One of my dreams, ever since my late twenties, was to retire early. I didn’t know exactly how it would happen, I just knew that I wanted it. I didn’t want to spend my entire life working, racing the clock, trying to keep up. I wanted time. Time to be present with my family. Time to travel. Time to live.
At the time, it sounded bold and maybe even a little foolish. But something in me whispered, What if it’s possible? So I wrote it down. I made a plan. I started to take small, steady steps. And just a little over a decade later, I did it. I retired.
And I did it even earlier than I had planned.
The Truth About Work
Work is often necessary. It feeds our families, keeps the lights on, pays the mortgage, and helps us build a life. I’m not against working. In fact, I worked hard for many years, and I’m thankful for what that season gave me – stability, opportunities, and meaningful experiences.
But I always saw work as a means to an end, not the end itself. I wanted to create a life where my time wasn’t constantly traded for a paycheck.
The secret to how I made that shift?
I found my Freedom Number.
What Is a Freedom Number?
Your Freedom Number is the amount of money you need to live the life you want without having to work for it. This could be a monthly number or a yearly one, but it has to reflect your real lifestyle, not a fantasy, and not a number someone else told you.
Here’s a simple way to calculate your Freedom Number:
Figure out your monthly expenses – Include housing, food, insurance, utilities, transportation, healthcare, entertainment, and any other regular costs.
Add in your dream expenses – Travel, hobbies, generosity, or experiences you want in retirement.
Build in a buffer – Life happens. Emergencies, inflation, and changes will occur.
Multiply by 12 – That gives you your annual Freedom Number.
Then ask:
What will it take to consistently generate that income without working a 9–5 job?
This could come from investments, rental income, a business, savings, or even downsizing your lifestyle.
My Turning Point
When I was 41, life brought me to a moment I hadn’t planned for. My husband was in the depths of serious depression, and I needed to be home full-time to take care of him and support our family emotionally.
It wasn’t the ideal time, and certainly not what I had pictured for my early retirement. But because I had calculated my Freedom Number and worked toward it—step by step—I was ready. I reviewed our finances. I ran the numbers. I gave myself permission to stop working.
And I never looked back.
That was three years ago. I’m still retired. I’m still free. And we are doing great.
If You Want to Retire Early, Start Here
You may not be able to stop working tomorrow, but you can start dreaming today. You can write it down. You can learn your numbers. You can make small shifts that turn into long-term change.
Here’s where to begin:
Write down your dream – Be bold and clear.
Calculate your Freedom Number – Know what you’re aiming for.
Make a plan – Pay off debt, increase savings, invest wisely.
Track your progress – Adjust as needed, but stay committed.
You don’t have to work forever. You don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode. A different life is possible and it begins with a single decision you make today.
Start Today!
Retiring early didn’t come easy. It wasn’t luck, or magic, or a windfall. It was planning, adjusting, learning, and believing. I still remember when I first dared to write it down, it felt like a far-off wish. But today, it’s my reality.
If I can do it, so can you.
Start today. Because the sooner you begin, the closer freedom becomes.
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