Why I Decided to Retire Young and Be an Engaged Dad
When I was a teenager, I made a life-changing decision. I decided I wanted to retire young, not because I dreamed of lounging on beaches or traveling the world, but because I wanted to be an engaged dad.
My motivation came from my childhood and the complicated relationship I had with my own father.
Table of Contents
My Father: A Cautionary Tale
My dad started a business a few years before I was born. To say he was stressed out over it would be an understatement.
He was always busy, always tense, and mean to us. I have three siblings, but his favorite child was always his business.
He poured all his energy into it, leaving little for us. To add to the complexity, my dad had us young—he was a teenager when he had my sister, who is only 1.5 years older than me.
That level of responsibility at such a young age only amplified his stress. It left a lasting impression on me, but not in a good way.
I didn’t want that for my future kids. I didn’t want my children to grow up with a dad who was too busy, too angry, or too disengaged to enjoy them.
My Teenage Plan for Financial Freedom
I decided to get money out of the way early so I could focus on my future family. At the core of my plan was the desire to accumulate enough wealth to retire in my 40s.
I developed a two-pronged approach:
- Build a Taxable Account: This would provide the funds to cover my living expenses from my 40s until I turned 60.
- Max Out a Tax-Deferred Account: This would cover me from 60 onward.
The idea was simple, but executing it was anything but easy.
Starting From Nothing
Financially, I came from nothing. No one gave me a cent.
When I first started investing in real estate, I had just $800 to invest. That’s all I needed to buy my first properties using no-money-down strategies.
Yes, it was tough. Interest rates were considered high at the time, ranging from 7% to 9%, and houses were considered unaffordable—especially for someone making just $25,000 a year.
I didn’t hit a $50,000 annual income until I was 30. By then, I had been hustling for over a decade.
My early investments, however, started to pay off. I carried out the plan I developed as a teenager: I purchased rental properties, let tenants pay off the mortgages, and maxed out my 401(k) contributions year after year.
Over the next 20+ years, I stayed disciplined and focused.
Becoming a Liquid Millionaire
By the time I was 38, I was a liquid millionaire. That milestone didn’t come easily.
It came from relentless discipline, long-term vision, and hard work. I had built my real estate portfolio while also advancing my career, eventually earning enough to supercharge my investments.
If you’re curious about my approach to real estate then check out my real estate category. Feel free to explore those articles to gain deeper insights.
My Mindset on Spending
One key to my success was my mindset on spending. I followed the principle of satisfice, which is about knowing when enough is enough.
I didn’t live lavishly, but I didn’t deprive myself either. Instead, I struck a balance that allowed me to grow my wealth while enjoying the journey.
(You can read more about satisfice here) This approach not only kept me grounded but also made financial freedom achievable without sacrificing happiness.
A Life Worth Living
Now, I’m living the life I dreamed of as a teenager. I retired in my early 40s and am fully present for my kids.
I’m not perfect, and the journey was far from easy, but I achieved what I set out to do. My father’s choices shaped me in profound ways.
His mistakes became my motivation, and his absence in our lives drove me to be the dad he never was. My financial plan wasn’t just about retiring early—it was about creating a legacy for my children.
I want them to grow up knowing they were my priority, not an afterthought.
Share Your Journey
If you’re curious about the strategies I used or the lessons I learned, then subscribe to my free newsletter. I’m still writing my story, and I’d love to hear what topics you want me to cover next.
Let’s build a life of financial freedom together—not just for us, but for the generations that follow.
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