u/SG_FIRE_Enthusiast

Around 5 months ago, I decided to leave my corporate role and have never looked back since then. The thing is, I keep seeing articles or posts about millennials feeling burnt out, wanting to leave the corporate world, go BaristaFIRE, work part-time, work a less stressful job and so on. But I’m wondering how representative this actually is.
Fellow millennials do share your experience! Or if you know someone who had similar experiences.

Hi FI community, I am planning a two-stage retirement currently and would love to hear your advice before making any rash decisions.

Below is my current portfolio:
- 458k in bonds / equities (52% in globally diversified equities, 48% in bonds mostly SSBs)
- 208k in CPF SA (with intention to reach FRS in 1 year’s time)
- 70k in CPF MA, not part of FI asset
- 300k in fully paid HDB, not part of FI asset (50% of a 600k valued HDB)

Stage 1: Drawdown 4% of my bonds / equities portfolio over 30 years, giving about 1.5k income a month. This income will cut by 10% during a market downturn (drop in > 5% in market)

Stage 2: Drawdown from CPF Life from 65 years old onwards. This amount would have compounded for 30 years at 4% by the time I reach 65 years old, and payout should be sufficient, as the current CPF Life payout is already > 1.5k at FRS.

To add more specifics:
- I have been keeping track of my expenses, and have spent around 1.2k a month, inclusive of $200 a month for insurance needs paid with cash. I intend to cater additional $300 for medical buffer, home repairs, and / or travel funds (if there is excess).
- My insurance coverage includes coverage for early CI, CI, private hospitalisation with rider, careshield plus.
- I grow up from a low income family, so my current spending is already quite comfortable for me (lifestyle is naturally lean).
- No other debts in the future, nor any commitments.
- I have ran the numbers with FI calculators, double-checked, triple-checked with AI (Chatgpt, Gemini etc.) and so far the results yielded positive.
- However, I am still cautious of the risks present: longevity risk, medical risk, sequence of returns risk).
- I am a long follower of Investment Moats, and the FI community, so have gained some learning points from others sharing as well, but know that everyone’s financial situation is very unique. I can only draw experiences from those whose portfolio or situation comes close to mine. Also, I use SWR to gauge my probability of success.

Lastly, my current job in IT is highly stressful, and I am even thinking of just tendering my resignation tomorrow and start serving my one-month notice, so would like to gather some advice before making any mistakes. I am well aware of the current job economy, hence want to ensure my decision is a stable one. I am planning to take a one year break, and then transition into a low stress baristafire lifestyle to further improve my portfolio success rate and take a slower pace lifestyle at the same time. However, I did not add in this additional barista income as nothing is secure at the moment. (I’ll have to look for a job one year later).

Do give your honest opinions, and thank you in advance!

Edit: Thank you all for your responses so far! I appreciate the practical issues that you’ve bring up. Personally I do not have friends on this journey so it is really hard to get advice.