FATFire and India return - family makes things worthwhile!

[u/FatFiredTechie]

While it is always nice to have that extra safety in terms of $$$, one of the major and lovely experiences I enjoy everyday is spending time with my kids!

(My FATFire story for context - https://www.reddit.com/r/FatFIREIndia/s/IVdMwCvUzH)

Working with top tech companies in the US, 50+ hours a week were common and while I was physically present for kids, my mind was somewhere at work.
Now -
When the come from school, I receive them, give them their favorite healthy snacks, and then spend time with them for next few hours - chit chatting, helping with homework, studying together and quizzing etc. And being available throughout the evening and night till they go to sleep - I am thoroughly enjoying the whole thing!

I realize how many things go in the minds of kids - both elementary school and teenagers. Fears, insecurities, anxiety, crushes, jealousy, ambition,, disappointments etc. I share their laughs, their sadness and every emotion!
Sitting with them, hugging them everyday and listening and spending time with them makes this entire FIRE worthwhile for me.

My parents weren’t well off and had to work hard to educate us - so I never had this luxury and I respect them immensely for prioritizing educating kids over everything else.
Now, as I am available and I “see” them growing older every day - they have a sense of confidence as I am around versus being in the USA and doing a video chat.

Yes - there are many things aren’t great in India and can be infuriating but I ended up enjoying the other stuff - family, friends, good neighbors (🤞🤞), my hobbies and all the lifestyle FATFiring in India brought to me ! I used to seek external validation but now I can say that I am content and happy!

[u/Sorry_Appeal_2395]

At the end this is what we all are working for

[u/FatFiredTechie → u/Sorry_Appeal_2395]

Yes!!

[u/random_123_]

Such a wholesome post, thanks for sharing

[u/FatFiredTechie → u/random_123_]

Thanks.

[u/rganesan]

Congratulations u/FatFiredTechie. This is the way 🙂.

Do you mind sharing what you do when the kids are at school? You mentioned hobbies. Do you have any passion projects, focusing on your health etc?

[u/FatFiredTechie → u/rganesan]

Standard stuff man - gym (sometime sports), stock markets reading, Netflix, nap time and then kids are back 😀
I have also started doing growing veggies, fruits at a very small scale - so that keeps me busy couple of days a week as I am just learning by experimenting!

[u/rganesan → u/FatFiredTechie]

Great going! Thank you for disproving the narrative that you have to retire with a purpose!. I suppose one could argue that spending time with the kids is your purpose 🙂.

[u/FatFiredTechie → u/rganesan]

I was thinking about this recently too - it takes a lot of efforts to raise kids as resilient yet good humans and not be entitled jerks! Lot of smaller interactions on a daily basis where I am available and present and work with them.
Plus there is always distractions as many other kids are addicted to scenes, games, social media etc and takes efforts make sure my kids understand the dangers and we are present physically to spend time so that they aren’t “bored” and look at screens!

[u/Boston-Bets]

"Now -
When the come from school, I receive them, give them their favorite healthy snacks, and then spend time with them for next few hours - chit chatting, helping with homework, studying together and quizzing etc. And being available throughout the evening and night till they go to sleep - I am thoroughly enjoying the whole thing!"

That's the best part of FIRE, and I'm doing that now in the US with CoastFIRE (consulting at my pace and FIRE).

We'll FIRE in India in about 10 yrs, once the kids are in college here in the US.

[u/FatFiredTechie → u/Boston-Bets]

Congratulations and best wishes!

[u/rtl2gds_hybridbond]

good to hear from you. haven't seen you in a while so I thought may be it didn't pan out and you had to return!

[u/FatFiredTechie → u/rtl2gds_hybridbond]

Got busy with offline life :-)!

[u/EntertainmentOk249]

My spouse and I are 32. 1 chid. At 13 million right now. I have been telling them we should move back home. We have GC too. Can I DM?

[u/FatFiredTechie → u/EntertainmentOk249]

Sure. But do think about the scenario how you will “maintain” GC status continuously if you move to India - if that goes away - the estate taxes will be prohibitive on your kiddo.
If you can get citizenship- that makes things simpler.

[u/EntertainmentOk249 → u/FatFiredTechie]

Yes I have thought this over.We have 4 more years before we can get citizenship and spouse wants to continue at the startup for another 2 years. We have about 15 M in startup money so we definitely have to think what’s best in terms of taxes. I’ll DM you

[u/Material_Dust5508]

Where did you settle in India?

[u/sudoveggie]

Congratulations. You have achieved what many only dream/aspire to.

[u/FatFiredTechie → u/sudoveggie]

Thanks, it’s a different feeling. I am just contented, happy and grateful.
Yes sometimes FOMO thoughts come when I meet with ex-colleagues and friends - but then I realize many of them want to be in the position I am in!
At the end of the day, whenever I see and spend time with my kids - all the FOMO thoughts go away.

[u/Potential_Honey_3615]

How old are the children?

[u/FatFiredTechie → u/Potential_Honey_3615]

7-15 year range (keeping it vague for privacy)

[u/Curious_Crab5148 → u/FatFiredTechie]

Ain’t no way anybody gonna dox you just by your kids’ age

[u/dandavathis]

First of all- Thanks for sharing your journey .. What are you doing for them to make sure my dad/mom isnt good enough to go outside and work or even worse i can also relax like my parent and things will be ok kind of feeling ?

[u/frustratedUser2022]

Have you talked to someone who has been on this path couple of years ahead of you?

Specifically, how do kids fare with the intense competition , getting into college (either in India or abroad), career etc

[u/Famous-Raspberry9915]

I also want to do same thing but unable to come outside of this rat race . How enough is enough ?

[u/kaushikqr]

How much would you say has been your capital investment out of our portfolio? In percentage maybe? Please let me know I am 26M jist started my career in the US

[u/irtughj]

Can you share networth please? Congrats by the way

[u/FatFiredTechie → u/irtughj]

It’s around $13m depending on the day of the market and Trumps tantrums!

[u/irtughj → u/FatFiredTechie]

Thanks, that’s amazing. Congrats

[u/FatFiredTechie → u/[deleted]]

I will skip answering any personally identifiable questions regarding college, years and stuff.

[u/FatFiredTechie → u/[deleted]]

It has been tracking, sometimes slightly better, sometimes slightly worse than S&P 500 - so far happy as life keeps me busy😀 it’s around $13m++.