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 my 7-year-old son Jonathan asked how large companies operate, I saw an opportunity to teach him about stocks using his own business experiences. By relating investing concepts to his entrepreneurial ventures, I made the topic engaging and understandable for him. This is the story of how I introduced my son to the world of…
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…
No one wants to be told no. Of course that’s true. But parents forget it. Little kids spend the first few decades constantly told no. Why? It’s easy for parents to say no. We have a rule in our house. If you can not justify the no, then you should say no. This started when…
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 was sitting around the campfire last weekend, enjoying the warmth of the flames and the comforting crackle of burning wood. My cousin, a financial advisor brimming with enthusiasm, leaned over and brought up a topic that’s been buzzing incessantly on social media: Roth IRA conversions. He insisted that I should convert my Traditional IRA…
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…
Oh no, I’m 27 and being sued! In 2007, I made a bold move. After years of following a well-calculated strategy in real estate, I decided to take a leap outside my comfort zone. I had already built up a small portfolio of homes. These homes were my key to early retirement. I always bought…
Imagine waking up tomorrow without a job—how long could you sustain your lifestyle before panic sets in? For many, the answer lies in their emergency fund, but determining the “right” amount isn’t always straightforward. An emergency fund is often touted as a financial necessity, but how much you need and what constitutes an emergency fund…
Mortgage rates are always a hot topic in the news. Whether they are up or down they are newsworthy. There is a way to save on your mortgage and get a better great rate, regardless of whether rates are rising or falling. Mortgage points have always been a source of confusion, and fear for many…
In my few decades as a real estate investor, I’ve had my fair share of mortgages. I’ve seen it all, from the highs of property booms to the lows of market crashes. I’ve navigated through fluctuating interest rates, tricky loan terms, and yes, the dreaded Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). Early in my career, I even…
Real estate is a vast field with countless niches, making it challenging to determine where to start. When I was a teenager, I used to go to the library and read books on real estate. I also stalked the for sale ads and for rent ads in the newspaper. One piece of advice I remember…
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…
When my wife was pregnant with our first child, I put a lot of thought into what life lessons to teach our kid. I was in my late 30s and stewing over how old I would be as they grew up. I kept thinking, if I die while they are young what do I want…
When it comes to choosing a mortgage, one of the most significant decisions homeowners face is whether to opt for a fixed-rate mortgage or an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). While fixed-rate mortgages offer the comfort of predictability with a consistent interest rate throughout the loan term, ARMs provide flexibility that can be appealing, particularly for those…
