Pulling the trigger to coast
Came here because I don’t think anybody else understands the journey enough to appreciate.
I’ve worked my tail off my entire life. From age 15 to 40 I’ve worked weekends, holidays, nights, third shift, 50 to 60 hour work weeks, constantly clocked in mentally, missing family events and so on.
The last few years I’ve spent a rough estimate of 70k per year and have invested the rest of my income of $150k. I remember starting at a young age and investing $8 a week into my 401k and maxing the last few years in my 30’s. I’ve been able to max HSA and invest into a brokerage heavily.
Wife and I have paid off all vehicles and all debt minus the 100k we owe on the home. One child is leaving for college on a full ride next year. The other kid is starting high school.
I’m taking a role for a company that will give me a set schedule, weekends and holidays off, no evening or overnight shifts anymore, no more clopens, and allowing me to work from home 2 days a week. I’m also taking a pay cut of about 50% eek
I’m anxious, excited, and I keep thinking about how this Friday I turn 41… I’ll be at work and probably for the last time with this job. I get my stock vested into my account on the 15th and I have my resignation letter ready to send the following day for an immediate resignation. Best part is that I hate my boss and it’s a meeting day that day… so I’m sure I’ll get the “where are you” text.
I’ve got enough invested that my 401k will be more than enough to withdraw more than I spend now with a 3.5% withdraw rate in my late 50’s. And that’s with conservative calculations.
Maybe I’m crazy but I’ve decided I’m going to use some of the brokerage I had planned for a bridge fund and instead get my pilots license. I’ll use this job for a year or two to get started on the pilot path and then take a year off to finish my commercial to flight instructor. By 44/45 I should be a flight instructor with both kids out of the house and allowing me to work towards an airline career. Again, sounds crazy but I haven’t been this excited and motivated in awhile. I have the best wife who said DO IT! Looking forward to being able to at least enjoy my new low paying career path that has potential to lead to a higher paying career in my early 50’s. If all works out, she can quit work early.
Wish me luck!! If you haven’t invested… do so! You won’t need what you bought at age 25 on credit that seemed cool at the time. And if you’re looking at calculations for COAST… don’t wait! Life is short, take the plunge.