He retired at 34 with $3 million, then had to go back to work after buying a house. How to avoid his mistake

Read more: Warren Buffett used 8 solid, repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150B fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich)’

Consider resilient commercial real estate opportunities

If you, like Dogen, are an accredited investor looking for a larger stake in real estate, you might also want to consider commercial investments. While the industry has faced its challenges over the last few years, a 2025 Cushman & Wakefield report showed that commercial sectors like grocery-anchored retail often outperform during weaker growth environments (3).

Firms like First National Realty Partners enable investors to access exactly those investment opportunities.

First National Realty Partners (FNRP) allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties, without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.

Is the Financial Samurai being too greedy?

It might be hard to believe that with a $3 million net worth, Dogen still felt the need to return to work and lock in supplemental income.

It begs the question: did he simply fall victim to lifestyle creep?

He admitted there were some areas he could have cut back on, but as is the case for many high earners, it can be difficult to see the big picture when costs for non-essentials mount.

Keep track of your spending

Making sure you have the right budget to retire can be a hard task to tackle on your own but an an app like Rocket Money can easily flag recurring subscriptions, upcoming bills and unusual charges by pulling in transactions from all your linked accounts.

This can help you cut unnecessary costs, and then you can manually redirect savings straight into your retirement fund. No spreadsheets, no guesswork, no stress. Small habits like this can make a big difference over time.

Rocket Money’s intuitive app offers a variety of free and premium tools. Free features include subscription tracking, bill reminders and budgeting basics, while premium features — like automated savings, net worth tracking, customizable dashboards, and more — make it easier to stay on top of your retirement contributions and overall financial goals.

Work with a qualified financial advisor

Beyond building out a budget, Dogen says, “People should be very calculated and aware if they decide to have children and if they want to achieve FIRE. It’s a really tough combination.”

Making that decision can be easier when you have a financial professional to consult with.

Advisor.com connects people to fiduciaries, financial advisors and financial planners who can help.

Advisor.com makes it easy to find a financial advisor who can help you organize your finances and establish goals. When you answer a few questions about yourself, Advisor.com will match you with a curated list of financial professionals, and you can book a free, no-obligation consultation to see if they’re the right fit.