FIRE Financial Independence Retire Early

What monthly or annual excel budget templates do you use?

What % is a good target to aim for on a Monte Carlo analysis early retirement calculator? Some say 85% to 90%?

Very frustrated. My HR team as part of on boarding told me (multiple times) that my 401(k) plan had a true up if you maxed out early in the year. So that is what I did this year. I find out today that… more

At what Net Worth would you buy a Rolex?

How are you guys optimizing credit card, banking and investment account setup? Optimizing for what? (e.g., simplicity? Points? Risk mitigation? My setup is… bank: chase credit card: amex gold, Costc… more

How are people accounting for end of life care in FIRE? I'm watching my grandad in law burn money to the ground because he needs 24hr care (will only consider staying in his home), and it is crazy… more

In the U.S., when planning for FIRE, how do you account for Social Security benefits that begin providing an additional income stream starting in the mid-60s?

I was estimating that if my spouse and I continue working until ou… more

Just dropped about $10k on booking summer vacation trips for the family. Hurts to spend so much when market is in the red 😭

What is your bond strategy as nearing retirement? I have 0% bonds, about 10 years from FI. Heard people start shifting IRAs to 60/40 as near retirement? Also, anyone plan to shift back to 90/10 maybe … more

This feels like a silly question, but do people stagger the funds they invest in? Feels weird to put 100% in VOO or VTI between brokerage and retirement accounts. I decided brokerage is in VBTLX (10%)… more

I’d like to pay down my mortgage vs invest in a brokerage account - am I being silly? Mid 30s, single, $1M net worth (excluding home) all invested in various brokerage/retirement accounts in MCOL. I’m… more

How do you prepare yourself for FIRE mentally? I am 47 and think I have enough to FIRE but I am so stressed when thinking about not having a job and the security of a steady income. I do want to get o… more

I want to retire at 40. Im currently 32. I dont have a good idea of what my post-retirement expenses will be. Any idea on how to begin calculating?

Hi! Total noob question but could use help optimizing my trad brokerage mix:

210K in VOO
25K in VTI
35K in VTSAX
3K in QTUM
*EF, 401K etc fully funded...

Realize this isn't the most strategic allocation, and want to focus on simple low fee investment… more

What’s your view on annuities at a young age?

Are ppl worried about job replacement from ai impacting their earning potential and ability to retire early? Only 32 and have solid savings/spending habits but feel like it’s not safe to assume career… more

Are financial advisors worth it? My husband and I have made good stock calls (56% growth). I max out my 401k. Husband has a pension option. We are early-mid 30s with 2 kids in daycare. Overall net wor… more

Should I be buying 10k (x2 for wifey) of iBonds a year? Is this something worth maxing out?

What SWR are you planning for? Do you feel confident in 4%? 3%? 5?

How do you guys structure your brokerage accounts? Just the admin piece of it - not stock selections.

I’m thinking about putting my yearly savings (~$200k) into a new brokerage account every year. Thi… more

I know the 4% rule but for those who plan to retire early, how does one really know if they have 25x their annual spending, since spending will change dramatically once kids leave the house? Currently… more

If I want to invest in MAG 7, what’s the right ETF? Rule out independent stocks!

I hit my first milestone of 100k 79 weeks ago. Today it doubled! I officially crossed the 200k mark. 5 years to 100k, 1.5 more years to 200k. Let's see how long it takes to get to my first million… more

Has anyone quit working to be a SAHP, and simply kept the savings for after spouse retires?

Received a cold call from a financial advisor. Would you recommend using (or not using) one? They charge 1% of assets under management which seems expensive, so wondering if they are actually worth it… more

Any thoughts on using a 7702 insurance plan as a part of an overall retirement strategy? Any advice/experiences appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Would you use 30k in bonus to bring mortgage principal down, front-load HOA payments, or eliminate revolving card debt? A mix?

The goal is more room for monthly spending. It’s not necessarily to elimin… more

Best book or resource recommendations on the nitty gritty details of how to actually execute FIRE? We are close ( a couple years out) and I know overall the concept, but need some detailed help in ma… more

Does anyone here use Brokeragelink account and can share pros and cons?

I have $50k in a high interest savings account, $142k in a Vanguard investment account, and $287k in 401k. If I know I’ll need a sum of money in about two years (wedding, down payment, etc) should I k… more

Why do some companies offer mega backdoor Roth and others don’t?

Recently crossed $3M invested (plus a healthy $100k+ emergency fund). I’m 42, and for the first time I feel like I don’t have to save aggressively to hit my long-term goals ($5M by 50, $10M by 60).

For… more

I got a call from Fisher Investments today claiming they could substantially exceed the market long term (24% net of fees) on a moderate risk portfolio at a cost of 1.25-1.50 Aum. Does anyone have ex… more

At a Hyundai car dealership for periodic maintenance. The are charging $100 for tire rotation and multipoint inspection…. What’s y’all’s approach to keeping car ownership cost low as possible? I can t… more

My new job's 401(k) plan allows for the mega backdoor Roth IRA. I am pretty confused by the strategy. Namely, can someone please explain --

1.) Why would someone do this? My HH income is well into the 32% brac… more

I have a brokerage account that I’m funding until I can access my retirement accounts without penalty. My retirement accounts are fully funded and will be a good number once I’m in my 60s. How do I pl… more

Does anyone have regrets about FIREing too early?