A few years ago, I was broke.
I know that’s not much of a revelation. Lots of people went broke after the 2008 crash. They lost their jobs and their assets. They lost everything.
But I was in denial. You see, I was employed in the private banking sector. I was a senior executive. I earned 7-figures. I’d been in the business for decades, working with big players like Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse and Citigroup. There’s no way I could be failing. I mean, if I can’t afford retirement, then who can?
But somehow, my hair was already gray and I was drowning in debt. I had a mortgage, my kids were in private school, my whole lifestyle was out of my price range.
I was the New Economy’s Corporate Failure
Twenty years ago, if you had a salaried job with a retirement package, you were set. All you had to do was make contributions and sleep easy knowing it will grow into enough money to fund your retirement.
Follow the traditional advice and you can’t go wrong.
Some of us did that. We made our 401K contributions, took our stock options, and looked forward to a fruitful career of financial growth. But the stock market today isn’t what it used to be. That nest egg you built looks a lot smaller in hindsight.
At the same time, some of us didn’t plan for retirement much at all. Instead, we racked up debt with bloated lifestyle, assuming we’ll pay that down with future pay raises that never came.
I did a combination of both these things, and found myself completely stuck. I had spent too much, saved too little, and time was just about up.
And here’s the real kicker: No matter how much I cut back, no matter how far we downsized, it would never be enough. I would never be able to even make it to retirement, let alone through it with my current finances.
What Came Next? My Retirement Re-Education
I, like many of you, was at an impasse. And my only saving grace, what helped me pull myself out of debt and achieve financial freedom, was this:
I ditched the traditional wisdom. I reeducated myself about personal finance and how to make your dream retirement a reality. The game has changed, but only a fair few people have started changing the way they play it.
I achieved this mostly through reading. I followed new economy thought leaders. I was still working 80+ hours a week, but squeezed in these insights with audiobooks. This self-education helped me change my mindset, change my strategy, and turned me into the successful online business owner I am today.
Now I live abroad and still get a corporate salary. But I also run several successful independent online businesses to fuel my retirement. And you can do it too.
I Want to Give You What I Didn’t Have
Maybe you’re in the same situation I was a few years ago, or you’re afraid you’re going to be. Or maybe it’s worse, and you’ve already lost your job.
I know that the personal journey I went through –my retirement re-education– can benefit you as well. I don’t want anyone to be in the same place I was without knowing how to move forward. I know, it’s hollow and scary.
So that’s why I’m giving away ten books and ten copies of my course The No Nest Egg Retirement Plan. I’ve taken everything I’ve learned from doing this myself and I’ve turned it into this:
The course contains everything I’ve learned on my journey. I’ve used it to help my family, my friends and others. It contains the hard-earned advice that took me from “No Nest Egg” to reliable, ongoing cash flow.
Here’s what’s inside the comprehensive No Nest Egg Retirement Plan
- Determine your Perfect Day or how you really want to spend your time
- Create cash flow through right-sizing and rationalized expenses
- Craft an optimal debt strategy to become debt free
- Identify a low cost location to escape to, domestic or international
- Develop a Disaster Fund isolated from your other money
- Secure your retirement account in a safe place away from big custodians and other risks
- Speak to you spouse and family and have them excited about the future
- Develop specific strategies to lengthen your corporate career and keep your income at a high level
- Change your mindset from one of employee to entrepreneur
- Learn how wealth has been historically been created and where to create it in today’s New Economy
- Identify new business opportunities available to drive your income outside your day job today
- Determine a sub-niche of keen personal interest where you can monetize your unique expertise
- Be fluent in the opportunities offered by investing in the New Economy and where to access these deals
- Examine all of the financial contingency plans you need to make
- Visit your low cost home to escape if need be
- Design, create, and implement a solid retirement plan with specific income sources for your budget
These Ten Books Were the Beginning for Me and an Important First Step.
They tackle the realities of today’s economy and shed a whole new light on retirement planning. They helped me change my mindset which was critical to my education. Some of them were part of my library when I first started turning my life around. Others I discovered later.
But all of them will help you on the road to retirement success. Here are the books I’m giving away:
- “Choose Yourself” by James Altucher
- “55 and Scared” by Ken Bodnar
- “How to Fail At Almost Everything and Still Win Big” by Scott Adams
- “Leap” by Tess Vigeland
- “10% Happier” by Dan Harris
- “The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday
- “Everything That Remains: A Memoir by The Minimalists” by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
- “The End of Jobs” by Taylor Pearson
- “The Gig Economy” by Diane Mulcahy
- “The Millionaire Fastlane” by MJ DeMarco
“Choose Yourself” by James Altucher
Choose Yourself is the quintessential guide to break the employee mindset and bet on your own skills and experience. James Altucher recounts his failures—I’ve lost count how many times he’s gone broke—and gives you concrete steps to take control of your own destiny. This “must read’ is both fun and impactful. If you’re lost and need some direction in your career, this should be your guide book.
“55 and Scared” by Ken Bodnar
Ken Bodnar describes his own transformation from being “55 and Scared”. Since this was my own situation, I identify deeply with the highs and lows during his transformation from fired executive to successful entrepreneur. If the title resonates with you—and you know who you are—then you’ll love the strategies and tactics Bodnar offers.
“How to Fail At Almost Everything and Still Win Big” by Scott Adams
Scott Adams is known as the creator of the monster cartoon “Dilbert”. He’s not well known for the 100 failures before his success. Adams provides a balanced view of what it takes to leave corporate life and succeed on your own. Adams is a master at optimally combining his own skills while leveraging those of others. He is also part philosopher and appeals to those who think strategy and not just luck is required. .
“Leap” by Tess Vigeland
Like everyone, Tess Vigeland had a lot to lose when she left her career. She was a highly visible business reporter for PBS and exited in hasty manner. What Vigeland learned after her exit is of great interest for those thinking of leaping. Her story will compel you to give plenty of thought to what you want from life before you make your career exit.
“10% Happier” by Dan Harris
Dan Harris’ very visible meltdown on ABC news was the beginning of his personal journey to mental clarity. As an investigative reporter he is no easy mark for solutions to calm the mind. He chose mindfulness meditation, which has helped me a lot. “10% Happier” is a thoughtful perspective on Harris’ journey controlling his thoughts and emotions and what mindfulness can do (that’s the metaphorical 10% that means everything).
“The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday
“The Obstacle is the Way” is the one book that puts a historical perspective on the human mental struggle. Through the teachings of the Marcus Aurelius (once the world’s most powerful man) and Epictetus (a slave), and others, Holiday provides a formula for thriving not in spite of what happens, but because of it. This book screams “learn from the greats in history” and gives examples. Ryan Holiday is also the best living writer under 30 in my opinion, and this book proves it.
“Everything That Remains: A Memoir by The Minimalists” by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
I was wrapped up in consumerism so rampant in America and I needed a framework to break my addiction. “Everything that Remains” and the Minimalists did that for me. Now my less complicated life is more fulfilling and I’m liberated from all that stuff that never made me happy anyway. “All that Remains” describes that framework from the eyes of its two writers who succeeded in their struggle.
“The End of Jobs” by Taylor Pearson
Want to really understand how the world has changed for workers since 1980? Taylor Pearson wrote the book. I missed the big changes as I lived this day by day. Seeing how the world has changed will give you clarity and confidence to make your own decisions. Pearson gives the readers a perspective that is so stark you’ll feel compelled to act. I certainly was. I believe Pearson has so much to say that I reached out to two friends who have podcasts and got him interviews.
“The Gig Economy” by Diane Mulcahy
Diane Mulcahy sees the future and it is comprised of continual learning while working for multiple employers at once. While our fathers had one employer for life and we had many, the next generation will have many at the same time. Boomers need to embrace a new paradigm to somehow earn income to fund longer life expectancies while taking time off that is financed by work.
“The Millionaire Fastlane” by MJ DeMarco
MJ DeMarco is not a shy observer of the choice of entrepreneurship and trading time for money. He describes his own journey and gives theory and examples on why working a job is a loser’s strategy. DeMarco gets in your face and inspires action. He’s written a terrific book that has inspired a cult following. This is a fast read that gets you pumped up to take action.