Retirement Is NOT About Your Age—It’s About Your Freedom Number (And Here’s How to Find It) 🎯
Why wait until you’re 65 and wearing orthopedic shoes to live your best life? Forget the retirement “age”—let’s talk about your Freedom Number, and how you can grab it way sooner than you think. 🚀
Why the Old “Retire at 65” Plan Needs to Go 🧓🛑
Picture this:
You’re 65, finally “allowed” to retire… and the first thing you do is nap because you’re exhausted from decades of waiting.
Hard pass. ❌
The old idea of retirement at a set age is about as outdated as floppy disks and Blockbuster video stores. It was based on the 1930s reality when Social Security was introduced—at a time when most people didn’t even live much past that milestone.
Today?
We’re living longer, working differently, and dreaming way bigger. Retirement shouldn’t be about turning 65 — it should be about hitting a Freedom Number that says, “You’re good. Live your life.” 🌟
Financial independence pros like JL Collins (The Simple Path to Wealth) and Kristy Shen (Quit Like a Millionaire) agree:
🎯 Retirement happens when you have enough money to live life on YOUR terms—not when you blow out 65 candles on a cake.
Why Your Freedom Number Beats a Retirement Age Every Time 💡
1. Age Is Just a Number (And Not a Very Good One) 🗓️
Waiting for a specific age to retire is like waiting for a traffic light to turn purple. It’s just not the point anymore.
The goal isn’t to age into freedom.
The goal is to save and invest your way there. 📈
2. Financial Independence = Power Moves 💪
Imagine working because you want to, not because you have to.
Imagine taking a Wednesday afternoon off to learn Italian cooking. 🍝
Imagine saying yes to a month-long trip to Italy… or just saying no to boring meetings forever. ✈️
That’s the magic of financial independence. Options, baby.
Kristy Shen says it best:
“Work should be a choice, not an obligation.”
3. Compound Interest: The Silent MVP 🧠
Starting early is like giving your money a personal trainer—it gets stronger while you sleep. 💤
Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money reminds us:
“Wealth is the result of small habits compounded over time.”
Translation?
Even tiny savings today can snowball into a freedom avalanche tomorrow. ❄️➡️🏔️
How to Calculate Your Freedom Number (In 4 Easy Steps) 🧮
Step 1: Know Your Annual Lifestyle Price Tag 🏡🍔🎟️
Ignore your paycheck for a sec.
How much does your life actually cost?
- Rent/mortgage
- Groceries
- Netflix subscription (obviously important)
- Travel fund
Add it up. That’s your real target. 🎯
Example: Spend $40,000 per year = $40,000 needed annually.
Step 2: Multiply That Number By 25 🔥
Here’s the magic sauce:
Freedom Number = Annual Expenses × 25
This is based on the “4% Rule”, meaning you can safely withdraw about 4% from your investments every year without running out of money.
Example:
$40,000 × 25 = $1,000,000 💵
(Yes, you officially become a millionaire. 🎉)
Step 3: Flex Your Savings Muscle 🏋️♂️
How fast you get to your Freedom Number depends on how much you save.
Typical Trajectories:
- Save 15% → Freedom in ~35–40 years
- Save 30% → Freedom in ~25 years
- Save 50% → Freedom in ~15 years
- Save 70% → Freedom in ~8–10 years
(Pro Tip: Want to know your exact timeline? Tools like FIRECalc or Networthify are like a GPS for your Freedom Journey. 🧭)
Step 4: Stay the Course (Even When Life Throws Potholes) 🛣️
Life happens. Markets wobble. Expenses surprise you.
No biggie. Stay focused on the number—not the noise.
Your Freedom Number is your North Star. 🌟
Typical Freedom Scenarios (aka Choose Your Own Adventure) 🎲
🔹 The Chill Explorer
- Annual Expenses: $35,000
- Freedom Number: ~$875,000
- Likes: Travel, yoga retreats, and brunch on weekdays.
🔹 The Steady Lifestyler
- Annual Expenses: $60,000
- Freedom Number: ~$1.5 million
- Likes: Family BBQs, new cars every few years, international vacations.
🔹 The Luxe Dreamer
- Annual Expenses: $100,000
- Freedom Number: ~$2.5 million
- Likes: First-class flights, beach houses, and sushi on demand. 🍣
(No judgment. It’s your life—you get to set the thermostat on the dream settings.)
Why Freedom Beats Waiting (And What to Watch Out For) 🏁
| 🎯 Pros | 🚧 Cons |
| Clear goalposts for your money | Requires long-term discipline |
| Flexibility to design your life | Life events might detour the journey |
| Spending aligned with your real values | Healthcare and surprise expenses need a plan |
| Freedom way before 65! | Market ups and downs test your nerves |
For tips on protecting your financial future no matter what happens, check out FINRA’s guide to financial resilience. 🛡️
Final Thoughts: Your Freedom, Your Rules 🏆
At Show You The Money Academy, we believe financial independence isn’t some secret club—it’s for anyone ready to take the wheel.
You don’t have to wait for permission to live life fully.
You don’t have to hit a magic age.
You just have to hit a number—and that number is 100% custom-made for you. 🔥
👉 Ready to run your Freedom Number and start designing your dream life?
Freedom isn’t a fantasy. It’s a formula. You just have to start. 💬
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, financial, investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Although the author is a licensed financial advisor, the content shared herein does not constitute a personalized recommendation or professional advice for your specific situation. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified financial advisor, tax professional, or attorney before making any financial or legal decisions. Any reliance on the information provided is solely at the reader’s own risk. Nothing in this blog should be interpreted as creating a client-advisor relationship. Viewing or interacting with this content does not constitute receiving investment advisory services. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. The author and publisher make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the content.