Is it possible for someone financially illiterate working low-paying jobs to not just retire but retire early?

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If you’ve ever asked this about yourself, then we are not unalike. ​I wasn’t born into money, had a highly sought-after college degree, or worked high-paying jobs—my salary didn’t even crack the $50 thousand mark until AFTER reaching financial independence. Even in my early 40s, I still hadn’t figured out my career.

 

In case you’re thinking I married into money, my future wife, who overlooked this horrible dating profile, shared a similar background. In the rat race of life, we were late getting out of the gate. 

 

Still, we managed to retire in 2025 while in our forties, and we did it without resorting to a life of extreme frugality—no meatless ketchup sandwiches for us!—or hustling tirelessly at a second job. We still enjoyed simple luxuries along the way.

 

I started this blog to share with friends the financial lessons I’ve learned, what we personally did to get to where we are, including the mistakes, of which there were many. Even now, I’m learning new things every day. And I find that sharing what I’ve learned helps me with my own understanding. 

 

So wherever you are in the rat race, let’s learn together. It’s OK if you’re late out of the gate; you can still catch up.

 

See you at the finish line.

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Gin