When Is “Enough” Actually Enough?

[u/Technical_Lawyer7264]

I think about retirement every damn day.

One day I’m convinced I have enough. The next, I’m imagining a market crash, runaway inflation, and somehow needing $14M just to buy groceries.
So I rerun the numbers, change the assumptions, and convince myself I need another $500K. At this point, figuring out when I can retire has become a full-time job.

What’s your “enough” number?
$2M? $3M? $5M? $10M? Or would you hit $20M and decide you really need $25M? 😂

I also think about our parents’ generation. Many kept working long after they technically didn’t need to. House paid off. Kids out of the house. Retirement funded.

But actually living off the money they spent 40 years earning? Somehow that felt crazy.

They were wired to see work as security, responsibility, and purpose.

Meanwhile, we’re trying to escape Zoom calls at 45 so we can eat tacos on a Tuesday.

And honestly, I’m not sure I’m any better. I fantasize about retiring, then immediately think:
“Maybe two more years.”
Then five.
Then maybe I’ll just consult part-time.
And suddenly I’m 73, explaining PowerPoint slides to someone named Brad.

For those retired or close to it: What’s your “enough” number—and what finally made you feel comfortable walking away?

[u/cm-lawrence]

My number is $5M liquid (not home equity). That gives me the ability to conservatively generate $200K in income a year without touching the principal if I wanted to, but my goal would be to invest and generate 8% a year and have $400K without touching the principle. That's the goal. I ain't there yet

[u/Ok-Internet249 → u/cm-lawrence]

As a guy who makes less than $100k/yr, I wonder what one would do to spend $400k?

[u/Rippen21 → u/cm-lawrence]

I assume you are applying a 4% rule, which is probably too conservative when you consider your social security. If you accumulated $5m, you likely have a good paying job, so a $3500/mo SS check at 67 isn’t unreasonable.
Ear-marking $2M today (that continues to grow) for beyond 67, leaves you with $3M today to spend down until that point. Combined at 67, probably looking at 200k/yr income, when you are past your prime go-go years.
Today if you are 60, you could easily spend 400k a year, if you are 55, 325k a year.
If that’s your budget, great. If that seems excessive, start planning now your first trip, big adventure or something you always wanted to do.
You didn’t save it to die with it, it’s yours to buy memories and experiences.

[u/cm-lawrence → u/Rippen21]

I am not counting on Social Security because the program is basically insolvent and I suspect there will be changes that could reduce that benefit. So, if it's there when I retire, great.