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.
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…
Growing up, I developed a relationship with money that some might call obsessive, others might call smart, but I see it as a unique blend of hoarding and emotional struggle. I don’t part with my money easily. In fact, the act of spending—even on things I need—causes me to feel a wave of guilt that’s…
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’ll never forget when I was in the final two weeks of my career, making the rounds to say goodbye to colleagues and thank those who had been part of my journey. During one of those conversations, I sat down with an investment research analyst who specialized in writing about retiring early. Ironically, he hadn’t…
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…
For many, early retirement feels like the ultimate goal. More time with family, pursuing hobbies, and saying goodbye to the daily grind. When I retired early, I imagined relaxation, adventure, and more control over my time. And while I got plenty of that, there were some surprises I didn’t anticipate. The truth is, early retirement…
When I retired at 42 in 2021, I discovered the concept of Financial Independence Retire Early, also known as FIRE. Even though I had already reached financial freedom, understanding the mindset behind FIRE helped me reflect on the steps I took and how others can do the same. The FIRE movement is more than just…
In 2021, shortly before I retired, I found myself on a run with a friend who has always been a source of inspiration to me. We are the same age, but while I was preparing to leave behind the structure of my career, he was running several small businesses and dedicating much of his time…
Would you believe me if I told you that most millionaires don’t earn six-figure incomes? It’s true, and it’s exactly why income isn’t the biggest hurdle to retiring young. Recently, I ran a survey on our YouTube channel asking, “What’s the biggest hurdle you face in retiring young?” The results were striking: 71% of people…
I originally wrote this about fake financial gurus in Sept, 2021 a few weeks before I retired at age 42. I’ve made some updates to formatting, but left everything else the same. Oh no, not another fake guru talking about FIRE. I have never really paid attention to all the websites and YouTube videos around…
When people hear that I retired a few years ago at the age of 42, their reactions are often the same. They look at me with wide eyes and exclaim, “You’re living the dream!” They talk to me like I hit the jackpot as if my early retirement was a stroke of luck. They treat…
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…
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,…
Welcome to Dad is Fire. Usually, the about me section of a blog is to tell you who I am and to talk about myself. This blog isn’t so much about who I am, as it is what I am. So what am I? I am someone who was raised by a dad who treated…
In my conversations with my kids, one topic that frequently comes up is the idea of knowing when enough is enough. It’s a lesson that, while simple, holds profound significance for our happiness. Understanding when we have enough is not just a practical consideration; it’s a powerful mindset that can transform our lives. It shifts…
“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…
