This post was originally shared in my DT Email Newsletter here. That’s what readers have asked me over the years. The thing is, my burnt out in the banking industry pushed me out of a six years corporate career. I was uncomfortable with the rigid structure and politics of the industry. Along the way, I made a bit of money. And this allowed me to quit my job. But what was crucial were also these:

• Aggressive (like serious) savings
• Grow salary income in my 20s
• Learnt/read up investing
• Built network of like-minded investors
• Get great stock ideas (fuel for $growth)

Of all these, I’ll tell you what was toughest: trying to save up as much as I could. Because as your salary grows, the need to spend even more increases. It’s just human behaviour. And yes, like what John Bogle said: “The two greatest enemies of an investor are expenses and emotions.”...