[USER]

I FIRED recently-ish and have an individual investable net worth of ~$1.6M (retirement, brokerage, savings). This does not include the $1M primary residence my husband and I own outright in a HCOL area, and it does not include my husband’s individual investable net worth (which is similar to my figure).

We are childfree, so no interest or need to pay for anyone else’s college or leave generational wealth.

My personal individual annual expenses at the moment are ~$40K, which is less than 3% of my total investable net worth.

Also, I’m not living a life of deprivation at all. Anything I really want to do or buy or travel to, I just do it.

I feel very comfortable and confident in my financial position, even if I live to 80 or 90+ years old, but my husband is a bit uncomfortable that I left a $200K job and then turned down a new $200K position.

He has his own ~$150K-200K job, so he’s not worried about me providing for him, his comment is just that I’m only in my late 40s and thus in my peak earning years, so there’s significant money I’m leaving on the table by stepping away from an intense career.

I get that, but I’ve also been a workaholic from a toddler in pre-school until recently and I just don’t want to do that anymore.

I don’t need all the money in the world to be perfectly happy and content.

I now just want to take things easy and pursue hobbies at a leisurely pace. I kinda feel likely I earned it after being a ridiculous workaholic for 40+ years.

What do you think?

[Enilda]

Why would you work anymore? Yes, you could be earning $$$, but to leave them to who, should you pass? Go, enjoy your life.

Tell him you’re waiting for him to retire along with you.

You could have a side hustle or consulting if you’d like, but no, you don’t need a regular job.

[Ashley]

I agree with FIRE-ing – I am only 36 and already looking at an exit strategy 7-10 years from now out of healthcare – being a Type A workaholic for literal decades takes a toll

[Frank]

You are fine. Except you need to spend more money. But you can grow into that.

Make sure your assets are invested for spending, not accumulation.

Your husband seems to value money over time, and therefore does not understand the concept of “enough”, which applies to money but not to time.

[Nalani]

Time off is definitely good. $40k/yr in a HCOL area is pretty dang low, do you think that is sustainable? Does that include paying for your own health care?

Even if it isn’t sustainable though, you are definitely coast FI and could get any kind of job later on if you need a little supplemental income.

Take time off, decompress and see how you feel in a few years

[Raissa]

Your husband may think you’re leaving money at the table but if you go back to the hamster wheel you will be leaving your life at the table.

I stepped out from a large paycheck at a big tech to pursue my life back and so far I don’t regret

[Chris]

You live once and not to work. You do you. If you want/need to return to working, maybe start your own thing so you can dictate the load.

[Tom]

Any time you quit, you’re leaving money on the table, but u have to quit eventually.

Think more of the free time u have now, no more status reports and evaluations!!!!

Find something you love. I volunteered at an animal sanctuary when I quit, loved it.

[Candice]

Everyone has different points of view. You and him are both correct.
He can leave his growing net worth to a cause or family member and feel satisfied, you can stop working and enjoy life more.

You both just have to look at each other’s point of view and support each other.

Eg celebrate him reaching work goals.

[Veronica]

Work to live, not live to work! You’re ready to move away from it, do it!

[Christina]

Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Do what you want when you still have the health, energy, stamina, appetite, etc.

I don’t know a single person who regrets retiring too early but I do know a few who regret not doing it sooner.

[TJ]

I haven’t yet found anyone that has a way to buy time at the end of their life.

[Amber]

Yeah like if you guys don’t split expenses which it doesn’t seem that you do, and you can pay for your own stuff and you have an outright paid off house then what’s the problem?

[Inna]

Tell him you will go back if you absolutely have to. It looks like getting a job won’t be a problem. The concept of enough is super important.

Also “Die with Zero” for you and/or your husband

[Sandra]

As long as you have health insurance. I was 100% healthy at 40. Now at 57 I’ve had a knee replacement and looking at another along with psoriatic arthritis.

Glad my husband continues to carry our Heath insurance as he still enjoys his job.

We have a strategy if he decides to leave before I turn 65.

[Leanne]

Do it! Fellow workaholic here, stepped away for a few years, missed it and came back. Guess what? Work was and is there for as long as I want it.

Had a great time traveling and spending time with my infant granddaughter but nice to be back for now and nice to know there is no problem stepping away if I keep your skills and networks up to date.

Good luck and enjoy whatever choice you make. Life is short

[Ivy]

I fired in my late 40s as well, in prime earning years, and no regrets whatsoever. I did a short consulting gig during covid lockdown, then left after 5 months as I wanted my freedom back.

Been traveling the world and loving it.

[Leemay]

You are FIRE’d! There is always endless money to be made, but you only have one chance to live your remainder years in your 40s.

Go have fun!

[Grant]

Since your husband is most likely a “workaholic” as well as a high income earner, my guess is that he feels abandon and a heavier burden (as the sole income provider).

So, you probably need to come to some “understandings” with him about what and why you are doing what you do before it creates animosity in your marriage.

Note, my wife is in her late 40’s and I am 51.

She wants to retire and I said “how bout part time instead.” So that is the compromise that we both can live with.

She gets more free time and our wealth continues to grow.

None of this is financial or marriage advice.

[Monique]

Sounds like you made the best decision for you. If your lifestyle would be maintained independent of him, which sounds like it is, you’re fine. Enjoy your life.

You can always go back if you choose.

[Esther]

Go live without work for the time being
Maybe pick up some project, volunteer work or crazy hobby.

Work will still be there in the future, if you get unhappy or bored.

[Juliett]

Take a year off and see how you feel. Is going back to work part time as a consultant an option?

Have you looked at your social security earnings to see if you’re topped our on your top 35 earnings years?

If you’ve hit this point and your husband is still working, I would go ahead and enjoy the the hiatus from working.

Go do all the stuff you can’t do when you work a demanding high stress job.

[Author]

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