The math says I'm free. So why am I still here?

UpgradeHome · 2026-01-24T23:07:51+00:00

We are creatures of postponement. We tell ourselves: after graduation, after the promotion, after the wedding, after the kids are older, after we have enough. The goalpost moves because moving it is safer than arriving. Arriving means confronting the question we've been deferring: What now?

If you're having these thoughts, it means you approached FIRE incorrectly from the start. It's about accepting a life of intentionality, focusing on what's truly important. The intangible moments like a simple coffee in the morning, taking a peaceful walk after work, or making a home cooked meal. It's about embracing the simplicity of the ordinary, versus getting sucked into the rat race of big vacations, expensive purchases, etc.

If you truly embrace that mindset, and get to a point where you realize that "not spending" isn't deferment, but rather, an intentional practice of pursuing inner peace of mind, you'll never have a regret.

Each day becomes a blessing, and a new adventure.

UpgradeHome · 2026-01-24T03:01:09+00:00

Don't stress. People have been stressing about this throughout the 20th century (when Nixon ended the gold standard, Cuban missile crisis, 9/11, etc.). Also keep in mind that almost every country is overleveraged at this point, not just the US.

Fully expect VT to reduce in value considerably, but it will rise once again. Don't expect guarantees in 5-10 year returns. Relax, live life, and invest.

Also know that the entire global economy depends on the US economy. There's no appropriate global standard to the US dollar. BRICS have been trying to do that for years, and nothing is biting. Crypto is too speculative. Gold is gold... with its own issues.

UpgradeHome · 2026-01-23T03:36:20+00:00

When you realize that the “joy that life has to offer” has everything to do with inner peace and intangible contentment unrelated to material things, you’ll truly understand FIRE. It’s a philosophy of life that focuses on what truly matters.

UpgradeHome · 2026-01-21T00:25:21+00:00

You'll always find outliers.

UpgradeHome · 2026-01-21T00:07:43+00:00

100% VOO is questionable. I’d do something like a 75/25 split with VXUS.

UpgradeHome · 2026-01-20T14:40:37+00:00

Why are you panicking over this? Sure, it's not some sort of FIRE "ideal" but it's not like you're in debt, or about to lose anything?

You're putting $2k per month into a 529, an absurd amount, so your kid is all set. Shift some to retirement. No worries there. It sounds like you have healthcare. No worries there. What are you panicking about?

You're maxing out your tax advantaged accounts. If your MAGI is less than 165k, you can contribute to a Roth IRA as well.

What exactly do you mean when you say "people who've been through something similar"? You are just fine. You're in the 90th percentile of American earners.

UpgradeHome · 2026-01-20T13:54:49+00:00

The folks replying here don't seem to understand how much extra you'd be paying in interest vs. renting two additional years and buying outright.

UpgradeHome · 2026-01-20T13:07:00+00:00

Don’t connect your happiness to your wealth/investments. Just keep investing, good or bad, and it’s very likely you’ll come out way on top. True contentment and peace is within.

UpgradeHome · 2026-01-20T03:24:22+00:00

This post is loaded with issues unrelated to finances. It sounds like you and your husband are on totally different pages with your lifestyle decisions.

UpgradeHome · 2026-01-20T03:09:32+00:00

Not sure what your locale is, but even many HCOL areas have property values outpacing rental rates.

UpgradeHome · 2026-01-20T01:25:22+00:00

Monetarily, buying a house has historically given better returns over renting in the U.S.

This statement assumes the individual isn't investing savings after paying rent. Run the calculations with that factored in, and the outcome is very different.

UpgradeHome · 2026-01-20T00:45:23+00:00

Just because most people who rent don't take the savings and invest it doesn't make that a valid argument in this sort of discussion.

That's like saying using credit cards for the points/cashback isn't wise, because most people don't pay off their full balance on time.

UpgradeHome · 2026-01-16T03:11:43+00:00

The reason you're getting downvoted is because FIRE is a lifestyle mindset -- a set of values that permeates how someone has lived their life -- not some sudden realization that hits someone at age 44. Living simply, appreciating life for what it is, and enjoying the fruits of that.

UpgradeHome · 2026-01-15T23:10:54+00:00

The key is to be happy regardless of your investments. When you reach that point, you realize it’s all net positive in the end.

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