I retired at 43 with a million+ portfolio.

Visit one of a thousand blogs to read countless posts, articles, fables, parallels and other hefty life lessons or, read on and just finish this page. All you need to know is 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 good to live by, but even better for figuring out, where your money actually goes. Once you know the latter, you can make changes to get to the amount you wish to invest monthly (or adapt it accordingly). When created, you can figure out how to spend less than you make. The duration of your goal and plan will depend on the latter. Be aware, living at or above your means won’t get you there.

Invest monthly and consistently.

Pick a day of the month (i.e., every first Monday). If it makes you feel better consider it business as usual, when the market is down, consider it a buying opportunity when the market is up, stay the course. Do not try to time the market, YOU WILL FAIL. If there’s a month where you need to put the money elsewhere (with emphasis on NEED) do so; It’s your money.

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

Whatever you contribute beyond that is up to you. Don’t just jump on the bandwagon about “maxing out your 401(k) for tax breaks”. Today I pay 0% capital gains taxes on my after-tax investment accounts which is less than I’ll pay once I start distributing my 401(k).

Pay yourself first.

But, if you believe you can only do it by automating it, because you lack self-control guess what: your retirement probably won’t last long. Investing/retiring early/becoming financially independent, takes self-control.

Stick to the plan and be patient.

If you think you can do this in a year, go visit some other site. This takes time, self-control and self-discipline. After a while, you will see compounding do its magic and things will accelerate.

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.