Early retirement might seem like a luxury reserved for the wealthy. For most people, the dream is simple: get a good education, build a rewarding career, and retire around 65.
But what if you could bring that timeline forward – not through luck or inheritance, but with clarity, planning, and discipline?
That’s exactly what Roger, a former enable.me coach, did. After years of guiding clients toward their retirement dreams, it was finally his turn to hang up the boots and retire himself at age 60.
For Roger, wealth was never about indulgence or excess. Instead, it was about having choice – how to spend his time, who to spend it with, and the ability to pursue the things he loves, like skiing, mountain biking, and getting outdoors.
A few years back, a serious health scare for his wife shook them both out of their corporate rhythms to re-evaluate what truly matters. That moment of reflection became the catalyst for a new vision of their future. Together, they painted a picture of what their ideal retirement looks like, figured out what it would cost, and mapped out a clear plan to get there – by age 60.
“It’s all well and good to have a plan,” Roger says, “but many people put so much focus on their finances that they forget the point in the first place. We work hard and earn well because that’s what we think we’re supposed to do. But none of that matters if we don’t also have a plan to enjoy our hard-earned cash.”
After years of dedication, Roger purchased a plot of land in a place close to his heart – the same spot in Wānaka where he used to play with his brothers as a kid. He still had work to do, including paying down the mortgage before starting the build. This wasn’t a roadblock – it was all part of the plan.
“A financial plan doesn’t have to be linear – and often isn’t,” Roger explains.
“Sometimes the goal might not be clear for people at the early stages. But when you build a strong financial foundation, you create flexibility. Flexibility to be able to jump on the right opportunity as soon as it makes itself known. For me, that opportunity was purchasing land in Wānaka. I grew up there, I love it – and when the chance came up, I was ready.”
So how did Roger retire at age 60?
How was Roger able to build enough wealth not only to retire early, but to retire well – to build his dream home, live where he wanted, and still have enough to enjoy life?
It all started with a clear vision. Once Roger decided he wanted to retire early, he defined what his dream retirement looked like and calculated how much it would cost. From there, he worked backwards to figure out the gap between where he was and where he wanted to be.
Property played a big role in bridging that gap. After leaving a corporate role he had before his time at enable.me, he used some of his funds to invest in property – including subdividing a piece of land. He developed a plan to pay it off, along with a contingency plan to hold the property through a few market cycles to achieve the growth he needed.
Roger emphasises the importance of mastering the basics before starting to invest.
“You don’t need a huge income to start investing,” he says. “But you do need to manage your money well. Make sure you have something left over at the end of each pay cycle and understand how you can put that surplus to work.”
He also highlights one of the biggest challenges we all face today is staying focused in a world full of distractions.
“Businesses are getting really good at convincing you to part with your cash,” Roger says. “There’s messaging everywhere, selling you things you might not need. The trick is to stay focused on what matters to you. Everyone’s trying to keep up with the Joneses, but do you really know the Joneses’ financial situation? For all we know, they could be drowning in debt in order to maintain their image.”
Is property the right investment for everyone?
For Roger, property made sense but that doesn’t mean it’s the right path for everyone.
He recalls a time earlier in his career when he and his wife had a goal to travel. They figured out how much it would cost and looked at the tools they could use to save enough. They both took on side hustles to boost their earnings, managed their spending carefully, and stayed laser-focused on the goal.
Discipline and intention are powerful levers that can make a difference.
“The path to early retirement will look different for everyone. There’s no cookie-cutter solution. But the principles stay the same.”
Roger’s top tips?
In his closing thoughts, Roger shares four key takeaways:
- Be willing to get started and do the work.
- Understand that taking risk is part of the journey.
- Have a financial buffer behind you so you can afford to take on that risk.
- Know you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Work with a financial adviser who understands your goals, your situation, and can help you build a plan that works for you.
Listen to Roger’s full story on the Where’s My Money? podcast below.
Want to retire well – or even early?
Our Financial Coaches and Strategists have helped thousands of Kiwis plan for the retirement they want, on their own terms. Whether your dream is to retire early, buy your dream home, or simply have more freedom in your future, we’re here to help.
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