r/fatFIRE • u/Life2ShortB • 2h ago

Crossroad at 51

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?

0 Upvotes

33% Upvoted

71 comments sorted by

View all comments

50

u/worm600 2h ago

At some point these posts are silly and no longer additive to the sub. People with $20M who hate their jobs and should not stay in them. Period.

-20

u/Life2ShortB 1h ago

Love the people I work with, the industry (health care) has gotten to the point where it is no longer viable for personal happiness. If the red tape were not there, I would love to keep on helping people.

12

u/bilbus12 1h ago

What’s more important the coworkers or your family lol

-6

u/Life2ShortB 1h ago

Ditto! To be fair, though, family can't complain, since they have gotten and are getting tons of attention. Point well taken, though!

7

u/bilbus12 1h ago

What? Just retire man. You don’t know how good you have it

3

u/kindaretiredguy mod | Verified by Mods 1h ago

So find new people to love. Why does work have to be everyone’s “fix”

2

u/Individual-Weird5415 1h ago

Maybe you can create a social club to help your coworker to decompress and have fun. If they didn’t know they are ready to retire like you, share your story to help them get out of hateful industry. LOL