Many people working in corporate jobs dream of saving enough money to stop working early. A 35-year-old man says he may already be close to that goal, with a net worth of around Rs 4 crore and no plans to marry or have dependants.
However, money is not the only thing on his mind. The man says he is tired of office politics, feels lonely and is finding it difficult to continue in his current work life. He is now considering FIRE, or financial independence and early retirement, and has asked Reddit users if his savings are enough.
Man Shares His Rs 4 Crore Investment Portfolio
The man shared his situation on the r/personalfinanceindia subreddit in a post titled, “4Cr at 35. Good to FIRE? Exhausted with life!” He said he expects to need around Rs
12 lakh a year after retirement and plans to move to a Tier-2 city, where he believes his expenses will be lower.
According to his post, his total net worth is about Rs 4 crore. A large part of his money is invested across different assets, including Indian mutual funds, stocks, US technology company RSUs, retirement savings, precious metals and cash. His Indian mutual fund investments are worth around Rs 1.20 crore, while he has Rs 25 lakh in Indian stocks.
His US tech RSUs are worth around Rs 1 crore, and he has another Rs 20 lakh invested directly in US stocks. The man has also saved Rs 40 lakh through PF and NPS. His investments in gold and silver ETFs are worth Rs 15 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively.
He said he has around Rs 10 lakh in Indian cash. His US cash holdings include USD 70,000, which he valued at around Rs 65 lakh in his post. He also said some US stocks and RSUs have already been sold and that he plans to put the money into US-based ETFs.
The man does not own a house or a car and said he does not expect to receive any inheritance. He is also single and does not plan to get married.
He Expects His Expenses To Fall After Retirement
The man currently spends around Rs 14.4 lakh every year. Of this, around Rs 8.4 lakh goes towards rent, groceries and other basic expenses. He spends another Rs 6 lakh on travel and hobbies.
After leaving his job, he expects his yearly spending to come down to around Rs 12 lakh. His plan is to move to a Tier-2 city, which he believes will help him reduce his living costs.
But his main concern is not just whether his money can cover his expenses. He says his current work life has taken a toll on him.
Explaining why he wants to leave corporate life, he wrote, “I am mentally tired since I don’t want to be in a political cutthroat culture and don’t have anyone close, and I feel extremely lonely so much that I don’t even think that I can be with anyone. I am not in touch with my parents due to personal conflicts. Have few good friends, but they are in different cities and are busy with their families/lives.”
He asked Reddit users to look at his investments and spending and tell him whether he was financially ready to retire.
Reddit Users Suggest Taking A Break First
Several users felt that the man should not make a permanent decision while feeling mentally exhausted. Some suggested taking a long break from work before deciding whether he wanted to retire completely.
One user wrote, “4Cr against 12L yearly expenses looks pretty comfortable on paper. But given what you wrote, I would consider a long career break before calling it permanent FIRE. Sometimes you need distance from the job, not necessarily retirement from work altogether.”
Another Reddit user suggested, “Take a break and start travelling… who knows, maybe that gives you a new perspective on life.”
A person suggested finding some part-time or freelance work instead of completely leaving the workforce. They wrote, “I’m not a financial expert, so will hold off on your real question. But looking at this specifically, do you think it’s possible to consult and freelance? I mean, it’s easier said than done, but you’re already thinking about retirement, so it might fill your time and provide a supplementary income if you think you want it.”
4Cr at 35. Good to FIRE? Exhausted with life!
by
u/Jaded-Mammoth6229 in
personalfinanceindia
Some Advise Him To Change Jobs Instead
Others felt that quitting work altogether could make his loneliness worse. They suggested looking for a less stressful job, even if it meant accepting a lower salary.
One user wrote, “I would suggest this is a good start, but definitely take a break and rethink joining a low-stress job. Given inflation and everything, it’s good to keep your assets growing. Also, leaving a job might lead to a complete cut-off and add to your loneliness. Colleagues can be a good source of companionship.”
Another user shared a similar experience and advised him to try a different workplace. They wrote, “Set aside the FIRE part, I was going through a similar mental breakdown in a service-based company. Accidentally got a call from some unknown company, and I cleared the interview. This job is in the IT department of a non-IT company. It was way, way better than my previous experience. So try for a change and take a pay cut, too, if it helps.”
Disclaimer: This article is based on user-generated content. The claims made in the original post have not been independently verified by News18.
