Mr. Money Mustache’s Simple Secret to Retiring Early in Your 30s

Mr. Money Mustache is the internet’s poster child for early retirement. At age thirty, Pete Adeney was able to leave a lucrative job as a software engineer to focus on building a financially free life. He brought the FIRE movement to the mainstream by teaching others online how simple spending skills could allow them to quit their corporate jobs, keep more money while working less, and live a life centered around passion, not a paycheck. His popular blog has garnered millions of visits, as early versions of himself flock to the financially-freeing wisdom so rarely talked about in average American society.
Pete has been retired for nearly twenty years now, meaning he’s been FIRE more than double the amount of time he spent in the working world. So, how does he spend his days? What keeps him going? Does he still have enough money? And how can someone repeat his system? Scott and Mindy spend this episode asking the “life after FI” questions, so you can know exactly what you’re getting into when you retire early. Pete’s answers shed light on often untouched topics that most of the money community can’t answer.
We’ll go deep into planning for financial independence, developing “spending skills” that can bring early retirement decades sooner, and the right way to quit your job and wean off work. Pete also shows what the day in the life of an early retiree looks like and how today’s stock market crash has affected his portfolio. Want to retire early? Strap in-we’ve got the man who brought FI to the masses on today’s show!
00:00 Intro
03:24 Why FI?
07:08 The Freedom of a Low-Spend Lifestyle
11:37 Quitting His 9-5
17:53 More Money Won't Help
21:52 An Endless Saturday
30:26 Is Early Retirement Worth the Hype?
40:44 The Skill of Spending
50:20 Thoughts on Today's Stock Market Crash
58:52 Stocks vs. Bonds
01:04:41 Get Money Out of the Way!
Show Notes at:
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Connect with Pete:
www.mrmoneymustache.com/
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Tools and Resources Mentioned in Today’s Show:
cFIREsim: cfiresim.com/
Choose FI Meetups: www.choosefi.com/community/fi...
Early Retirement Extreme: earlyretirementextreme.com/
Mint Mobile: www.mintmobile.com/bpmoney
Multpl: www.multpl.com/shiller-pe
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Episode 377
#biggerpockets #biggerpocketsmoney #money377

[@TheFirstRealChewy]

Our goal is financial Independence. I don't mind working. I just want the flexibility and freedom to work on whatever I want.

[@Madchris8828]

I think thats probably the best way to be. Once your expenses are covered well why not work on something you can do to make yourself or others happy?

[@HughMirin-Bruh]

This man made 'being retired' his full-time job and is probably making bank from that. Well played!

[@fwefhwe4232]

and he is a really smart engineer who made 6 figures in his 20s.

[@scottreid2470]

So technically he is not retired..or am I missing something.

[@diydad5067]

@@scottreid2470If you’re doing what you like, are you really working?

[@elysef9303]

He’s retired from required work. Being financially independent is the goal!

[@michaeldautry]

@@scottreid2470if you don’t have to go to work, and have total control, and can easily say no to work or commitments; then no, it’s not considered work…

[@samyin330]

He popped on KZbin randomly in 2020. I clicked on it, took his advice and merged it with BP. Got me to FI in 1 year and RE by 2022. Awsome stuff. Now I get to take care of the family and hang out with old friends when kids are at school. Life changing. Thank you for the valuable content!!

[@befree9579]

how much did you need for ur FI?

[@samyin330]

@@befree9579 I needed 60K take home with 3% COLA for FI. But I kept it up until I got to 200K take home before I quit my W2 just in case. Everyone's FI is different. I'm married with 3 young kids.

[@TheFirstRealChewy]

@@samyin330 $200K after taxes? We could definitely retire on that. We are aiming for less, but we are many years away based on my calculation. If things go better than planned then that's great. I wouldn't say that I'd retire, but I'd probably look for something that gives me a different challenge.

[@janethamilton7583]

So frightening! I’ll never forget my uncle who worked hard held two jobs and a day or two after he retired he suffered an aneurysm and died! All his plans with his wife died with him😢

[@Retired-jr3qs]

I am a baby boomer that retired at 57 and single. It's been 3 years of happiness. Thanks Pete

[@raymondcarter9810]

That sounds both happy and sad

[@bharatbehl8261]

Good for you! 👏🏻

[@nicpollifrone8634]

I am actually where he’s stating he WOULD be… 48 and having had a stressful career for a long time. On weekends I don’t have a ton of energy but I hike, relax etc. I’ve thought actively about what I will do when it’s time to step away from this existence. My wife and I moved to a cabin in the mountains in in 2020, to start a new life experience. New adventures can begin at any stage of life, you just can’t give up!! Thank you for your ongoing content, and for this MMM update interview! 💙

[@MaryOlson7]

I just sold a property in Portland and I'm thinking of putting the cash in stocks, I know everyone is saying it's ripe enough, but Is this a good time to buy stocks? How long until a full recovery? How are other people in the same market raking in over $200k gains with months, I'm really just confused at this point.

[@MaryOlson7]

@@MariaA.Holmes It all depends on how long you're willing to hold for, stocks might likely tank further, but making serious gains in this downtrend wouldn't be a problem if you're a pro.

[@MaryOlson7]

@@MariaA.Holmes Hi, please who is the expert assisting you and how do I reach out to them?

[@odnilniloc]

Pete really is a gift to the space. Great interview and one I'll definitely return to for inspiration.

[@ali90211]

I remember reading and loving his blog in 2010

[@LittleSara953]

I found his blog in 2010, and since then I am following him. I am on track to retire at 35:)

[@karenmolnar9159]

Amazing interview, thanks!

[@carolinechoquette3791]

Great episode! I really enjoyed the interview, Pete is such a good story teller and he is very inspiring 🙂

[@carolannstevens5814]

I am a new listener and love listening to Pete! Thank you!

[@jeremytorgersen]

Awesome interview! Grateful I was able to meet Pete and Mindy last year at the MMM HQ. Love the FIRE community!

[@betterhomesnc2437]

Love that you brought up paying off your mortgage. Sometimes it's not about the math. Watching my grandma deal with this in retirement now.

[@TheFirstRealChewy]

We are working on paying off ours early. I also realized something. If I have to carry a mortgage all the way into retirement in order to invest enough for retirement, then that sucks!

[@carolmaz8675]

move grandma in with you .sell her house x

[@hansenmarc]

I love his attitude. I used to feel deprived because I grew up dirt poor. Now I feel like it gave me a superpower. I could live a monastic lifestyle and feel absolutely fine about it. You live in a van down by the river? LUXURY! I used to dream of having a van to live in... 😉

[@denmarklive]

Thanks for a great podcast 😍

[@fisgrisen1585]

Pete changed my life. 🙏

[@rcoleman171]

I love hearing from Pete and his inspirational thoughts on keeping it simple!

[@humblebee7979]

Smart guy with great points.

[@rytheinvestorguy4749]

Fantastic!

[@FinancialFreedomLifestyle]

Really enjoyed this! Pete was one of those people who I looked up to a lot before reaching FIRE. My wife and I were both able to reach FIRE at the ages of 28. Thank you Pete and BP for all your guidance over the years.

[@samyin330]

Awsome stuff! Congrats. I wish he was around when I was in my 20s. But glad he is with us now.

[@dudewhat7738]

You got Pete! Now your show is legit 😎

[@sandielefant8258]

Thank you all for this amazing and informative video! I appreciate the insight and opinions very much. :)

[@Lavida-melody]

I would love to retire early. Corporate America ain’t it. I loved the part about having everyday being a Saturday. I have so many hobbies outside of my 8-5am. Tennis, Zumba, pole fitness, cross-stitching, personal finance, video games, plants, my pets, traveling, and family. I wish I could find some way to cut down hours, but still make a decent amount of money. Still figuring it out.

[@BLRsanket]

All the best. I wish I had so many hobbies

[@Lavida-melody]

@@BLRsanket thanks so much. you can try to find 1-2 core hobbies! I’m the type to get bored quick with one thing. I fit as much as I can in a day and enjoy watching shows/ movies at the end of my day.

[@carolannstevens5814]

I love MMM!!! Would love to meet him and the FI group! What a kind wonderful dad!

[@dakotadak100]

Everyone should get out as fast as they can.

[@SparkAStory2024]

When are we going to acknowledge the trailblazers before the internet? Just because you're the first to blog it or post it doesn't mean you're the first. Good interview.

[@sexyellex]

I like Pete's blog; I've been reading it for years and there is great information on it. In the 90's, I was motivated to find out more about FIRE after reading Cashing Out on the American Dream by Paul Terhorst; and then read about Billy and Akasha Kaderli in a magazine. I would dream while reading Escape Artist and International Living magazines (online and print/online respectively). Two other favorite books are: Stop Working, Start Living (Dianne Nahirny) and Your Money or Your Life (Joseph Dominguez and Vicki Robin).

[@QQQBall]

Terhortz book is a rare gem. YMorYL is a pioneering book. Both books changed my life. Both books are more philosophical than most "how to" books.

[@MykKessler]

The reason you should upgrade your pixel 3 is the lack of security updates. Otherwise, upgrade when. Your battery starts to fail.

[@rickymagicanada]

What an inspirational interview

[@dylanbarrett599]

I love the concept of wanting to be financially free. The only thing that’s a little tough for me is the frugality part. I think it’s one thing to put effort into saving money here and there, but I have chosen to spend my time on increasing my income and investments. I always strive to have a abundance mindset and not a limited scarcity mindset. Great conversation!

[@YusefWakeel]

Yup, you can only decrease expenses to 0 but increase income to infinity

[@O8Zen]

@@YusefWakeel47:30 You can also expand your spending to infinity. That's why FI without some form of frugality is doomed to fail.

[@twominutecode3355]

Why is it tough?

[@James_36]

@@YusefWakeel that is theory and not reality though, 99% of people if not more are limited to the pay of whatever market they are in

[@YusefWakeel]

@@James_36 yeah but look at this example. I’m 23 with no debt, no wife, no kids, and I live with my parents. My expenses are $1200 a month. Do you think it’s possible to decrease beyond that?

[@maa11235]

I really like this guy

Hi, I was trying to find the other video where Mr Money Mustache’s was in the podcast but couldn't find it. Could you please provide it? Thanks

[@janethamilton7583]

That was a huge lesson for me😮

[@rowddyone3570]

We always get 2 models below current for 500ish and hold them till they don’t work any more, around 8 years. But apple all the way😀

[@user-vw2zt8te9p]

What was the allocation book he mentioned? I looked up Malkiel’s books but the closest I came up with was Bernstein’s Rational Expectations. Any help would be appreciated…maybe it was paper instead of a book…?

[@samsue1224]

Just came across Mr Money moustache. Lots of interesting info Curious that having more time to spend on your relationship ended up in divorce

[@PS-ic4bp]

8:24 what about health insurance- that’s the biggest drag in the US?

[@andreahuss3156]

Thank you!! I revisit my FI journey every six months or so and it’s so fun to see I’m still on track to FIRE!

[@kimwieczorek1879]

Do it monthly

[@stuffaboutthings8679]

Can you put a link to the 50 series bootcamp, I can find anything about it on his website not sure if Its because of I'm using a mobile device?

[@ilsevanheerden4976]

Mr Money Mustache, you are so handsome. Just another reason I love listening to you ha ha

[@kathysutton2631]

I only have antenna. I’d like to get cnbc so how can I get it?? Hulu? I’m not techy but people tell me to just get a stick. I don’t know about thes things or if they have cnbc. Thanks. I like to watch it.

[@kwokweng76]

I love this podcast

[@ayannafit2441]

Yeah,thats how i discovered fire. Started my first joband money was accumulating and everyone knows you don't keep money in the bank but didnt know what to do eith it so discovered fire. Not there yet but am on my way

[@sameersmerchant]

Sweet

[@befree9579]

The comment he said about retirement feels like a saturday is very true. Especially for me when i am self employed i feel like it's a saturday. The moment i get a job it feels like monday all week! depressing. no wonder i spend less naturally cause i know i have to go work to make it. Torture!

[@pytime8621]

I had my own business. I can totally relate… everyday was Monday. I was always absent even when I was home. It was torture! I sold my business and some real estate a few weeks back. I’m all done. Keep on pushing, I’m a few weeks into retirement and it is great.

[@befree9579]

@@pytime8621 Glad to hear it's not just me. And congrats on your retirement. Just turned 30 myself so probably 20 yrs to go unless i end up making $200k in under 5-10 years i could retire with that.

[@laurenodonnell5889]

This is a great video, I learn a lot watching your videos and it has been helpful to me. Building a steady income is quite difficult for newbies.. Thanks to Mrs. Belinda Owens for improving my portfolio. keep up with the good videos.

[@benandersonn12]

I'm surprised you know her too. I've been making a lot of profits investing with her for a few months now.

[@kennguyen4540]

I'm new at this, please how can i reach your broker

[@laurenodonnell5889]

INVESTWITHOWENS💯

[@kennguyen4540]

@@laurenodonnell5889 Thank you

[@wifey.material2024]

Retirement at age 65 is a huge Scam...

[@carolmaz8675]

anyone can invest if their salary far outways your expenses.....average salary in uk is low .£25k a year .....impossible to invest from that as lot pple struggle to live .....most pple with a bit of nouse can do this with surplus money

[@JayEs31]

Good show. Can you skip the intros tho and just get into the guest more quickly ? Will make the show more modern and not like a 1970s radio show

[@michellehunter1642]

Agreed. I really can’t take the lady host. The man is great though.

[@LanaN42]

Empty nest syndrome eh Pete? It's tough. Maybe now it's time to write that book...

[@mydarlingdaisy]

Curious to know what he pays for health insurance and if there are suggestions how to mitigate against the high cost of healthcare - both premiums and actual bills - for those achieving FIRE.

[@samyin330]

Just account for it in your calculations. For example, if you need 50K/yr to live and medical insurance costs 30K/year for the entire family, then just generate 80K/yr. Simple math.

[@juliawoods2874]

The cost of health care has been the one thing holding us back from early retirement. We recently decided to apply for residency in Portugal, where health insurance and health care is much more affordable.

[@MrTgrundy]

I have the same question. I never hear anyone bring this up. To add an additional $30k+ worth of dividends from stocks means another $750k of investment. You don't "just generate" that. Also, healthcare is outpacing the stock market which shoots the 4% rule out of the water.

[@nickcropper4969]

Yes he wrote a blog about this on his website

[@Fred-yd9md]

Many early retirees use ACA .. you can get significantly subsidized premium if earning is below 60k per year

[@BruLLLo]

If I save 40% of my salary as a software developer I can pay my rent after 7-10 years with the 4% rule. Buying a house would need 20 years savings.. Without kids I could probobly save 60% without a problem at all but that still long time to buy house and pay it off , then need save for food cost also.

[@freedomworks3976]

I retired twice. Found it to be very unproductive and unfulfilling. Now I believe strongly in F.I.N.R. - Financial Independence never retire. Now I’m very happy and very productive 😊. My employer is 91 years old and still goes to work on average 3 days a week ❤- winning 🏆 🥇 🏅 😊

[@LinN4Yuh]

FIRE - Financial Independence Recreational Employment (that is my goal, anyway)😊

[@freedomworks3976]

@@LinN4Yuh that's a good 👍 one 👌

[@Domdodom]

I have an iphone and I got it for $80 (new) as I did some Mustachian magic...Guys it's not the phone that matters...it is how much you got it for! As i like the apple system i see no harm getting the phone you like as long as you get it for free or close to free.

[@fgonzalez78959]

Never going to stop making stuff..buy when you feel like its worth it to you.

[@MikeAffholder]

Is he still going interviews his channel doesn't have anything from about a year ago

[@kathysutton2631]

What’s the calculator? ?Thks

[@janethamilton7583]

Want to renovate my home - my contractors have strung me out for 4 yrs and exhausted my funds! Ha!

[@bromatityahu]

Episode Recap 1:06:45

[@ashleyseams9602]

Dmx?

[@KC-qr3wk]

Looking at used electric cars now. 1. Not paying over $12K. 2. Payments need to be half of what I want to pay on a 36 month timeline so I can pay it off double time with some flexibility built in to pay less any given month since o have a kid heading to college.

[@fabiGBOtown]

Has Pete ever mentioned what he invests in? Talking about stocks. Which etfs, etc?

[@jlocke3482]

He mainly invests in total market index funds (e.g vtsax, vti..) He does speculate in a bit of individual stocks, but he advises against this. He also has real estate income. Check out his blog.

[@fabiGBOtown]

@@jlocke3482 thank you.

[@4nxy]

just instantly disses co-host lmfao

[@nw8000]

Whats the 4% Rule?

[@genericwatcher2439]

If you save 25X your annual expenses, you can live off the money generated from this investment, removing only 4% a year, given average returns in the stock market.

[@karinamartinez9441]

I’m 10+ years late!

[@betterhomesnc2437]

It's never too late. You can still make progress.

[@KevinHardeman]

Yeah. "Retiring when you're 30" is hard when you discover this lifestyle on the brink of turning 30 years old, like me. Never too late to start though.

[@Ray_TambaBudol_Marcos]

Don't worry about it, just focus on your next 10+ years

[@channelconstruction6947]

Amazing life story and fun podcast. Still, everything is possible only while those shares and companies generate profit, which is only possible while most of people consume as much as they can and get underpaid. I think MMM is an awesome example of ultra capable man in life, but due to the privileged possition he could acknowledge the fact of exploitation of most working peeps around world.

[@carolmaz8675]

people dont really retire in their thirtys they just gain freedom ..and invest and buy businesses etc so its not really retirement

[@Ironrodpower]

I do love me some confirmation bias!

[@wdeemarwdeemar8739]

So sitting around on the weekend playing video games and taking naps sign me up for full time…

[@tofugirl8299]

😂

[@keepcalm3275]

i just don't understand how you could put your face too near the camera. it looks awkward and unable to really look at the video

[@tnteachertim]

So...... NOT retired.

[@DeanBKK]

41:45 As a seasoned photographer that understands image quality, I strongly disagree with you that you think your $200 phone produces images as good as an iPhone 14 Pro Max. Is your cheap phone capable of taking a decent photo? Sure. But don't compare it to something that's superior in every aspect (tech, camera specs, software, night modes, stabilization, etc.). I also wouldn't tell a professional wedding photographer that my Samsung S22 Ultra camera is better than their $6,500 Sony A1 with a $3,000 lens attached to it.

[@Kennan_Davis]

You’re an idiot. Unless someone is a professional photographer the quality of the camera being maybe slightly better is irrelevant when you’re paying 5x the cost. Also, FACT: the Google Pixel phone is known for having a significantly better camera than the iPhone. The pixel 3 or 4 camera is probably equal to the latest iPhone. You’re comparing an every day random phone user who in no way needs to pay way more for a slightly better camera on their phone to a professional wedding photographer photos who obviously would benefit from having the top equipment, which is still not an iPhone. Absolute idiot.

[@DudMan2111]

Crybaby

[@deesplash7087]

Ngl, he lost credibility when he said the only thing u should focus only on the P/E ratio of stocks. There’s no way he owns anything besides index funds with that fundamentally flawed mindset

[@mayamathews3576]

He is a simple soul, don’t define him with items he own

[@sophisticatedmorons]

he’s retired and living his best life figuring it out. That’s all the credibility most need. Leading by example.

[@HappyCleanersWA]

If s&p outperforms 90% of fund managers, how is that flawed?

[@ordinaryhuman5645]

Why would that cost him credibility? Obviously you're better off buying at average P/E ratios than record high P/E ratios, and your expectation of future performance when you retire (i.e. the severity of sequence of returns risk that you are facing) is a function of the current P/E ratio. There's no need to own anything besides index funds (though he also has real estate), and suggesting otherwise would cause one to lose credibility.

[@fwefhwe4232]

warren buffet suggests index funds. whats wrong with them ?

[@JM-tm4dj]

Just eat bugs

[@justincahoon7539]

Stop using the L in folks!

[@Ohole]

😢divorce?

[@scottreid2470]

Mr. Money Mustache seems to take credit for all his early growth. He was "quirky" so he just learned everything on his own. This dude is only 48 so he has had the benefit of the world wide web for most of his adult life....just like me (I'm 53). We all ride on the shoulders of the giants before us. Give credit where credit is due. Add in that he is not retired because he is currently still working on his blog where he makes 400k or more per year. His retirement is his business so don't buy into this BS. He's just another influencer making a living off of his story. He is NOT retired.

[@donaldlyons17]

They don't want to call it stil lworking but can reitre?

[@fgonzalez78959]

Its not work if you don't have to..he don't have to do anything but does it because he likes to ..money is just created out of it.

[@donaldlyons17]

@@fgonzalez78959 Well not totally true and we know this because so few disable comments on their videos... He at some point is in it for something and he could do nothing if he wanted to.

[@genericwatcher2439]

Because of his Blog, giving talks, companies he ran, etc... I don't think he has actually ever retired... he just doesn't have a normal 9-5 job, but make no mistake, he WORKS, I hate when people lie, he is selling snake oil that he is Financially independent.

[@jgg204]

exactly. he just doesn't have his computer engineering job anymore. he still works, albeit for himself. but that's a huge plus

[@KS-cl8br]

He isn't retired. He is just self employed. He still works.

[@nickcropper4969]

*He still has hobbies, and those hobbies may produce income but the key is he is doing it because he enjoys it. He doesn't need the additional income.

[@midkort]

Frankly, the semantics are quite irrelevant. Retired does not mean you have to become a vegetable. If that's your thinking, probably better to fix it now before you "retire," or better still - avoid "retiring" altogether. If you stop using your brain and your body, you start dying faster So, Pete does things, and those things are valuable, thus they bring in money.

[@adrian3747_]

too late im already 32 now :/

[@FLOODOFSINS]

You can always lose your home. Unless the government removes property tax you will always be able to lose your house.

[@rcnblackhawk07]

Why would a woman divorce Mr. Money Mustache?! 🥸🤔