Greetings from the sun-soaked beaches of the Dominican Republic! As our 2+ week vacation winds down, we're feeling refreshed, inspired, and even more excited about our journey to early retirement. This trip has given us a delicious taste of the freedom we're working towards, and we can't wait to share our latest financial adventure with you. Paradise Found: A Glimpse into Our Future Picture this: Mornings spent sipping freshly brewed coffee on our rented condo's balcony, afternoons lounging on pristine beaches, and evenings savoring exotic fruits like soursop or guanabanas (Tatiana's favorite) and Spanish limes (limoncillos, a nostalgic treat from my childhood). This laid-back lifestyle isn't just a vacation for us—it's a preview of
José
José concluded his distinguished 13-year career at Vanguard at age 44, stepping away from corporate life to embrace an early retirement. As a project manager, he expertly orchestrated the creation and delivery of educational materials—both digital and print—for 401(k) participants, ensuring resources reached millions of investors. Today, he embraces life's simpler pleasures: quality time with family, pursuit of passion projects, discovery of new adventures, and leisurely meals in his garden oasis.
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I highly enjoyed this 🙂 it’s definitely interesting because everyone aims to own a house asap, it makes them feel like they are going the right path, “American dream”,etc. I definitely agree that eliminating mortgage is a huuuge weight of your shoulders and allows for more investing opportunities.
I do wonder though, are there good options for buying a fairly nice large apartment with good rent after I begin working full time:o ? Guess I’ll see.
Thank you so much for the post!
Hi Jessica!
I’m glad you enjoyed the article!
Real estate varies locally and it’s hard to tell without knowing where you’ll land after you find a full-time job. I recommend reviewing your options once you cross that bridge.
You might want to consider renting a nice large apartment instead and see how that it feels. If later on you change your mind you can always move without getting stuck with owning an apartment that might not be suited as an investment property. Also, what if you change jobs? People change jobs often nowadays so staying mobile is another option to consider.
I’m surrounded with stories at work of people that bought condos/homes while single, got married, and then got stuck with properties that barely break even. So put all your options on the table when the time comes and figure out your exit strategies.
Thank you for commenting! 🙂