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Ethan is part of the FIRE movement, which means he's all about financial independence and early retirement.
His journey towards this goal started when he was just 11 years old, and he learned about the importance of investing from his parents.
Ethan's parents explained to him that money left in a savings account loses value over time, so it's better to invest it. With this valuable lesson, he began investing early and diligently.
He worked hard in college to avoid student debt and saved money by living with family. All these efforts have helped him get closer to his goal of amassing $5 million and retiring by the age of 35.
Currently, he has nearly $135,000 invested in retirement and other accounts, as well as homes in Florida and California. He intends to expand his real estate portfolio in the future.
Working at Google in Orange County, California, he earns approximately $194,000 per year, which includes bonuses and stock units.
Despite his comfortable income, Ethan tries to live frugally without compromising his quality of life. His early journey into investing began with his mother's guidance, selecting stocks and putting money he earned into a brokerage account.
He also completed his undergraduate degree in just two years to avoid student loans.
Ethan's dream of working at Google came true, and he pursued a master's degree while working full-time.
He now owns a rental property in Florida and a home in California. Living with family for the first two years after finishing his bachelor's degree allowed him to save approximately $60,000.
In 2022, he bought his first investment property and later his primary residence. He enjoys being a homeowner and living in Orange County.
In June 2023, his monthly expenses included housing, utilities, debt repayment, transportation, savings, insurance, food, subscriptions, and discretionary spending.
Ethan focuses on intentional spending, putting most of his money toward long-term financial goals. He only has subscriptions for Spotify and ping pong lessons.
While he doesn't spend much on food due to Google's free meals, he does indulge in occasional travel, preferring cost-effective options.
He invests a significant portion of his income, aiming for 35% of his take-home pay each year, though it's become more challenging since buying his homes.
Despite some financial mistakes in the past, such as heavily investing in crypto on margin, Ethan now adopts a more cautious investment strategy, primarily focusing on ETFs and real estate.
Looking ahead, Ethan plans to continue investing in retirement accounts and expanding his real estate portfolio. He hopes to retire early to enjoy life while he's young and healthy and spend more time with his future children.
His inspiration comes from the book "Die With Zero" by Bill Perkins, which emphasizes the importance of spending on experiences and travel while you're still able to fully enjoy them.