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Comment by ambiate | Hacker News Reader

I would feel secure at 600,000 post-tax for a 15 year adventure into research for bioinformatics, analytics, and embedded design.

During this 15 year break, I could easily notch away at the big circle of knowledge, generate side income, write books/tutorials and contribute to companies/individuals in software aspects.

I would also be able to work at night. I have a reversed circadian rhythm. I spend most of my nights getting 2-4 hours of sleep and murmuring about math and programming during the other 4-6 hours. A typical job schedule holds back my productivity.

My happiness is defined by obtaining/spreading knowledge. 40,000 (post-tax) a year is more than enough to maintain a household of three, take vacations, and stay on top of technology.

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Your sleep disorder may qualify for protection / 'reasonable accommodation' under the ADA.

According to my university's accommodation services, sleep disorders do not fall under the scope of these type of service accommodations. I took in sleep studies, health records, etc.

I wanted to have exams proctored at 7PM-9PM. My logic and reasoning fall extremely short at 8AM. I can sleep for 12 hours from 8PM to 8AM and still feel exhausted. Nothing is as rewarding as the sleep I get during daytime hours.

Nootroics, amphetamines, melatonin, all seem to fail.

Is your university public or private? Even if you cannot get accommodation from the university, you may want to speak with a lawyer for once you enter the workforce.

I would suggest 600,000 (pounds? dollars?) is actually more than you need - assuming you did 15 * 40,000 - as you haven't factored in interest.

we live in low interest rate environment so supposedly interest and inflation balance each other (or worse)

You're assuming the money is invested only as cash in the bank. It's quite possible to make considerably above inflation with other investments, and anyone with that amount of money is very likely to have a range of investment types.

You are correct. Interest was not factored in. 5-10 year investments with loan options are also a great alternative.

40,000 was mainly a number based around family, mortgage, food, transportation, classes, hazard/maintenance(car/home/health/life) and conferences.

It would be interesting to see how low I could get that number while mitigating the natural risks of family life.

How much of that theoretical nest egg would you risk to investments? 70%? 30%?

Inflation chipping away your savings is a given, but investments that match or beat inflation have no guarantees.

How much of the savings would remain after 15 years? Would you still feel secure going back to work in your 16th year with no money in the bank for your car/home/health/life?

Sorry for OT

That doesnt sound healthy, you should reverse your reversed circadian rhythm. I dont buy that this is given to you and you cant change it. When i get up at 6 a couple of days in the row its hard at first but after a while it wake up at 6 without an alarm (provided i go to bet early enough). If i stay awake until 2 all the time, i wont get up before 9. Thats a habit and you can change it.

Why assume he's being irresponsible ? People generally have more knowledge about themselves than a random observer on the web.

People who have sleep disorders such as Non-24 or DSPS will not set into a societally accepted cycle the way you do. While there are treatments for those conditions, they aren't as simple as just willing the problem to go away.

It is possible that the grandparent is simply habitually nocturnal... but it's equally possible that something else is happening.

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