What It Really Means To Never Give Up

I had dinner with my old classmates recently. Over a sumptuous spread of sushi, we talked about how we were getting on in life and our plans for the future. One of them, G had started a webstore and was thinking of taking a 6 months sabbatical off her job to focus on the business. I remembered she had a close friend who ran an ecommerce store full time and reminded G to seek her advice.

“Oh, wasn’t you aware? She went back to the corporate world.” G blurted out just as I popped a piece of salmon sushi into my mouth. I nearly choked.

“Huh? You mean she’s no longer working on her business?” I muffled. “What’s she doing now?”

“She went back to being a secretary.” G explained, taking a sip off her cup of green tea. “You know, it can be really nerve wrecking just surviving on the business’ income. It’s too unstable.” G nibbled on a piece of meguro sashimi and continued, “So after several months working solely on the store, she took on another part-time job. Sales related. But that industry was too competitive and newcomers like her had no edge. She called it quits and finally went back to her old line. But she’s still manning the webstore on the side though.”

I put down my chopsticks. Read more

How This Family Man Retired Early At 32

If you’ve been thinking of how to retire early and live well, or be financially independent at a young age, this family man’s story will definitely give you an insight.

Affectionately known to his readers by the moniker Mr Money Mustache (“MMM”), MMM currently lives in the United States and is married with a young son. He and his wife retired in their early 30s (around 2005) in order to become parents and they’ve been going strong since then.

What’s most amazing is, they didn’t exactly retire with a million dollars! Contrary to what most financial advisors’ tell you to! And yet, they’re able to have a comfortable, wholesome lifestyle and raise a healthy kid at that. They’ve also paid off their primary house’s mortgage a few years after quitting their jobs.

So how did he do it? How did this family man retire so early when most people are still struggling with their bills? Join me as I get him to spill the beans in this interview. Read more