Need perspective: not FI/FIRE yet

[Darshan]

Hello,

I'm a 38‑year‑old woman, been in tech for almost 15 years. I'm feeling burnt out and thinking of taking a break for a few months, maybe up to a year or two.

I've spent almost four years in the US and have about $400 k saved here, including my 401(k) and HSA. I own an apartment in Bengaluru and a couple of ancestral properties back home. In India I have roughly 60 lakhs spread across various savings accounts. My lifestyle is pretty moderate and my parents don't need any financial support.

I'd like to spend more time with my parents and kids. My husband works in academia, so his earnings aren't very high.

Do you think I can afford this break? I'm also worried about getting back into the industry later.

Our current monthly expenses in a small US town are:

1. Rent – $1,600
2. Fuel + car insurance – $350
3. Groceries – $400
4. School fees and other activities – $600
5. Miscellaneous – $300

So roughly $3,200 a month. We also have occasional trips, mainly to India, which add extra costs. From my salary, $3,000 goes into equity purchases each month.

[Bharat]

Take a break of about 6‑9 months, skip the long India trips and opt for budget road trips within the US. That should be doable.

[Aarti]

It's not clear whether you want to move back to India or stay in the US.

[Shailesh]

It would have been a no‑brainer in normal times, but with AI taking over, there's a chance you might not find a role to return to after a long break.

[Prakash]

Your visa status—H1B or green card—makes a huge difference.