I guess I always thought retired meant that if all your sources of income disappeared tomorrow, you could live off of your savings for the rest of your life. Don't get me wrong, I find owning a business where you can pay your own salary impressive as well, but retiring seems a bit misleading (unless there is some detail I'm missing).
How I retired at age 25
11–20 of 47 posts
Re: How I retired at age 25
#12After reading all of that, I still don't know what he/you actually did.
Without numbers this isn't very useful.
This reminds me of when I was at WestPoint (US Military Academy). Everyone would talk about how once you graduated you were "set for life" (after your five year commitment). They would leave it at that, and not mention any numbers to back up the statement. I still remember I asked an officer what "big money" was. And he replied, "Oh, big money!! Like 65,000" Which is less than every single one of my friends and I made after quitting westpoint and getting jobs out of school.
Re: How I retired at age 25
#13"I tinker around the edges of the business, but I don’t have to. It’s on autopilot, and if I don’t do anything to it at all, it’ll keep earning. It’s as secure as any investment vehicle, and if I want to, I can make it grow at any time."
We have different definitions of "retire". It sounds like you're still running your business.
Also, the idea that it's "as secure as any investment vehicle" is misguided. I'd trade my content site, which has been generating consistent income since 1999, for T-bills generating the same income any day of the week.
Re: How I retired at age 25
#14After reading all of that, I still don't know what he/you actually did.
Without numbers this isn't very useful. This reminds me of when I was at WestPoint (US Military Academy). Everyone would talk about how once you graduated you were "set for life" (after your five year commitment). They would leave it at that, and not mention any numbers to back up the statement. I still remember I asked an officer what "big money" was. And he replied, "Oh, big money!! Like 65,000" Which is less than…
Is that just a one time amount or yearly? I know of people that have been in the marines for 20 years and then have a retirement that pays him yearly and also has a job that pays well.
Re: How I retired at age 25
#15How lame. I'm 35 and I haven't even started working.
I'm 35 too and wondering what I'll do when I grow up;-)
Re: How I retired at age 25
#16Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think the lesson he's shooting at is the basic "don't be afraid to chase your dream because when I did everything turned out roses". I'm not opposed to that message but it seems self evident. Everyone has a dream, everyone knows some people chase their dream and succeed. What holds people back (as he says in the post) is fear that they won't succeed and I don't see how one anecdotal story is going to alleviate that…
About 80% of the income comes from books, 20% from things like ads and affiliate links (reply to grandparent). Actually though, I was hoping to accomplish something different than "drop everything for your pie in sky, because it'll be great, trust me." This is more: 1) Pay attention to the simple opportunities you have around you 2) Be prepared to work for quite a while before seeing any real return 3) Don't get stuc…
I sincerely apologize, but "I just think people like reading tangible case studies, so I'll oblige." is misleading.
What is tangible? I read case studies every. single. day. to the point of nausea. You are sharing experience--which is left up to the reader to decide if it is true or not--rather than any "tangible case studies".
Side note: Your writing very clearly mimics Tim Ferriss and your whole basis may very well have been inspired by him. Just an observation and possibly the parallels are resonating with those who are commenting on here and have read him.
Re: How I retired at age 25
#17Well looking at your profile picture, I would say you got rich by pillaging and plundering on the modern high seas: the internet.
Re: How I retired at age 25
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think the lesson he's shooting at is the basic "don't be afraid to chase your dream because when I did everything turned out roses". I'm not opposed to that message but it seems self evident. Everyone has a dream, everyone knows some people chase their dream and succeed. What holds people back (as he says in the post) is fear that they won't succeed and I don't see how one anecdotal story is going to alleviate that…
About 80% of the income comes from books, 20% from things like ads and affiliate links (reply to grandparent). Actually though, I was hoping to accomplish something different than "drop everything for your pie in sky, because it'll be great, trust me." This is more: 1) Pay attention to the simple opportunities you have around you 2) Be prepared to work for quite a while before seeing any real return 3) Don't get stuc…
You're forgetting - get in a niche that you know, and do a better job than anyone else.
Most of us here know that mantra, but I guess you were too busy erm .. doing stuff.
Re: How I retired at age 25
#19the niche disease site and ebook made 40k in its 12th month??
I was wondering that as well. I am pretty confused about the time frame, he said the book was released last summer and in it's first month made $10 and in it's 12th month make 40k. How can he know what the 12th month is if it hasn't been twelve months since the book was released? Am I missing something?
Re: How I retired at age 25
#20Earlier quoted context omitted.
Without numbers this isn't very useful. This reminds me of when I was at WestPoint (US Military Academy). Everyone would talk about how once you graduated you were "set for life" (after your five year commitment). They would leave it at that, and not mention any numbers to back up the statement. I still remember I asked an officer what "big money" was. And he replied, "Oh, big money!! Like 65,000" Which is less than…
Is that just a one time amount or yearly? I know of people that have been in the marines for 20 years and then have a retirement that pays him yearly and also has a job that pays well.
The other part nkh didn't mention is you can retire after 20 at half pay. If you make Lt Col by then (not so hard), that'll be about $45k free yearly income at age 42 for the rest of your life.
Plus, it's quite easy to then get a military contracting job. That, with the secret clearance you'll have as an officer, pays pretty nicely.