You Need to Retire Early - Here's Why

5 snips

Jan 25, 2026

A practical case study shows how treating early retirement as a choice changes cash flow and withdrawal needs. They map income sources, taxes, healthcare, and lifestyle spending to reveal how much must come from savings each year. Scenarios compare retiring at different ages and the tradeoff between accumulating assets and buying more time for experiences.

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INSIGHT

Retirement As A Mindset

Retiring early is a mindset, not an escape from purposeful work.
James Canole reframes early retirement as planning freedom, not quitting life.

ANECDOTE

Brad And Vicky Case Study

James walks through a case study of sample clients Brad and Vicky to illustrate retirement planning.
Their current portfolio is about $2.3 million at age 55 and serves as the example baseline.

ADVICE

Plan Based On Your Goals

Stop following 'you're supposed to' retirement ages and plan based on your specific goals.
James urges listeners to define desired lifestyle needs to determine when retirement is truly feasible.

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There’s really only one way to reach the level of success most people say they want, and it’s not about working until 65. It’s about having a plan to retire early. Not as a finish line, but as a mindset.

Early retirement means your money is working for you, giving you the ability to choose how you spend your time instead of waiting for an arbitrary age when you’re “supposed” to stop working. In this video, James walks through a real case study to show how this mindset changes everything — from cash flow and withdrawal rates to how much of life you actually get to enjoy while your health and energy are still there.

Watch as James breaks down how retirement cash flows work, how living expenses, healthcare, goals, and taxes all interact, and how much needs to come from a portfolio each year to support the life you want. The numbers tell a powerful story: staying on the traditional path leads to dying with far more money than needed, while retiring earlier trades excess dollars for time, freedom, and experiences.

The truth is not that you should quit working, it’s that everyone should know when they could. When you understand your early retirement number, work becomes optional, saving eventually stops being necessary, and money can start being used for living, not just growing.

Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.

The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.

Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsements

Participation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.

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