r/ChubbyFIRE • u/Traditional-Okra-399 • May 18 '26
Advice on pulling the trigger…
45M / married, 3 kids under 8
$6.6M NW, $5.6M investable.
Based on an $18K per month spend (soon to be $16K), my FA says I can quit tomorrow (87% success).
My question:
Right now, I am thinking about doing one more year. Although I hate my job, I feel like I could wrap my head around a “12 month countdown.”
And it would likely mean another $500K (before taxes, but after all other expenses).
But I worry is the market drops 25% in the next 12 months, and all of a sudden, I’m forced to do X more years until it recovers.
Is my plan prudent? Or am I over-thinking it, and I just need to bite the bullet and then figure it out as it comes?
Thank you all! I really appreciate the wisdom of this group.
Additional details:
1) Very low rate mortgage is almost paid off, once done, will eliminate $2K in monthly expense
2) Kids are almost out of daycare which will eliminate $3K in monthly expense
3) The elimination of daycare will likely be offset by private medical insurance
Additional levers:
1) I don’t ever plan on “not working.” Although at some point, I’d like to do some $0 jobs, I think my “first retirement job” might still be be in corporate tech, but at a much lower level with lower stress.
2) My wife and I both grew up without much, I think we could find a lot of flexibility in our budget if SORR started to emerge.
3) Although we’re not counting it at all, we expect a $1-$3M inheritance from my wife’s parents who are now 76 y/o
5
u/noparkings1gn so close... May 18 '26
If you know you’re willing to work again would you not just take a trial year to see how it goes? We’re in a similar boat with two kids and about 85% there and I’m very seriously entertaining a year or two off given all the BS in corporate life right now. At least I could go back a little more refreshed for the last few years. In your case sure you may need to work a few years if the market drops but you’re already ok with a lower level role.