I started working part-time on high school, I wrote articles to computer magazines (they paid really well, some months I earned more more money than my high school teachers
, I did kind of paperboy, some light construction jobs and I also started making websites. I quicky realized IT & Internet is way to earn decent money for fair time of work. Later I started registering internet domains in Czech Republic (around 2000), I spent most of my saving on registering domains, that was my only asset at that time.In 2006 I realized I have a domain portfolio worth around 200-300k USD according to sales of similar domains of other domain owners, so I started selling domains actively to get funds for other internet non-internet investments - I prefer real estate.
I have very diversified activities on internet (affiliate sites, sites where I sell direct advertisment, ecommerce sites, I sell some digital products, I buy&sell domain names and websites).
I also bought rental property with 4 apartments and 2 smaller shops and 2 detached garages (garages were basically free because I tried to get better price and they offered me garages instread of discount) with 20 percent downpayment in downtown of 50k pop city in Czech Republic, current rental income is about 2k USD before taxes (taxes are low), mortage payment is about 2,5k USD a month (so i have to bring around 500 USD from my other income sources but it is only 7 year mortage/loan since my monthly payment is very high).
I still owe about half of the value of property, it will be paid in about 5 years from now but I am thinking about paying it in full in next 12-18 months (I can get funds if I sell my most valued domain names).
I have never lived really frugal life, I really enjoy good food and travelling which are almost meaning of my life
My girlfriend says I live semiretired life style because I do not work more than 4 hours a day and I spent 2-5 months a year abroad traveling.Otherwise I try to save money - usually I live below my earnings - I rented cheap apartment in Prague (prices of real estate are insane in Prague and I wanna move out in future so I did not buy my own), I drive 14 years old car (some of my friends cannot understand that), etc.
I would like to vancamp around Europe when I retire, I wanna travel extensively in Asia, Australia, Central and South America. I would like to intern in some restaurant to learn cook, I wanna walk Way of St. James. There are so many things I wanna try in future that I have to stop working to do it.
They only crack in my plan is my girlfriend who does not share my vison of ER life.