I talked with Matt Lowery, 55, a former Google employee now living in Colorado. Here’s a condensed version of our conversation.
Financial independence and investing have always sparked my interest. When I was a child, I asked my grandfather, a passionate investor, about inflation, which led him to gift me a children’s book on the topic. He even opened a securities account for each grandchild. That moment really marked the start of my investing journey.
I joined Google in 2006, and while I had planned to retire early after 18 years, I actually enjoyed my job so much that leaving felt like a distant idea. Back in the 2000s, early retirement seemed like a privilege reserved for the very lucky—those who got rich when a startup sold or went public.
During the pandemic, I stumbled upon the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, which piqued my interest in investing even further.
By 2024, I felt financially secure enough to retire, officially stepping away in November 2025 at age 55. My grandfather’s insights played a significant role in making this possible.
Focus on Long-Term Investments
My grandfather’s investment philosophies greatly influenced my own. He idolized John Bogle, the founder of Vanguard Group, who aimed to make investing accessible to everyone. His advice consistently emphasized choosing long-term investments with minimal fees to maximize what I kept—better to avoid wild shifts in the stock market.
Living in San Francisco during the dot-com bubble, I frequently heard stories about people whose companies seemed immensely valuable on paper. My grandfather always took a cautious stance, often remarking, “Anything can happen between when something becomes valuable and when you actually need that money.”
Saving Wisely
I didn’t dive deep into investing until Google hired me. Their excellent benefits, especially the 401(k) matching, really motivated me, and I was able to save significantly, especially toward the end of my tenure when my income approached $365,000. The stock options also played a part, despite their variability.
I didn’t follow a rigid investment plan but rather looked for market opportunities. For instance, when the economy dipped, I would invest heavily into the S&P 500.
A lesson from my grandfather was the importance of living within my means. He never flashed wealth with expensive cars or homes. I budgeted carefully and avoided frivolous spending, ensuring I always had funds available for investment opportunities.
Learning About Early Retirement
During the pandemic, I explored the FIRE movement and learned about the 4% rule. This common strategy involves withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in your first retirement year and adjusting that amount annually according to inflation.
By the time I was 55, I had a substantial investment in my brokerage account and 401(k), making early retirement a real possibility. Besides the 4% rule, I also used various online tools and consulted with a financial planner about my exit strategy.
Now that I’ve retired, my wife continues to work, and I’m optimistic she’ll be eligible for Social Security later. I anticipate our monthly expenses might decrease in the future. It’s wise to prepare for unexpected costs that arise outside of regular budgeting.
If I could give one piece of advice about achieving financial independence, it would be to start early. Sometimes I wish I had contributed more to my Roth retirement account, and I’m actively encouraging my kids to invest as well.
While I want my children to be financially self-sufficient, I also aim to limit withdrawals to less than 4% of my portfolio each year—just to be ready for any contingencies, like if someone needs to move back home.
Living in Retirement
Since leaving Google, I’ve kept busy with family and travel planning. I’ve enjoyed diving into the little details of trip arrangements, like reading hotel reviews.
I love sports, and, just for fun, I’m thinking about a transition into data analysis for sports teams. It’s a field I know little about, but I’m eager to learn. Retirement has been enjoyable, but I would certainly consider a dream job like that if it came along.
Ultimately, my grandfather’s advice on long-term investing and safeguarding funds has been a cornerstone in my journey to where I am today.
