CoastFIRE Transition

Hey r/financialindependence

I’m trying to figure out how to move forward with FIRE given family and housing goals. So far, my focus has been on putting myself into a position where I can CoastFIRE, but the mechanics of pulling the trigger leave me uncertain.

Quick Snapshot:

• 37M, married (35F), planning 2 kids in next 2–3 years (first within 1 year).
• Current combined income: $300k (me $170k, wife $130k).
• Current savings rate: ~50% post-tax.
• Target annual expenses: <$200k, including raising 2 kids.
• Plan: CoastFIRE while my wife works; possibly flexible/part-time work later.

Assets:

• Cash: $25k
• Roth IRA: $255k | Traditional IRA: $147k | 401k: $35k | Taxable: $415k | HSA: $40k
• Home: $450k (mortgage $326k)
• Rental: $1.1M (mortgage $490k, cashflow ~$2.5k/mo)
• Wife’s premarital assets: ~$450k
• Marital HYSA: $85k (for home down payment)

Goals:

• Buy ~$900k home in ~1.5 years.
• Retire while kids are young to offset high costs, but open to returning to work later.

Work:

• 15 years in insurance product development (data & ops focus).
• Looking for flexible, high-hourly-rate options during/after early parenting years.
• I'm pretty burnt out at my current level and looking for something that brings more fulfillment.

Questions:

1. Does CoastFIRE make sense with kids and a bigger home on the horizon?
2. How to balance premarital vs. marital assets to fund early retirement?
3. Advice on maintaining flexibility and cashflow during high-expense years?
4. Best ways to leverage my experience for flexible, high-pay work if I step back?

Appreciate any insight from those who’ve navigated similar situations!