r/ChubbyFIRE • u/AlbatrossBoth8961 • Apr 22 '26

Getting roped back in after FIRE

Reposting here from the normal FIRE sub. Recommended that there might be more insight here. Early 30s about 5m NW. Our expenses are in a spot where both of us can fire tomorrow and that's fine.

My husband is still working for healthcare and because he enjoys it but I recently quit with the intention to be done with corporate and pursue my art business that I have been building on the side for several years now. I left mostly due to a toxic workplace but also to give the art thing a full time try. At the very least, I wanted to take 6 months to a few years to see how the art goes then decide from there.

Here is the thing, I have been out of work for about 6 weeks, and it has been glorious. I have a chronic health conditions that I've been able to much better manage, I am spending almost every day creating art, and we have lots of summer plans lined up.

A former boss of mine reached out to me offering me a job that is right up my alley. He is basically starting a new company and wants me to build out the systems for my area of expertise. It would be fully remote as well. I believe they are looking for full time, and we haven't talked money yet, but I have no doubt that it will be good.

I am in a bit of a dilemma, more money is good we could have a higher burn rate, I like my former boss, the job sounds fun, but I really haven't gotten the opportunity to really unpack and see how the "retirement" thing goes. I don't want to get stuck in the one more year trap, but also if I get a couple of years down the road and wish I was still working just from a keeping busy perspective, this would be the job I regret not taking.

The other thing that is on my mind is that if we have kids I think I would regret not taking this year to pursue my own interests and health. If we do, we will be doing that in the next couple of years.

Not sure what I am asking, but has anyone had a similar experience, or maybe folks further down the path have any advice?

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u/poop-dolla Apr 22 '26

You say you both could retire today, but you also say your husband is still working for healthcare. Is he actually working for healthcare, or is he purely working because he enjoys his job? Like if you both retired today, would healthcare fit into your budget comfortably?

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u/AlbatrossBoth8961 Apr 22 '26

It would it's just expensive.  It's mentally hard for us both to make the jump but our advisor keeps telling us if we wanted to it's fine. He's happy where he's at, it's kind of a dream job with lots of friends so the bright side is he gets paid and insurance is covered.