Description

What would it take for work to become optional? In this solo episode, Tim walks through a simple framework for estimating your “enough” number—the amount you’d need in savings & investments to reduce or even eliminate the obligation to work. Using the 4% and 25× rules, he explains how to calculate a  target nest egg amount, why it’s useful even if you never plan to retire, and how small, consistent habits can turn into huge long-term growth over time. Whether your dream is full retirement or just the freedom to choose when & how you work, this episode offers clear & practical insight for building that future.

Key Takeaways:

1. The 4% rule (and its partner, the 25× rule) provides a simple way to estimate how much you’d need to make work optional.
2. Even if you never plan to “retire,” saving and investing buys you freedom and flexibility later in life.
3. Your target nest egg is determined by your annual spending—spend more, need more; spend less, need less.
4. Consistent small actions—saving a little more, paying debt faster, investing regularly—compound into big results.
5. Financial independence isn’t about quitting work; it’s about creating options and reducing obligation.

Links:
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William Bengen's Wiki page
Investopedia's page on the 4% Rule