I won’t lie: I’m not a millionaire.

I live in one of the most expensive cities in the world: New York City.

I only earn a little over $100K a year.

My flex: I live like a millionaire.

Here’s my 7-point framework for living like a millionaire: (click here & scroll) ↓ Healthy work-life balance

Most people job-hop for more money.

I job-hopped for more paid time off (PTO).

I leveraged my knowledge, skills, and experience for a career with:

• Job security (tenure)
• Regular salary increases
• A ridiculous amount of PTO

You don't have to be a millionaire to take a "mini-retirement."

I'm not a millionaire and I've taken 5 mini-retirements since 2018.

Ever wonder how much an international mini-retirement costs?

Let's dive into the numbers: (a thread - click here & scroll) ↓ The cost of a mini-retirement will vary depending on:

• Food
• Airfare
• Location
• Accommodations
• Length of mini-retirement

How and where you choose to spend your mini-retirement may be different from how I choose to spend mine.

By the time you're old & gray, you’ll either thank yourself for your life experiences...

Or wish you could go back & do things differently.

After years of reflecting on what truly matters, here are 5 life experiences you’ll never regret (and why they should be a priority) ↓ Parachute from an airplane

(I used to parachute out of airplanes for a living)

The moment you step out into the void, you not only conquer fear...

But unlock a new sense of freedom, empowerment, and perspective that only comes from fully embracing the unknown.

People who travel to New York City tend to only explore Manhattan.

However there is one area (borough) of New York City worth exploring.

That borough is Brooklyn.

Here are 13 reasons why you need to skip Manhattan and explore Brooklyn:

(a thread) ↓ Brooklyn’s Origin

Originally settled by the Dutch in the 17th century in the area now known as Brooklyn Heights.

Brooklyn was originally named “Breuckelen” after a small town in the Netherlands.

I once asked the X community:

"What's the most beautiful island you've ever vacationed on?"

Over 350 people answered!

Here are the top 20 beautiful islands recommended by the X community (that are not a Hawaiian island):

(A thread - click here & scroll) ↓ Bali (Indonesia)

Porto is an ideal destination for a mini-retirement.

In 2019 I spent a week there during my 2nd mini-retirement.

I'd love to return to spend a least a month there.

Here are 15 reasons why you need to consider Porto for a mini-retirement:

(A thread - click here & scroll) ↓ The Port Wine

Porto (Portugal) is the birthplace of Port wine.

You can sample this delicious wine by:

• Exploring vineyards
• Touring wine cellars
• Tastings along the Douro River

Pro-tip: head to A Bolina Bar to sample 10-, 20-, and 30-year old Ports.

I won't lie:

I disagree with "work hard in your 20s to live life to the fullest when you’re older."

You can live life to the fullest at any age, including your 20s.

Here are 7 things I’ve done to live life to the fullest (from my 20s through today): (click here & scroll) ↓ I’ve jumped out of airplanes

At night, multiple times per day, in different countries.

And that was my first job.

The pay wasn’t much.

But it was some of the best money I ever earned.

And it was a heck of a lot of fun.

Since 2018, I've been on 4 (month-long+) mini-retirements.

Whenever I post any content about mini-retirements, someone always asks:

“What’s a mini-retirement?”

Here's everything you need to know:
↓ “Why not take the usual 20–30-year retirement and redistribute it throughout life instead of saving it all for the end?” —Tim Ferriss

Ferriss is widely credited with creating the concept of the mini-retirement.

I’m 52 years old. I made every financial mistake you can make.

In 2017, I was ~$250,000 in debt.

Today, I have a 6-figure net worth, invest in life experiences, and continue to build wealth.

If you're in 20s, here are 9 proven actions that will help you build wealth:
↓ Pay yourself first

Automate contributions of 5 - 20% of your pre-tax income into:

Your employer-sponsored retirement account.

Take full advantage of any employer match.

Increase contributions as your salary increases.

European cities are ideal destinations for a mini-retirement.

I’ve been on 4 (month-long+) mini-retirements since 2018 and they’ve all been in European cities.

Of all the European cities I traveled to, here are my top 10 recommendations for your first mini-retirement:
↓ Vienna, Austria

Vienna is a chill city, even in the summer.

It never felt crowded, chaotic, or rushed (like it does in NYC).

There's plenty to discover and explore, public transportation is easy to navigate, and there’s a restaurant for every palate.

You don't have to be a millionaire to take a "mini-retirement."

I'm not a millionaire and I've taken:

Four, international, mini-retirements since 2018.

Ever wonder how much an int'l mini-retirement costs?

Let's dive into the numbers:
↓ The cost of a mini-retirement will vary depending on:

• Food
• Airfare
• Location
• Accommodations
• Length of mini-retirement

How and where you choose to spend your mini-retirement may be different from how I choose to spend mine.

An off-grid getaway is an ideal way to disconnect, decompress, and spend time in nature.

I’ve spent hundreds of hours off-grid throughout the US.

Of all of the beautiful off-grid destinations I’ve been to, here are 9 of my favorite:
↓ Valley of the Gods, Utah

One of my favorite places on the planet.

Trust me and drive the Moki Dugway before or after your stay.

My plan is to spend at least 2 weeks here in my camper within the next year or two.

European cities are ideal destinations for a mini-retirement.

I’ve been on 4 (month-long+) mini-retirements since 2018 and they’ve all been in European cities.

Of all the European cities I traveled to, here are 10 recommendations for your first mini-retirement:
↓ Vienna, Austria

Vienna is a chill city, even in the summer.

It never felt crowded, chaotic, or rushed (like it does in NYC).

Vienna is walkable, public transportation is easy to navigate, and there’s a restaurant for every palate.

I won't lie, I:

• Am not a millionaire
• Don't invest in Bitcoin
• Don't own investment RE
• Spend ~$3-5K/year traveling
• Drink & dine out in expensive NYC restaurants

But, I'll retire better than 99% of people. Here are 7 reasons why: ↓ I was intentional with the career I chose

I chose a career that provides:

• A pension
• Health benefits
• Job security (tenure)
• Regular salary increases
• A ridiculous amount of PTO
• A generous retirement account

A few years ago, I was struggling with credit card debt on multiple credit cards.

I used a powerful method (I didn’t even know had a name) to pay off this debt. I haven’t carried a balance since.

The powerful method: The Debt Snowball Method.

This is how it works:
↓ • List your credit card debt from smallest balance to largest

Take out a sheet of paper or open a spreadsheet.

Use whatever works for you and is easy to reference.

Then list each debt from smallest balance to largest.

According to a recent survey “almost half (44%) of global travelers were looking for an off-grid-style [vacation] in 2023.”

I spent hundreds of hours over weekends and week-long vacations off-grid.

Here are 7 of my favorite off-grid getaways in the US:
↓ First let’s define “off-grid.”

I’m talking:

• No wi-fi
• No electricity
• No cell phone service
• No fancy campfire meals
• Very few, if any, other people

Perfect for:

• Small RVs
• Car camping
• Camper vans
• Tent camping

I either sleep in my tent or SUV.

Learning (and continuously learning) the fundamentals of personal finance is important if you want to:

• Stop living paycheck-to-paycheck
• Build your net worth/wealth
• Become a millionaire

Here are 11 books I plan to read (& continuously learn from):
↓ 1) The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

This book “shares 19 short stories exploring the strange ways people think about money and teaches you how to make better sense of one of life’s most important topics.”

Are you working 60-80 hours per week and,

Dreaming of a career with a better work-life balance?

Studies show working 60+ hours/week leads to,

Higher stress, anxiety, and depression.

Here are 5 powerful reasons why,

You NEED to find a career with a better work-life balance: 1) Life is too short

Imagine the life you actually want to live.

Are you living it?

Don’t let your career consume your life.

Remember: Time is your most precious resource.