When I meet new people and they ask me what my job is, I just tell them, “I am retired”. Then I pause for effect.

Usually, you can see them get visibly irritated. “You are young, how can you possibly be retired? What are you doing? Did you win the lottery?”, are questions that usually would be asked.

“No”, I typically reply, “I am living off my investments and online businesses.”

And then we would get into a deeper discussion as to what businesses I have and what investments I make etc.

You see, for the typical guy and gal out there, retiring in a South East Asian tropical paradise in their 30s is unfathomable. People just don’t believe it’s possible…until they see it. And they deal with a massive amount of cognitive dissonance when they realize that it is indeed possible…it is almost funny!

The idea of “retiring early” or “retiring young” as an online entrepreneur has never really entered their mind. Oftentimes they have never spent just one minute of their lives seriously thinking about about how to create passive income. Quite to the contrary: They are usually experts in spending money.

 

If You Want To Get Rich, You Have Got To Keep Your Money, Not Spend It

And that’s the big takeaway from this blog post right here: Keeping money will make you rich/wealthy/financially independent whereas spending money will keep you chained to your corporate job back home. Keeping and investing money on a regular basis is key to achieving financial independence. It is such a simple concept, but we never hear about this in our schools and universities. So let me repeat this: If you want to retire early and live life on your own terms, you have to keep your money and invest it. This is worthy of some serious thought!

The truth is this: Western societies, to a large degree, depend on people living from paycheck to paycheck. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that, but it is what it is. Most people go to jobs they don’t necessarily like all that much and save almost no money. In fact, most people are in debt. Unfortunately, this is a reality.

Think about it: Do you really believe all the garbage collectors, construction workers, miners, and office workers go to work every day because they have nothing else to do with their lives? Do you tink there are millions of workers out there that live out their passion filling Excel sheets and preparing presentations? Of course not! They do it for a paycheck! Or, on a deeper level: They do it because they lack options.

But what if I told you that you don’t have to live your life like that? There is really no reason why you should slave away in a corporate job you hate when you can make money online as an online entrepreneur or investor, through a blog, as a content writer, a freelance graphic designer, or an app developer?

What if there was a realistic pathway to living a life more true to yourself, being financially free, starting up your own business and living in a warmer climate?

Yes, it’s possible! You can take it from me, because I have done it!

I am living the dream. I am currently living in SE Asia. And I LOVE it.

I have retired in my early thirties as I am now living off my dividend and real estate income and the money my online ventures produce. I barely “work” more than 2-3 hours a day anymore.

I am not the exception, though! In fact, I know a lot of young folks that have carved a niche out for themselves online…They have online shops, work as dropshippers, are Social Media strategists, run popular travel blogs, are freelance photographers, make money from Instagram and Facebook, have publishing businesses, are marketing experts, consultants etc.

 

Start Slow With A Side Hustle

The good news is that everyone – and I mean everyone – can start an online business, at least as a side hustle. In fact, that’s probably the best way to start, as a side hustle.

Starting your online business on the side is a great way to leverage your talents, test entrepreneurial waters, learn about the market and your competitors, and – ideally – get paid in the process! Hey, a win-win for everybody! In my latest eBook “Have The Courage To Be You”, for instance, I discuss the importance of starting your business off as a side hustle as you can leverage the security that comes from your regular gig to your advantage.

Starting your side hustle is much less intimidating if you don’t depend on it. Hence, side hustles are an excellent way to limit your downside while capturing all the upside. In addition, testing your business idea through a side hustle doesn’t put a strain on your resources, allowing you to go at your own pace and decide what work you are going to do, and what clients you are going to take on.

Retiring young is not a pipe dream at all. I have done it, and so have countless others. All you need to do is work hard on your niche business, save more money than you spend, and start investing into income-producing assets, or IPAs as I call them.

If you don’t know anything about running a business or about investing, don’t worry. This website will give you all the tools you need in order to build confidence in your talents, set smart goals, start your online business, and make better long-term investment decisions.

As long as you stay committed to your financial goals, nobody can stop you from retiring young.