Hello fellow Mustachians,
I’m a multi-year lurker who’s interested in getting some advice from those with more and different life experience than I’ve had. I’m essentially looking for thoughts as to when to leave a lucrative career that while ok doesn’t feel like a dream job…but at the same time feel I may be too young to fully retire and am not sure what to do next?
My financial / personal summary: I’m in my late 20s and am nearing FI. On my latest NW spreadsheet I actually just crossed the threshold of covering my monthly spending + rent based on the 4% rule. I’m not truly FI as this doesn’t take into account things that I currently don’t have as direct spending (e.g., healthcare, subsidized travel & food costs that I get from my job, which I’d estimate are another ~$500 a month – the latter being luxuries I could probably do without or ‘cheap’ my way through with CC churning if desired). On a personal note, I have no dependents (e.g., children) and am engaged to a wonderful man with whom I share many life goals and who is already FI in his own right but continues to work to build in extra cushion, as he enjoys his work (at least for now). However, it’s a goal of mine to reach FI from my own career. We currently live in a very high COL area (which we have dreams to maybe leave one day) and may decide to have a family – at most 2 children, with 0-1 being more likely.
My job summary: I’m in a high-burn professional services career that's been manageable to date, but I’ve always wondered if I could be do something more meaningful, and am concerned about some changes on how the company will be managed going forward. I’ll stick around for the next few months as we’re nearing bonus season…but the question is what to do after that? Each additional year I stick around will give notable portfolio additions (e.g., lower 6 figures in savings), which will grow further over time as my career offers quick progression. I’m wondering if it might be time to pull the plug and have some ideas on things that would interest me to work on next, all of which would likely still generate a good salary but perhaps not at the level I have now. The problem is I usually work ~60 hours a week, which makes it a bit more difficult to manage a career transition (though I also realize this is also complacency talking). My current company offers decent sabbatical options, and options to do less intense positions for set periods of time. I could switch to a role in a big company with a similar pay that I have now, but think I might end up bored – and suspect that it’d be more of the same, with just better hours. I see myself working full-time for at least the next couple of years as I don’t feel quite ready for full-on ER – for now I like having a bit of bustle and travel, and also want to build a bit more of a financial cushion for the future (in case of kids, illness, etc.).
I recognize this is an incredibly situation fortunate to be in. What I’d like to get the forum’s opinion on is thoughts from other folks on letting go of the golden handcuffs, FI at less than 30, when to switch careers, getting over a potential quarter-life crisis, or any other wisdom you can share from your years on the planet. This is a great community, and I’m really impressed with the thoughtfulness and wisdom on here, so excited to hear what you have to say – face punches and all :) If there are any previous threads with a similar theme, please post the link! I browsed for a couple of hours before posting and didn't find a situation quite like this, but likely just missed it.
Tl;dr: If you’re pretty young and nearing FI, and wondering what else is out there in life and career but have a pretty cushy job as is, when should you pull the plug? What’s the difference between just a quarter-life crisis and when really it’s time to take the road less traveled in search of a passion?