My Retirement Mistake

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4) Personally, I would only hire an adviser who is a fiduciary to me 100% of the time. This is not a suggestion on what you should do. Just sharing my personal preference.

⚠️ Azul's "Scammer" Warning ➡ PLEASE READ! ⚠️
Be careful of scammers. In the comments section, I will NEVER ask you to contact me, offer any investment products, recommend a stock broker, or anything similar. Some scam bot commenters 'ask' for investment help, and later, other comment bots reply with "how great X idea/investment/person is" in the replies. These are scam threads. Do not fall for them.

🚨 Azul's VIDEOS ARE NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE (Disclaimer) 🚨

The decisions on how to invest, when to retire, and other financial planning topics are some of the most important financial decisions you will make in your life. I urge you to seek professional financial advice as you make this decision. Ideally, from a financial adviser, AND a CPA AND an attorney. Having the perspective of all three professions will help you make the right decision for you and your family.

This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and may NOT be suitable for all investors.

This information is NOT intended to, and should NOT, form a primary basis for any investment decision that you may make. Always consult your own legal, tax, and/or investment advisor before making any investment/tax/estate/financial planning considerations or decisions.

Spoiler Alert: There are no "get rich" programs. Rather, just basic blocking & tackling and putting in time and care. Do your homework, choose wisely and (IMHO) work with experienced professionals who are fiduciary to you 100% of the time.

*589 My Retirement Mistake

[SophiaSchmidt-ww]

I'm 58 and will retire next year, yet the prospect of it makes me weak. I apologize to all of the people who have retired and filed for social security during this time after working for many years only to lose everything due to an unforeseen circumstance. People who are retired and have no family or savings to rely on find it quite challenging.

[pblsoqv]

I am 48, suffer from depression for many years. Last year jump of the money train, quit my job and started my half retirement life. Now I work as a disability carer two days a week 9 to 3, the yearly salary is less than what i earned for a month at previous job.
I am enjoying my life now, i guess my kids dont need a rich dad, they need a healthy and happy daddy.

[baglesstea]

The biggest factor holding people back from retiring early, and the one nobody really wants to talk about, is healthcare. Health insurance isn’t just a detail in the retirement equation; it’s a major variable. When you retire before Medicare kicks in, you're on your own, and the costs can be staggering. That reality makes early retirement a lot tougher than it looks on paper.

[ChristianJacquet]

Hello Azul, new subscriber here. I’m 55 and starting to question if I’m truly on track for retirement. No debt, $80K in savings, 10K NVDA shares, a 401(k) with $220K, an IRA with $120K, and a paid-off home in the Bay Area. But with how unpredictable things feel, I’m not sure if that’s enough or if I should be doing more.

[tomtoms]

Azul, I don't think you retired as much as you started a new career that you love. Creating, filming, editing, and uploading several videos a week is a job. You just happen to love it because it's YOUR baby. If you had nothing to retire to work-wise, I think you'd be miserable.

[Moonwalk-fy]

I’m watching for tax policy changes since they could affect company profits and how investors feel about the market, both now and in the future.

[InterStellarr]

Everyone knows to buy low and sell high but retirees already have their money in the market when it crashes. Down over 70k, should i sell off and go all cash today?

[philipgerry]

I’ve been retired 15 years. 73 now. We have made retirement the new job, camping, biking, boating, cruising. We have routines that we have chosen. Plan your retirement like you planned your career and go for it!

[sampopfly]

Love it - Just retired April 1 this year at 57, and could not be happier. Really appreciate your positive messaging and reminding us all that retiring young enough to enjoy life while healthy is a very important consideration. Love your videos and insights on how to face sometimes uncertain moments without trepidation!!

[christinadimauro]

That zest for life and thirst for adventure that you speak of has faded for me personally. I retired at 46 and immediately set out on huge adventures including hiking most of our National Scenic Trails (Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail etc). I was so gung-ho about it. Now almost 52, that burning desire to explore is definitely subsiding. Guess I’m getting old. I’m glad I didn’t wait to retire. I wouldn’t have done some amazing things if I’d retired 10 years later.

[cuz]

At first, I thought, "Azul! You aren't looking at the road while driving! Then I realized you are in the passenger seat. Whew!" I loved my job, it truly was a dream job, but I'm glad I retired at 60. No matter how great a job is, a well planned and rich retirement is much better!

[jjnini]

Retiring Dec/2025 at 52 and will clock out after 30 years (California native). . .
1. Gardening/Backyard 🐓
2. Daily Gym and Cardio
3. Dust off the cookbook
4. Europe bi-annually
5. See more of the USA

[waynzwhirled]

I retired two years ago at age 68. I worked at home for a large company for the last 21 years of my work life, traveling on average only once a year. I earned a median salary and worked six to seven hours a day five days a week, never on weekends. This allowed me to spend more time with family and friends. I never wanted or needed much for myself (e.g., extravagant cars and vacations). I continue to spend much time with my sons and have enough money to help them whenever they need it.

[ofSeptember]

Retirement scares me because I've experienced retirement before. I didn't work for several consecutive months in my 20s (because of an injury) and then experienced "working from home" during Covid. While I did enjoy the free time, I also spent a lot of money on my hobbies and some unhealthy substances. I wonder "what am I gunna do? Wake up, drink coffee, do some watering of the garden, watch some tv or social media, travel once in a while and drink wine daily." Sounds like recipe for an early death. I don't handle free time very well.

[travellinman]

I still enjoy my job, and the pay is great. Early Retirement looks appealing but the health insurance alone is a big concern.

[karitanaw]

I have been retired for five years now. Although I've been adhering to the 4% rule, things are challenging as I did not anticipate. 30% of the $600K I invested in st0cks is lost to the market. How can I diversify my portfolio for retirement

[Topyogi]

I waited until i was 62 to retire so that i could collect both my retirement and social security. Not everyone can retire earlier than 62. It depends on your finances.

[craigmaverick]

I got divorced in 2000, at age 35. Being single, I made up my mind to put all my extra income into either real estate or the stock market. I never made huge money. I worked all the OT I could and painted houses on my time off. I was able to retire at age 47 with no debt and owning 2 nice riverfront homes outright.

Retiring was the best thing I ever did. Now, 12 years later, I still appreciate the fact that I dont have to get up in the morning and go to a job.

If i wanted to travel the world, which I don't, I would have needed to keep working to afford that lifestyle. Figure out exactly what you want out of retirement.

Remember, you can't take it with you. Don't die with millions in the bank. Don't waste any more of your life working than you have, too. ✌️

[lindab]

I don't feel like I need to read a book to get direction for my life. I've gotten the first 65 years right. I feel pretty confident that I can handle the rest! I also feel pretty good about the finances. None of us have a crystal ball, but I've done the due diligence and run the numbers the best I can. God willing we've all got this!!

[yippie]

Azul's #1 Retirement Mistake is that he is still working! He puts out 10 videos a week on Youtube. That's not retired.