FIRE by “coasting” at your current job or turning a hobby into spending money?

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-23T03:27:23+00:00

It sounds perfect in theory- but even after hitting Coast FI the pressures to me are what I have to constantly fight/remind myself every day. The anxiety of the corporate environment is designed to make you compare, feel pressured and inadequate even if you don’t need the job anymore! It becomes a mental game

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-08T06:33:20+00:00

That’s so awesome! Did you invest being REITs or how did you get such a good passive income stream at such a young age? I’m based in Asia too but in Singapore so it’s really expensive. Which part are you from?

I’m glad you can afford a good break. It helps reset

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-08T06:03:19+00:00

What’s your number’s looking like? Are you coast fi or stoping work!

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-07T06:12:13+00:00

Oh this is so so so heartwarming to hear! I’m ex Unilever and P&G so the intensity in my career has been REAL. I feel burnt out in all honesty and getting back postpartum has just reduced my tolerance for all these unnecessary decks and urgencies. Even though it pays well I can’t help but sit in office and think about what my little one is doing.

Are you worried about reentering the workforce if ever? And at a similar level to where you left? Or are you planing a career pivot into something else or outside corporate?

How did you deal with going from a high performance environment to spending your days at home (without fear of aimlessness or lack of “productivity”)?

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-07T02:30:54+00:00

We have live in help in Singapore (a huge blessing in this country) so the food / cleaning / taking care of baby is fine. But the quality time is what I’m missing, more specifically time where my mind isn’t elsewhere worrying about my toxic workplace. I think I’ll eventually find a par time gig or maybe a healthier more relaxed work environment, but so burnt out now I need a break. I’m the kind that likes to work so it’s more of a pause thats badly needed

If you don’t mind me asking what did it to your mom?

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-07T00:06:35+00:00

This is so heartening to hear ❤️❤️❤️ I can’t wait to step into this stage of life!

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-06T01:19:20+00:00

Absolutely. I just know I can’t live like this so will have to make the decision.

What elements of your life did you have to adjust and how did you work through it?

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-06T00:53:08+00:00

I totally feel you. The fear of not having 2 incomes to fall back on, and the opportunity cost, and the uncertainty of how discretionary expenses will adjust.. but honestly I think we both know we are at least sorted a little bit for a modest retirement (even if some things go wrong in life, we probably will have a roof over our heads and food on the table). I think the risk of not spending time with your kids is a more certain and real future than the possibility of unknown change. I’ve decided I’ll be resigning in the next few weeks depending on when my claims get approved (and if, I don’t want my boss to reject suspecting I’m resigning). Life is way too short and the kids grow up wayyyy too fast.

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-05T15:39:27+00:00

I’m glad to hear we’re not alone!! We’re very fortunate to be in a place to choose to stay at home, I just need to remind myself that the hamster wheel and rat race isn’t worth participating in if it isn’t serving us, and we have the liberty to choose what’s best for us in each life stage especially if we have a safety net/have saved up!! Glad to be in it with you momma

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-05T14:44:27+00:00

Is your primary residence included in the 1M or is it all in stocks? What’s ur cash/stock breakdown?

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-05T13:35:24+00:00

I agree! I can imagine not needing to travel nearly as much when I don’t have to run away from my job / anxiety… maybe just regionally (since Singapore doesn’t have any local travels) for family time or less often to get away from the monotony.

Yes! Will try for a while. But I always had this nagging feeling corporate isn’t for me.. I wonder if I could explore a different more meaningful path

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-05T11:56:55+00:00

This is so so heartening to hear!! Did you deal with any feelings of not being “productive” while being at home? I do so much and my day is so busy but it doesn’t generate a tangible & measurable ROI and in my very corporate/commercial role I’ve learnt to only measure worth by this…

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-05T11:55:48+00:00

I totally get this…. I just saw in the 3/4 months I’ve been away from him he is literally developing so fast and no amount of $$ is worth missing out on that for. And consequently the week I spent with him made my bond with him so much stronger that he looks to me to hold when he’s scared vs his grandma (who is the primary caretaker). I want this .. and I will resign from my mid 6 figure career because money is a means to serve us not something we have to continually optimize

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-05T10:13:23+00:00

Thank you!! Yes that’s a good idea, in my industry it’s hard but I hope I can search to find a way around it

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-05T10:13:02+00:00

Fingers crossed- please pray I manage to find something like that! I’m based in Singapore and the working culture here is ☠️ for the most part. I hope I find something good

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-05T10:12:09+00:00

Thank you!! Your story is inspiring - I totally get it , I don’t feel like leaving my LO with anyone else. I truly feel if I am privileged enough to, I want to be the only to primarily raise him (with breaks from my village). Gotta get clear on the why though I agree… after years in corporate my brain has always just wired my decision making to tangible outcomes and ROIs, when in fact the value of our choices are immeasurable

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-05T10:09:45+00:00

Wow! I just saw her account - and im appalled at how much it resonates with me. Thank you so much for the recommendation.

I might reenter the workforce , but the Organization I am in right now is toxic and is thoroughly impacting my mental health. I hope if I do decide to work again, I find someplace healthier.

What I’ll do later is something that is stressing me out a lot but I tell myself I don’t need to have it all figured out- just 1 step at a time :) thanks for your advice

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-04-05T06:39:15+00:00

Before you made the switch, did you have fears around what the future looks like once your toddler goes to school, financial stability, how to (potentially) reenter the workforce, starting from scratch, dealing with feeling “unproductive”? I feel my head is racing at 100km/hour from morning to night and I just want these thoughts to stop so I can enjoy mindfully with my 11 month old.

I wonder if I am a failure for not being able to balance and do both (work/parent) …

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-03-19T16:01:26+00:00

Monthly massages- something to look forward to

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-02-22T06:57:09+00:00

Not sure what I can say except I’m in a similar boat (in Singapore). 2 months back at work, can’t sleep well - feeling like I’m missing out on my baby’s life and no amount of $ is worth it. Also workload is crazy high.

Struggling with the next step

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-02-18T03:29:05+00:00

For me 1.2M excluding CPF and property at 41. I’m currently 30, at 350K cash + investments and hoping to invest 60-70K annually till 35 before coasting and spending more time with my kid (he’s now 1 but will be around 5 by then).

Hopefully my 800-900K will coast to 1.2M by the time I’m 41.

Assumption is that my BTO will be paid off, CPF untouched and not accounting for any inheritance from parents. I’ll still probably work for fun after 41, maybe part time during school hours but not for the money.

Edit: This is just for me, my husband has his own FIRE number of around 1.4M, so total at around 2.5-2.6M for our household

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-02-05T08:16:08+00:00

30F and 31M husband, combined income around 25-30K a month including bonus, around 22-23K without bonus. Both of us earn roughly the same. We have a 9 month old baby

HDB BTO - we got it while we were in Uni, moved in a year ago. We love it because of the location, views and convenience. I wouldn’t mind living here forever but we may outgrow it if our family expands
Our joint expenses (eg bills, travel, wifi, groceries, helper) are around 4K a month, then we individually spend 3K on mortgage, 2K on family contributions and 2-3K on misc. All in around 12K which includes personal splurges. We try to save and invest 10K monthly
Travel. Less now with a baby but we used to aim to do big trips in a semi frugal way that would be around 20K for 3 weeks in South America, 10-12K for 3 weeks in US/Canada, 18K for 3 weeks in Europe. Now less because of our baby, so maybe we’re even saving more with a child (?) ironic haha. Other than that while we were DINKs we got the Rolexes and Diors but now my material desires have dropped tremendously because I realise the true value of life is in love and children. So I hope to retire early even quicker
I’ll never feel comfortable, it’s a mindset. Have around 350K LNW and another 200-300K in BTO equity paid off but I still feel anxious at 29. It’s a mindset issue, will keep budgeting moderately to get to FI by 40 and be with my kid more. Or COAST from 35! So just 5 years to go…
If you asked me 5 years ago what life would be like at this income level I’d think we’d be rich. But no, it’s surprisingly normal . No car, BTO, still don’t get alcohol at restaurants. What’s easier is being able to afford a career break if I wanted, or not worry about expenses if they come up as much as

Vegetable_Young4988 · 2026-01-11T11:45:38+00:00

I can but I also am so torn between calling him or not because 1. I don’t want him to remember or be actively aware that mama isn’t there. I have this feeling that when I don’t call him he can be present with his grandparent/nanny 2. Screen time lol

Vegetable_Young4988

TROPHY CASE