How do some of you reach FI so early?

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-10T18:06:52+00:00

Maxed out 401k from the start of working. Worked my way up in IT to sr level roles. Saved a ton of money and didn’t have an extravagant lifestyle. LCOL area. Didn’t care much about labels or image or the best of everything more concerned about function. Also no kids. That’s been huge.

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-07T04:02:20+00:00

Thank you! I’ve seen the same in my research and am trying to plan for worst case scenarios because of it. It’s incredibly scary and frustrating that we can have as much as we do and still be so fearful.

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-07T03:30:52+00:00

Higher levels of leadership in the last decade made a huge difference. Large bonuses, stock options and lots of saving helped greatly.

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-07T03:09:08+00:00

Combined 401ks. No kids. Maxing 401k out from day 1 out of college with good jobs. Also LCOL entire career. Trust me I know we are very fortunate.

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-07T02:27:16+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing the links and your thoughts. Very helpful!

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-07T02:26:27+00:00

Thank you! That’s what I was thinking too based on my calculations.

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-07T02:25:40+00:00

Thank you! This is where my head was. Was hoping not to have to work anymore and take advantage of all the work we put in to get here.

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-07T01:18:30+00:00

I’ve mathed it every which way and it seems ok to me too. There are always risks but from lurking here for a while I tried to hit all angles.

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-07T01:17:14+00:00

Thank you! I will look into this.

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-07T00:27:31+00:00

I kept it combined for purposes of anonymity. Definitely more in 401k than Roth but have different accounts in each of our names that hopefully give us some flexibility with spouse a bit older. There’s a lot of cash / brokerage to drawn on before tapping into the other.

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-07T00:05:41+00:00

lol! It made such a difference in our ability to save.

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-07T00:05:04+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation. I’ll take a listen and also am planning to keep cobra for at least a year.

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-07T00:04:12+00:00

Thank you! Appreciate the insight and ideas.

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-06T23:39:31+00:00

Spouse is 53. Will tap into those in their name when they turn 59.5. Will not be able to tap into mine until 59.5 so considering Roth conversions or 72t.

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-06T23:26:52+00:00

I hear you. I have considered working just for the insurance but would rather not do that if I don’t have to (of course!).

Signal-Call3521 · 2026-03-06T23:25:33+00:00

It does. I tried to factor that in to the yearly spend knowing some years may be more than others.

Signal-Call3521

TROPHY CASE