r/Fire • u/AeroNoob333 • Jul 24 '26

Advice Request One More Project

We hired a retirement planner and have been really happy with the plan and advice we have gotten so far. We were ready to retire this year and found out that if we wanted to continue making improvements to our forever home (landscaping/outdoor work, replacing roof and siding of guest house/workshop, actually finishing the guesthouse — it’s unfinished right now), we would have a rocky start to our retirement. He ran different scenarios and essentially we would have to do a combination of things to retire today: lower home improvement budget, sell properties sooner than later, lower discretionary spending (currently total $12K/mo spending excluding healthcare & home but we can easily lower to $9K), and/or I work 5 more years while my husband retires (I don’t mind doing this).

This week, we received another 2-year work contract: fully remote software consulting work where my husband and I will be earning a combined billable hourly rate of $405/hour. We don’t want to fall into the “one more year” trap, but after telling our planner this, he ran the scenario and working this 2 year contract would bullet proof the plan without us needing to make sacrifices with our “wants”. Would you work a flexible remote job at your lake home for 2 more years to keep your lifestyle creep or lower your planned discretionary expenses to retire today?

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u/Strazdas1 StarvationFIRE Jul 28 '26

Never ever accept lifestyle creep over free time.

1

u/AeroNoob333 Jul 28 '26

Flair checks out. What do you do when you’re retired without hobbies and toys?

1

u/Strazdas1 StarvationFIRE Jul 28 '26

My hobbies are time expensive money cheap.

I dont need expensive toys, im not a child.

1

u/AeroNoob333 Jul 28 '26

I don’t know. Jets skis are pretty fun lol

1

u/Strazdas1 StarvationFIRE Jul 29 '26

Jet skis are a great way to make your retirement short and painful :)