Ah, December 23, 2016—a day forever etched in my memory, like a bad tattoo from a spontaneous night out. Little did I know, it was my final day trapped in the corporate hamster wheel, clinging to the delusion that I was actually going somewhere.
My wife and I, the financial ninjas of the information technology realm, pulled off an early retirement at the ripe ages of 33 and 35. How? By amassing a staggering $870,000, mostly through hard work and the occasional miracle from the stock market. Soon enough, like a bad magic trick, our net worth surprisingly ballooned to a cool million.
Let’s be clear: neither of us was born with a silver spoon in our mouths. We didn’t start a trendy tech startup, nor did we benefit from rich relatives eager to hand over their fortune. Side hustles? Please. Our wealth came the old-fashioned way—by sweating like beasts and employing a few clever financial tricks that didn’t involve selling our souls (yet).
So, grab your financial funny glasses, because here are 13 outrageously simple things I did to break free from the monotony of my 14-year career:
1. I threw out the “follow your passion” nonsense.
Let’s face it: our passions, mainly arts or crafts, don’t exactly keep the lights on. My passion? Photography. My actual talent? Computer science. Starting as a software engineer at $55,000 must have been the universe’s way of saying, “Stick to what you’re good at.” By 2016, I was raking in over $100,000. Pretty sure my bank account wouldn’t be as dazzling had I opted for a life behind the lens.
2. I played the millionaire observation game.
While working in IT, I was surrounded by wealthy folks. Rather than seethe with jealousy, I took notes like a studious ninja. Brian, my colleague, drove a six-year-old Honda and sported a Casio watch. A millionaire with the fashion sense of a high school gym teacher—legendary. His wealth didn’t come from extravagance; it was crafted through investments and prudent spending. The takeaway? Sometimes the greatest lessons come from the least extravagant of characters.
3. Out with the financial freeloaders!
Surrounding yourself with the “party till you drop” crowd is a surefire way to watch your money evaporate faster than your motivation on a Monday morning. I made it a point to buddy up with high achievers—those who threw themselves into projects instead of rounds of drinks. The result? I upgraded my financial habits and learned to like water. Best decision of my life.
4. I milked my 9-to-5 for all it was worth.
Invested in my employer-sponsored 401(k) like it was the last cupcake at a party. The employer match? Free money! And don’t even get me started on HSAs—those magical accounts that let you save pre-tax dollars for medical expenses. It’s like getting a discount on your health problems. Talk about a win-win!
5. Job-hopping like it was a dance move.
Switched jobs five times in 14 years because why not? Each jump came with a 15-20% salary boost. That’s a lot more than the pathetic annual 3% raises they give out as if it’s Christmas. Just be sure to play it cool—nobody wants to be the “perpetual job seeker” at the parties.
6. Automation was my sidekick.
Set my finances on autopilot. Didn’t even have to think about it. Contributions to my 401(k) and investment accounts happened without me lifting a finger, just like how my cat completely ignores my calls. Late payments? Not on my watch, thank you very much.
7. I practiced selective hearing, but for haters.
Choosing to focus on the positive means ignoring the “you should have spent that money on sushi” crowd. Your path to wealth is often littered with critics, but if you let them in, you’ll be knee-deep in financial quicksand.
8. Jones? Who’s Jones?
Those neighbors with their shiny new cars and fancy boats? Yeah, no thanks. I talked openly with my wife about our goals while walking the dogs—great way to make sure I didn’t buy that unnecessary yacht while they were busy showing off.
9. Communication: the magical glue in relationships.
Couples often argue about finances. Solution? Just talk! My wife and I discussed goals daily—what we wanted, what made us tick. Turns out, it’s really hard to achieve those dreams if you’re constantly not on the same page.
10. Health first, wealth second.
My health is my biggest asset—take that, stocks! In 2007, I transformed my life with better eating and working out—lost 70 pounds and turned into a gym rat. Now I have a home gym that costs as much as a small car but is worth every penny!
11. Credit card debt? Not on my list.
Credit card debt is like that one annoying relative that just won’t go away. I learned young from my dad that it’s best to sidestep it entirely. I use credit cards for the perks, but paying it off each month is my jam. Never paid a cent in interest—meanwhile, the average American is drowning in debt. Who’s laughing now?
12. Always said “yes” to opportunities.
Took on any job offered, even if it felt like jumping into the deep end without floaties. Getting called into a meeting with the CEO? Yes, please! Turned out to be a career-changing move, even if it made my stomach twist like a pretzel.
13. Goodbye, bar tab chaos!
Dropping $70 to $100 at bars each week? No thank you! I ditched the bar habit and invested that cash instead. It contributed to my million-dollar nest egg. My advice? Keep your vices in check unless you plan on retiring to a bar on the beach someday. Trust me; it’s an expensive dream!
Steve Adcock is here, your financial guru with a sprinkle of sarcasm. A former software developer turned early retiree at 35, currently sharing wisdom on achieving financial independence. You can catch him on Twitter @SteveOnSpeed.
