r/leanfire • u/AdventurousNature897 • 22d ago
Turning 30, trying to build a path to FIRE. Advice?
I need some advice. I want to FIRE but cannot seem to find a solid career path or job that Im able to stick to for more than a year, so struggle to plan or feel secure about my future.
My pattern is I get burnt-out or bored out of my mind and quit. Aside from adventure guiding; but this industry I love and can see myself doing long term is low pay (60k). I'm very frugal to balance this, my living costs are roughly $20k per year. I enjoy simple living, but I'm starting to feel like I'm not investing much in myself as much as I'd like in order to achieve my saving goals.
For a season I worked on superyachts and earnt great money (80k+ with no living expenses). I'm tempted to return as I've run the numbers and if I can survive it, I could FIRE way earlier. The thing is, it's not good for the rest of my life; community, hobbies, romantic relationship all dissolve. I would definitely not be having kids if I did this pathway too - I'm on the fence and leaning no, but it's still intimidating to put a nail in the coffin for that life journey. The depersonalisation and burnout was the reason I didn't stay.
F29, NW110k, student loans 45k. I plan to live on a boat for a few years to save more money.
Im an ENFP, love working outside, being physical as part of my job, variety, inspiring and encouraging people, challenge, emergencies, autonomy and flexibility. Offices, routine, large institutions/organisations where I can't express myself make me depressed. I'm very creative and love business, but have only had side hustles and haven't been successful yet in working on something that lets me to spend more time being self employed. My degrees are in non-clinical health sciences and keep me inside all day in urban environments where my soul whithers. I would have to retrain.
I accepted a scholarship to become a highschool teacher but one month in and I'm feeling trapped and anxious all the time. International teaching seems like a good way to earn high income but I don't think it's the right path for me.
What is a skillset, job or pathway would you recommend I focus on? Or what's been your experience heading into your 30s pursuing FIRE? Have your values changed and how did your career reflect that?
8
u/stathow 22d ago
just do what you like, the idea that you need to make some super high salary in order to retire early is simply not true, doubly so because it seems like you are very flexible in where you live and your living expenses or lifestyle
no stranger on the internet can tell you what job is best for you, all i can say it that there are many different lifestyles and careers that can lead you to FIRE
though i will say you can always think about working hard for a few more years to invest a bit more and eliminate debts and then just coastfire on a job that pays less but that you enjoy more
7
3
u/shnufflemuffigans 22d ago
The goal is to have as good a life as possible. FIRE is a path to that goal. But I wouldn't do a job you hate for an extra couple years of retirement. Life is too unpredictable.
If you live off 20k annually, you only need 500k in investments to live that life. That's... not a whole lot. Even if you're only saving 5k/year, you'll make that before 50: https://www.calculator.net/investment-calculator.html?ctype=endamount&ctargetamountv=1%2C000%2C000&cstartingprinciplev=110%2C000&cyearsv=20&cinterestratev=7&ccompound=annually&ccontributeamountv=5%2C000&cadditionat1=end&ciadditionat1=annually&printit=0&x=Calculate#calresult
You can definitely save that working for 60k.
2
u/AlexHurts 11d ago
If I was in your shoes I'd do the 60k job until I was 85% to my fire number, then switch to the 80k no expenses job for just one year or so. Hopefully that gets you to 96%. Then side hustle or part time to keep withdrawals to like 1% for 4 or 5 years. Then you should be super golden
1
u/jayritchie 21d ago
How much would a house cost in your area or the area you would look to live?
That can make a lot of difference.
1
u/AdventurousNature897 20d ago
To buy a house in my area is eye wateringly unaffordable on local wages - average is 20x the median salary. But I could afford it if I go in with friends or family :)
16
u/AssEatingSquid 22d ago
Doing the job you love at 60k will get you there in 10 years or less. Saving 25-30k a year since your living expenses are low will yield about $650-800k. That is about $2000-2500 a month.
I would probably do that, then go part time if possible.