Top 10 Things To Do at 20 To FAT FIRE by 40 - AKA retire comfortably / Reach Financial Independence

Top 10 Things To Do at 20 To FAT FIRE by 40

🔥 Top 10 Things To Do at 20 To FAT FIRE by 40

Imagine hitting $3.5 million net worth by 40 — with the freedom to live on your own terms, without sacrificing lifestyle. That’s the goal of FAT FIRE: financial independence with comfort. If you're 20 now, this is the decade to make it happen. Here's how to reverse-engineer a rich life from the ground up.

1. Master a High-Income Skill

Forget "follow your passion." Follow your marketable skill. Choose a path that pays: software engineering, UX design, digital marketing, sales, data science, or AI. Hit $100K by 25, and aim for $250K+ by 30. Stack skills with leverage to scale income fast.

2. Invest 50–70% of Your Income

Start now. Max out your Roth IRA and 401(k), then pour the rest into a low-fee index fund portfolio (VTI, VOO). Set it and forget it. Your future self will thank you when you’re sipping coffee at 10am on a Wednesday — retired.

3. House Hack as Soon as Possible

Buy a duplex or triplex with 3.5% down using an FHA loan. Live in one unit, rent the others. Live for free, build equity, and let your tenants pay your mortgage. Rinse and repeat.

4. Track Your Net Worth Monthly

You can’t grow what you don’t track. Use a Google Sheet or tools like Empower to monitor net worth, savings rate, and FIRE progress. It keeps your momentum real and measurable.

5. Build or Buy Equity (Not Just Time)

A 9–5 job alone won’t get you to FAT FIRE. Start a side hustle, content brand, digital product, or small service biz. Use AI tools to launch faster and cheaper. Business equity builds wealth exponentially.

6. Buy 1 Investment Property Per Year

Real estate = cash flow + appreciation + tax advantages. Aim to own 10 rental doors by your mid-30s. Start with your house hack, then use the BRRRR method or cash-flowing rentals in smart markets.

7. Learn the Tax Code Like a Game

Taxes are your biggest expense. Reduce them legally by learning the power of depreciation, business write-offs, Roth conversions, and capital gains rules. The more you keep, the faster you grow.

8. Read 1 Finance Book a Month

Make financial literacy your superpower. Start with:

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Die With Zero by Bill Perkins
Set for Life by Scott Trench
I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

9. Avoid Lifestyle Creep

Just because you make more, doesn’t mean you should spend more. Keep expenses lean while income rises. Delay luxury, don’t deny it — you’re buying back decades of freedom.

10. Build a Public Personal Brand

Whether it’s LinkedIn, YouTube, or a blog — document your journey. Build trust, authority, and community. This opens doors to clients, partnerships, and passive income streams.

🎯 Your FAT FIRE Target

To spend $150K/year in early retirement, you need roughly $3.75 million (using the 4% rule). That might sound massive — but with consistent action and compound growth, it's very possible.

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Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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