Optimal Finance Daily - Financial Independence and Money Advice 3404: [Part 1] The Greatest Risk To My Retirement Goal by Craig Stephens of Retire Before Dad on Securing Your Future
Dec 29, 2025
Craig Stephens shares his ambitious retirement goal of 55, aiming to surpass his father's milestone. He confronts the financial pressures of his child's impending college expenses, revealing how this timing could jeopardize his plans. Reflecting on his own college experience, he explores the often-overlooked ROI of education choices. He emphasizes the freedom that comes from graduating debt-free, which has allowed him to focus on savings and travel. Tune in to hear about the generational impacts of tuition payments and the sacrifices made for future education.
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Retirement Goal Tied To Family Timeline
- Craig Stephens set a personal goal to retire at age 55, one year earlier than his father.
- He identifies a looming college expense the same year as his planned retirement as his biggest risk.
Retirement Age Averages Versus Personal Targets
- Average U.S. retirement ages (men 64, women 62) haven't moved much in a decade, making a 55 target ambitious but plausible.
- Stephens frames his 55 target as realistic for his situation despite being nine years earlier than average.
Regretted College Choice Lowers ROI
- Stephens recounts that his parents paid for college and he chose an out-of-state school for adventure, not ROI.
- He now recognizes an in-state school would have provided the same degree with a much higher return on investment.