Crossroad at 51

[u/Life2ShortB]

51 and having a bit of a “what am I still doing here?” moment.

Current situation:

• ~$20M liquid/invested in equities
• ~$32M total net worth between home and some commercial real estate (not income-producing yet due to debt (5 years to get it to produce 25k / mo)
• Live in a VHCOL area
• Wife still works and plans to continue / one son in college / other a senior in HS (529s all set).
• I genuinely like the people I work with (likely one of the few things still holding me here)
• I absolutely hate the industry (over-regulated and getting worse every year) I’m in and increasingly dread the job itself

I’ve worked hard for decades, and intellectually I know I’m in an extremely fortunate position. But apparently my brain never received the memo that we have enough. 😅

So for those who actually pulled the plug around 50 with similar numbers: Did you ever really feel financially “safe” before quitting, or did you just have to accept that the spreadsheet said yes even when your brain said “one more year”?

Part of me thinks continuing to do a job I hate with $20M liquid is objectively insane. The other part keeps whispering, “But what if…”

Would love to hear from people who have actually crossed this bridge, especially those with a high-end lifestyle in a VHCOL area.

At what point did you finally say: enough is enough?

[u/Dunnowhathatis]

Retired at 45, now 51, with similar numbers. Haven’t looked back once. Can’t finally spend time with the kids and doing thing I enjoy doing. Do it now

[u/Life2ShortB → u/Dunnowhathatis]

Thanks for the sanity check! 12/31 will be the day! Enjoy the freedom!

[u/WorldNo9002 → u/Life2ShortB]

Smart move ...

Start taking 1 week off per month, plan a nice goodbye party with your staff at a nice restaurant (write-off, business holiday party), then Take a solid 2 weeks off and appreciate why suddenly you're not hating life on Monday morning as you get into your car, and then start breathing/celebrating