A CASH millionaire who retired at 35 says he did it by ignoring other people's get-rich-quick advice.
Instead he has shared seven the "unpopular" opinions that helped him do it "the old fashioned way".
Steve Adcock, from the US, enjoyed a six figure salary working in software development.
But he always wanted financial freedom, so he set about saving up to 70 per cent of his income and investing it wisely.
It meant he could retire in his mid-30s, followed by his wife a few months later.
Steve stresses he is not a "money genius" and in fact struggled at school because of a learning disability.
But it made him work harder and he stuck to his task of saving enough to quit work for good.
Now he shares how he did it on a blog called Millionaire Habits.
And he wrote on CNBC's Make It: "In 2016, I retired early at 35.
"At the time, I had $900,000 saved, and within a few years was able to accumulate a $1 million net worth.
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"A big factor in my success wasn’t the advice I received, but the advice I ignored.
"I built wealth the old-fashioned way — by working hard in a regular 9-to-5 job and making strategic financial moves that many people might disagree with."
Steve said he did it thanks to these seven unpopular opinions:
Company loyalty will make you poor
"If you’re not switching jobs regularly, you’re leaving money on the table," Steve says.
He reckons moving to another company is the best way to get a pay rise.
In his 14-year working career he changed jobs five times, and says he boosted his pay each time by 15 to 20 per cent.
He adds: "Employers will do whatever is in their best interest, and employees should do the same."
Most millionaires are self-made
It's crucial to understand wealth is not handed to you on a plate, Steve says.
He points to a recent report that found four-fifths of the 10,000 millionaires surveyed did not receive any inheritance.
Instead, most of them got rich through “consistent investing, avoiding debt and smart spending.”
Steve says: "Many of the millionaires I knew built wealth on their own, and knowing that gave me greater financial motivation."
Your life partner can hurt your finances
Steve money is a major source of tension for many couples — for example if spouses have opposite spending habits or are unwilling to talk about money.
He said: "I chose to wait until I found someone who shared the same financial values — and it was one of the best life decisions I ever made.
"Today, I have a supportive spouse who just as enthusiastic as I am about investing and living a frugal lifestyle."
You don’t need to hustle 24/7
Although he is in favour of hard work, Steve warns you also need rest to be a money-maker.
He says: "To grow your wealth, you don’t need to always be moving, producing and working.
"Prioritising things like sleep, exercise and a proper diet gives you the opportunity to refuel for the next day.
"I always put my health first, and as a result, I feel happier and much more energetic, productive and creative."
Growing up poor is no barrier
Steve's own family was poor, going back to his pastor grandad who was "bad with his money".
His father was the same, living "paycheck to paycheck" — until he changed his ways later in life.
Steve says: "He taught me the value of saving and investing, and told me that credit card debt would ruin my financial stability, like it did for his dad.
"I learned that even without a six-figure salary, you can still get rich."
A top education is no guarantee
It's what you do after you graduate that really counts, Steve says.
For that reason he recommends choosing an in-state university – which in the US is much cheaper than going further away to a prestigious college.
He says: "I didn’t have a fancy degree at an Ivy League. I saved up an emergency fund and invested at least 10 per cent of my income early on.
"Over the years, that helped me create a comfortable retirement lifestyle."
Your passion won’t pay the bills
Celebrities who say they made it by following their passions are the lucky few.
For most people it is not a route to making money.
Steve says: "My hobby was photography, but I chose a career in software development because it was what I was good at.
"The salary difference between those two career paths is drastically different.
"Now, as an early retiree, I’m actually able to enjoy and spend more time on my passions."
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