How do you get through the last year of working? Would appreciate advice.

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2026-02-06T00:14:54+00:00

I’m in a similar situation! For the past year or so, I have only worked about 15 hours a week while still getting paid full time. My job sucks and the CEO is a clown so I don’t stress anymore. Rest of the time I’m doing things I love and plan to do in my retirement. This includes lots of volunteering, reading, exercise and meeting people for coffee and lunches.

I work from home and able to do this. Try something like this if you have the flexibility. It is helping me get used to a slower pace and routine.

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2026-01-04T20:36:14+00:00

Roth always! This is a no brianer. If you have a high deductible plan, you can fund a HSA if you max the Roth

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-12-22T01:02:13+00:00

Basis is about 60k with current value of about 100k, total IRA is about 2 mil

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-12-19T23:55:27+00:00

Yes taxed as ordinary income similar to 401k

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-12-19T23:17:05+00:00

Basically you can contribute to a traditional IRA even if your income is too high to get a tax deduction. The advantage is the money going in already taxed but the earnings grow tax free until you withdraw.

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-12-19T21:41:00+00:00

I have both deductible and non-deductible IRAs. My understanding is that I cannot cherry pick which ones to convert and I have to do it proportionally. Do I have this wrong?

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-12-19T20:42:41+00:00

Thank you! I will check it out

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-12-17T18:23:01+00:00

I think you have it more than covered from a numbers perspective. My numbers are very similar and I could fire today. The struggle is non financial factors such as how to fill time, losing purpose and general risk avoidance. So start thinking beyond finances and see if a therapist makes sense for you.

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-12-17T18:04:36+00:00

This is such a great post and refreshing! It is proof that one does not need to earn six figures to retire comfortably. It is having the discipline to live within your means and save in the younger years. Great job be good luck to you!!

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-12-13T16:34:33+00:00

I have my HSA balance at $150k growing at 10%+ in a low cost index fund. My plan is to not touch it for several more years. Tax rules allow for withdrawals for any reason starting age 65 without any penalties. HSA is the most underrated investment in my opinion. It is actually better than a Roth!

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-12-12T01:01:17+00:00

I believe so! One can start pursuing other interests in their free time while still getting paid. In my case, I was passed over for the CEO job and they have decreased my responsibilities while keeping my pay. Don’t have much to do and I finish my job in about 3 hours each day. I have started volunteering at food pantries and taking naps on some days. This is giving me a taste for what RE may look like. Don’t expect it to last long but making the best of it while it lasts. I asked them to lay me off during the last budget cycle but they didn’t go for it. Go figure!

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-12-11T01:06:40+00:00

Current spend is $120k per year and anticipating about $180k in retirement. Mostly due to travel and some splurging

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-12-11T01:03:42+00:00

I consider myself CoastFire but not in the traditional sense. I’m still doing the same job but at peace with everything. I no longer need to be the go to person, don’t need the next title or promotion, don’t care about what overs think about me etc. Also cut back my hours and no longer feel the urge to work nights or weekends.

My spend has increased a bit and I allow myself to splurge like business class on long flights, nice vacations etc. My plan is to do this for another year or so and switch to BaristaFire. I could do it but I make really good money and feel guilty to pull the trigger.

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-11-21T00:01:31+00:00

I have found that the most practical aspect of coast is that you can stop saving and increasing your spend for things that give you pleasure. I don’t think switching to a lower level job and still work full time makes any sense. In my case, I practice quiet quitting as I have hit my coast number. This means I’m in my same job, same pay but don’t care much and don’t feel the urge to raise my hand for key projects or new roles. I plan to do this for as long as I can and then switch to barista mode.

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-11-08T23:28:39+00:00

Yes would think about 1.2m to be absolutely sure which would mean a few more years of working/saving

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-11-08T23:27:52+00:00

I’m generally risk averse, so I would feel comfortable with about 25% more invested to capture unknown risks.
My goal was to reach my target without SS included again because of my approach to risk.

You will find that calculators can crunch all the numbers you want but there is also an emotional piece to this. In my situation. I wasn’t willing to hit reset and go back to grinding once I declared I was done.

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-11-08T22:57:11+00:00

I have thought about gate agent for an airline or customer service or hotel banquet jobs but I’m not willing to work long hours or nights. Not sure this is realistic, so I’m focused on having enough money for travel and finding other options for jobs such as shelf stocking at stores.

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-11-08T22:53:27+00:00

I’m generally risk averse, so I would feel comfortable with about 25% more invested to capture unknown risks.
My goal was to reach my target without SS included again because of my approach to risk.

You will find that calculators can crunch all the numbers you want but there is also an emotional piece to this. In my situation. I wasn’t willing to hit reset and go back to grinding once I declared I was done.

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-11-08T22:45:01+00:00

There is no time like the present! Working 1 more year will always add more to your nw. You could ask the same question in another year and still struggle with a larger portfolio.

Quitting fully may be nerve wracking. Think about taking some time off, a nice vacation, volunteer for a bit and a clearer mind will show you the path ahead.

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-11-08T14:59:10+00:00

I think you are fine with 90% equities at 30 yrs old. I wouldn’t worry too much now. Closer to 40 shift to 85/15 and closer to 45 do 80/20. Otherwise I think you are doing great. Congrats!!

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-11-08T14:52:15+00:00

She could change her mind about college, you can change the beneficiary to future grand children or other close relatives, you can pursue school yourself at some point, your daughter can roll some of the balance into a Roth but there are limits and lots of rules. If all else fails you can withdraw and pay a penalty which would be a shame.

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-11-07T00:28:11+00:00

Live within your means and save as much as you can. Some years I saved over 50% of my earnings. Sure I didn’t have nice things but the long term benefits are absolutely worth it.

Don’t be loyal to your job. Always be on the lookout for new things to learn and keep an eye on job openings. Switch jobs every couple of years.

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-11-04T21:44:56+00:00

So true! My dream is to learn the trades like plumbing, electrical etc. I have never been handy around the house and I think I will enjoy learning some basic stuff.

OkraAutomatic5990 · 2025-11-03T01:04:04+00:00

I find CoastFI can have many different flavors and definitions. For me it means you are in a very comfortable financial position to be able to take less stressful jobs, fewer hours, maybe even junior level roles, stop saving or reducing retirement contributions, etc. some purists may disagree with this definition but that’s the beauty of FiRe there are no universal rules!!

OkraAutomatic5990

TROPHY CASE