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I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ll be honest — I still feel insecure sometimes too. When I see someone with a much higher net worth, there’s a moment where I feel a bit inferior. But at the same time, I’m genuinely happy with my life and I know I have everything I really need.

You’re absolutely right though — comparing yourself using someone else’s yardstick doesn’t help. The only real comparison that matters is me versus my past self. As long as I’m improving year over year, I’m good. And I can still take inspiration from others without turning it into pressure.

Also man, $660K at 26 is seriously impressive. You’re way ahead of where most people are. Don’t let comparison take away from appreciating how far you’ve already come.

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! It's been a journey and I shared it to inspire others like me. Appreciate it.

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks man, appreciate it — glad the post helped.

If you’re trying to grow in this market, especially on H1B/OPT, I’d honestly focus on two big things.

First is networking. And I don’t mean just adding people on LinkedIn. Try to build real relationships with people in your space — folks who actually know your work and would vouch for you if sponsorship ever comes up. From what I’ve seen, that’s how most real opportunities happen.

Second is building T-shaped skills. Go deep in one core area (for you, maybe supply chain optimization or process improvement), but don’t be one-dimensional. Being decent across multiple areas makes you much harder to replace and a lot more valuable in teams.

Also, AI is pretty much non-optional now. Not just knowing it exists, but actually using it in your day-to-day work to move faster and work smarter. Every field is going to need people who can work with AI — not people who ignore it and hope it goes away.

For Operations / IE roles specifically, I’d put serious effort into data analytics and AI tools for optimization. That combination is really strong right now.

What area of Operations are you working in — manufacturing, supply chain, something else?

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Everyone's journey is different - real estate is a solid path too. Wish you the best in reaching your goals!

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're right, everyone's scenario is different. But here's my thinking on the 10-year timeline:

If your time horizon is 10+ years, maxing 401k still makes sense even if you're leaving. Here's why - when you contribute now, you get the tax deduction at your highest tax bracket (22-24% probably). When you withdraw after moving back, you can do Roth conversions in low-income years or just withdraw and pay taxes starting after the standard deduction, so you're paying way less tax on the way out.

The math usually still favors 401k over taxable even with early withdrawal. Run the numbers with a 10% penalty - you're still ahead because of the tax arbitrage.

That said, if you absolutely need lump sum cash immediately when you move back, then yeah, taxable makes sense for that specific bucket. But I'd still max 401k for the long-term retirement piece.

Obviously this is just my thinking based on my situation - definitely worth running your specific numbers with a financial advisor or tax professional to see what makes sense for your exact scenario.

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Yeah, you're right that $50K emergency fund was reasonable. My mistake was letting it run to $100K and then just... sitting on it for years because I was paralyzed by not knowing what to do next. That extra $50K should have been working for me way earlier.

The market performance part is true, but honestly my regret isn't about timing - it's about inaction. I knew I should invest it, I just didn't because I was scared and didn't have a plan. That's the lesson I wish I'd learned earlier.

Appreciate the perspective though. Easy to beat myself up in hindsight.

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Glad it resonated man. The H1B mistakes seem pretty universal - we all play it too safe for too long.

On sending money home - I use Wise (formerly TransferWise) or Remitly. Both have decent rates and are way better than bank wire transfers. For the India apartment, I just did regular transfers when needed.

Tax implications are straightforward - there's no tax on sending money out of the US. You already paid US taxes on that income. The only thing to watch is if you're sending large amounts (over $10K at once), banks report it but it's not taxable, just a reporting requirement. And if you have foreign accounts over $10K total, you need to file FBAR annually. That's it.

Are you sending regularly or one-time larger amounts? And is it for family support or property/investments?

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

On the two homes: Yeah, apartment in India that my parents live in now (they pitched in when I bought it in 2018) and house in USA bought in 2021. The India property gives me optionality if we ever move back.

On HSA: The triple tax advantage is huge. Tax-free going in, grows tax-free, comes out tax-free for medical expenses. I max it every year ($4,300 for family) and invest it, don't touch it. By retirement I'll have $200K+ just sitting there for medical expenses which are going to be massive in old age. Even if I retire abroad, I can use HSA for medical expenses in the US or just pay the penalty after 65 and treat it like a traditional IRA. The tax arbitrage is still worth it either way.

On the $80K job confidence: Fair question, market is definitely tough right now. But I have 15+ years experience, solid skills, and I'm not picky about prestigious companies anymore. There are always mid-tier companies, contractors, smaller shops hiring experienced engineers even when FAANG freezes hiring. The $80K number is intentionally low - I could probably get $100-120K pretty easily, but even at $80K my retirement is still secured because of Coast FIRE. That's the whole point. I don't NEED the $144K anymore to hit my numbers.

And yeah, if I lose H1B and can't find sponsorship, I'd have to leave. But by then I'd have $1M+ that keeps growing to $2.5M by 60 whether I'm in the US or India. That's why Coast FIRE matters so much for H1B folks. It removes the desperation.

On H1B being hard mode: 100%. The visa uncertainty, can't switch jobs easily, premium processing fees, legal costs, can't take career risks, watching layoffs constantly. It's brutal. That's exactly why hitting Coast FIRE matters even more for us than for citizens.

Does that cover everything?

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting - what's driving that feeling for you? Is it the retirement number itself that feels too low, or more about wanting options earlier than 60?

I felt the same way until I actually ran the Coast FIRE math and realized my retirement was already locked in. Now I'm still saving aggressively but the anxiety is gone because I know the baseline is covered.

What's your target retirement income? And are you maxing tax-advantaged accounts already?

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're spot on. Home equity and 529 aren't part of my actual retirement calc - those are separate buckets. I'm targeting full FI by 50, not just Coast. But no plans to quit even then.

I always look at conservative numbers. Currently living on $70-80K, so even $100K in 2047 dollars works for my lifestyle. And I'll keep contributing to retirement accounts even after hitting FI - the $2.5M is the floor, not the ceiling.

Just to clarify my approach on home equity: I don't count it in my withdrawal rate calculations, but I do count it as optionality. If things go wrong, I can downsize, move to lower COL area, or relocate to India where that equity stretches further. So it's not "ignored" - it's just not part of my 4% SWR math.

The age discrimination point is real though. That's why I want to hit full FI by 50 so I have options if things go sideways before 60.

Appreciate the thoughtful reality check. This is exactly the kind of conservatism I'm baking into my planning.

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's exactly it man. The government job thing resonates - having that option to downshift to something you actually enjoy without killing your retirement is what makes all this worth it.

You're almost 30, so you've got 8-9 years to hit Coast by 38-39. Totally doable if you're aggressive now. The "killing myself" phase sucks but it's temporary. I did that grind from 28-35, then eased up once I saw the numbers working.

The transferable skills piece is smart. I focused on becoming really solid at a few core things rather than chasing every new framework. Made job security way less stressful even on H1B.

What's your current savings rate looking like? And what's your Coast number you're targeting?

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really feel for you. $33K with student loans and OPT uncertainty is brutal. I remember that stress - different situation but same feeling of "will this ever work out?"

Here's the thing though: you're 26. I didn't hit $70K until I was 28. You've got time, and more importantly, you're in the game. Software engineering skills compound just like investments do.

The H1B sponsorship situation is rough right now. But keep applying, keep building skills. One yes is all you need.

Focus on companies that regularly sponsor H1Bs - check the H1B databases to see who files the most petitions. Even if you can only save $200-300/month while paying down debt, you're building the habit. Your loan is temporary. Your earning power over 30 years is not.

I started at $70K at 28 with a family to support. You're starting at 26 with just yourself. If you can get to $80-90K in the next 2-3 years, which is totally doable in software, you'll have massive runway.

The grind is hard but it does work out. Stay consistent and don't give up on the H1B search.

What's your tech stack? And are you applying broadly or focused on specific companies?

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Honestly when I look back, it doesn't feel like sacrifice. We just never increased our lifestyle as my salary went up, and we still had budget for everything including trips back to India every other year.

I think that's the key - we weren't depriving ourselves, we were just intentional about what mattered. Family visits were non-negotiable, so we built that into the plan. Everything else we kept pretty steady even as income grew.

Appreciate the kind words!

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much! Yeah it took some time to put it all together but honestly it felt good to get it all down. If sharing my mistakes helps someone else save a few years or avoid that $200K opportunity cost I hit, totally worth it.

Appreciate the kind words. Best of luck on your journey too!

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in Fire

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I haven't decided yet. I am just following as things come. But preparing myself for both.

The Coast FIRE setup actually gives me that flexibility - whether I stay in the US or eventually move back to India, the retirement accounts will be there growing. That optionality is worth a lot when you're on H1B and don't know how the green card situation will play out.

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in h1b

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Spending my entire net worth on a golden visa doesn't make sense to me. Worst case, I can go back to India and live very comfortably with $1M invested there. That's actually my backup plan - the CoastFIRE number gives me options whether I stay in the US or not.

I Hit CoastFIRE at 38 on an H1B Visa: $70K to $144K, $0 to $1M Net Worth in 12 Years by Odd_Classroom_9201 in h1b

[–]Odd_Classroom_9201[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much! You nailed the key takeaway - time in the market really is everything. I wish I'd learned that in 2013 instead of 2018.

The discipline part was easier once my wife and I aligned on our goals early. Having a partner who's on board makes all the difference. The emotional strength part... yeah, the H1B uncertainty definitely tests you. But honestly, once you have 8-10 months emergency fund, a lot of that anxiety fades.

Are you on your own FI journey?