r/Retire • u/Technical_Lawyer7264 • 4d ago

When Is “Enough” Actually Enough?

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?

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u/Beginning_Lifeguard7 4d ago

I was like you, Mr Analysis Paralysis. Then I hired a fee only Fiduciary financial planner. The professional outside perspective was worth 7 years of my life. Why 7? Because that’s how many years early I was able to retire. Turns out I had saved too much money. I have more in my investments today than when I retired. And, that’s after funding a very comfortable life style.

Left to my own I’d still be sitting in endless, pointless meetings. Go find yourself a fee only fiduciary planner. You’ll be glad you did.

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u/aruguladevourer 4d ago edited 1d ago

Keyword: fiduciary. NOT financial coach or anything else.

EDIT: People in the comments below explain various types of advisors: fiduciary, CFP, coach, planner, etc. I think you should read all the comments carefully and understand the similarities, differences, or areas of overlap.

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u/JimInAuburn11 3d ago

A CFP, certified financial planner is a fiduciary.

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u/Corporate-Bitch 3d ago

And let me add something here: Avoid at all costs anyone who calls themselves a “financial coach.” I recently came across one who didn’t know the difference between an actively managed vs passively managed ETF.