[Willy]

Hi guys, I just turned 40 this year and to be honest, I feel strange. On one hand, I feel happy that I make it this far in life (I am still alive, not rich but just enough and healthy) and I understand more about life, have more wisdom than when I was in my 20s or 30s.

on the other hand, I also feel a bit lost when it comes to job.

I have been a corporate slave for 17 years and to be honest, I am sick of it.

I have moved from one company to another and there are always BS from crazy boss, toxic colleagues, stupid nonsense work, company get bought out, termination, bankruptcy = you name it, I went through them all. this is the time when I start to ponder = what can I possibly do more.

I want to have security and I am halfway done on this planet earth (my life expectancy is probably around 80).

I want to have small business outside of my job but got no idea of what.

and my wife is pregnant with our first baby.
I already invested in stock market but I dont know if the return will be enough for my retirement.

many people I know who invested starting in 2009 are already very rich because of boom time these past 15 years. but I am not sure going forward and I only started seriously 5 years ago.

I always feel restless and not secure with this life.

what age in your life when you start to feel you are financially independent? like you feel you are financially unbreakable.

[Halim]

Have a plan and start chipping away. I have been a corporate slave for exactly 17 years as well.

What I’ve realised over the last 6 years is that your job really determines how happy you are, and not how much you earn.

When I was working at a small family company I was much happier despite earning less, and FIRE seemed easier because you’re not always counting the days.

After I quit and moved to a corporate business, I was counting everyday to FIRE despite earning more.

Have a FIRE plan and consider a switch to a workplace where you don’t have to wake up each morning dragging your feet.

[Ian]

I think most people who have “made it” would tell you that it’s more about your mindset or mentality than it is about money.

If you don’t feel like you are in control of your life it doesn’t matter how much money you have in the bank.

If you feel like you do have control of your life, it doesn’t matter how much money you have in the bank.

Your ability to control your own life is what makes the difference. Not the money.

[Janelle]

First off—happy 40th! It’s a milestone, and it’s completely normal to feel both accomplished and uncertain at the same time.

You’ve survived 17 years in the corporate grind, built wisdom, and are now preparing for an exciting new chapter with your first child on the way—congrats on that!

Your restlessness is a sign that you’re ready for change. Many in FIRE (myself included) felt the same way in our 30s or 40s.

The key is ownership—owning assets that work for you (stocks, real estate, business) rather than selling your time for a paycheck.

Since you’re already investing, consider increasing passive income sources—dividends, rental properties, or a side business that scales.

As for feeling “financially unbreakable,” it varies. Some hit it in their 30s from aggressive investing during boom years, others in their 50s through slow and steady wealth-building.

The important thing is direction. You’re investing, thinking ahead, and questioning the rat race—that alone puts you ahead of most.

If you want security beyond stocks, maybe explore businesses that align with your strengths—consulting, e-commerce, or even something local and recession-resistant.

And don’t underestimate compounding. The next 10–15 years can still be a game-changer.

[David]

44/M. It took investing in real estate for me to start feeling comfortable and not worried about the economy or markets or their returns.

I purchased a few properties and that easily set me up for Coast Fire.

All I had to do was live long enough to retire and retirement was taken care of.

I purchased a few more and then Fired. Now, I keep purchasing one property a year to reach Fat Fire in a few years and create massive gnerational wealth.

My big problem is mental boredom. Family and relationships and hobbies just don’t quite hit the mental exercise that my work used to.

[Derek]

I’m slightly older than you and I will just say that once your baby is born, your perspective will change.

Your child will become the most important person in your life.

While you still will need money to survive, for me it stopped being about chasing some monetary video game target – 1 million, 5 million, 10 million saved.

Life became a bit more about finding balance in all things – work, FIRE, family.

Sounds a bit cheesy, but that is my honest perspective.

If you can achieve this, you have succeeded imo.

[Willy]

Congrats on having a baby. A child usually Brings new meaning into your life.

PS. My oldest is attending IVy League and we were totally unprepared for it (tuition cost).

Not that I want to add extra stress in your life but think if you can start 529 plan or maybe investment fund for the child’s future.

[Kile]

That baby will save your life, my girl saved mine. Everything in life is a little sweeter, I too a corporate slave.

Everything just rolls off my back now that I get to see this little girl everyday!

[Jeremy]

First off, you have just crossed a very important threshold in life. Congratulations on your midlife crisis!…

Now that you realize that you are about half way done with life, you are now terrified and questioning everything… It’s a shitty feeling… But you are only halfway!

You see, the midlife crisis period is just a period. You don’t have to stay in panic mode… You’re “old”… Nobody gives a fuck. I’m not trying to be mean.

It’s just the reality of LIFE… It’s just yours. Nobody else is really looking. Nobody cared the way you thought they did…

Now you get to live for YOU! It’s not about titles, power, or sadly… money.

It’s about breaking out of the matrix and being comfortable with you… Just the way you are…

Money is something we spend. Having enough is a mindset. There are no rules for being “rich”. It’s a mentality.

It’s, “I’m sick of working to be something that I don’t care about!”… It’s, “I’m going to use my money to invest in myself and my future but, I will also cut out toxic expenses.”…

Just observe and figure out your own FIRE. There are no set rules. There are tons of strategies.

Many of those strategies are from parts of someone else’s strategy… Just listen… Read what these successful people are sharing.

Not all of them will resonate and that’s ok! Build your FIRE as you go!

[Christof]

Financial independence has nothing to do with age, it’s just the numbers. Earn more than you spend, super simple.

We complicate it by our emotional reactions to money.

Doing it the most passive way is simply through stock investing, but that takes time.

If you want to accelerate the process, become an entrepreneur, but that takes alot of grind and a little bit of luck.

[Author]

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