I started planning for early retirement when I was a teenager. I didn’t stumble into it. I mapped it out, step by step. But 63% of retirees say they wish they had done more planning prior to retiring. But no matter how much you plan, early retirement still comes with surprises. I will share those…
Growing up, I developed a relationship with money that some might call obsessive, others might call smart, but I’ve come to see it as a blend of emotional discipline and a bit of a hoarder mentality. I don’t part with my money easily. In fact, the act of spending, even on things I need, causes…
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…
“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…
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’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…
In my teens I developed a plan to try to buy myself an early retirement so I could spend that time with my children and wife that I didn’t yet have. The phrase Financial Independence Retire Early didn’t exist, but the path to it did. Unlike other FIRE experts online, Finance Experts in real life,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Should you max out your 401k? It’s an intimidating idea. Before jumping into why you should max out your 401k, let’s step back. If you are under 50, you are allowed to contribute up to $22,500 to your 401k. This does not include employer contributions. It is also the 2023 limit. There are other nuances…
This was originally published 10/12/2021, a few weeks before I retired at 42. Last month, I wrote that we were almost ready to retire. In the next week, I plan to formally announce my retirement to my employer. I have started to tell a few close people at work. The reactions are consistent. Let’s just…
A few week’s back I mentioned that I was just about to announce my retirement. I have since given my notice at work. After 22 years in Financial Services, one year as a mortgage broker, and one year as a technical writer the end is in sight. This upcoming Friday is my last day. I’ve…
