Net just passed $3MM, $2.9MM invested, cannot FIRE!?

[l8_apex]

I'm in the camp that says you've got enough money, assuming you follow typical FIRE investment thoughts.

That being said, only you and your wife know if the time is right.

I ER'd at 46 a little prematurely as per my big-picture plans. I had a new boss at the time that I found to be unpleasant. Just a couple of months after I left that boss left, then the CEO asked me if I wanted to come back, and I told him we could do 3 days/week. (my boss knew full well about my ER) So that went on about a year and I decided to pull the plug for good at 47.

I'm single, no kids, and NW was 1.6MM at the time. It's been more than enough money, but I haven't yet run into a large unanticipated bill.

In my mind, ER was always the goal, so I don't have that level of uncertainty about it. If you can find any way to do a trial run, perhaps that will set your mind at ease.

Having worked in silicon valley, I knew lots of people that could have retired just based on their value of their home. Of course they'd pretty much have to sell and find another home in some other location, so I don't think I know anybody that went through the process of doing that. But hey, it worked for me, so, to each their own.

 

[imnontrad]

Maybe you can consider a different outlook. First keep a budget and track your spending. You may find a lot of ways that you are wasting money plus identify expenses that would not exist if you left work.
You may want to consider a 1-2 year sabbatical from work instead of retirement. Then use that time to travel, volunteer, get everything in the house in order (including dejunking). You can also use these years of lower income to convert Traditional to Roth for long term, tax free growth.
Then as you near the end of the 2 years, evaluate whether you will continue as you are, go back to work (because you enjoy it), go (back) to college to learn different subjects (and may be eligible for student health insurance), or even start your own business. The two years off will help you determine if your assets are enough based on your spending habits or not.

 

[incomefireball]

To get back to your original questions:

What's wrong with me anyway?

I'm going to say nothing is wrong. Humans were made to get satisfaction from work, and based on your fantastic net worth, you've probably put in a good amount of work so far and have made a habit of it. It's hard to break a habit.

Any advice from those who have been in this spot?

I haven't been in your situation yet (and being self-employed, probably will never be in an exactly analogous situation, unless I join the employed workforce.) That being said, even if you love your job, there are other jobs out there. So, biting the bullet and quitting that particular job will do no significant damage. You can always go back and find another job if you decide you hate not having a job. (Trying to do a sabbatical or leave of absence doesn't make sense to me. You're maintaining too many ties to that particular job.)

But my guess is that you might be bored not having something productive to do. If that's the case, I'd suggest talking about that with your wife. Then agree to, for example, quitting your job, taking 3 months off (no matter what) and start seeing the world, or whatever your wife's goal is. Do that just as a gift to her, even if it drives you nuts. Then after 3 months, re-evaluate your state of mind. My guess is that you may still want to do something productive. Start coming up with creative ideas for something productive to do that doesn't have you anchored down to the things your wife dislikes. (Things like consulting come to mind - you're probably near the top of your field with your great net worth. Or start a moonshot business. Mentor people who want to do what you did.)

Did I come even close to how you feel about things? It's possible I'm way off-base, but I think that's how I'd feel after killing it at my work for so long.

 

[SeanPizzle]

I'm in a similar situation. 50 years old, high stress/high reward technology sales career. Debt free, one kid in HS that has 120K in a 529 account and if I shuffled all of our assets around, I should be fine to quit tomorrow. However, if I quit, there probably wont be a way to come back. There arent s lot of guys in their mid 50s doing what I do. So while it's a grind, I'm going to give it two or three more years to bump up the 529 and 401k.

 

[cyber888]

My wife knows this has been our aim for years. We have "arrived" at our number (and I have a $19k/year non-COLA pension at 65, not counted in the 2.9) and she is pissed that I do not seem to be pulling the proverbial plug on the high stress gig.

I am 46. She is 37. Spend is around $85k with lots of travel baked in. We have shed the McMansion and most earthly possessions already.

She is ready to see the world. I am too but cannot separate from megacorp (the people & THE CHECKs).

What's wrong with me anyway?

Any advice from those who have been in this spot?

My NW is a little less than 50% of yours at 55 yrs, but DW and I have travelled 30+ countries and several US states for the last 30 years. The travel experience is priceless. See the world, enjoy life, and travel now while you are still young and able. It’s a blast. If you travel when you are older, you may not enjoy it with your old aching body. I specially like trekking Tibet and Everest at 20k+ feet, and trekking the Highlands of Scotland .. I wont be able to do that when my old worn out knees are shaking. [emoji38]