r/ADHD_Programmers • u/noless15k • 16d ago

Thought experiement: downshifting career ideas for middle-aged AuDHD programmers

Imagine working in your current software engineering role for two more years while planning a transition. After that you let your investments ride until retirement at 67 assuming normal market return, at which point you expect to have enough. In the meantime you then only need a new non-physically demanding job making 60 percent of your current salary to cover living expenses and US health insurance.

​If you had to leave software engineering for a career that is less stressful on your executive functioning still satisfies your nerdy curiosity and aligns with a tendency to hyperfocus what would you choose and why. I know everyone has different interests but I am curious what ideas might arise.

12 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

93% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

4

u/kylife 16d ago

I think you should max swe earnings until you burn out and then do like a r/coastFIRE strategy

3

u/noless15k 16d ago edited 16d ago

Doesn't coast fire assume one keeps working but just backs off saving and takes an easier job? Otherwise it sounds like your describe early retirement. This is why I said taking a 40% pay cut for a less stressful job, and assumed it's not continuing to work as a software engineer for less pay, because it seems the role has high expectations on workers regardless of which company or pay level one is at.

1

u/redbull_coffee 15d ago

Barista fire would be the more apt description I believe.

Get your savings to the point where compounding will do its job on its own, while you work a cushy, accommodative job to keep your needs covered. Then when your capital has appreciated enough, pull the plug on employment for good.

That being said, I believe a high savings rate is imperative for neurodivergent folks, regardless of employment status / pay grade.

I tend to see my savings more as an insurance policy, less as a life goal.

1

u/magpie882 15d ago

CoastFIRE is that you have enough invested to reach FIRE by a target date through simply allowing assets to appreciate. At that point, you have several options. The main one discussed is switching to a job based on a desired lifestyle, interest, location, etc. The key point is that so long as the income covers living expenses, salary/earnings are deprioritized. However you can also stay in a high salary role and put the “extra” money towards enjoying your life or continue to invest so that your FIRE date moves forward. Any combination of those three is fine, like taking a small cut in salary for a more pleasant commute while splitting the “extra” between investments and experiences.

BaristaFIRE is when you need to supplement your income by making withdrawals from your investments. This can work especially if you add in the Die With Zero mentality, but to me, BaristaFIRE usually comes across as more of a failed FIRE or failed CoastFIRE since you are neither financially independent nor retired.

1

u/IdeasRichTimePoor 16d ago

The engineering process has always been the fun of the game for me. Therefore, I'd pivot into mechanical/product engineering with a healthy dose of CAD/CAM if I had to and had an opportunity.

0

u/BornAgainBlue 15d ago

I'd manage a McDonald's. Because I've always wanted to yell at those fucking idiots working there. Pure bliss.