I worked for Motorola as a software engineer in the late 90s and was getting stock options somewhere around my third year in the company. They used it to keep their best talent (not bragging, but only the top-rated engineers got them). So it isn't like that is new.

What is FIRE?

I used to by much bigger into investment; even being one of the first online trader accounts on eTrade. I read nearly everything Motley Fool put out (still a lot of good advice there). I did ok but realized how much time I was spending at doing it (enjoying it or not). So I stopped and simplified my approach: Mutual funds and index accounts, dollar-cost averaging, max out 401k matching, etc. have all done me very well. Someone mentioned working hard to get a 10% return but that is about what I've been getting without working at it at all.

Now I need to start looking at switching gears being 8-14 years from retirement and start preparing for that switch.

One thing I'd take advantage of right now (if you haven't) is to consider refinancing your home mortgage. For the first time in my life, I paid points on a loan to drive down my rate to 2.25%. My required monthly payment went down, but I'll plan to pay the same monthly amount. Thus, I'll pay off my loan 4.5 years earlier then my previous loan (saving myself about $75k). The refinance costs will pay back in 39 months, but I have zero plans on moving so that shouldn't be a problem. Step one to retirement is completed.

Yeah, I've seen those. There is a balance to life, which is one reason I stopped focusing on it so heavily - go live it instead. But investing early is ALWAYS good. Even if you have to start small.

Each pay raise, I'd take part of it and increase my 401k contributions for my 529b contributions. With each tax refund, I'd pay off more debt (never had CC debt, but paid off vehicles that way).

Go put your house money into it and let us know how it goes.