A lot of people believe in working hard, building a nest-egg, just to lay down tools and call it a day when they hit the milestone of 65. As a rule, retirement is something we all look forward to because it means we can kick back, enjoy the fruits of our labor, and not have to concern ourselves with the daily grind any longer.
Yet, for entrepreneur Allan Hu, retiring at 65 is not something to embrace with open arms but something to avoid at all costs. Hu believes that waiting until a certain age before you retire because tradition dictates, is akin to waving the white flag and admitting you are not resourceful or tenacious enough to play the game on your terms.
Hu explained, “Like a lot of people. I work to make money. It’s a means to an end. I enjoy what I do but it doesn’t motivate me to get out of bed in the morning; living a good life does. The thought of waiting until I’m 65 to get out of the rat-race fills me with fear. I believe if you work hard you should enjoy yourself now and not wait until you’re past your prime.”
Hu made his first million by the age of 22. This former professional poker player, e-commerce entrepreneur, and professional trader knows that if you dream big and put the hard yards in, anything’s possible, especially if you’re born in what he describes as the ‘land of opportunity.’
“The USA is the traditional home of the entrepreneurial spirit,” explained Hu. “I grew up in a positive and comfortable environment where there were plenty of opportunities for me to explore when I came of age. I feel blessed for this and also for the chance to be semi-retired at such a young age.”
As someone who believes that greed is the undoing of many, and there’s no point in risking your current financial freedom for an even bigger slice of pie, Hu believes that the grass is not always greener and you should be happy with what you’ve got if it’s enough to sustain the lifestyle you want.
Hu explained, “When you believe you have enough money to socialize, travel, and enjoy your life, what’s the point in chasing more? That road leads to unhappiness. I get excited as the next man about creating new things, facing new challenges, achieving bigger goals, and generating more wealth. But I also enjoy taking my foot off the pedal and enjoy what I’ve earned, and that doesn’t involve going flat-out until I’m 65.”