[Wayne]

Hey all. I’m turning 40 this year. Insert all the feelings. I’m doing well on my FI journey.

I’m more than able to coast at this point. Greatful, blessed. But I really do enjoy the process. I feel like I’m building something.

As part of my budget this year, in a gift to myself, I’ve allocated myself 10k to allow me to to take a series of reasonable trips throughout the year.

But I’m wondering if I should just take the whole year off and live a little.

(Clarification: take the year off from saving and use that money to travel, car upgrades, restaurants… I’d still work.)
Has anyone done anything similar?

Thoughts?

[Johnny]

I took a 3 month sabbatical (company benefit after 7 years of employment). Loved every bit of it and would highly recommend.

It has helped me refocus on my purpose in my journey to FI.

[Lindsay]

Congratulations and good on you for rewarding yourself. Go with option A. While I’ve not done the exact same thing, here are some experiences of mine that relate.

1. I drive a 2000 Toyota Celica that I bought when I was 16 (I’m now 37). For a short bit, I owned a Toyota Highlander.

My husband and I were trying to have kids and the Celica isn’t a family car.

When we learned kids weren’t going to happen, I sold it and returned to the Celica.

I don’t miss that Highlander. Don’t do car upgrades unless it’s a must.

2. I did 7 weeks abroad in 2024 and it was fabulous. I’ve also taken week long road trips around Colorado and Tennesee and those trips (as well as many others) were also fabulous.

Those trips educated me, filled me up memories, and helped me feel more grounded in my own life. Prioritize the travel.

3. Small caveat: While in Nashville, I ate at one of the top steakhouses in the country. Wow. I still think about that meal.

I have a few other restaurant experiences like that, where I was in a cool spot and sought out the top rated place. When I eat out in my home town, I’m eating cheap.

When I’m traveling, I eat cheap-mid, but will sometimes go out for one really nice meal, and I havent regretted those.

So, enjoy intentional meals out at a nice restaurant while you travel, not just eating out more on the day-to-day.

[Walter]

Given what you’ve shared, yes! If that’s what you want, then go for it. I once dreamed of taking 2-5 years off when my kids (3) were in highschool.

Instead of doing that, I’m continuing to work full time but increasing expenses to do awesome things with them, like snowboard/ski for several years and taking big trips that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.

This is better to me than retiring at 45 vs 48 (or even 55).

You have to enjoy the journey, not just the end destination. It sounds like that’s what you’re shooting for, so enjoy your life!

[Dawn]

Can you take a year off and return to the same job? I’d probably grind it out until you’re ready to retire early, but definitely spend some time and money traveling!

I know when I have too much time off, it makes me too used to the good life and it’s VERY hard to go back to work (which is kinda my current situation).

[Kim]

Travel when you’re young when you can hike and bike an walk 25k steps a day exploring a new city!

[Damaso]

It sounds like you are doing well and are on the right path to FI. Life is not a straight line, so if it was me I would take the whole year off and use the money to travel like you want.

The caveat to this is you need to somehow find your way back to the FI road and continue making progress.

As long as you do this, you will be fine. Good luck!!!!

[Amy]

I have travelled over the course of my decades … I am now 53.
I would absolutely spend money on travel this year.

Don’t wait. You can’t get back time. I wish I had travelled more when I was younger.

Especially as you are in a good position already… go. Enjoy traveling to the fullest. Tomorrow is not promised.

FIRE is about the freedom to do what you really want to do.

[Jule]

My concern is that once you give yourself a higher budget to eat out and have some luxuries, it’s very difficult to go back, if you needed to.

[Catherine]

Honestly, if you can afford it and still get to your numbers when you want to, I would. My husband and I took my in laws to Italy this past summer.

It was eye opening to travel now more. Experience life in those years you can enjoy those moments.

They did a lot of hanging out at the resort and not a lot of walking and sightseeing.

[Tony]

Personally I don’t let an age milestone interfere with my goals, but rather try to live a consistently enjoyable life where I don’t feel like I need to sacrifice anything on the one hand or or reward myself in the other.

I recommend taking this year to learn the ins and outs of travel hacking so that next year that $10k drops down to $2k.

I take 3 international trips a year and 2-3 domestic trips and my total budget is around 3k, which is usually just food, local transit and a few tours here and there once miles and points cover the rest of my expenses.

[Catrina]

What would that get you? Which option is more valuable to you? Is there an experience that you really want to stretch to splurge on that the 10% doesn’t cover?

This is a fun question/exercise – tks for sharing!

[Dan]

I think that sounds very reasonable. I’m all about creating a life you don’t need to retire from.

You may find that if you loosen up a bit you may enjoy what you do even more which would allow you to continue working longer, even if less hours and under your terms and that will have a massive impact on your financial independence numbers.

Go go for it!

[Justin]

The closer I get to FI, the more lenient I get on my spending on things that I enjoy. Once you reach the stage where your money is working hard for you, I figure it’s ok to enjoy your income a little in the last years approaching retirement.

Lifestyle creep is a valid fear, but it’s not like you don’t have your finger on the pulse of your finances – if it makes sense and you’ve hit your goals, you should totally celebrate that!

[Carol]

Don’t completely quit anything for a year or it will be so much harder to start back again! I’m turning 40 this year too… Take trips and eat somewhere fantastic on each trip.

If you want do upgrade your car and you can afford it, go for it (after you get a quote on the insurance; I just got rid of a vehicle I loved because I failed to do this before I purchased and it was insane).

With so many in this world not making it to 40, it’s worth celebrating!

[Ankur]

Absolutely!
Take the year and indulge…what is the point of saving if you cannot enjoy your money?

Life is too short and tomorrow is never promised to anyone.

[Author]

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