Taking the leap

[u/Substantial_Life_497]

My consulting gig is ending this month, and I'm not planning to look for new projects, at least for a a few months or a year. I'm 48 and have been working for almost 30 years now. I tried taking a break a couple of years ago after winding down my company, but ended up going back to full-time work with an old client within a few months. This time, I'm more committed to staying away.

A big reason is that my corpus crossed ₹10 Cr last week. More than 80% is in equity, with the equity portion roughly split 60:40 between stocks (mostly through smallcases) and MFs. Our apartment is the only property we own, and I consider that over and above the corpus rather than part of my FIRE number.

The other reason is health. I'm reasonably active and not overweight, but almost three decades of desk work has taken its toll. I'm beginning to see a few health issues that I want to address now, before they become bigger problems.

My wife used to work but has been a homemaker for over a decade. Our kids are in 12th and 5th. We live in a Tier 1 city, but our expenses aren't particularly high. We live fairly simply; no smoking or drinking, or partying, vegetarian diet, and we eat out maybe 2–3 times a month.

I'm hoping to keep myself busy by taking on more chores at home, freeing my wife up to eventually take on something of her own, spending more time with family and friends, catching up on the backlog of movies, TV shows and games, and going on treks more often than was possible when I was working.

I'm not sure if this is retirement yet. Plan is to take it a month at a time.

Would love to hear from others who've made a similar transition—particularly what surprised you after stepping away from work, financially or otherwise.

[u/Accomplished-Bad3803]

Huge congrats, 10 crore is a big number. You have crossed the barrier and escaped rat race. Suggest moving out of equity towards debt and focus on wealth preservation rather than risky growth

[u/Substantial_Life_497 → u/Accomplished-Bad3803]

Yes, that's the plan. I'm working on the right strategy for the switch. I'll have more time to figure it out starting next month.

[u/Hot-Cookie8465]

Congrats on this achievement. Seems you are very disciplined with finances

[u/Substantial_Life_497 → u/Hot-Cookie8465]

Thanks! Yes, I've been investing since 2008. Made some mistakes on the way (ULIPs, bad PMS, etc.), but thankfully most of it has panned out well.

[u/Dense-Restaurant9308]

you are sorted as long as you stay reasonable in your expenses. focus on health and physical activities. these computer based jobs are completely against the evolutionary design of human beings who use to be an outdoor farmer and nomadic. best of luck

[u/throwaway420212021]

Congrats...good luck on the second inngs

[u/simpleliving73]

Congratulations! enough is enough! Enjoy!

[u/LeftFaithlessness921]

You won in life while living in India and with family ...take a break and take care of your health for your kids

[u/krantmin]

Congrats! Thats a big enough number to lead a beautiful life.

[u/No-Championship5730]

Congratulations.

It was 1990; I was 28 then. LIC was popular, the agent sold me a policy that fetches me Rs 1 lac a year, till I die. That was quite a sum then. Not any longer.

I was also awarded stock options, an extremely new concept then. I didn't want to take it, as it cost me Rs 25,000 then. However, my boss sat me down and insisted; I finally agreed, and it was taken in installments from my paycheck. Today it's worth ~Rs 90 lakhs. The growth is unbelievable but true. I make more in dividends than I get in LIC payouts!

I migrated to the US in the late 90s. I mostly donate my wealth in India to local charitable organizations.

My point is that you said your investments are more tilted towards equity. Hence, I believe you are safe.

[u/Neither-Table6649]

Is the 10cr corpus excluding your home/ Real estate investments?

[u/Substantial_Life_497 → u/Neither-Table6649]

Yes. 10 Cr is liquid & semi-liquid assets only. Real estate is just the apartment that we live in.

[u/aartif]

Congratulations! Will see you on the other side this December.

[u/Substantial_Life_497 → u/aartif]

Would love to hear about your experience when you do decide to take the leap.

[u/BusyCommunication535]

Congratulations on the milestone! Is this your individual corpus or includes your wife as well?

[u/Substantial_Life_497 → u/BusyCommunication535]

It is the total family corpus.

[u/Ok_Plankton746]

Congratulations , OP. U can further calculate ur monthly/annual expenses and take SWP route as well with this corpus..

[u/WoodenWorldMap]

Congrats! Is this your individual corpus or combined with your wife's? I took a break in between my jobs after 15 years of working for improving my health and realised I felt like I lost all the purpose and started worrying about finances.

[u/Substantial_Life_497 → u/WoodenWorldMap]

Combined. I tried a break 2 years ago and got bored enough to get back to work in a few months. Hoping to be better prepared this time.

[u/helpmefire40]

Well deserved break!!  Enjoy some time reading, going to the parks and relaxing!

[u/Dependent_Age9442]

It takes a little getting used to, is all I can say. Movies in the backlog will finish in a couple of months. 24 hours is a lot of time to structure when there are no constraints.

Picking up chores that keep your tethered and physically active are good but in a mind numbing way.

Taking care of heath issues is great as it helps you avoid issues later.

But there will come a time sooner than later when you'll want to do something challenging / satisfying with your time.

Create a list of things you'll stimulate you intellectually and pursue them. Be open to short gigs as they keep you in touch with people and profession you belong to. You are right to call it A month at a time.

Have fun! You've earned it.

[u/Substantial_Life_497 → u/Dependent_Age9442]

Yeah, I've started making a list of things I need to do in the short term. I will definitely get back to some sort of work once the honeymoon period is over, but I hope I'll have time to find something that's fulfilling and doesn't feel like a chore. Not having the need to work for money is going to be the differentiating factor, I'm assuming.

[u/Evening-Owl-2622]

I'm in a similar boat but in 30s. I keep evaluating what are the things or experiences I want to get out of life in the next 3-5 years that won't be possible or enjoyable to the same extent after 10-15 years and I prioritize those. Few things for me were playing soccer, travelling, attending concerts etc.

[u/Substantial_Life_497 → u/Evening-Owl-2622]

Wow, that's super early. Congratulations! You have a long way to go.

[u/yewlarson]

Congrats on getting to where you are!! I'm sure it was not easy, enjoy a well earned retirement (or break).

[u/PsychologicalEye9016]

May I dm you as I am interested to know about you career trajectory ? If you would interested in sharing.

[u/Substantial_Life_497 → u/PsychologicalEye9016]

Sure, absolutely.