You might not have been in the working world long, but nobody would blame you for thinking about early retirement. Think of all that free time you could have to travel and do the things you want to do, instead of being stuck behind your desk.
Early retirement may seem like a pipe dream, but it’s more within your reach than you realise.
If you want it, it can be yours thanks to this five-step guide to early retirement.
1. Start building assets
If you want to retire early, you’re going to need some assets behind you. Your extensive trainer collection and games console won’t cut it here. One of the best ways to build assets is to get yourself a stock portfolio and start making some investments. If you’re unsure of which shares to buy, speak to a broker or spend time looking at ratings like a waste management stock symbol to help you see what options are available. As with any investment, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket – be sure to diversify them.
2. Get on the property ladder
Believe it or not, it is possible to own your own home by the age of 25. It’s not always easy, but if you’re willing to save and work hard, you could get there. There are lots of options available to you including Lifetime ISAs and Help To Buy which could get your name on a mortgage sooner. Property is a good investment to make, and could provide you with your net egg for when you retire.
3. Start a side hustle
Side hustles are becoming increasingly popular among those who want to boost their income and even retire sooner. There are many types of side hustle out there, including blogging, Air BnB and other ventures are simple things you can do to earn money alongside your full-time job, and if you’re disciplined enough with your savings, then you could put your earnings into savings or investments ready for when you retire.
4. Get your pension in order
Your best chance of securing early retirement starts with your pension. As soon as you’re able, start paying into a pension pot. Thanks to employer contribution schemes, you can now save even more a year for your future. Sign up for the highest percentage contribution that you can afford to help you grow your pension faster.
5. Learn how to budget
Retiring early means having a healthy relationship with money. Learning how to get by on a budget is a good way to become better at managing your money, making it possible to make savings and keep on top of your bills. Start setting yourself a monthly budget from your salary to help you keep control of your spending. If you find yourself in the red despite doing this, then you know that something mustn’t be quite right. In the past, people all over the world have gone down the route of GoFundMe campaigns – this should only really be seen as a last resort at this point, as people only tend to donate if they see it’s for a good cause, but at the end of the day if you don’t try, you won’t have a chance of succeeding.
Whatever your plans for your future, don’t be put off considering early retirement. Make a plan now, and you could be waving goodbye to those 9-5s by the time you reach 55.
