What to do with my career?

Ignore throwaway title

Quick context - wife makes around $1-2M annually - We live in a tier 2 city. We love it here and the most expensive homes go for ~$3M (4K square feet, large lots, etc.). Not the cheapest but not NYC/SF - I work in tech startups. Previously MBB + MF PE.

The question I have is what do I do with my career? I make around $250K base + equity but it’s very marginal to the HHI and doesn’t add much to our lifestyle. On one side, I want to take a lot of risk and shoot for FU money. On the other side, I want to retire and just quit working and spend time with the two little ones. Former feels “right” from a career progression POV but candidly I do not like working. But if I retire, it does feel like a waste since I didn’t have the worst career to-date. Curious what others would do.

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Why not quit and spend time with the little ones. Then join a local venture capital investment group and look for deals to invest in given your experience in tech start ups. You can also consult the companies you invest in, especially if they are local companies. Get involved with a local incubator. Really these are just for something to do part-time and keep you sharp.  

 

Know a couple like this. Recently bought a $3M+ home, both are in their late 30s. Wife runs a multimillion dollar business and husband ended up pursuing a 'passion' career with lower comp but an equity option that might be lucrative one day (was in a similar prestigious job as your background before the wife hit some meaningful liquidity from her business). 

So TL;DR. Find a passion and try to find a way to make that part of your career. Good luck

 

Just me, but I think getting into politics could be cool if money isn't an issue due to wife's earnings. Being a state rep / senator is cool and you meet a lot of different people. Completely understand it's not for everybody.

 

If you become a stay at home dad and manage the families lives and investments, y’all will have FU money soon just by saving a bunch.

 
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