if my father wasn't a massive narcissist and my mother an enabler I could be at float fire but instead I am going to be paycheck to paycheck to gtfo before i can really afford to.
idk, 26 and finally getting out again after college dorm life i had to return. minimized expenses, paid off most my debts and am years ahead of some of my peers financially-- at NetWorth Zero but I cannot actually build wealth given the expenses at my new place of living, going to be coasting paycheck to paycheck but trapped in the rat race for some extra years all because my parents are evil incarnate. Was it worth it to move out? Honestly? Yes, my mental health will deteriorate less by being caught in the cycle than having to continuously endure psychological abuse from my parents and the golden child sibling; i stuck around for a little longer to attempt to maintain scapegoat status and shield the youngest sibling from their rath but they are a legal adult now and haven't figured out the root of their problems is our parents and even allow the narcissists to turn them against me (it doesn't seem like playing along to avoid their wrath at this point) so i am fucking done!
When does it become not worth it? Whenever you have had enough. Whenever the stress becomes not worth the financial position. Your well-being is more than FIRE, stages of fire will help don't get me wrong, but achieving FIRE because the stress killed you young is not the way