Jamal Robinson, a former tech leader who worked with Amazon and Microsoft, has successfully retired at 39 after amassing a fortune of $3.5 million (about Rs 30 crore). His financial discipline, which involved saving nearly 90% of his salary, allowed him to achieve his dream of early retirement six years ahead of his initial target of 45.
A Journey Rooted in Frugality
Robinson, who grew up in a financially struggling household, developed a strong sense of frugality early on. He started working at 14 as a church janitor and continued working through college while studying computer engineering. After graduation, he transitioned from the power and energy sector to tech, climbing the corporate ladder with stints at IBM, Intel, Amazon, and Microsoft.
From $41,000 to Over $1 Million in Salary
His salary saw a dramatic rise over the years, growing from $41,000 (about Rs 35 lakh) annually to over $1 million (about Rs 8.6 crore). Despite the high earnings, Robinson remained committed to his savings plan, progressively increasing his savings rate from 30% to nearly 90%. “I knew that accelerated my goal to ultimately retire,” he told CNBC Make It.
Leaving AI at Its Peak
When Robinson quit his job, he was a leader in generative AI, a booming sector with lucrative opportunities. “A lot of people think that I’m crazy to leave AI at a time where it’s so important,” he said, acknowledging that he could have continued earning a seven-figure salary. However, his focus remained on achieving financial independence and retiring on his own terms.