I Finally Did It: I'm Retiring from My Corporate J.O.B.

[Michael Rogers]

I'm Retiring from Corporate!

Next month, on January 18th, I will be retiring from my corporate job as an Internal Auditor to be a full-time real estate investor. I am super excited. I've been working toward this for the last 15+ years, since I was in college and purchased my first duplex. I posted a little more info on how I did it on my Bigger Pockets blog HERE.

My Background

I'm not quitting cold turkey with nothing to fall back on. I did things the slow way. I've been working to supplement my W-2 job income with real estate income and it has finally gotten to the point where I can step out on my own and not have my family of 5 starve (wife and 3 kids). I spent the first 12 years out of college working full-time in various accounting and auditing roles. Three years ago I transitioned to working part-time at my corporate job have been building up my rental portfolio income at a faster pace to where I finally have enough income to make the leap to full-time real estate investor.

What I'm Going to Be Doing

Starting next year I will be ramping up the number of flips and remodels. I will also manage the current rental houses, commercial properties and self storage units we have. My plan is to focus on core things we do well, and do lots more of them next year.

Thanks to Bigger Pockets

I'd like to thank Bigger Pockets for being part of my success. I've read so many articles, blogs, podcasts and forums over the last many years. I believe this is one of the most informative real estate websites out there today. I always recommend newbies join here and learn everything they can learn for free as opposed to signing up for expensive gurus. I've listened to more podcasts than I can count and even had the chance to appear on Podcast Episode 138. I think I probably have learned more from the podcasts than anything else.

Let's Wrap Things Up

I'm a little nervous, but also very excited about this next step. For those that are just starting out, I'll say this. You can do it, too. It took me a long time. I was conservative, slow, and steady, but I finally got there. You can probably get there faster than me if you learn from Bigger Pockets and don't make all the same mistakes I did.

Happy Investing!

Michael Rogers

[Jon Q.]

Originally posted by @Michael Rogers:

Wow!  What a great showing of support.  Thanks so much everyone!!!

@Clint E. - We've got about 350 storage units and roughly 15 residential/commercial units on the rental side.  I'll also do 3 or 4 flips a year.  My strategy has evolved.  I think I've become more focused on buying properties with a margin of safety as I've gotten older.  I'm pickier, but I'm also looking at alot more properties than I used to.

@Rene G. - Thanks.  I hope you enjoy the blog post!

@Elsa Viramonted - It's definitely possible.  Good luck to your husband and you.  

@Rich V. - Thanks! Always good to hear from a fellow CPA.  Good luck this upcoming busy season..

@Jon Q. and @Gary Montgomery- Congrats on retiring as well.  What's the best advice to get the first few self employed months off to a smooth start?

Take a nice long vacation...Then developed a daily structure to keep you working and motived.  It can be difficult to adjust to a new life without a day job to provide you the structure you've been used to.  Also, emotionally it can be challenging...

"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world.  This makes it hard to plan the day."

-EB White

No one is meant to work 10+ hours a day for long periods of time with no time to appreciate life...After you get through this emotional phase (~3-6 months after leaving corporate), you'll likely then realize that working 4-6 hours a day and enjoying the rest of the time appreciating life... is the way life was meant to be lived!

Now, sometimes I do work 10 hour days, but it is work I love and I'm doing this work for customers (tenants) and investors who love me for it.