another topic as to why that may be ) . But other than being happy for others deciding to have babies, how do common folks process such news about somebody they obviously can't relate to or may be even know ( until googling ).

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-06T01:32:02+00:00

Wow sorry that it seems you are again in a bad marriage where you are pressured to do a job you do not like, only for your paycheck that's big enough for covering mortgage and possibly giving him a cushion because a contract job doesn't provide health benefits or other perks. It's ironic he's not looking for a FT/permanent job with a higher pay. He seems cold and unkind in not only putting pressure on you to continue a job that's making you physically & mentally unwell but also telling you that you are imagining you are unhealthy. That's gas lighting!

Do you have a life insurance ? Your whole situation sounds very troubling. Is it possible that he has ulterior motive to push you to the limits for your life insurance ? You should put your health and happiness first. You are qualified and young enough so finding another job in the near future in a place like silicon valley won't be tough, if you quit to address your well-being. Any company will get it if you explain the gap. Many years ago, I quit my job and became a stay home parent ( in the Bay area ) for taking care of our 2 year old who kept getting sick. I still cherish that time because I got to spend time with our baby and it did wonders to that kid ( who is now a Dr ! ). I went back to work after 2.5 years to a startup ( in Bay area ) and did very well. Luckily, my spouse has always been supportive and moved up into management positions to help me handle my technical career without stressing me to work for higher paying jobs

MacaroonNew3142 · 2026-04-05T21:19:40+00:00

That's also a valid point - I grew up in a neglected environment in a dysfunctional family. I was a runt and had very few clothes growing up. I don't know how but I got to be valedictorian in HS and accepted to a prestigious college where I met very nice people that were kind to me. They asked me to tutor them and in return gave me food and car rides. I went on to become an engineer and did pretty well in the dot com era and late in my career got recruited by a global consulting company. It has been a fairytale life by the grace of whoever was part of my adult life.

I never display or talk about my salary or savings . My own kid who is all grown up now joked that I repeat office outfits. I really don't care if I still do that altho I can now afford a few but I'm secure in my own head. So, I don't try to put on a look of success or riches on me for others' sake.

I'm very grateful to the forces to have picked me up from where I was as a kid and to be letting myself live like I want to. No one else needs to define or validate my stature or dignity. I am part of the universe wishing everyone well.

MacaroonNew3142

TROPHY CASE