Jamal Robinson, a 40-year-old former tech executive, has carved out a unique path to early retirement by saving up to 90% of his earnings and strategically investing his wealth. He now resides in Dubai on a work visa, set to expire in July 2025, and expresses a newfound happiness in this multicultural city. Robinson's journey began humbly; at the age of 14, he took his first job as a church janitor, followed by long shifts at Taco Bell at the age of 16, earning minimum wage. His perseverance and discipline have led him to amass a fortune of $3.5 million, allowing him to retire six years earlier than planned.
Robinson's career trajectory is nothing short of remarkable. After graduating from college, he secured his first full-time job with an annual salary of $41,000. Over the years, his income steadily increased, eventually reaching a staggering $1 million per year. With an MBA and nine certifications under his belt, Robinson's professional journey includes stints at renowned companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, and Intel. Despite his financial success, Robinson maintains a frugal mindset.
"I still, even to this day, view myself as this minimum wage guy making $5.15 an hour," he reflects.
The disciplined approach to saving has been a key component of Robinson's financial strategy. He has consistently saved between 30% and 90% of his income, a practice that has enabled him to retire comfortably at 39. Robinson adheres to the 4% rule for drawing from his investments, which ensures a steady income stream without depleting his assets. He is also in the process of rebalancing his aggressive investment portfolio to prioritize security over rapid growth.
Living expenses in Dubai are part of Robinson's calculated lifestyle. His monthly budget covers $2,000 for food, $2,840 for health and wellness, $1,549 for discretionary spending, $743 for transportation, $267 for insurance, and $97 for subscriptions. He resides in a two-bedroom apartment costing just over $5,000 a month. Dubai's vibrant multicultural environment appeals to Robinson, who has formed friendships with individuals from Egypt, the Netherlands, and Syria.
"I'm much happier living in Dubai than the U.S.," he asserts.
Robinson's experience in Dubai offers him a sense of community and acceptance that he values greatly. However, he envisions a future move to a location that offers more biodiversity and distinct seasonal changes.
"At some point I probably will look for another place that can give me more biodiversity, and I can go through the range of four different seasons and just feel like I'm more one with nature," he shares.
Despite stepping away from a flourishing career in artificial intelligence—a field that many consider crucial—Robinson remains unfazed by public perception.
"A lot of people think that I'm crazy to leave AI at a time where it's so important," he acknowledges.
Yet for Robinson, the decision aligns with his personal goals and values.
"For me, it was always important to focus on my goal of retiring so I could focus on myself [and] make sure that I'm doing things to make the world a better place," he explains.
Robinson's disciplined financial habits extend beyond mere frugality; they embody a philosophy that values experiences and positive impact over material possessions.
"If you're having a disciplined, responsible relationship with [money you've earned], then spending it on experiences to make your life easier [or] to impact other people's lives positively — these aren't negative things," he states.
While Robinson acknowledges that certain lifestyle choices can be costly,
"Yes, if you want to live the life that you've seen on TV,"
he notes,
"That's probably going to be very expensive,"
and adds,
"but those are more like billionaire lifestyles."