Early Retirement - What Makes Me An Expert?

I thought I’d address right from the get-go why I’m writing this blog and why anyone should listen up. What makes me an expert on early retirement? Well, I’m not. But I did manage to quit my regular job at the ripe old age of 44 and start enjoying the rest of my life
despite spending the bulk of my child rearing years living at or below what is considered the federal poverty level. I also managed to purchase a home and later convert the equity into income producing property, while frequently working less than full time and successfully pursuing a business degree. So I’m no expert by any stretch of the imagination but I do have a wealth of practical experience that may be useful to others. 

As spelled out in a previous post (Early Retirement – Is It Feasible?), I will be sharing tips to help get you started toward early retirement. For those for whom an early retirement seems impossible, these tips will help you achieve a better quality of life now and in the future, regardless of when your retirement actually occurs. I plan to post tips at least weekly but may get sidetracked at times. Hey, I’m retired! What can I say?

As you read this blog, remember - my methods are specific to me. They won’t work for everyone and maybe not for anyone else. I am not a financial advisor, I have a definite bias toward real estate as an investment and I have a few small quirks that have served me well in my quest toward freedom. A proper attitude, however, coupled with a realistic assessment of your lifestyle, what you need and want, and where you want to be, will enable you to develop your own strategy. The bottom line? If I can do it, so can you!