Anonymous
02/09/2026 08:57
Subject: can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I know Congress didn’t approve the extra HCA subsidies, but the basic ones are still in effect.
I think OP’s healthcare would be heavily subsidized (maybe free) at this income level.
A relative in FL makes $75000 per year and pays $0 for a bronze plan (silver and higher would cost something).
Another Floridian. I paid $1400 for a high deductible bronze plan. My understanding in Florida if your gross pay is $46,000 or more you get no subsidies. I don't believe your relative.
Is it possible it's double that amount for a family? So, if you make $92,000 or below as a family it's free?
It is for him, his wife and one child.
Anonymous
02/09/2026 07:23
Subject: Re:can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The rental income $6500 is gross income.
Monthly expenses
Mortgage: $4020
HOA: $120
Gas: $147
Electric: $400
WIFI: $90
Phone: $40
Housekeeping: $200
Credit Card: $1000-$1500 (food/gas/entertainment, medical copay)
Water: $65
Auto Insurance: $200
Your 'credit card" spending seems really low to me for a mom with two teenagers, at your income level and presumed standard of living.
How sure are you that it is accurate? Does it include kids expenses (shoes, clothing, classes, tutoring, sports equipment?). Holiday/birthday gifts? Food - includes groceries, take out, dining out, special meals? Vacations? All entertainment? AND all medical copay?
I'm not saying it is impossible to be so frugal. But someone with a $4020 mortgage plus a $200/month cleaning service usually isn't just spending $1500 a month on "life" so I question if it is accurate.
+1 other than my mortgage-my big expenses each month are kids feeds for sports activities and academic enrichment/tutoring.
Anonymous
02/09/2026 07:21
Subject: can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
You're kids are too young for you to effectively retire in two or three years if your job goes away. Plan for a new job now, work at least until kid #2 is done with college. Then reassess. I wouldn't suggest retiring until you are mortgage-free.
Anonymous
02/09/2026 02:58
Subject: Re:can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The rental income $6500 is gross income.
Monthly expenses
Mortgage: $4020
HOA: $120
Gas: $147
Electric: $400
WIFI: $90
Phone: $40
Housekeeping: $200
Credit Card: $1000-$1500 (food/gas/entertainment, medical copay)
Water: $65
Auto Insurance: $200
Your 'credit card" spending seems really low to me for a mom with two teenagers, at your income level and presumed standard of living.
How sure are you that it is accurate? Does it include kids expenses (shoes, clothing, classes, tutoring, sports equipment?). Holiday/birthday gifts? Food - includes groceries, take out, dining out, special meals? Vacations? All entertainment? AND all medical copay?
I'm not saying it is impossible to be so frugal. But someone with a $4020 mortgage plus a $200/month cleaning service usually isn't just spending $1500 a month on "life" so I question if it is accurate.
This requires an entire new thread about frugal spending. My kids are happy wearing comfortable clothes from their older cousins, dont know about brand names and dont have their cell phones. They aren't athletic and have no interest in sports. They get tutoring ($350/mon each but this isnt a long term expense) and birthday parties (also varies per kid preferences). We use the library, eat out only on special occasions, dont buy organics, don't get food delivered, and don't get Starbucks drinks. We use the Facebook BN group and goodwill. We do vacation but the last vacation was months away and we dont stay at 4star resorts. I use my credit cards for groceries, copays, school lunches, gas and get cash back. My credit card balance is usually around $1500. Some people spend on luxury bags, nails, shoes, cars - i love coming home to a clean house and choose not to scrub my toilets.
This will change when they are teens and a cell phone is needed for school. You could reduce the tutoring as there are plenty of cheaper online options. Sometimes grocery delivery is cheaper, like at Walmart, depending on where you shop.
Anonymous
02/09/2026 02:14
Subject: can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
Teenagers without cell phones? You can get a plan for $10/month and a new phone for $100? Do you live in the DMV or something like an Amish community?
Anonymous
02/08/2026 23:17
Subject: can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
Wow. I’m impressed your kids don’t want cell phones. Also impressed with your extremely low credit card expenses. We spend more that amount on food alone each month.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 23:05
Subject: Re:can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
I think you would want more in your non retirement brokerage/savings.
As others asked, could you do something else in your industry or adjacent?
As others asked, could you do something else in your industry or adjacent?
Anonymous
02/08/2026 22:48
Subject: can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
Anonymous wrote:You should start planning NOW some sort of lateral move, either in your field, or in something different but for which you can parlay your skills. It doesn't need to pay as much, but I don't think you should retire just yet. Your rental property income is a wonderful cushion, but it's going to be hard to live off of that with 3 people. Don't you dare touch your retirement account.
+1
Anonymous
02/08/2026 22:23
Subject: Re:can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The rental income $6500 is gross income.
Monthly expenses
Mortgage: $4020
HOA: $120
Gas: $147
Electric: $400
WIFI: $90
Phone: $40
Housekeeping: $200
Credit Card: $1000-$1500 (food/gas/entertainment, medical copay)
Water: $65
Auto Insurance: $200
Your 'credit card" spending seems really low to me for a mom with two teenagers, at your income level and presumed standard of living.
How sure are you that it is accurate? Does it include kids expenses (shoes, clothing, classes, tutoring, sports equipment?). Holiday/birthday gifts? Food - includes groceries, take out, dining out, special meals? Vacations? All entertainment? AND all medical copay?
I'm not saying it is impossible to be so frugal. But someone with a $4020 mortgage plus a $200/month cleaning service usually isn't just spending $1500 a month on "life" so I question if it is accurate.
This requires an entire new thread about frugal spending. My kids are happy wearing comfortable clothes from their older cousins, dont know about brand names and dont have their cell phones. They aren't athletic and have no interest in sports. They get tutoring ($350/mon each but this isnt a long term expense) and birthday parties (also varies per kid preferences). We use the library, eat out only on special occasions, dont buy organics, don't get food delivered, and don't get Starbucks drinks. We use the Facebook BN group and goodwill. We do vacation but the last vacation was months away and we dont stay at 4star resorts. I use my credit cards for groceries, copays, school lunches, gas and get cash back. My credit card balance is usually around $1500. Some people spend on luxury bags, nails, shoes, cars - i love coming home to a clean house and choose not to scrub my toilets.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 17:10
Subject: can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
Anonymous wrote:You can make 50K in retail??
I’ve seen retail positions that pay 90
Anonymous
02/08/2026 16:22
Subject: Re:can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
Anonymous wrote:Become a teacher. I made that switch when I needed to leave my stressful job and was not quite ready financially to be retired. I found a great school with mostly motivated students. My days are shorter, and I work 192 days a year, or less with snow days and personal leave.
I’m blown away that this is always the DCUM recommendation.
I work with new teachers. They often come in expecting it to be easier than their former jobs. Many don’t last two years.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 16:07
Subject: can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
Anonymous wrote:Short answer is no. Health insurance will bury you regardless of the gross income from the rental properties. Current day costs, premiums will run you $1800-$2200 a month plus you will have a deductible of $10,000 to $15,000 for your family. This is unfortunate but a reality. Plus, your current expenses only run a razor, thin margin with your gross income from your rental properties. You could get a way less pain, less stressful job that has health benefits. Do not sell the rental properties. You will be paying capital gains taxes. Keep the passive income from the rentals.
premium depends on where you live. MD is the cheapest, but VA and DC not too far behind.
We are a family of 3, oldest 61 yrs of age, and we pay $1550 for a hdp.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 15:58
Subject: Re:can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
Anonymous wrote:The rental income $6500 is gross income.
Monthly expenses
Mortgage: $4020
HOA: $120
Gas: $147
Electric: $400
WIFI: $90
Phone: $40
Housekeeping: $200
Credit Card: $1000-$1500 (food/gas/entertainment, medical copay)
Water: $65
Auto Insurance: $200
Your 'credit card" spending seems really low to me for a mom with two teenagers, at your income level and presumed standard of living.
How sure are you that it is accurate? Does it include kids expenses (shoes, clothing, classes, tutoring, sports equipment?). Holiday/birthday gifts? Food - includes groceries, take out, dining out, special meals? Vacations? All entertainment? AND all medical copay?
I'm not saying it is impossible to be so frugal. But someone with a $4020 mortgage plus a $200/month cleaning service usually isn't just spending $1500 a month on "life" so I question if it is accurate.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 15:26
Subject: Re:can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
It is pretty simple.
3% SWR off of $2.5 million is $75k per year.
Add $80k of rental income that's 156k per year.
Subtract taxes and any penalties for early withdrawal if you are taking from retirement accounts.
If you can afford to pay all of your expenses from that, then you can afford to retire.
3% SWR off of $2.5 million is $75k per year.
Add $80k of rental income that's 156k per year.
Subtract taxes and any penalties for early withdrawal if you are taking from retirement accounts.
If you can afford to pay all of your expenses from that, then you can afford to retire.
Anonymous
02/08/2026 08:08
Subject: can I afford to maintain my household if I don't work again?
Anonymous wrote:You should retire ASAP and start enjoying life. You’re almost ready. You have more than enough.
+1
The answer to the OP is Yes.