younginvestor2013
Recycles dryer sheets
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2013
- Messages
- 226
There is currently a similar thread started "Checking out at age 40...." to this one, but I thought I'd post a new one since I'm in somewhat different shoes than the OP.
I am 24 and have been working for almost 3 years now. I've managed to save greater than 18% of my gross income since graduating, and combined with a UTMA my parents funded for me as I was growing up, I have a NW of about $325K.
I am not satisfied with my career, and have been thinking of new career paths. My job is not challenging, not engaging, not stimulating, and not exciting. The only thing holding me back from really diving into finding a new career is laziness and overall convenience in my lifestyle. I get in such a "comfortable" routine - grind out the 9 - 5 (work out usually over lunch), maintain a social life on the weekend and occasional week nights, and do it all over again every week. My job is easy - sitting behind a desk everyday (albeit boring) Is comfortable (non-strenuous), and I can save $10-12K every year on top of my NW. I don't deal with difficult people, and can work on my own terms for the most part.
But I find myself frustrated at work because I don't take anything away from it. I just crunch numbers in a cube all day. I often think about how much more exciting and engaging my life would be in other careers such as teaching, nursing, owning a business, or even other analytical type-office roles that require more engagement with others and persuasion.
I think if I could get into a position I truly valued, I wouldn't be so caught up with saving and FIRE. I have the net worth to peruse this, but my frugal self does not want to fork up a ton of money for another degree.
I've thought about pursuing teaching, but I don't even know where to start. Do I need to just get a teaching certificate, or do I have to go back to school?
I've also been contemplating buying a two or three flat - to live in one unit and rent the others out - but these would run north of $500-700K. I've thought if I can slowly acquire more real estate, combined with my current NW, and savings, maybe in 10-15 years I can live off my real estate. But I am not handy at all, and 10-15 years is a long time.
Or maybe I should appreciate the position I am in. If I continue to save, I could be FI at a young age.
Sorry for the long post, but I just feel like I am too young to be experiencing these thoughts. I have contemplated paying to take an advanced career placement test to see potential good fields for me to go into, but keep making excuses.
I am 24 and have been working for almost 3 years now. I've managed to save greater than 18% of my gross income since graduating, and combined with a UTMA my parents funded for me as I was growing up, I have a NW of about $325K.
I am not satisfied with my career, and have been thinking of new career paths. My job is not challenging, not engaging, not stimulating, and not exciting. The only thing holding me back from really diving into finding a new career is laziness and overall convenience in my lifestyle. I get in such a "comfortable" routine - grind out the 9 - 5 (work out usually over lunch), maintain a social life on the weekend and occasional week nights, and do it all over again every week. My job is easy - sitting behind a desk everyday (albeit boring) Is comfortable (non-strenuous), and I can save $10-12K every year on top of my NW. I don't deal with difficult people, and can work on my own terms for the most part.
But I find myself frustrated at work because I don't take anything away from it. I just crunch numbers in a cube all day. I often think about how much more exciting and engaging my life would be in other careers such as teaching, nursing, owning a business, or even other analytical type-office roles that require more engagement with others and persuasion.
I think if I could get into a position I truly valued, I wouldn't be so caught up with saving and FIRE. I have the net worth to peruse this, but my frugal self does not want to fork up a ton of money for another degree.
I've thought about pursuing teaching, but I don't even know where to start. Do I need to just get a teaching certificate, or do I have to go back to school?
I've also been contemplating buying a two or three flat - to live in one unit and rent the others out - but these would run north of $500-700K. I've thought if I can slowly acquire more real estate, combined with my current NW, and savings, maybe in 10-15 years I can live off my real estate. But I am not handy at all, and 10-15 years is a long time.
Or maybe I should appreciate the position I am in. If I continue to save, I could be FI at a young age.
Sorry for the long post, but I just feel like I am too young to be experiencing these thoughts. I have contemplated paying to take an advanced career placement test to see potential good fields for me to go into, but keep making excuses.