I retired at 43 with a million+ portfolio.

You could spend hours browsing through countless blogs filled with posts, articles, stories, and life lessons. Or you can simply read on and finish this page—everything you need to know is right here.

Here is how you built wealth (How I did it, at least).

Start early (if you can).

If I had started this at 26 instead of 30, I would have written this page 6 years ago (yes the math is correct).

Make a plan and set a goal.

i.e. goal: Reach a million in 10 years. Plan: invest $2,500 each month. Your plan is unique, your goal is yours but in the end, there is nothing more to it. Make it good; your goal and your plan will be with you for years to come.

Create a budget.

A budget is not only a great tool for managing your finances, but also for understanding where your money is really going. Once you have that clarity, you can make adjustments to reach the amount you want to invest each month—or adjust your spending as needed. By tracking your expenses, you can ensure you’re spending less than you earn. The timeline for achieving your financial goals will depend on how well you manage this balance. Keep in mind, living beyond your means will only make it harder to reach your objectives.

Invest monthly and consistently.

Choose a specific day each month (e.g., the first Monday) to make your investment. Treat it as part of your regular routine. If the market is down, see it as a buying opportunity; if it’s up, simply stay the course. Don’t attempt to time the market—you will likely fail. If there’s ever a month when you need to allocate the money elsewhere (emphasis on need), feel free to do so; after all, it’s your money.

Contribute to your 401(k) to get the maximum corporate matching.

Any contributions beyond that are your choice. Don’t simply follow the crowd by focusing on “maxing out your 401(k) for tax breaks.” Personally, I currently pay 0% capital gains taxes on my after-tax investment accounts—less than I’ll pay when I begin withdrawing from my 401(k).

Pay yourself first.

However, if you think automation is the only way to do this because you lack self-discipline, here’s the truth: your retirement probably won’t last long. Achieving financial independence, retiring early, and successful investing all require strong self-control.

Stick to the plan and be patient.

If you expect quick results in a year, this probably isn’t the right path for you—try another site. Building wealth takes time, self-discipline, and consistency. Over time, you’ll witness the power of compounding, and things will start to gain momentum.

Fine, if you want to read more about this, about me or other things go to my blog. I believe you’ll find that, all it will do is get back to one of the items above.

Good luck reaching your financial goals.