This may sound all mushy and philosophical, but since I have my dawgman mask on, I will bare my soul some and ask the question to you old wise ones who have "figured it out". I'm mathematically 4 yrs from my FIRE date (55). I have picked this date based on the following... arbitrary number based on age, last kid (out of 4) graduates from college and has spent 1 more yr at home getting her feet wet, and math adds up. Here's my problem and this may sound weird/pretentious, but I when I look back at my ridiculous fortunate life, I struggle letting go at 55. Here's my pickle and perhaps some of you have experienced this. I am a self made self employed guy who has had crazy fortune in life. I hit the lotto... have 4 great kids, love my wife of 28 yrs, have my health, and have had a very fortunate career. My FIRE goals may be more lofty than most ($200k +/yr), but I have fortunately (maybe unfortunately) gotten used to a min standard of living. I'm a frugal bastard at heart, but the sucking sound of success has lured me in a certain standard of living. Despite my higher standard of living, I have always socked away significant $. I am/have been the money machine since my 1st kid was born (26 yrs ago) as my wife stayed home by design. I don't hate my job, but am exploring other things that hopefully give me purpose in post FIRE. I am doing test runs now with my DW and hoping to have an epiphany that says, yes, this is it! Now that I have indulged myself upon you, here are my questions...
How have you transitioned from a $$ machine to a FIRE and made peace with it?
What steps did you take preFIRE to ensure your transition was successful?
Looking back, what would you have done differently in your transition (if anything)?
I know my dilemma sounds like "rich people problems", but I am really after the big question of how those of you have successfully transitioned to the other side and found the fufilment you were seeking.
How have you transitioned from a $$ machine to a FIRE and made peace with it?
What steps did you take preFIRE to ensure your transition was successful?
Looking back, what would you have done differently in your transition (if anything)?
I know my dilemma sounds like "rich people problems", but I am really after the big question of how those of you have successfully transitioned to the other side and found the fufilment you were seeking.