My name is Mark Wayman, and for the last 20 years I have owned an executive recruiting company focused on gaming and high tech. Occasionally I author an article in the hopes of helping a few folks out. But first, three disclaimers and two rules. 

• Disclaimer #1: Only Represent Candidates I Know Personally or by Referral – My clients expect me to personally vouch for each and every candidate, and I can’t do that with people I don’t know and have never met. No disrespect intended! 
• Disclaimer #2: I’m Not Here to Judge, That’s God’s Job – My only purpose is to provide career guidance based on my many years of experience. Hopefully it helps a few people. 
• Disclaimer #3: Why I Love America – We can agree to disagree and still be friends! I welcome all opinions and viewpoints provided they are professional and respectful. Trolls will be deleted and blocked. This is not Twitter. 
• Executive Recruiting Rule Number One – “Executive Recruiters get people for jobs…NOT jobs for people.” As the Owner of an executive recruiting firm, I don’t get a salary or vacation or PTO or paid health insurance. If I don’t get people placed…I don’t eat. 
• Executive Recruiting Rule Number Two – “The wrong time to meet an Executive Recruiter is when you are unemployed.” Again, Executive Recruiters focus on filling their open roles, and it’s much easier to get a job when you are gainfully employed. If you don’t have one or two solid relationships with a top Recruiter, ping your professional network for referrals.

Today’s topic is THE SECRET TO RETIRING AT 45. I should know...because I did. And I have many friends that retired between 45 and 55. Made a conscious choice to re-enter the vortex and start my own company, however at age 45 I had more than enough money to retire. So how I did I accomplish that?

1. Planning - My friend Joe had a plan to retire at 59, and my buddy Steve targeted 65. They both made it by starting with the end in mind. Joe and Steve made a plan...and stuck to it. Life bobbed to the left and weaved to the right, but they stayed focused on the end goal. Joe retired at 59. His life is travel, golfing, horse racing and riding around in his Corvette. Steve retired at 65 and owns his house and car outright. No debt. My wife and I started 401K saving accounts in our teens. The value of compound interest cannot be overstated. Regardless of your age, start a retirement account today. You must have a plan!
2. Discipline, Part 1 (Debt) - "If you can't pay cash, you can't have one" is the best financial advice my Dad ever gave me. He was 101st Airborne at Normandy, then came home from the war and worked for $2 an hour selling shoes at the May Company. He worked two jobs, six days a week. After many years he saved enough to buy the cheapest house in the best neighborhood so my Sister and I would have a good education. We did not go out to dinner or have vacations or get many toys at Christmas. What we did have was unconditional love and an education in the value of SAVING. If you don't remember anything else from this article, remember my Dad's advice: If you can't pay cash, you can't have one. Debt is a parasite.
3. Discipline, Part 2 (Spending) - Do you know how I can tell we are in a Recession? By the length of the drive-thru line at Starbucks to buy $10 coffees. I own my house outright. Own both my cars outright. Zero credit card debt. What is my secret? I SPEND LESS THAN I MAKE. It's just that simple: Live within your means. When my business is booming I'm the most generous person you ever met. When times are tough, I cut my spending to zero. Go through your checkbook and credit card statements and analyze your spending. Your spending will tell you about your priorities in life. Can you do without that daily Starbucks? How about that $200 a month gym membership or the $500 date nights? Make a budget and spend less than you make.
4. Hard Work - Another great piece of advice from my Dad, "Your reward is equal to your contribution." America got lost somewhere along the way. It started in 2008 when the government used taxpayer dollars to bail out poorly managed companies and criminal bankers. Now we have The Great Resignation, stimulus checks and perpetual unemployment. Living off the government dole. The most popular articles on CNBC? "How to Get Rich Without Working Hard." Here is my advice: Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. Lions don't worry about the opinions of sheep. You do you. For the last 20 years I have worked like a sled dog to build my business. There is no substitute for hard work. Get up, suit up, show up. The American dream is alive and well. I'll leave you with this last piece of advice from my Father, "Never, ever give up!" There is no substitute for hard work.