FIRE Summaries

• Excellent income diversification with dual $300k+ earners providing stability. Strong $1.5M investment base shows commitment to long-term wealth building. Smart use of low-interest mortgage ($350k) while building assets rather than paying it off early.

• Immediately deploy $200k of excess cash into index funds - you're keeping 18% of your net worth in cash earning 0-4% while missing market returns. Keep 6 months expenses plus $50k emergency buffer, invest the rest.

• Started investing at 22 with real estate and index funds creating powerful compounding effects over 23 years. Avoided lifestyle inflation during wealth accumulation, living middle class on executive income which accelerated reaching $10M by 43. Maintained income optionality by joining startup post-retirement, growing net worth 50% to $15M while keeping work meaningful.

• Establish a guilt-free spending framework by allocating a fixed percentage (3-5%) of net worth annually for lifestyle enhancement and experiences, treating it as intentional wealth deployment rather than wasteful spending.

• Outstanding wealth accumulation with $20M net worth at age 50, 95% earned by you. Excellent liquidity position with $10M in liquid assets providing flexibility. Strong financial discipline and awareness of major decisions, seeking external input before committing.

• Establish formal joint decision-making protocols for any financial commitment over a specific threshold (e.g., $100k) to prevent unilateral decisions that affect shared wealth.

• You've crushed it financially - $20M at 35 gives you 55x your annual expenses, far exceeding the 25x needed for FIRE. Your 40-hour work week earning $2M+ shows exceptional efficiency. The $18-19M liquid portion provides massive flexibility and security for your family plans.

• Negotiate a part-time or advisory role NOW to test retirement while keeping VP trajectory alive - you don't need to choose all-or-nothing with your financial cushion.

• Maxing 401ks on $500k income is excellent - you're likely saving $60k+ annually in tax-advantaged accounts. Crushing all debt including student loans in one year shows incredible discipline and cash flow management. Your $100k annual spending on a $500k income means 80% savings rate potential.

• Run the numbers on the $1.4M house: an $8k mortgage means $96k annual housing costs alone, nearly doubling your entire current spend and dropping your savings rate from 80% to potentially 40%. Consider a compromise property or waiting 2-3 years to build your investment base to $600k+ first.

• Exceptional income trajectory at $500k combined puts you in top 1% of earners. Your $2M net worth at 33 represents 4x annual income which is outstanding progress. You're thoughtfully weighing major life decisions against financial goals rather than reacting emotionally.

• Run actual numbers on kid costs vs FIRE timeline - you may find children delay FIRE by only 3-5 years rather than eliminating it entirely, making the decision less binary than you think.

• Your $400k/year buyout for 10 years provides excellent bridge income from 60-70, eliminating sequence of returns risk. Paid-off house and $150k HSA for long-term care shows smart healthcare planning. $2.65M plus buyout totaling $6.65M by age 70 positions you exceptionally well.

• Calculate your actual annual spending to determine if $2.5M supports retirement at 60 without the buyout safety net - you may be more financially independent than you realize and the mental hangup about leaving $5M on the table could be resolved by running the numbers.

• Taking advantage of the 72T rule to access retirement funds early, diversifying investments between S&P 500 and growth-oriented funds

• Calculating the optimal asset allocation and withdrawal strategy to maximize returns while meeting 72T requirements

• You're doing great by contributing $26k to your TSP and saving an additional $20k over the next 6 months. Focusing on consistent saving and smart investing will help you build wealth quickly.

• Consider diversifying your investments beyond just your TSP to maximize returns and reduce risk.

• Excellent savings rate with $5k monthly into Total World Fund plus matched employer contributions totaling 6-8% of gross income. Mortgage-free living and 6-month emergency fund provide strong financial foundation. Combined $280k in pension funds with 10% returns positions you well for traditional retirement.

• Calculate your actual CoastFIRE number - with $66k annual expenses and government pension of $44k/year at 65, you need roughly $550k-$825k (depending on pension reliability) by age 50-55 to truly coast, so you're very close but may need 2-3 more years of full contributions.

• You've built an impressive $600K net worth by age 31, putting you in the top 5% of your age group. Your strategic decision to pursue graduate education during a market downturn shows smart career planning. Your specialized experience in $1B+ institutional real estate deals creates significant long-term earning potential once markets thaw.

• Accept a $200K role immediately to maintain momentum and industry connections rather than waiting for the perfect compensation package - your $600K cushion gives you the security to take a temporary pay cut while staying in your specialty during this cyclical downturn.

• Excellent planning timeline with $1.8M at 52 and retirement at 58 gives you 6 years of growth. Smart to test options strategies with only $50k (2.8% of portfolio) before committing larger amounts. Your 60/40 allocation is age-appropriate and provides downside protection.

• Get realistic about options risk - your 3.2% monthly test happened during a bull market without a real correction, which you acknowledge. Before shifting any bond allocation, paper trade through at least one 10%+ market drawdown to see how credit spreads perform when volatility spikes and bid-ask spreads widen.

• Investing $3,000 in a low-cost S&P 500 index fund is an excellent first step. This diversified portfolio will provide strong long-term growth.

• Consider adding international stocks and bonds to further diversify your portfolio as you continue contributing to your Roth IRA.

• With $700k in investments at 36, this person is well on their way to financial independence. Considering a part-time 'passion job' is a smart move to cover expenses while allowing time for leisure activities.

• Determine the potential impact on cost of living by living near a resort, and calculate the net income needed from a part-time job to cover all expenses.

• You're crushing it with 30% savings rate ($28k/year) between your 457b and maxed Roth IRA - that's elite level discipline. Starting at 33 and reaching $66k in 3-4 years shows strong momentum. Your 20-year timeline to retirement at 57 gives compounding serious runway to work magic.

• Keep the truck payment-free and redirect that $520/month ($6,240/year) to max your 457b - this single move adds $125k+ by age 57 at 7% returns and maintains your current lifestyle since you're already used to the payment.

• You've crushed it with $4M invested assets providing 26.7x your annual expenses (far exceeding the 25x rule). Your flexible $150k spending and willingness to walk away from negotiations shows strong financial confidence and discipline. Maintaining diversification across US/Canada markets throughout your 25-year career built an impressive foundation.

• Validate your $150k annual spending assumption in the first year of retirement - track actual expenses monthly to ensure your 'flexible' budget holds up without the structure of work, especially if lifestyle creep or new hobbies emerge.

• With a high income of $330,000 and over $1.5 million in savings, this couple is in a strong financial position to consider their mortgage options. Putting down 40% on a 15-year mortgage would reduce their interest costs significantly.

• Review their monthly budget and expenses to determine the optimal mortgage term that aligns with their long-term financial goals and risk tolerance.

• Excellent diversification with $6.8M in liquid retirement assets (44x your annual expenses). Strong real estate portfolio generating $1M equity while rental income covers mortgage. Roth conversion ladder opportunity with $700K already in Roth 401k.

• Use a Roth conversion ladder strategy to access 401k funds penalty-free before 59.5 - convert $50-75K annually from traditional to Roth in low tax years to bridge the gap and lower your effective withdrawal rate to 3.5%.

• You have 25x your annual expenses ($4.2M needed, you have $4.25M) making you technically FI right now. The $75k pension alone covers 45% of your $168k spending, and your $3.6M in liquid investments generates plenty for the gap. You're smart to leverage the mega backdoor Roth in your final working years - that's $70k/year of tax-free growth you'll never get another chance at.

• Absolutely max the mega backdoor Roth and spend down cash reserves - you have $350k cash (over 2 years expenses) which is excessive for your situation. Deploy $100k+ of that cash to cover living expenses while you contribute the full $70k to Roth, especially given the tech layoff risk means this window could close anytime.

• They've already built a massive $40 million net worth, which is more than enough to fund an early retirement and generous legacy.

• Deciding on the right trust structure and inheritance plan for their children to align with their goals.