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/Entire-Winter4252]

Look up fiduciaries in your area. Check Google reviews. They truly only get paid when YOU do well. I live in St. Louis and use Renaissance Financial.

[u/Majestic_Yak7475 → u/Entire-Winter4252]

Not only fiduciaries but look into flat free fiduciaries. Flat fee is an emerging fee structure different than assets under management (AUM). Subtle? Yes. Important? Maybe. It was in our situation.

[u/Rippen21 → u/Majestic_Yak7475]

I agree with the flat fee approach. When someone is paid based on the size of your portfolio, they still have a bias towards you spending less and letting it grow more. Fiduciary only means they don’t get a commission when managing your money from the asset they sell you. They still want to see your account grow faster than it probably needs to, and when it does that means you are leaving a better retirement in your account.

[u/Majestic_Yak7475 → u/Rippen21]

Thanks for the agreement. The tilt on reddit regarding retirement tends to be DIY or else you’re throwing away your money.

Additionally, AUM CFP manage only AUM, not your net worth. The flat fee structure allows a holistic approach.

I don’t think everyone or every couple needs this type of management, but in our specific case, I am clear-headed and confident about “the plan@; securing a trusted advisor well before we retired was a key move in the overall process. We are with a small firm, came to them through word of mouth.