Your Money Mentor Minute

Introduction

Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Money Mentor Minute! This week, I’m covering the topic on How to Retire Early Without Sacrificing Your Lifestyle.

Have you ever dreamed of retiring early—living life on your own terms, traveling when you want, and spending more time doing what you love? It’s not just for the ultra-wealthy or lucky lottery winners. With the right strategy, financial independence can be within reach.

But here’s the catch: retiring early isn’t just about saving aggressively. It’s about making smart money decisions, avoiding common pitfalls, and ensuring you won’t have to downgrade your lifestyle just to leave work behind.

In this week’s edition, we’re breaking down exactly how to retire early without sacrificing comfort, security, or peace of mind. Let’s get started!

Be sure to visit the Move Abroad Coach section below👇👇👇

Weekly Wealth Builder: The Key Habits of Early Retirees

People who achieve early retirement don’t just dream about it—they take action. Here are three key habits they have in common:

✔ They know their "FIRE" number – Financially Independent, Retire Early (FIRE) enthusiasts calculate how much they need saved to live comfortably for the rest of their lives. A common rule of thumb is the 25x Rule—multiply your desired annual retirement spending by 25 to determine your goal.

✔ They maximize tax-advantaged accounts – Early retirees take full advantage of 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, HSAs, and brokerage accounts to reduce taxes and grow their wealth efficiently.

✔ They create multiple income streams – Relying solely on savings isn’t enough. Passive income sources like real estate, dividends, or part-time side hustle passion projects help them maintain financial security without dipping too much into their retirement nest egg.

Want help calculating your FIRE number? Let’s chat! Here’s an article I found talking about this! Click Here!

🚫 Myth: You need a massive fortune to retire early.
✅ Truth: What matters most is your spending, not just your savings. If you can keep annual expenses low and invest consistently, you don’t need millions to retire.

For example, someone who spends $40,000 per year can retire with $1 million based on the 4% Rule (a guideline suggesting you can safely withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually). But if your expenses are $80,000 per year, you’ll need $2 million.

The takeaway? Early retirement isn’t about how much you make—it’s about how much you keep and invest!

Retire Smart, Not Late: How Much Do You Really Need?

If you want to retire early, you need a realistic estimate of your future expenses. Consider:

✔ Housing Costs – Will you downsize? Move abroad? Pay off your mortgage?
✔ Healthcare – Medicare doesn’t kick in until 65. Will you have a private plan? An HSA?
✔ Lifestyle Goals – Do you plan to travel often? Maintain a part-time income?

💡 Pro Tip: Use retirement calculators to estimate your needs, and adjust for inflation and unexpected costs.

Need help running the numbers? Let’s figure it out together.

Debt-Free Diaries: Eliminating Debt Before Retirement

One of the biggest obstacles to early retirement? Lingering debt. Here’s a simple plan to become debt-free before you retire:

1️⃣ Prioritize high-interest debt first – Pay off credit cards and personal loans aggressively.
2️⃣ Use strategic refinancing – Lower your mortgage rate or refinance student loans to free up cash flow.
3️⃣ Avoid lifestyle creep – As your income grows, don’t let expenses rise with it. Instead, funnel the extra money into savings and debt repayment.

The less debt you have, the less you’ll need to retire comfortably! Visit my Store to use the free tools there!

Final Thoughts

Retiring early isn’t just for the wealthy—it’s for those who plan smartly, invest wisely, and stay disciplined. Whether you’re just getting started or refining your retirement strategy, I’m here to help you every step of the way.

📩 Reply to this email to schedule a free consultation, and let’s build your early retirement plan today!

Until next time,
Marc, Your Money Mentor!

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Your Money Mentor Minute: Quick Wins

Quick Win: Contest Your Property Taxes Every Year.

• How to Do It:

  1. Review Your Property Tax Assessment:

  • Go online to see a copy of your property tax assessment from your local county tax assessor’s office.

  2. File an Appeal:

  • Gather documentation, such as comparable property data, photos, or receipts for repairs that reduce your home’s value (this is optional if using a service to auto contest for you, but it helps).

  • Submit a formal appeal to your local tax authority before the deadline, which varies by location.

  • In Georgia, Texas, Florida, Illinois, California, Washington, & New York, use an automated service like the one I use Ownwell.com or one that’s similar in your neck of the woods. Simply Google: “Property contesting company online [enter your state]”.

  • This service allows you to enter your property in their system one-time, and they would automatically contest your taxes each year on your behalf. Easy-Peasy and you only get billed if your taxes are reduced. They also have different levels of services to help you reduce other costs associated to your properties as well. Check it out today!

  Example:

  • A homeowner contests their property taxes and successfully reduces the assessed value by $25,000.

  • At a 2.5% tax rate, this saves $625 annually—money that can go toward savings or paying down debt.

  • The online services do EVERYTHING for you, including going to court so you don’t have to.

  • If they are able to reduce your property taxes, then you pay a % of the tax reduction amount as a fee. Depending on the company, I have seen fees range between 25% & 50%. Example- $500 in property taxes saved. Fee is 50%. Thus you pay $250 for their work, and you save the additional $250. A Win/Win all around!!

  • If they are unable to reduce your taxes, then you pay NOTHING. There is ZERO risk to you!!

  Solution: Contesting your property taxes may sound intimidating, but it’s worth the effort. Take an hour this week to review your assessment and explore potential savings. With consistent appeals, you can ensure you’re not overpaying year after year.

  Need help getting started or navigating the process? Reach out—I’m here to guide you!

What is Wise and Why Should You Use It?

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a leading online money transfer service that allows users to send, receive, and spend money internationally with low fees and real exchange rates. Unlike traditional banks that charge hidden fees and mark-up exchange rates, Wise provides transparent pricing and mid-market rates, making cross-border transactions significantly more affordable.

Why is Wise Beneficial?

✅ International Money Transfers – No hidden fees; just a small, upfront charge.
✅ Real Exchange Rates – You get the mid-market rate, not an inflated bank rate.
✅ Multi-Currency Account – Hold and convert over 50 currencies easily.
✅ Fast & Secure – Most transfers arrive within hours, not days.
✅ Great for Expats & Travelers – Spend like a local without excessive foreign transaction fees.

If you’re sending money abroad, managing finances in multiple currencies, or want a cost-effective alternative to traditional banking, Wise is a smart choice for saving money and avoiding unnecessary fees. CLICK HERE to learn more about WISE!

Your Additional Resources and Tools

Enjoyed this week’s tips? Forward this newsletter to a friend and help them take control of their finances too!Follow me for daily tips on Instagram, Threads, BlueSky & Facebook!

• Visit my CLICK HERE to gain access to my other free guides, offers, tools, and resources!

• Open your own Stan.Store today. Click Here!

• WISE online Money Transfer service. Perfect for international travellers and Expats!

• Book a FREE consultation with me TODAY! Click Here!

• To SUBSCRIBE for my FREE newsletter, Click Here!

• Mint – The Ultimate Budgeting App. Tracks your spending, categorizes expenses, and helps set budgeting goals. Free and easy to use, and offers alerts for bill payments and spending limits.

• Pair Mint with a savings app/platform like Oportun to automate unused funds into an emergency or investment account.

About the Author, Marc Marquez

I’ve spent over 24 years in the financial services industry as a fiduciary and fully licensed Financial Advisor, helping clients plan for and protect what's most important to them. With having earned my MBA, RICP® (Retirement Income Certified Professional) and CLTC® (Certified in Long-Term Care) designations, I bring a wealth of knowledge to assist people just like you in navigating the complexities of building wealth, retirement, personal financial growth and getting out of debt.

My approach with this newsletter is focused on educating others, and I’m passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their own financial futures. Whether you’re planning for retirement, learning how to invest for growth, or simply managing debt, I'll take the time necessary to break down the complex financial concepts into simple, actionable steps. My mission isn’t just to offer help; it’s to teach YOU how to manage and grow your own money independently, with the confidence to make educated and informed decisions. I would like you to no longer have a fear of getting ahead and a fear of money, and I will show you how to turn your money fears or concerns into action!

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for educational & informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult with your prefered financial advisor for personal advice, or contact me directly for a free initial consultation.

This newsletter may include affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you, or at a discounted cost.