Mixed Retirement/Rental income accounts for F-I-R-E aspirations

[Susanne Owens]

My husband and I have been on a long journey to go from a negative 850k in debt after I graduated Graduate School to 10 years later having about +500k in retirement investments + last year added long term rental property thanks to BiggerPocket podcast and motivation. I just turned 48 and my husband 50. We plan on starting our journey as a Financially Independent Retire Early (F-I-R-E) in 5 years when my husband turns 55. That is our tentative date but could happen as little as 3 years.

My question is that I have dropped my fulltime job to 0.75 FTE salary and time commitment to pick up more on a side hustle of higher income as a 1099 employee. I will Be maxing out my Roth 401k that matches at my current employer and want to start up a SEP for my 1099 income. Is there a better way to save for money that we can access in 3-5 years without penalty for withdrawing while minimizing our tax implications now?? I have listened to numerous podcasts by the Mad FIentist about rolling accounts to be accessible 5 years from now, but I was wanting you guys input. Maybe there is something easier out there. I know there you guys are awesome on finances. Just on my own little slow personal journey. Not a SCOTT TRENCH here.