Stalled in a decent spot...

[Capt j-rod]

I can't help but feel that the wife and I have kinda stalled in our FIRE plans. We could cut more but the wife is pretty set in the ways that enough is enough. We rarely ever eat out, and all the cars are paid off. The rentals are running smooth and I am remodeling number 6. We are paying off the house at a rapid pace 3x the principle monthly, as well as her student loan 3x monthly principle. All the employer retirements are set to get maxed out early in the year. We eat very well and rather healthy, we don't buy stupid stuff, and we are easily able to save 35% of the take home. We used to do better, but the wife made a job change to get a higher quality of life which took a 40% cut in pay. We still have plenty of FU money, and very low interest rates on the remaining debt. I guess it is starting to feel like auto pilot now that we have done it for 4 years. I guess it will get more exciting in a few weeks when I get ready to start the plants for the garden and the weather warms up... Anyone else kinda feel like they're in a rut?

[EconDiva]

I'm just curious if you don't mind sharing your ages and how much time you have til FIRE?

On another note...I wouldn't consider this being "in a rut"...sounds more like you've "got it all figured out", which is a GREAT place to be in.

[Capt j-rod]

We're 39 with two kids 6 and 4. No urgency to retire, no real number that will "set us free". We really just like the options that FI offer up. The debt payments and spending is almost covered by the rental incomes. Health insurance keeps the wife working full(ish) time. I have my own company doing HVAC and plumbing. As I add more rentals I back down the HVAC. We travel when we can in the camper usually 4 weeks every summer. We considered down sizing the house, but we have remodeled it to fit us and we bought it dirt cheap. Like the title says, stalled in a decent spot.

[maizefolk]

I've actually used the same phrase of "stuck on autopilot" to describe how I've felt a lot about my FIRE plans the last three-ish years. I finally got a good and potentially permanent job. While the pay is good there's very little scope to grow my income beyond the difference between a 0.5 and 2.5% annual raise. I've done a bunch to get my cost of living low. I could probably cut more in the short term, but in the long term this is about my lifestyle target for FIRE. There just isn't much more (under my control) that can move the needle on my FIRE date an awful lot.

I think this is where you go out and focus on finding ways to enjoy the life you are living now as much as possible.

[marty998]

Yup. This is what happens - for 5 years now I've been on autopilot of "pay off debt" or "buy shares".

I feel like it should be more difficult... like you should have to make decisions.

Constant battle to keep it simple.

[HawkeyeNFO]

What's the problem?  Seems like you're doing just fine.  Maybe add some points and miles from credit card sign-ups, and set up a trip to someplace fun?

[undercover]

That's life...complete goals, create new ones, and learn to be content in the interim. FI is nothing but a huge goal that you will attain and then keep going.

[Rosy]

Sweet spot to be stalled in:)

[frugledoc]

I'm just curious if you don't mind sharing your ages and how much time you have til FIRE?

On another note...I wouldn't consider this being "in a rut"...sounds more like you've "got it all figured out", which is a GREAT place to be in.

It is a great place, but I empathise because it feels sort of boring.  Like you can just coast and you will make it.  It's like a financial variant of a mid life crisis.

[terran]

Congratulations, you have just become rich!

[Trifle]

Congratulations, you have just become rich!

You nailed it Terran!!  Thanks for linking to that post.  Somehow I missed that one, and it's good. 

[Brother Esau]

I found that being on "auto pilot" with regards to FI means that you are winning. Opens up so much more time for activities, education, family, fun, etc!

[terran]

Congratulations, you have just become rich!

You nailed it Terran!!  Thanks for linking to that post.  Somehow I missed that one, and it's good.

Yeah, I wasn't sure exactly what it was about, but I knew there was one about things going on autopilot. It was good to read again.

[Capt j-rod]

Don't read this wrong guys, I am very blessed to have found and followed this resource and lifestyle. I guess I miss finding stupid things from the past that moved more money into the machine. It was exciting to find these loop holes and look for more. I have now picked all the low hanging fruit. This thread is the result of another that asked "Is FI really this easy?" I had to think about it and son of a bitch! It really is and was that easy. I'm no where near as hardcore as our fore fathers that started this site, but I definitely fixed my money problems. Time to plan some camping trips and string up the fishing pole, spring is coming. I detailed, waxed and serviced my truck today.

[Trifle]

Don't read this wrong guys, I am very blessed to have found and followed this resource and lifestyle. I guess I miss finding stupid things from the past that moved more money into the machine. It was exciting to find these loop holes and look for more. I have now picked all the low hanging fruit. This thread is the result of another that asked "Is FI really this easy?" I had to think about it and son of a bitch! It really is and was that easy. I'm no where near as hardcore as our fore fathers that started this site, but I definitely fixed my money problems. Time to plan some camping trips and string up the fishing pole, spring is coming. I detailed, waxed and serviced my truck today.

I'm glad you posted this Capt j-rod.  I am in the exact same place mentally.  On one of the other threads I called it the "doldrums", but I was having a hard time putting it into words.  The comments from everyone here, and Terran's link to that old post, helped me articulate what's going on psychologically at this stage.  The stash bucket is filling; I don't need to stand there, watching and fretting about it.  Time to go on some hikes and work in my garden.