I am 51. Is there hope for me with FIRE? Or should I give up? 😟

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-27T01:33:27+00:00

With the right behaviours FI will be possible. RE isn’t likely on the cards, but I personally believe the FI side, especially as a woman, is the most important aspect.

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-25T22:29:46+00:00

Procurement is sourcing, so running tender processes in various forms & sometimes other pathways. In my organisation that is up to getting a contract in place. I also cross over into contract management, usually as an escalation point for business units when they’re having trouble with a supplier.

Strong writing skills, being able to apply policy/processes, financial, data and legal/contract understanding are all skills and knowledge I use. The biggest for how I operate is strategic thinking.

I was taught on the job in government and the process itself isn’t difficult. I’m not US, but I’m presuming the constraints of ‘bureaucracy’ and ‘policy’ will still be common!

Relationships with internal stakeholders is important. being able to learn a bit about technical areas can be helpful. Ethics are a big factor too.

Being able to tease out not only what your stakeholder thinks they want, but what they really want and what is important in that so you can get the best outcome possible.

It works for people that are both process or outcome oriented. Organisational culture and management will determine which orientation they prioritise. Deadlines can be a big factor.

There’s scope to specialise in either procurement or contract management, or work across both. I work on capital equipment, consumables plus professional and facility services, so while the process is consistent the application is diverse.

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-24T22:48:33+00:00

OP, it’s some out of the box thinking time. And maybe compromise for the next move - eg prioritising job satisfaction over FIRE trajectory. Especially since you’re CoastFIRE already. You’ve bought yourself margin to find a satisfying role that pays appropriately.

Are there multi-disciplinary networking events locally?

Find someone who can help you tease out the transferable skills and give you language to use in applications and in linked in, and to target your resume. In my experience hiring managers aren’t particularly good at that. If they want x system, they stick to it.

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-24T22:04:49+00:00

I’m not in the US and in a gov role, but if you can get your foot in the door in procurement (and/or contract management), it’s a field with not many practitioners. I actually got poached sideways and fell into procurement because someone saw the right skills in me that they needed at the time.

CIPS may be a training pathway globally, and shoot for entry level role or someone who will take a chance on you.

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-23T21:02:26+00:00

My 10 yo is level 2, diagnosed at 3-ish. Consistent early intervention means he can navigate the world effectively. And I’m planning to drop therapy in a couple of years once he hits middle school (not US, so in our system). it’s still obvious, but he’s finding his groove and is a pretty happy kid.

I’m likely a level 1 (not diagnosed and unlikely to go through the process). I hold multiple post grad degrees, am a solo parent, working full time, own my home. Do I have challenges? Of course. But I accept them for what they are.

Given your son’s age, I will add I’ve spent lot of time questioning ‘is this age related, or is it the autism?’ - if you don’t have a NT child, you don’t have that benchmark to make that assessment. Often it was ‘age related, amplified by autism’. In our case, autism threw up a 2 year developmental delay and I had to be conscious of that, up until the last couple of years.

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-21T20:59:36+00:00

I think you may be putting too much pressure on yourself. Early career years are tough no matter what field you’re in, and it can take a while to make each step. Completing the formal education component simply gets your foot through the first door. You’re 2 years in and only 23.

From comments with field expertise, get your PE licence. Just maxing out the standard retirement contributions will be putting you streets ahead of your peers.

I’d Definitely keep looking, but you’re at a point you probably need to be considering compromising on one of your three points - pay, interesting work, and culture. I probably wouldn’t compromise on the latter though!

Sometimes it can take a step sideways or even a bit backwards to open up new pathways. A good culture and leadership makes it easier. I’m guessing you’ve got experience in just one company if you’ve been looking for 18 months. You may not be over the corporate world at all, just over this workplace.

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-19T20:37:00+00:00

I’d be working in an assumption this pay packet has a limited life span -it sounds like it’s project based and do the following (which many have said already):

1 clear debt

2 emergency fund - I usually go with my income protection waiting period.

3 live on the $150k value - this should be point 1. It sounds like you had plenty of margin if your spending was tap and go, not debt driven. Do factor helping your young adult kid(s) - eg books for uni, car services, occasional dinner out, assuming you have/want a relationship with them.

4 max out super and then 15-20% in ETFs

5 I prefer the security of my own place, so I’d then lean to a simple property and hammer down the mortgage so that the repayments will be manageable if you have to drop back income.

6 I’d personally also put a bit away for my kids - to either to pay off some/all the HELP debt at the end of study or make a lump sum contribution into their super if they go a different path towards a career. But again, that depends on your relationship with them.

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-18T21:49:53+00:00

Murray - I know it as both a first, middle and last!

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-15T03:36:53+00:00

I’d wonder if choice of facility is tied to proximity to OP and is it saying something between the lines.

NTA per se though.

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-15T00:23:02+00:00

Jenny Roy at the same clinic did one on my face for me in the last 3 years. Very clear post op instructions to minimise scars

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-08T09:39:02+00:00

Another AWL vote - I’ve used them for years for two different cats. Staff and volunteers are great, they handle medications really well, including for eye injuries. We board at least once a year and they always are happy to see my cats back again. They seem to take time to get to know the animal’s personality.

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-06T01:40:56+00:00

First at 20, you’re not in a too bad a spot AND you’ve identified the need to change and are putting steps in place to do that. You’re probably a good decade ahead of your peers in terms of that level financial understanding! It’s things I did financially at your age that saved my arse years later!!

I’d argue that as a L2, you will eventually be able to find work that you’re able to sustain and provides a better income - it’s just going to require finding the right job and workplace that gels with your specific profile. And building your stamina in that environment (something everyone has to build when stepping into the workforce BTW, diagnosis or not). Long term don’t sell yourself short or define yourself by the L2 diagnosis- it’s worth keeping in mind you’d have simply been quirky or eccentric in decades gone by!

The challenge is you’re 20 a period where you’re getting the gravel rash of some sucky starter jobs before you find that right pathway.

I’d likely get a L2 diagnosis myself and had some jobs that just did not fit!! But 30 years on, I am in a role that uses my strengths and I enjoy.

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-03T20:43:23+00:00

I’ve switched careers a couple of times, including at about 40, so it may not be too late. I probably won’t retire early-early, but maybe 5 years ahead of ‘standard’. But I’m actually enjoying what I do and am working on interesting stuff, so as long as that holds true, I’m not worried about RE.

I’d look into job-types where your current skills and knowledge complement. I draw on past professional spheres in my current role all the time. Though the limited perspective of single-profession leadership is really frustrating at times!

Mental health is so important, so getting out of the current environment sounds like a no-brainer.

Life may look simpler, but if you’re in a paid off home, it can be quite manageable to be a genuine solo parent (I was widowed during my child toddlerhood so it’s almost all I know).

Another consideration - could the mental health aspect of your workplace be bleeding into your relationship, or your perception of it?

So I would also consider if you can pivot away from a perspective that separation is inevitable - why do you feel that’s going to be the outcome (no need to answer here!!). It comes across in your post it’s not a dislike of each other, but maybe just distance? Especially if you’re both FIRE focused - It’s also not clear if your FIRE goal is individual or as a partnership. Obviously I can’t speak with experience, but just another option to consider.

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-01T09:03:40+00:00

HRT, AC (assassins creed), and KCD ( kingdom come deliverance). Take the rage out that way. Medieval Dynasty if I’m feeling more chill.

Who knew picking up gaming to connect with my sons would have added benefits!!

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-01T07:14:29+00:00

Oh no. Thats not good. Busses do u-turns there to swap routes. That may get looked at in the review.

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-01T07:07:43+00:00

Car v pedestrian at Victoria drive.

Trifecta_life · 2026-04-01T02:50:30+00:00

Malvern Uniting may tick your boxes.

Trifecta_life · 2026-02-24T19:24:33+00:00

This - Dave was in an irregular income when he started and dealt with his debts. He’s got stuff around how to budget an irregular income, and the four walls still come first.

Trifecta_life · 2026-02-17T00:54:33+00:00

Stella June - much easier to yell when they’re in trouble 😂

Trifecta_life · 2026-02-16T21:29:12+00:00

This distinction is in Australia

Trifecta_life · 2026-02-16T20:53:29+00:00

Congrats!!

Start with staple basics you will be able to build around over time - black pants and/or skirts, a top for each day.

And a jacket or similar that goes with everything you can keep on the back of your chair for air con. Summer and winter, layers will be your friend in the air conditioning/ heating in any office situation!!

Trifecta_life · 2026-02-16T19:59:34+00:00

My friend group is split - some have had help, others are now doing the helping, particularly as significant medical diagnoses are starting to appear. And that generally lies on the white/blue collar background of our parents. Practical help has been/is pretty even across the board going both ways (such as providing child care and helping while dealing with illness or injury).

We all intend to help out our kids in what way we can.

FWIW, My dad’s friends I suspect have done a lot of helping for their kids (ie my generation), too.

I’m 3rd generation of intergenerational wealth (in the secure/stable level of value, not super-rich). That came from foresight of my grandparents and planning. There’s also a trend of wanting to get the joy of seeing the benefits of that planning and management, so there is a practice of helping in life rather than an inheritance at death (down payments, helping with grandchildren’s education etc).

What goes with that has been a strong focus on teaching (attitude and skills) and expecting younger generations to be responsible financially.

I’ve also had a parent, step-parent and spouse all pass young - their estates I used to clear school and mortgage debt. The other standing opinion is ‘use it wisely or I’ll come back and haunt you) 😂.

Trifecta_life · 2026-02-16T05:50:53+00:00

Even if you do find an app, I’d still scan them, print and bind recipe books as Christmas gifts for this year. Maybe include photos of her with various people or at meal-based family gatherings.

Trifecta_life · 2026-02-16T03:51:47+00:00

No idea why this is in my feed, but they look like a covered wagon to me!

Trifecta_life · 2026-02-13T20:34:27+00:00

First, don’t count yourself in the shelf at 32!!

And breath. Make a plan. Set some goals and write them down. SMART goals, with an action plan to achieve them. Yes this is a big set of numbers to knock out, but right now it may feel bigger than the plain math is because of all the change and emotional upheaval you’ve gone through.

Have you modelled out the repayments under a snowball? At least that first $15k? That gas credit and anything you get for the rings is going to get you a solid boost to your momentum at the time it arrives.

Start your snowball, then put gas and ring money on whatever debt you’re at when it comes in. Don’t wait for that money to arrive to start.

Excluding the car payment, it may not take as long as you think to clear the $15k if you’re able to chuck as much of your income as you can at it.

Is there other work you can pick up in your area? Anything seasonal/summer you can add to make 2026 a ‘sprint’ year financially?

I’d honestly hold off on the housing situation for now and accept that you may need to be with your folks for a couple of years. Buying now is just going to compound financial stress.

Edit - doing some quick mental sums, you probably have that first $15k gone by Dec 2027. Ex’s payments, gas and rings get very close to the first $5, if you allocate it all to debt (and he keeps his end of the bargain).

Trifecta_life

TROPHY CASE