Retiring at 25
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Retiring at 25
Posted on July 26, 2012
Growing up, I always told my mom that I wanted to retire* at age 25. She'd laugh and say it's good that I have goals.
So, I'm 23. Two years to go.
A lot can happen in two years. Two years ago I could barely write Ruby and now I make a living (mostly) writing Ruby. Two years ago, I didn't know anything about making products, marketing, design, etc. I was just a programmer. (Not that there's anything wrong with being just a programmer.)
As my 25th birthday approaches, I think it's still possible. For awhile, I gave up hope. Now that I'm making my own products, it feels like the big leagues. Working 9 to 5 (or crazy startup hours) for a salary is a losing battle. You get your x% raise each year and maybe a profit sharing bonus if you're at a profitable company (lol).
I have unlimited potential to move up. This is super exciting. I've always said money isn't exciting, building a product is exciting. This is true. If I had a job offer for $250,000 a year, I would turn it down in a heartbeat. What am I going to do with that? Put a lot in the bank I guess?
The possibility of making a crazy profitable product (by the way, if you charge for something, it makes this easier. "Startups" wear me out.) is really exciting. I want to buy a house and eventually retire (although, I doubt I'll ever want to stop creating). This is the path to that goal.
So go make stuff. The future is bright.
*When I say retire, I mean financial independence. Having the option to work, rather than being forced to work to live. I would definitely keep making stuff.
Update 03/13/14: I turned 25.
How To Learn
Posted on July 26, 2012
If you want to learn something, just start doing whatever you want to learn.
Learn by doing.
If you want to learn iOS, pick something to work on and start. "But I don't know Objective-C." Okay, Google "getting started with Objective-C" or buy a book. If you run into something you can't figure out, Google it, search StackOverflow, or ask a friend. This technique applies to anything.
© 2006-2022 Sam Soffes
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