I retired at 42. I know what it takes. I am also a credentialed expert with 20+ years experience in many roles in Financial Services. If you are interested in Financial Freedom, you’ve come to the right place.
And other many other sites, I’ve actually done it. I am actually retired.
Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps have become a widely recognized and followed framework for personal finance in America. They offer a structured, step-by-step guide aimed at helping individuals and families gain control over their finances, get out of debt, and build wealth. In general, I believe the Baby Steps are an excellent foundation for financial education,…
Early retirement is great. I retired three years ago in my 40s. I love it. But you have to prepare for, and in some cases, accept, the negatives. Most people picture early retirement as endless freedom and stress-free mornings, which sounds amazing, and it is, but that’s not the whole story. The reality is, retiring…
I have heard so much advice over the years that people consider to be “good advice”. But if I had listened to all of this good advice, I would not have been able to retire young. By ignoring good advice, I was able to reach my goals. “You Have Too Much Debt, You Are Going…
Retiring early is more than just a dream, it’s a reality that many people can achieve with the right plan. If you’re like me, you’ve thought about leaving the 9-to-5 grind before the traditional retirement age. I am a Chartered Financial Analyst who retired at 42. I can tell you firsthand that reaching financial independence…
Becoming a millionaire might seem like a distant dream for many, but the truth is, it’s more attainable than you might think. Contrary to popular belief, most millionaires didn’t inherit their wealth, nor did they necessarily attend prestigious universities or possess extraordinary investment skills. Instead, they built their fortunes through smart financial decisions, discipline, and…
When I was a teenager, I came up with the phrase “Why wait for tomorrow?” That idea has driven me my entire life. I developed a plan as a teenager to retire in my 40s. It panned out. I became a liquid millionaire at 38 and retired a few years later. This is despite no…
When I was a teenager in the 90s I spent hours in the library, flipping through every investing book I could get my hands on. Warren Buffett, Benjamin Graham, and the other greats made wealth-building sound almost too simple. What stuck with me most about Buffett wasn’t just his investment strategies, it was how he…
Retiring early sounds amazing until you realize everything is getting more expensive. Some people panic, convinced inflation makes early retirement impossible. That thinking is wrong. It’s not impossible. It just means playing the game smarter. Inflation spikes come and go. Historically, high inflation lasts around two to three years before leveling out. The people who…
I’ve been thinking a lot about work optional versus Financial Independence Retire Early (aka FIRE). If you haven’t heard these terms, I’ll explain them shortly after I get through this. Work optional is great if that’s what you want. It means having control over your work, making enough money to feel like you could leave…
For what it’s worth, I became a liquid millionaire at age 38 and then retired at 42. With over two decades in financial services, a CFA designation, and a mix of real estate and investment strategies, I reached financial independence without gimmicks or shortcuts. Unlike Dave Ramsey, I have financial credentials, I never declared bankruptcy,…
Financial freedom doesn’t happen by chance, it happens through choices. Every decision you make sets the tone for your future. I know this because I’ve walked the talk. In my teens, I mapped out an early retirement strategy. Throughout my 20s and 30s I made it happen. Then, I retired at 42. Now, I spend…
“The Millionaire Next Door” by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko provides a groundbreaking look at the true nature of wealth in America. Based on extensive research, the book reveals that many assumptions about wealth and affluent individuals are largely incorrect. The authors present the habits, behaviors, and career choices that contribute to wealth…
I run a lot. My core group of friends get together and run. It’s a very successful group dominated by financial experts and leaders in the finance space. One of the guys in the group is a professor at a very prestigious university. I’ll call him Professor Peter for this article. Professor Peter always has…
I like to keep things simple. Making money is complicated only if you decide to make it that way. Most people get caught up in trends, take bad advice, and waste time on things that don’t actually build wealth. I’m a Chartered Financial Analyst, and I retired young because I focused on what actually works….
Retirement isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan, it’s a personal roadmap to financial freedom. Some want to retire early, others aim for a secure and stress-free future. No matter your goal, the right strategies make all the difference. I know this because I spent over 20 years in Financial Services, specializing in financial planning tools, investments, and…
When I first read Rich Dad Poor Dad in my teens, it completely changed how I viewed money. The book introduced me to financial freedom, building assets, and escaping the rat race. Kiyosaki made it sound like a game anyone could win, if you just knew the rules. But as the years went on and…
