[USER]

Help! I’m making a big life change and feeling scared.
I’m 41, a single mom to a 10-year-old, and have been at the same job for 15+ years. It’s comfortable, but I work long hours to juggle my career, childcare (no external support), and a rental property.

I barely sleep and feel like I’m missing the best years with my child.

So, I made a big decision: I told my job I’m leaving in June to take at least a year off, move closer to family (outside the U.S.), and rethink my next steps. But now that it’s real, I’m terrified.

My Goal:
• FIRE around 50 (I have 8-10 more working years in me but at a lower intensity, maybe earning ~$100-120k instead of my current $180k).

• I need ~$4,000/month to live as min, but my passive income only covers $1,500-$2,000, leaving a $2,000 gap.

My Financials:
• 401(k): ~$500k (includes $250k in dividend-paying stocks)
• IRA: ~$40k
• HSA: ~$10k
• Real Estate Equity: ~$200k

• Rental Net Income: $1,500-$2,000/month
• Current Salary (job I’m leaving): $180k

My Questions:
1. How can I generate income from my investments to cover the gap? A friend suggested using dividends—good idea?

2. Would part-time remote work be a good option? Any suggestions on flexible ways to earn?

3. Does this decision put my goal of retiring at 50 completely off the table? Should I reconsider quitting?

Any strategies, insights, or experiences would be greatly appreciated!

[Victoria]

Your financial foundation is solid, and retirement at 50 is still achievable through dividend optimization, flexible part-time work, and eight years of consistent accumulation – all that’s needed now is the courage to take the first step and the patience to make phased adjustments.

I used to be similar to you but I utilized most of my money for investing with the help of my uncle.

Now I’m very well off and have a decent amount of savings!

[Jonathan]

The problem is (and I see it here all the time) the majority of your net worth is tied up in assets you can’t access.

I don’t see any bank accounts/emergency funds listed, how are you to fund even 2 months off?

[Riotto]

I did what you did- randomly quit my job as a single mother with no real plan. I wanted to worldschool but due to animals I cannot at this time.

My only concern with your post/ plan is how you plan to continue making 100k- is your line of work something you can do remotely work your experience?

If not I’m not sure what other qualifications you may have for other remote work??

That is a hefty salary to rely on without already having the plans in place, or at least know it is an option.

[Russell]

To live off of $2000/mo from investments, you’d need to sell monthly or take dividends. Typical calculation is 4% of the value when you retire can be sold off annually.

Most of what you have is locked up in accounts you can’t access for years. You need to fund a bridge account, a regular taxable brokerage.

You’d need at least $600k in investments (real estate equity doesn’t count if it’s for the rental property).

You are pretty close if you include your retirement accounts…but you’ll need to burn savings outside of those to get you to the age you can tap them.

Get 401k matching, but beyond that all extra should go into a regular brokerage account.

[Noa]

Yes, to part time remote work. You can also possibly consult in your field. If you only need to earn 36k after tax to live, it should be feasible.

I’d build a cash buffer to not have cashflow issues.

Look into FlamingoFI.

[Katie]

It sounds like you only have about $10k in liquid assets, the rest are tied up in real estate or retirement accounts.

I’m a little confused what your plan was when you made the decision to leave your job?

If the rental income is all from one property, I wouldn’t rely on that income to be consistent (coming from someone with 12 rentals, my income swings from month to month).

If your tenant doesn’t pay for a few months, can you afford to pay the bills without that income?

Aside from the rental income, you don’t have any other assets that can generate income so you’d definitely have to get a job – and if that job only produces enough income to live off, you’re not moving any closer to FIRE.

You’ll need a gap in your income/expenses to be able to save more towards making early retirement an option.

[Aaron]

You already committed to leaving your job without a plan for how to pay for it? No wonder you’re terrified.

Unless you have a huge cash bucket not listed there are no assets listed that you can use to live on during this break.

401k withdrawals would be penalized. Selling the real estate is the only option I see.

This decision plus the idea to work at a reduced salary makes FIRE at 50 highly unlikely.

If the rental property is taking time you could sell it and invest the money more passively.

Have you tried setting some boundaries and dialing back the hours? If you’re considering leaving anyway, what do you have to lose?

The worst they can do is fire you with is no different than you leaving.

[Author]

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