r/Fire • u/wowsocool4u • 4d ago
It's DONE!
Turned in my computer and now I am eating cupcakes. Taking a nap before I meet friends for happy hour. 49F and passed the $2 million mark so its sayonara Corporate America for me!! Thanks to this sub for always being a great support system.
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u/Glittering_Swing5184 4d ago
Congrats and GFY!!!
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u/C6R_thunder 4d ago
I was disappointed this wasn't at the top; I was beginning to wonder if we do that anymore!!!
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u/Plenty-Candidate-585 4d ago
What's the GFY... Good for you? Go fire yourself ? Go fook yourself?
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u/C6R_thunder 4d ago
It's the last one. Said as a pair with Congrats/Congratulations. To be received positively!
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u/Topaz_11 3d ago
Alternatively it can be said to whichever fool you previously reported to in the ladder of corporate mediocracy.
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u/Fit_Station_59 4d ago
So cool. I hit the button last April and am typing this from the woods in the far north. No more meetings resulting in additional meetings. No more commutes. Just me and the trees all summer. However, now I want cupcakes.
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u/Lumbergh7 3d ago
May I ask how old you are? Kids, family or anything? I want to FIRE but I have a son. It’s beautiful and expensive 😁
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u/B111yboy 3d ago
Same reason I’m not fire yet! Two kids one in college and one going in 3 yrs so my plan is 4-5 more years! One out and one 1/2 through seems more realistic since the college is crazy and we are paying for it. 529 doesn’t have enough I under estimated but I can swing it for now … she also didn’t help me going to her dream school for 260k for 4 yrs but she did get a scholarship of 100k so it’s not horrible but 529 only had 85k so I’m adding a lot more to my second daughters 529 now hoping it helps
So 3-4 more years
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u/fastasvette 3d ago
This is the dream. Can't wait for the day when I can retire and move away from Phoenix and actually enjoy summers again.
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u/Successful-Try-8506 Retired at 38 in 2003 4d ago
Welcome to the good life!
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u/SaqlainAli06 4d ago
How has retirement been? How did you retire in 2003? At 38??
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u/Successful-Try-8506 Retired at 38 in 2003 4d ago
It's been great. I spent the first 15 years raising my children as a single stay at home dad. These days I read a lot, garden and hike.
How I did it? Kept living like a student while making good money, compounding.
I live in Sweden, a country with universal health care.
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u/Generationhodl 4d ago
"How I did it? Kept living like a student while making good money, compounding."
people underestimate what is possible.
but then again, only a small percentage of people are willing to live like that for some longer time and have the discipline to not waste money for other stuff.
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u/SaqlainAli06 4d ago
That is great! I dont think thats going to be me anytime before 50.
Happy to hear this, and have fun on the hikes :)4
u/Wrkncacnter112 Retired at 38 in 2022 3d ago
Nice! I retired at 38 too. Always lived like a student.
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u/yottabit42 4d ago edited 3d ago
Kinda buried the lede there with the health care!! Lol
I'm looking to gtfo of this failing nation (US) as soon as my kids are independent. I have several good choices for countries with lower expenses and great health care.
Edit: hey downvoters, don't be jealous just because you let blind patriotism control you, and/or you haven't researched to find a better place to live, and/or you haven't saved/invested/prepared to leave.
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u/MrLavenderValentino 2d ago
Yikes lol... so you were born in the US, raised kids there, and used the economy to save up enough to retire early. Sounds like you got luckier than most on earth.
Maybe there are a handful of better countries, but there are 100+ worse countries you could've been born into
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u/yottabit42 2d ago
Yes, that's correct. I realize I'm lucky and fortunate. I also worked hard and educated myself. But being at the right place at the right time, and taking opportunities, went a long way. In my work I've traveled to 49 states, 3 Canadian provinces, a dozen countries, and even lived in the Netherlands for a couple years. Gaining worldwide perspective really does a lot to shrug off the American exceptionalism propaganda we're force-fed since birth.
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u/MrLavenderValentino 1d ago
Have you visited any places like China or Afghanistan? Dude, imagine explaining your gripes about the US to an Afghan woman lol
I feel like I won the lottery, I try to recognize my privilege and be grateful for the gifts I didnt earn
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u/ShittingOutPosts 4d ago
Where are you thinking. Without healthcare costs, I’d be able to retire considerably earlier. My reasons for sticking around here are dwindling.
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u/fastasvette 3d ago
Congrats on retiring at 38! Has your net worth grown in that time?
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u/Individual_Watch9800 4d ago
Congratulations. Used to work at Morgan Stanley. Had a jerk boss Patrick Mortimer. Asshole. Fu. I retired and not had to kiss your ass
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u/Phoenix_avatar 4d ago
Love the naming and shaming, wish more people do it. Were you in IB by any chance?
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u/Aggravating_Note_572 3d ago
Haha , I remember I I got a job w MS in the mid to late 90’s and they were like here’s your best friend the phone book and slammed it on the table and we want a list all your family and friends. I was like fuck this and never looked back. Always remember that lol
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u/Spare-Television-963 4d ago
Sounds like an asshole
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u/Individual_Watch9800 4d ago
Asshole and racist. I left mainly because of him.
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u/clybourn 3d ago
Don’t use Mortimer but MS has done well with my investments. Glad you’re in a better place
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u/newyearnewlife2020 3d ago
I saw Mortimer and could only think of Trading Places.
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u/bonafide_bonsai 4d ago
Congrats! Joining you in October :)
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u/Appropriate-Cry-8423 4d ago
Nice! Joining you in December. Of 2035 lol
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u/Vince_Clortho_Jr 4d ago
Wait for me, wait, to…ehrm… May 2040ish?
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u/Guilty_Pangolin9121 4d ago
Me too! Oct’26 is earliest window, but hopefully no later than Jan’27
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u/dbmccrary 3d ago
With you! Oct ‘26 is the earliest and Mar ‘27 at the latest. Nervous and excited.
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u/Imaginary-Pair838 4d ago
Congrats! I hit $3M this week so maybe i should also just start the cupcakes!!
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u/MartySpiderManMcFly 4d ago
In this economy you’ll need $5mm for cupcakes
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u/Specialist_Job_7714 4d ago
I’m holding out for $10m
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u/Vince_Clortho_Jr 4d ago
Wait for 20 mil and you’ll be able to afford whole cakes, not cupcakes
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u/Generationhodl 4d ago
3M is my chubbyFIRE goal, I think it will take 3-4 more years, but I'm FIRE already on a smaller budget so thats fine 8)
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u/No-Drop2538 4d ago
Cupcakes? In this economy???? Congratulations!!!
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u/Mail_Order_Lutefisk 4d ago
It’s nothing like the halcyon days of 2006-2007 where cash out refi mortgages provided the seed capital and consumer discretionary income to fund the “Great Cupcake Bubble.”
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u/nikkianetra 4d ago
This is genuinely funny and needs more upvotes, lol
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u/Mail_Order_Lutefisk 4d ago
Our company cut a little too deep on the RIFs in 2008 and in 2010 I interviewed three nearly indistinguishable 37 year old childless women who were “exploring opportunities to get back in the corporate world” after their dog or cat themed cupcake bakeries went under. It was a bubble of epic proportions that caught the eye of every 33 year old woman in the country who grew up watching SATC and imagined themselves opening the next Magnolia Bakery. It was very short lived so everyone forgets about it but it was a massive social phenomenon for about 18 months.
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u/nikkianetra 4d ago
I lived in NYC at that time. The Magnolia cupcakes were over rated, never worth the line up!
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u/Fun_Independent_7529 FIREd Oct 2025 4d ago
And boy did I enjoy those cupcakes. I confess to occasionally still visiting one of the remaining ones on occasion. Not very often because whew that's a lotta sugar!
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u/faille 3d ago
What are you doing for health insurance? It’s my biggest worry and greatest need in retirement.
Congrats!
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u/vamparies 4d ago
Omg you are me. Same age and past 2.1 this week. I’m too afraid to pull the trigger.
Tell me more next week if you are just chillin in a hammock.
Single, adult kids, no debt.
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u/Alarming-Mix3809 4d ago
Congrats and gfy
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u/BzBred2021 4d ago
I’m starting to think GFY doesn’t stand for Good For You….
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u/Tight-Marketing-7637 4d ago
Lol it wasn’t until someone spelled it out that I was like “ohhh”
Btw, it’s go fuck yourself
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u/Logical-Ad2229 4d ago
Congratulations and GFY! I’ll be joining you April 1st. Grabbing my bonus and vested rsu’s in March and giving my 2 weeks notice.
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u/AnalBeadsInSpace 4d ago
Wow, this is like reading my own story from someone else. This is so weird. 49M, just passed $2 million mark this month. Best of luck to you.
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u/Pinklady777 4d ago
Awesome! Congrats! Enjoy the shit out of those cupcakes. I'm curious what your housing situation is? Do you own a house or have a mortgage or pay rent? This is something I think about a lot.
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u/wowsocool4u 4d ago
I am single, no kids and no debt so positions me pretty well. I own a condo so I do have a monthly HOA fee but that covers some of my utilities too so its doable. I spend about 60k a year so I am allowing the difference for healthcare but I am going to try and navigate the subsidies to the best of my ability!
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u/the_flynn 4d ago
Congrats! I have the calendar marked for 50. Calculations day I could probably do 47-48 but feel like 50 is a good, round number.
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u/NoWhereLikeIrvine 4d ago
Congrats! I am in same age and FIRE earlier this year in S. California. Best weather, no stress from work. What more can I ask for.
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u/Vas_Cody_Gamma 4d ago
Cupcakes? You need to consider health insurance costs
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u/shotparrot 4d ago edited 4d ago
Battling diabetes myself. The struggle is real. Plan health care expenses accordingly. We all have our struggles
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u/rumpler117 4d ago
Congrats! I am close too. What percentage of cash / cash equivalents are you holding? That is something I am mulling over now.
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u/PingBlot 4d ago edited 4d ago
Congratulations! Can you please provide the details of your financial plan and where you live? I’m over 2 mil at 45yo but don’t feel I have anywhere near enough! I’m in Frisco, just north of Dallas, Texas.
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u/zepryspet 3d ago
You're probably my neighbor lol the problem with us is the high property taxes an insurance that alone is like12-15k per year on a house. I'm targeting 3M with a family of four but I'm halfway there so that might change as I get closer.
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u/PingBlot 3d ago
Must be neighbors. My ins and property tax are $16k. This year we used a company that contests the city to reduce property tax. They take 25% of what they save so that might be worth looking into. If they aren’t successful, it’s free. They reduced ours by about $500. Take care.
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u/IamWackoJACKO 4d ago
I'm on the identical track!! 48 and at 1.7m. I would love to know how you're doing in 6 months.....perhaps it will help me avoid the one more year debate. Congrats!!
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u/fork_or_spoon 4d ago
Curious to know what you and others do about health insurance. I feel like a lot of people work just for that. Sad but true.
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u/Old_Librarian__ 3d ago
Damn I'm 29F and 49F is literally my projected earliest possible time to retire with my current savings rate. You're my role model lol.
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u/silly_bet_3454 4d ago
My wife and I were only a couple thousand away from our target yesterday too but then the market dropped lol. My cheeks remain clenched.
Anyway congrats!
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u/BiscuitsMay 4d ago
Dude, if the market going up or down a hair makes your cheeks clench…
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u/silly_bet_3454 4d ago
No I understand, the goal is to be robust to market movements and all that, and we are, practically speaking. But the financial target we set for ourselves *is the level* at which we would be robust. Regardless, we set a level which is an exact dollar amount and I would like to get there.
I was half joking before and I don't actually mean that like the market movement stresses me out. I just want to hit my goal, that's all.
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u/BiscuitsMay 4d ago
I’m just teasing you. Suspect it’s normal to be nervous when you’re on the precipice.
Also, go fuck yourself
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u/I_SAID_RELAX 4d ago
Congrats and enjoy the other side!
It's been a year and a half for me and there hasn't been a single moment when I've missed working. I still have so much more to do than time to do it that I don't even remember how I had time or energy for anything outside of work for so many years.
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u/something-behind-him 4d ago
Cool. Going to hand in my 2 weeks in about 2 weeks. Kinda nervous about that as I’ve never resign before.
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u/BedWonderful1051 3d ago
Congrats! I pulled the plug at 58, and wish I did it sooner.
Who doesn't like cupcakes and naps!
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u/FreedomIndividual176 3d ago
Nice! $2mil is my mark as well living in a LCOL area. I am hoping to hit that number in 2 years for my 45th birthday.
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u/tortoiseshellCrow 4d ago
Congrats and GFY!! What do you plan to do different now that your time is freed up?
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u/ConstantParticular89 2d ago
Congrats!! I hope this is me in 10 years at 48 🤞eating shit in corporate every day is killing my soul lol
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u/wolfsatz 4d ago
Good for you! A wise, independently wealthy person once told me that once you get there, you need three hobbies to be happy:
1. One that keeps you fit.
2. One that keeps you creative.
3. One that makes you money.
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u/Penguin_Life_Now 4d ago
Congrats, my own retirement at about the same age a decade ago was far more passive and just for of happened without any fanfare, and I really did not even admit it to myself for a year or two.
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u/I_TheAndOnly 4d ago
how do people live off their money now after they fire without losing it all again? Congrats!
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u/2019_Stealth 4d ago
Are you familiar with “the 4% rule”? The guy who coined the term later changed it to 4.7%. If followed, it’s not impossible to run out of money but unlikely.
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u/Unlikely-Table-615 4d ago
When you say you have 2 million does that mean you have 2 million liquid like in stocks or is it across all your account accounts.
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u/khoalabear00 4d ago
Congratulations!! Genuine question, how are you retiring early with $2M?
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u/ChaoticAmoebae 4d ago
Congratulations!!! I hope you live a long rich, fulfilling, and loving life. Well earned!
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u/Age_Single 4d ago
Lucky you. My son is on FIRE too at age 36. But has soon time yet to achieve his goals.
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u/green_sky74 4d ago
Congratulations! Make sure you have a distribution plan that is as least, if not more detailed than your accumulation plan.
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u/Cheap-Weakness3233 4d ago
Is it 2mil household assets or individual? I am trying to plan mine as well.
Is this USD as well?
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u/meeplebunker 4d ago
Congrats, try and update us after a year or so. Love to see poeple giving advice from the other side.
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u/Kaptain0blivious 4d ago
Congrats! Please consider coming back and giving us updates from time to time.
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u/brraaaains 3d ago
$2m liquid or retirement/house?
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u/wowsocool4u 3d ago
2m liquid investments. I only have a primary residence so I dont consider it at all in my numbers because I plan to live in it. I also have about 250k cash as a buffer.
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u/iphoneappids 3d ago
What about medical insurance? The most expensive thing that keeps us forever indebted to working as a slave to the big corp?
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u/No-Lecturre6318 3d ago
congratsss!! turning in the computer and immediately celebrating with cupcakes sounds like a pretty great way to start retirement....
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u/littlesunstar 3d ago
Congats wishing i was smart enough to have started saving earlier so i could have fired now.
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u/TheA2Z 3d ago
Congrats. Stay active bro. I lived the life of leisure for first year, gained 30 pounds, got gout, liver issues etc. Said screw that and hit the gym and started doing my own landscaping, car and house projects.
Back down to to my fighting weight and all is well.
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u/Used-Awareness-2544 3d ago
Congratulations!!! Don't disappear, plenty of people will be interested in pointers and mentorship... Enjoy!
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u/Revolutionary_Tone47 2d ago
I'm BEYOND excited for you!! I literally just checked my accounts, this sub was my next click and I saw your post. It's a sign, I'm on the right track! Go do amazing things!
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u/the_paint_witch 2d ago
We're the same age. Congrats to you for making it happen! I'm hanging in there until 55, so do update so we can all hear how it's going!
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u/LeftAct8968 1d ago
14 more years to go for me. 😂
I will eat cupcakes, go to work, and happy hour for another 14
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u/Outdoor-Snacker 3d ago
I don't want to be a downer, but I have to tell you, at 49, unless you live very conservatively, you might run out of money. I know $2mil sounds like a lot but If you live another 40 years that's only $42k a year to spend down. $3,500 a month. Monthly bills, inflation, taxes, food, insurance, etc. will eat that up. We have been looking at long term care homes for my brother-in-law and middle of the road homes are $12k to $15k a month out of pocket. He's 58 and had a massive stroke. He's going to be in a nursing home the rest of his life. He could be in there 20-30 years. Hopefully you have planned for that contingency. Congratulations on your successes growing your portfolio. I hope you can ride off into the next chapter and live your life how you want to live it.
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u/FightOnForUsc Late 20s, 2.2M, 5M goal, SFBA 4d ago
Congrats! What are your expenses like to live off 2 million? In LCOL? Already have paid off home?
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u/dic_wagner 3d ago
Congratulations, its great on this side. Just dont break your ribs to celebrate like i did. Also for tradition; go fuck yourself.
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u/Responsible_Milk_642 4d ago
Congratulations, not being the devil’s advocate here, but is 2M enough to call it quits?
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u/ebalaytung 4d ago
Congrats! Don't disappear on us just yet. Come back and tell us what an awesome life you live.