• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Mr. Free At 33

Dividends • Stocks • Investing

  • My Story
  • Coaching
  • Portfolio
  • Getting Started
  • Media Mentions
  • Contact

How I Retired In Six Years On A $50,000 Salary, Part 3

January 5, 2017 by Jason Fieber 19 Comments

My good friends over at Daily Trade Alert asked me to put together a multi-part series on how I retired at such an early age on a fairly modest day-job salary. So I pulled back the curtain on my entire journey, discussing the ups and downs, the saving, the investing, the hard work, and the rewards. I hope it leaves you with lasting inspiration.

This is the third article. I’m including a snippet, and then you’ll see the jump to the article. Enjoy!

So I revealed in the last article how I was able to save such a high percentage of my net income.

But saving is just one piece of the “blueprint” to early retirement. An important piece, no doubt, but not the whole picture.

As someone who was aiming to achieve early retirement at a very young age, it was imperative for me to use the money I saved to build a passive income stream that would exceed my expenses and outpace inflation.

Exceeding expenses is obvious.

Outpacing inflation is less so, but still important. $1 today will very likely be worth much less in the future.

So I needed to find a source of income that isn’t just passive (so that I can enjoy life), but one that’s growing so that my purchasing power is increasing at least in line with inflation, but preferably in excess of.

But where could that kind of income stream come from?

I’ll tell you in a moment.

Keep reading…

Image courtesy of: 9comeback at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Financial Freedom

About Jason Fieber

Jason Fieber became financially free at 33 years old by using dividend growth investing to his advantage. Jason has authored two best-selling books: The Dividend Mantra Way and 5 Steps To Retire In 5 Years (also available in paperback).

 

Jason recommends Personal Capital for portfolio management, Mint for budgeting, Schwab for the brokerage account, and Morningstar, Daily Trade Alert, and Motley Fool for stock ideas. This blog is hosted by Bluehost. If you'd like to start your own blog, Jason offers free coaching when you use our Bluehost affiliate link.

 

Jason's writing and/or story has been featured across international media like USA Today, Business Insider, and CNBC.

« Full-Time Fund Update For January 2017
Undervalued Dividend Growth Stock Of The Week »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Investing Pursuits says

    January 5, 2017 at 11:35 am

    Jason,

    The article was well written. If that does not motivate someone, I do not know what will. Anyone reading that article should realize they need to do something whether it is real estate investing, dividend growth investing or any other form of collecting passive income.

    I think a lot of people who work at jobs they hate, should read this. A lot of these people think spending money on having fun liking bar hopping, going to movies, playing golf etc. is their way of motivating themselves to go into their job day after day for years on end. I say use the job you hate as motivation to find ways to produce passive income and have a little fun on the way.

    Reply
    • Jason Fieber says

      January 5, 2017 at 1:43 pm

      IP,

      Thanks so much. I only aim to motivate and inspire. I really feel like if I did this, anyone can. Perhaps not as fast as me. But I also started pretty late in life. If you’re in your early 20s and reading any of this stuff, you have some absolutely incredible opportunities in front of you.

      If you love what you do, that’s great. But I think you should still have options. The problem, however, is that most people (whenever they do studies and surveys) hate what they do. And they feel trapped. So they spend money to make themselves feel better. It’s just an endless cycle. It’s a trap.

      Thanks for dropping by!

      Cheers.

      Reply
  2. Dr. Vijay Dav'e says

    January 5, 2017 at 11:41 am

    Hello Jason:

    I just finished reading your current article. Fascinatingly, simplified article.
    I just forwarded it to my 24 yr old daughter.

    I have noticed that you have rare gift of simplifying a complex, confusing (sometimes on purpose!) ideas.

    I remember a while back you had mentioned in an article about going to a store to buy an item which is on sale. And it didn’t matter if items sitting next to it were on sale or not. You were interested in only the item on the sale. I think you were referencing to market over all or something of that nature. I found the idea / thought very thought provoking and very very simple. It was great!

    I read your biography and it is truly inspiring for anybody.

    I wish you the very best going forward. You are a classic “Half-Full-Glass” guy. More power to you!

    Vijay

    Reply
    • Jason Fieber says

      January 5, 2017 at 1:46 pm

      Vijay,

      Very kind of you. I appreciate that so much. I take a lot of pride in the craft. And I genuinely want to help people. To do so, I think one has to make complicated subjects as simple as possible. Once people see how something works, they’re able to understand it. And when they’re able to understand it, they’re able to actually make some intelligent decisions about what to do.

      Appreciate you taking the time to read the book. I hope to follow that up with a second one at some point here. I still have so many ideas circulating in this brain of mine! 🙂

      Hope you continue to stop by and enjoy the message.

      Best wishes.

      Reply
  3. Nicklas Widlund Bjurman says

    January 5, 2017 at 4:59 pm

    How big is the current dividend yield per year as a percentage of your total portfolio value?

    Reply
    • Jason Fieber says

      January 5, 2017 at 5:09 pm

      Nicklas,

      You can see my portfolio and the current dividend income it produces here:

      https://www.mrfreeat33.com/portfolio/

      Take care!

      Reply
  4. Dividend Reaper says

    January 5, 2017 at 6:53 pm

    Jason,

    Thank you for continually sharing your story and your thoughts. It propelled me to start my own journey a little over a year ago and I can honestly say that my wife and I’s future is much brighter for it. Keep doing what you do and we’ll keep reading and learning!

    Reply
    • Jason Fieber says

      January 5, 2017 at 7:34 pm

      DR,

      That’s good stuff right there. So glad to hear it! 🙂

      Appreciate the support so much. Hope you continue to enjoy the content and inspiration.

      Cheers.

      Reply
  5. Mike H says

    January 6, 2017 at 4:51 am

    Jason,

    I’m amazed at how quickly you sussed out the key investment principles in such a short time, especially while working full time.

    Your reasoning and critical thinking is solid.

    Best,

    Mike

    Reply
    • Jason Fieber says

      January 6, 2017 at 11:40 am

      Mike,

      Thanks so much.

      I’m really just glad the me of 2009/2010 started to make the moves that eventually got me here. I’m very thankful. Would love to travel back in time and give him a big hug. 🙂

      Hope all is well!

      Cheers.

      Reply
  6. fireinlondon says

    January 6, 2017 at 5:08 am

    Thanks for sharing – and it is great for people to see a real life example of how it can work – its not a myth, it is relatively straightforward in terms of the blueprint you lay out. It just isn’t easy for a lot of people, and I think that is where people often get confused. Do they really need the McMansion, or that nice big new pickup truck that they use once a month?

    Keep providing the inspiration – its a shame I came to the FI side late in the day, I can only imagine where I would be now had I started in my early 20’s – the main thing though is not to regret it, or look back. You are where you are – look to the future!

    FiL

    Reply
    • Jason Fieber says

      January 6, 2017 at 11:43 am

      FiL,

      Indeed. We started thinking about putting this series together precisely because there are so many people out there that still aren’t aware that there’s a path. But it’s very possible. You just have to want it and be willing to make some key lifestyle changes. But the blueprint is here. I just want to help and inspire. 🙂

      I used to wish I would have started earlier. I could have been in a position to retire before 30. But I don’t wish that anymore. All that’s happened has made me who I am today, and I’m pretty happy about that.

      Look to the future, indeed!

      Best regards.

      Reply
      • fireinlondon says

        January 6, 2017 at 2:18 pm

        Hi Jason,

        Indeed it is – and hopefully people will see this and realise it is possible – especially with someone who has already done it showing how it can be done! The challenge is for people to make those lifestyle changes – that is the biggest challenge!

        You are spot on – the past is what makes us – whilst I wish I had I would not trade in the experiences I have had in my life so its always about the balance of the journey!
        Have a great weekend,
        FiL

        Reply
  7. David Michael says

    January 6, 2017 at 6:55 pm

    Another informative article. Thanks for sharing your philosophy and methods.

    But…your portfolio only provides about $11,000 in dividends per year at this point. Where do you get the other $39,000 to balance out your expenses without working?

    Reply
    • Jason Fieber says

      January 6, 2017 at 7:08 pm

      David,

      I guess I don’t understand your question.

      I don’t spend $50,000 a year now, nor have I ever.

      You may want to re-read the second article, which goes over living frugally so that you can acquire the excess capital necessary to invest:

      http://dailytradealert.com/2016/12/30/how-i-retired-in-six-years-on-a-50000-salary-part-2/

      Moreover, I published my income and expenses for years over at Dividend Mantra, so you can see what that looked like for me. And I’ve published a few reports on my expenses here on this site since it went live back in September.

      Take care!

      Reply
  8. ARB says

    January 7, 2017 at 8:01 pm

    Thanks for sharing your story. It might be “old news” for those of us that have followed you since the Dividend Mantra days, but that does not make it any less valuable.

    Like many have stated, you have a talent for taking an investment strategy and making it simple to understand.

    Sincerely,
    ARB–Angry Retail Banker

    Reply
    • Jason Fieber says

      January 7, 2017 at 8:22 pm

      ARB,

      Thanks, man!

      Yeah, it might just be a lot of recounting things for people who have followed along for many years. But I always try to keep in mind that there are countless new people joining the movement every day. 🙂

      Hope you’re having a great weekend.

      Best regards.

      Reply
  9. Joey says

    January 10, 2017 at 2:42 pm

    Jason,

    I really enjoy reading your journey and your story of where you got to today. It has brought so much inspiration and motivation to my life. I enjoy telling my friends and family about your site and what you stand for. I hope that if they hear it enough from me, they will catch the inspiration bug, too. Best of health and wishes for you in 2017!

    Best regards,

    Joey

    Reply
    • Jason Fieber says

      January 10, 2017 at 2:44 pm

      Joey,

      Thank you so much for the support. It’s people like you that make all of the work and writing worth it. Truly.

      And I appreciate you spreading the word. I only aim to help and inspire. The more people I can potentially positively impact, the better. 🙂

      Wishing you a very happy, healthy, and successful 2017!

      Best regards.

      Reply

Join the discussion. Let's have a dialogue. Just please make sure comments are respectful and relevant. Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

About Me

About Me

Hi. I'm Jason Fieber. I achieved financial independence and retired in my early 30s by using dividend growth investing to my advantage. I cover stock analyses, market news, dividend updates, and the dividend growth investing strategy.

Recommended

My Best-Selling Books

My Best-Selling Books

Let’s Stay In Touch

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

As Seen In

As Seen In

Most Popular

  • Two Big Reasons Behind My Decision To Move Overseas And Become A Dividend Expat 119 comments
  • Financial Freedom Should Be Just One Chapter Of An Otherwise Fantastic Book 110 comments
  • My Recent Experience With Visiting A Hospital In Chiang Mai, Thailand 106 comments
  • Why I Moved Most Of My Assets From Scottrade to Charles Schwab (And Why You May Want To Do The Same) 96 comments
  • It’s Not About The Money: Rent Versus Buy 91 comments

Search

Archives

Categories

Footer

Disclaimer

I’m not a licensed professional of any kind. I’m not a financial advisor, tax professional, or doctor. This site should be viewed for entertainment purposes only. Before you invest any of your money, exercise, or undergo any financial, business, or personal changes at all, please consult an appropriate professional. Unless your investments are FDIC insured, they may decline in value. Any stock transactions and/or analyses I publish should not be considered to be investment recommendations. I am not liable for any losses or suffering experienced by any party.

Privacy Policy

This site does not attempt to collect any personal information whatsoever other than that which is freely shared publicly (through comments), or that which is collected automatically via servers and Google Analytics. I do not sell or voluntarily disclose anyone’s personal information to anyone.

Disclosure

This site is largely supported by way of advertisements. As such, third-party ads may be served up at any time, and I may be paid on your clicking of these ads or your giving of information to third-party representatives. I offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of these ads. These ads may not necessarily reflect or represent my opinions or viewpoints. In addition, I may also have affiliate partnerships with companies whereby I earn a commission if products and/or services are purchased after you click on a link from this site. I only set up affiliate relationships with companies who offer products and/or services that I personally believe in and/or personally use. If I don’t believe in a product and/or service, I don’t endorse it.

Copyright © 2016-2020 Mr. Free At 33. All rights reserved.
sponsored

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Mr. Free At 33
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping us to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.