2. Work at one or more MAAAMs for 10-12 years, while living on $40k/yr
3. Retire, maintain lifestyle
If you somehow run out of money, just pull a Michael Jordan or a Jay-Z
Variations include working 3 years on, 2-3 years off, or working 3-4 months per year. The point is that if you're a programmer and you don't have children, you don't have to work very much.
That sounds great. Unfortunately in America, healthcare costs depend a lot on how well your employer negotiates with an insurer. If you're on your own and you want the same level of coverage, you're gonna have to pay a lot more money. If it wasn't for that, I'd have totally taken a sabbatical since Covid started.
If you're in a state which signed on for post-Obamacare Medicare expansion (or WI, which self-funded BadgerCare), you may be eligible for free health care without a wealth test. In other words, if you cut off your income to rely on savings, you may be able to get good healthcare from the gov't, until such a time as you start making money again.
2. Work at one or more MAAAMs for 10-12 years, while living on $40k/yr
3. Retire, maintain lifestyle
If you somehow run out of money, just pull a Michael Jordan or a Jay-Z
Variations include working 3 years on, 2-3 years off, or working 3-4 months per year. The point is that if you're a programmer and you don't have children, you don't have to work very much.