I Retired Early On $500K. You Can Too!

Hi, my name is Duane. After a career in the music industry, I retired early on my 59th birthday in late 2021 with $500K. Soon thereafter, the stock market (and my portfolio) tanked. This is the first video describing my retirement journey as I utilize various strategies to maintain my financial freedom.

***I AM NOT A LICENSED FINANCIAL ADVISOR OR PLANNER. THIS CHANNEL IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY THAT MAY INTEREST YOU. PLEASE CHECK WITH A PROFESSIONAL BEFORE ACTING ON SPECIFIC FINANCIAL OPINIONS***

If you received some good info from this video, feel free to buy me a coffee!

[retirearlyk]

Please check out this video for 10 simple steps on exactly how to retire on $500K. Thx!

[TheEsteban]

43 years old. I retired last year and moved to Argentina. Best decision I ever made in my life.

[deadcell]

I'm 38 with an investment portfolio value at $600k. I've been investing 10% of my income into the markets since I was 18. I was lucky to have a uncle who was financially literate and taught me about money management and investing at a early age.

[pbud]

I retired a year and a half ago at 52. I started saving and investing in my late 20s, and compounding- hallelujah! My strategy has been to live small. Not FIRE. No deprivation. Just a rejection of consumerism. I'm living in Portugal, in part because it's always been bucket list to live in another country, and in part to escape the prospect of being financially wiped out by an unforeseen medical issue. I have never felt this free.

[Luissierra]

Protecting your capital is much more important than making money. Basically because if you lose your capital, making money is much harder. "Missing the train" vs. "losing your money". There are a lot of trains, but if your money is gone, it's over..

[kelliecarlsen]

I retired at 55. I retired earlier than I planned but began to crunch numbers and realized I could do it. I enjoyed my job most of the time but when I realized I could work when I wanted to not because I have too, I retired. It’s cool! I began saving when I was young per my father’s recommendation. I had access to a good retirement plan and savings plan through my employer. I do work some, as a substitute teacher and call when needed fire dispatcher. I have the luxury of saying “yes” or “not available “ as I want. It’s good; I’m glad i did it.

[johnhill]

Man... congratulations! I love to see people living that life I'm aiming for in no more than about 10 years.

[scotdeutschlander]

Hi Duane, this is the second of your videos I’ve seen. In the first I watched you mentioned how you lost some co worker/ friend relationships when you retired. That hit me like a slap on the face when it happened to me a couple years ago. Very strange feeling! Like a strange awakening that “wow. I guess we didn’t feel the same about our relationship” so glad you brought it up! Great for people to be aware that this will happen.

[Pjeski]

Nice to have a channel with a more normal retirement situation. The investment people say you can’t do it with less than 1 million or 3 million. They make money off of your money so they have an incentive to say these things. It all depends on your expenses. You got this Duane!

[nowherebound]

Great, honest channel - thanks! I am 57, and I don't think I'll be able to retire earlier than 65, but I like hearing your viewpoint!

[garysudol]

Hi Duane, I love your channel !!!
I'm 58 soon to be 59 in April and looking forward to retiring in May of this year. I have just over 800k in savings, stock, 401k, IRA etc. You are a huge inspiration for me. I am in overall good health but had a small stroke in November of last year which motivated me to stop working. Please keep your videos coming

[corralescruiser]

Glad you popped up in my feed! Wife and I are in our mid to late 50s and retired. Looking forward to watching your videos and maybe learning something! We spent most of our working careers in Las Vegas NV. Still have a place there along with a place in NM. Touching on what you said about I bonds and keeping up a little with inflation on your cash portfolio, with interest rates higher now, we are getting 4.25 percent currently on our money market account. Along with some CDs that are paying 4.5 to 5 percent and a couple of corporate bonds paying 6 percent thats a heck of a lot better than a year ago! Looks very beautiful where your location is. There is great big beautiful world out there that doesnt involve being chained to a desk for 50 hours a week!

[shanewhittemore]

Thanks Duane. I am 63 and will be retiring in 11 months. Looking forward to keeping up with you on your new channel and getting some thoughts and ideas from you and your viewers.

[Jambo]

Thanks for posting this and congrats on your early retirement! I’m 51 and I’m doing everything I can to get out of this soul-sucking rat race by 55. I cannot wait to join you!

[peterhoffman]

This is the first of your videos that I have seen. Congrats on your early retirement! I do not know if you are married or single, what your property taxes are like or other expenses, but those things all will play a big role in how well your retirement goes financially. You must know what your taxes (property, income, etc) will be so that you can plan accordingly for the long haul. We retired (with a medium sized pension) at age 56 and some savings/investments and our current balance is similar to what it was at that time (9 years ago) due to knowing our expenses at the time and being mindful of expenses since retiring as well (even though the economy has various ups and downs in the meantime). Happy New Year--may you be blessed with health and prosperity!

[luckycharm]

Very honest and forthright. Great introduction for your first video. Great idea to share with each other. Best wishes for your retired life.

[edgarwouldgo]

I plan to retire in a couple of years as well. I appreciate your community of sharing your retirement experience. Keep sharing. Mahalo!

[barryhamilton]

Hello Duane. Found your channel today and have watch several of your vids already. I think this is a very unique and interesting approach for a retirement channel. Love it!! Not retired yet and am 61. I enjoy my job and work for a great boss and company. I make ok money and have a pension from my previous career and have a 401K with this job. My wife is 63 and taking her SS now. That is all she has so the majority of retirement will come from me. Look forward to seeing your coming vids and being a part of this community you are building. Thanks.

[robertgassman]

I’m glad you popped up in my stream and I took the time to “meet” you. I’m 60, my wife is 61, and we believe this could be the year we may be able to wrap it up as well. I follow a lot of different retirement-related channels, and your vision, approach, and communication style resonate well with me. Thank you for sharing of yourself, and your insights and experiences. I’m looking forward to learning with you as we make this journey together.

[jessedba]

I’m 59 and in somewhat the same situation. Thank you for the channel and advice.