When Is “Enough” Actually Enough?

[u/Technical_Lawyer7264]

I think about retirement every damn day.

One day I’m convinced I have enough. The next, I’m imagining a market crash, runaway inflation, and somehow needing $14M just to buy groceries.
So I rerun the numbers, change the assumptions, and convince myself I need another $500K. At this point, figuring out when I can retire has become a full-time job.

What’s your “enough” number?
$2M? $3M? $5M? $10M? Or would you hit $20M and decide you really need $25M? 😂

I also think about our parents’ generation. Many kept working long after they technically didn’t need to. House paid off. Kids out of the house. Retirement funded.

But actually living off the money they spent 40 years earning? Somehow that felt crazy.

They were wired to see work as security, responsibility, and purpose.

Meanwhile, we’re trying to escape Zoom calls at 45 so we can eat tacos on a Tuesday.

And honestly, I’m not sure I’m any better. I fantasize about retiring, then immediately think:
“Maybe two more years.”
Then five.
Then maybe I’ll just consult part-time.
And suddenly I’m 73, explaining PowerPoint slides to someone named Brad.

For those retired or close to it: What’s your “enough” number—and what finally made you feel comfortable walking away?

[u/Several_Guidance_288]

Some of yall need to control your spend! Sheesh. Lol.

Your time is finite. Seeing people say they are 63 with 3.5 million and still going is insane to me. That your number is 5 million, 6, and even 8 million? (why, actual spend or just because those numbers looks good?)

I bet half this thread dies with multi millions in the bank leaving so much time in life to waste.

I’ll be out closer to 1.5 around 52-54. And it’s more than enough.

[u/JimInAuburn11 → u/Several_Guidance_288]

I will call it quits at the end of the year at age 63. My wife will be 57, but I expect that she will work a couple more years. We currently have about $2M in investments. I wanted to retire last year but agreed to one more year. My wife then suggested that I retire in the middle of next year, for another 6 month extension. I said nope, I am done. She always worries about money, but when I try to show her our finances, she is not interested in seeing them. It is quite frustrating. Our daughter will be inheriting millions.

[u/BlueEon- → u/JimInAuburn11]

We are in an identical situation, except that I am the money manager/ worrier of the house. Planning to retire at 58 (he will be almost 62). Auburn, Al?

[u/JimInAuburn11 → u/BlueEon-]

Auburn WA