The Simple Path to Wealth: 5 takeaways to retire early with kids

The Simple Path to Wealth, the best damn FI book ever.

JL Collins? More like JL, call me when you’re ready to retire! That was bad. 💀

What’s up potential early retirees, below you’ll find a summary and recommendation for The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins, a book that I wish I found earlier in my journey, woulda saved me a lot of time. This book is a goldmine on how to build wealth; no fluff, no scams—just practical, real advice that requires hard work and determination. I follow his strategy almost exactly and it got my family to early retirement.

My man JL keeps it real: save diligently, invest simply, and let time do its thing. It’s not about quick wins; it’s about steady moves that lock in your family’s future. He’s a dad too, so he gets how busy your life can be, so he keeps it simple and cuts through the bullshit and delivers tactics to help you retire early with kids.

5 takeaways:

1. Live Well Below Your Means: Spend way less than you make, but don’t live a shitty life. Sounds basic AF, but most can’t stick to it, this is the most common roadblock I see. Try to save 50% of your income. 

2. Invest in Index Funds: VTSAX, VOO, VTI, SCHB, etc., low fees, broad coverage, and hands-off baby!

3. Avoid Shitty Debt: If you’re going to take on debt, make sure you can afford it. Ideally, look for sub-4% rates. 

4. Time is Your Best Bud: Start early, invest often, and let compounding stack those gains. Patience my friend.

5. Simplify Your Money - Fewer accounts, fewer asset holdings, less stress. Automate what you can through automatic savings and investment tools. Complexity kills progress and complicates your taxes—keep it lean so you can focus on what matters, like watching the latest ep of Love is Blind.  

   
   

Read this book, you have nothing to lose. It’s a roadmap to ditch the rat race. Get it.