Summary: discipline, choice, and financial freedom
A self-proclaimed millionaire, Pavel Lertjitbanjong, quit her $300,000 annual corporate job in 2023 to downsize to plan a life that would lead to retirement at age 43 and financial freedom by the time he was 43. His journey started after his grandmother’s death in 2020, forcing him to reconsider his corporate lifestyle and seek a more personal and flexible approach to life.
Pav spent 23 years working at a marketing role in New York City before making the decision to quit his job in May 2025. He sold his Honda Civic and put his $1 million home on the market in Morris County, New Jersey, aiming to sell it within a month and downsize to Minneapolis, where he would live on $30,000 to $40,000 annually. He relied on his savings and bank sale of the home to fund his retirement, which would start in 2027.
Top Tips for Otherwise Retiring Early:
- Don’t Wait: Decide early to have life experience and a tracking deadline in mind.
- Choose Low-Maintenance Tasks: Sleep for neighbors’ dog walking or contribute to a small community project to build redundancy.
- Acquire Cutting-Edge Skills: Start freelancing in the arts or social media-based high-growth industries.
- Think Honestly: Leaving a chapter of your life in exc interrupted forever.
Pav’s advice also foretells the Ultimate lesson: Choose the right path, not just your path. Leaving you a sense that only true freedom comes from making the right choices.
Key Points Summary:
Pavel has two main points: his personal success in finding personal meaning through his chosen lifestyle and his wisdom on early retirement. He emphasizes the importance of living inside your means, seeking alternatives when necessary, and choosing life that aligns with your values. He also cautions against the tendency to age prematurely, urging instead to take action when the time comes.
Conclusion: Pavel’s journey highlights that financial freedom and personal happiness are deeply intertwined. By prioritizing choices that buildllability, he大臣ile a successful and fulfilling life that prepares him for an upward journey.
Table: Values of Life, Financial Freedom, and Career Direction
| Feature | Uprooted by screens? | Choose the right path | Confidence Is What’s Most Important | Common values in early retirement |
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