Cardiff,
No MBA here. Just a BS from a top 10 engineering school. I’m in sales. Unike the vast majority of my truly brilliant classmates back in school, I sought out industry mentors to answer questions on how I could maximize my “non-engineering” personality in the high tech world. One guy I met (ironically surfing Old Man’s) to whom I will be forever indebted was in sales at Sun, and recommended the same path to me. I took the advice and never looked back. I went with a different firm, but the ride has been awesome.

The combination of an engineering degree and the F500 sales experience is now leading to even greater opportunities. Because of where this wave is headed (or at least where it appears to be headed) I’ve decided to dig my rail, get in the crouch and ride it with as much vigor as I can.

My kids are young, so we can do this for a while. I need to get to my final destination before they get to junior high. I will never sacrifice their happiness for mine. Money doesn’t mean that much.

The real goal to which I keep alluding, but few here seem to want to discuss, is engineering maximum savings, personal balance sheet health and hopefully an EARLY RETIREMENT. I personally feel that I’ll need at least $4M to retire, assuming 5% rate of return, to enjoy the lifestyle I envision in retirement. What figure do others think will be sufficent for their needs, and what is the status of your plan to get there? My plan is to try and make lots of money while avoiding debt like the plague. This means I will never go beyond 3:1 to buy a home. Never.