Advice on approach to FIRE, 39M late starter, Scotland.

Late starter to getting my s**t together and changed things round in the last 5 years from minimum wage to a decent career that I don't want to waste the opportunity.

My current situation (Scotland):

S&S ISA: £38,774 Cash ISA: £16,810 Crypto: £2,687 Pension: £41,625

Managed to buy in 2023, £158,000 value with currently a £114,253 mortgage at 4.47% (joint with partner).

My current salary: £48,500

Salary sacrifice 16% while employer matches 4.5%. Plan 4 Scotland student loan.

So I'm paying £647 + £181 (employer) into pension and managing to save £1200 out of my salary.

Pension: £828 S&S ISA: £1200

Total savings per month:

£2028

Plus usually a 10% bonus into salary sacrifice: £4850

So potentially adding £29,186 towards FIRE per year.

£14,400 S&S ISA (global all cap) £14,746 pension.

Should I be paying in less to pension and more to S&S ISA?

I think I may be more LeanFIRE due to late start but what makes the most sense. S&S or Pension?

Posted May 7, 2025, 2:34 PM UTC

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