Jamal Robinson, a 40-year-old former tech professional, has retired with an impressive $3.5 million in savings after working at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, and Intel. Robinson’s journey to early retirement began at a young age when he set a goal to retire by 45 at just 17 years old. Growing up in a financially struggling household, Robinson started working at 14 as a church janitor and continued to support himself through high school by working long shifts at Taco Bell.
He studied computer engineering in college while working and later transitioned into the tech industry. Over the years, Robinson earned an MBA, obtained nine certifications, and climbed the ranks at renowned tech companies. By the age of 39, he had become an expert in generative AI, with his salary skyrocketing from $41,000 a year to over $1 million.
Despite his impressive earnings, Robinson remained committed to saving. He progressively increased his savings rate from 30% to an extraordinary 90%. “I went from saving 30% to 50% to 80% and up to nearly 90%.
That would excite me more because I knew that it accelerated my goal to ultimately retire,” he shared.
Jamal’s journey to early retirement
As Robinson approached his financial goal of $3.5 million, he made the decision to quit his job, despite the lucrative opportunities still available in the rapidly growing AI field.
“A lot of people think I’m crazy to leave AI at a time where it’s so important,” he said, acknowledging the potential for a higher paycheck. However, for Robinson, retirement was always about more than money—it was about focusing on personal growth and contributing positively to the world. “For me, it was always important to focus on my goal of retiring so I could focus on myself and make sure that I’m doing things to make the world a better place,” he concluded.
Robinson now resides in Dubai, where he enjoys his retirement while continuing to spend with purpose. He adheres to the “4% rule,” which suggests living off 4% of investments in the first year of retirement, adjusting for inflation annually. Currently, he has $3.6 million in his brokerage and checking accounts and plans to live on about $185,000 this year.
Robinson’s story offers valuable lessons for anyone aspiring to achieve financial independence. Key takeaways include the importance of starting early, living below your means, and consistently investing savings. His journey demonstrates that with careful planning and discipline, early retirement is achievable.