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.
How much do you need to retire early is just a math problem. No secret formula. Definitely no social media guru hawking some overpriced “exclusive course.” It’s knowing exactly what you spend, for how long, and how much you need to cover it. Once you strip away all the noise, it becomes pretty simple. I…
Some people work for decades, hoping to retire someday. I wasn’t interested in someday. I bought my first rental house at 20, picked up more over the next few years, and let real estate do the heavy lifting. A few decades later, those properties gave me the freedom most people wait a lifetime to reach….
I’ve never cared about pretending to be rich. Flashy cars, oversized houses, overpriced services, none of that impresses me. What does impress me? Owning every minute of my day and buying back my time. I believe strongly in this: “Spend enough money to make you happy, but do not spend a penny more. Each additional…
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, it wasn’t a sudden decision or a stroke of luck. It was the result of over two decades of careful planning, intentional living, and a commitment to financial independence. Retiring early wasn’t just a goal, it was a way of reclaiming my time and shaping a life centered on what…
Are you dreaming of breaking free from the 9-to-5 grind decades before your peers? Maybe you’re wondering if you’ve saved enough, if your investments will last, or if you’re just plain crazy for thinking about retiring so young. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re considering early retirement. When I retired early, it wasn’t just…
Financial freedom is a choice anyone can make, no matter where you are on your financial journey. It starts with the habits you build today, taking control of your money, not the other way around. Most people feel trapped in a cycle of bills, debt, and endless work. But it doesn’t have to stay that…
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…
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? You now control the thrill of the casino! Experience the excitement…
Ever wondered how you could achieve financial freedom without waiting until you’re 65? Or how you could work less now, but still retire comfortably later? That’s exactly the kind of balance Coast FIRE offers. Unlike traditional financial independence plans that demand strict savings and intense frugality, Coast FIRE invites you to save with intention early…
At the ripe age of 42, I left my professional career and stepped into a life of Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE). Interestingly, when I started crafting my own financial independence plan as a teenager in the mid-1990s, the term “FIRE” wasn’t even on the radar. However, the dream of buying one’s way out of…
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…
Hidden wealth, when financial success goes unnoticed but you live beyond your means, is a powerful strategy that ensures long-term financial freedom. By avoiding outrageous purchases and unnecessary expenses, people can increase their wealth without attracting too much attention. This approach aligns well with the discipline required for early retirement, which prioritizes smart investments, passive…
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…
