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Don't Retire... Graduate!: Building a Path to Financial Freedom and Retirement at Any Age
Does retirement feel daunting and unattainable? Maybe you're just looking at it all wrong.
The concept of retirement is outdated! It used to mean the end of your work life, whether you were financially ready or not. Not everyone wants a life of nothing but leisure. And if you made money mistakes, had debt, or never made a plan for your money, comfortable retirement may not be possible without changes. It's time to go back to school and redefine retirement.
Don't Retire...Graduate! is your degree in fully-fledged financial freedom and the option to work, if you choose. Retirement isn't reserved for your golden years. Double major in financial independence and retirement readiness at any age, regardless of where you start. Get the education you've been missing and learn:
- The three creative strategies to see your debt balance drop while still paying yourself first.
- Why a course in risk management and insurance will save your financial castle and all who live in it.
- The 12 relationship questions to determine if you should keep or break up with your financial advisor.
- How to maximize your peak earning years with a crash course in retirement accounts and IRAs.
- How the 21 extra credit assignments in risk management, financial independence, debt and cash management, and more will take you to top of the class!
With Don't Retire...Graduate!, get a full syllabus of courses that will help you advance, not retreat, into the perfect retirement plan for you. Redefine what financial independence means by reverse-engineering the path it'll take to get there. If you like easy-to-use guides, turning financial challenges into opportunities, and retirement planning like you've never seen before, you'll love Don't Retire...Graduate!
The concept of retirement is outdated! It used to mean the end of your work life, whether you were financially ready or not. Not everyone wants a life of nothing but leisure. And if you made money mistakes, had debt, or never made a plan for your money, comfortable retirement may not be possible without changes. It's time to go back to school and redefine retirement.
Don't Retire...Graduate! is your degree in fully-fledged financial freedom and the option to work, if you choose. Retirement isn't reserved for your golden years. Double major in financial independence and retirement readiness at any age, regardless of where you start. Get the education you've been missing and learn:
- The three creative strategies to see your debt balance drop while still paying yourself first.
- Why a course in risk management and insurance will save your financial castle and all who live in it.
- The 12 relationship questions to determine if you should keep or break up with your financial advisor.
- How to maximize your peak earning years with a crash course in retirement accounts and IRAs.
- How the 21 extra credit assignments in risk management, financial independence, debt and cash management, and more will take you to top of the class!
With Don't Retire...Graduate!, get a full syllabus of courses that will help you advance, not retreat, into the perfect retirement plan for you. Redefine what financial independence means by reverse-engineering the path it'll take to get there. If you like easy-to-use guides, turning financial challenges into opportunities, and retirement planning like you've never seen before, you'll love Don't Retire...Graduate!
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2020
19 people are currently reading
1289 people want to read
About the author
Eric D. Brotman
3 books7 followersEric D. Brotman, CFP®, AEP®, CPWA®, is Chairman and Chief Growth Officer
of BFG Financial Advisors. He began his financial planning practice in Baltimore in 1994, and founded Brotman Financial Group in 2003, which later became BFG Financial Advisors. He and his team focus on supporting families and individuals by providing comprehensive financial planning and wealth management services.
Eric holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) certification in 1998 and completed his master’s degree in Financial Services (MSFS) at the American College in 2003. He is also an Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®), a Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®), a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), a Chartered Advisor in Senior Living (CASL), and a Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®). Eric is a Registered Representative with Kestra Investment Services and an Investment Advisor Representative with Kestra Advisory Services.
Eric is presently serving on the Board of Trustees for Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, Maryland. He previously served two four-year terms on the Board of Trustees for the Maryland State Retirement &Pension System as an appointee of former Governor Larry Hogan, and on the Business Advisory Council for former Comptroller, Peter Franchot. Eric served on the Board of Trustees and as Chairman of the University Advancement Committee at Stevenson University. He is a 2006 alumnus and former board member of Leadership-Baltimore County, a 2009 alumnus and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Leadership Maryland, the Past-President and Chairman of the Board of the Financial Planning Association of Maryland, and a member of the Baltimore Estate Planning Council and the Investments and Wealth Institute.
In addition to BFG Financial Advisors, Eric founded Brotman Consulting Group, LLC, which works with other financial advising firms to amplify their practices and create influence, and Brotman Media Group, LLC, which focuses on creating and distributing educational resources to help spread financial literacy throughout the community.
Eric hosted the Don’t Retire…Graduate! podcast which has over 100 episodes available on all major podcast platforms. He has published three books on personal finance: Don’t Retire…Graduate! Building a Path to Financial Freedom and Retirement at Any Age in 2020, Retire Wealthy: The Tools You Need to Help Build Lasting Wealth – On Your Own or With Your Financial Advisor, in 2014, and Debt-Free for Life: The Tools You Need to Free Yourself from Debt, in 2009.
Eric has appeared on dozens of occasions on television on 11 News Sunday Morning on WBAL in Baltimore and has been a frequent contributor to Forbes.com. He frequently hosts financial wellness programs for companies and membership organizations and delivers educational workshops and facilitates professional groups for fellow financial advisors.
of BFG Financial Advisors. He began his financial planning practice in Baltimore in 1994, and founded Brotman Financial Group in 2003, which later became BFG Financial Advisors. He and his team focus on supporting families and individuals by providing comprehensive financial planning and wealth management services.
Eric holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) certification in 1998 and completed his master’s degree in Financial Services (MSFS) at the American College in 2003. He is also an Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®), a Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®), a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), a Chartered Advisor in Senior Living (CASL), and a Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®). Eric is a Registered Representative with Kestra Investment Services and an Investment Advisor Representative with Kestra Advisory Services.
Eric is presently serving on the Board of Trustees for Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, Maryland. He previously served two four-year terms on the Board of Trustees for the Maryland State Retirement &Pension System as an appointee of former Governor Larry Hogan, and on the Business Advisory Council for former Comptroller, Peter Franchot. Eric served on the Board of Trustees and as Chairman of the University Advancement Committee at Stevenson University. He is a 2006 alumnus and former board member of Leadership-Baltimore County, a 2009 alumnus and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Leadership Maryland, the Past-President and Chairman of the Board of the Financial Planning Association of Maryland, and a member of the Baltimore Estate Planning Council and the Investments and Wealth Institute.
In addition to BFG Financial Advisors, Eric founded Brotman Consulting Group, LLC, which works with other financial advising firms to amplify their practices and create influence, and Brotman Media Group, LLC, which focuses on creating and distributing educational resources to help spread financial literacy throughout the community.
Eric hosted the Don’t Retire…Graduate! podcast which has over 100 episodes available on all major podcast platforms. He has published three books on personal finance: Don’t Retire…Graduate! Building a Path to Financial Freedom and Retirement at Any Age in 2020, Retire Wealthy: The Tools You Need to Help Build Lasting Wealth – On Your Own or With Your Financial Advisor, in 2014, and Debt-Free for Life: The Tools You Need to Free Yourself from Debt, in 2009.
Eric has appeared on dozens of occasions on television on 11 News Sunday Morning on WBAL in Baltimore and has been a frequent contributor to Forbes.com. He frequently hosts financial wellness programs for companies and membership organizations and delivers educational workshops and facilitates professional groups for fellow financial advisors.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 30, 2023
This was intriguing to read. Some of the tips and information that are pretty well known. But it does have quite a bit to help you get on your feet, to start financially planning for the future and beat the cycle. I liked this new take on financials, as I am clueless about it. I truly did take away several things from this that I'll personally be using.
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
July 27, 2023
I won this book via Goodreads giveaway.
I found this book to cover a diverse array of topics, gave helpful advice, and treated the subject matter with sensitivity. The author is clearly knowledgeable and compassionate. He also continually advocates the use of professional services to get all of the details needed to make decisions, which is absolutely necessary.
That being said, you absolutely cannot read this book and magically understand the content. Even in the earlier chapters, it is laden with industry terms and borders on incomprehensible - while other times the author clearly spells out what he’s referring to in layman’s terms. This is something you will have to revisit again and again, and do lots of supplementary information gathering.
I liked this book and I learned a lot. At the same time, I’m having trouble understanding who the audience is. The people that need this information the most (the frosh) are not going to have the knowledge foundation to make effective use of the advice without more help. Most people don’t know what terms like “liquidity risk” and “primary asset classes” mean. They won’t have the money to have a financial advisor or attorney. This book has a ton of “what” but could use with a little more “how,” especially for beginners. This stuff takes years to learn, so don’t be discouraged. Overall, I liked it.
I found this book to cover a diverse array of topics, gave helpful advice, and treated the subject matter with sensitivity. The author is clearly knowledgeable and compassionate. He also continually advocates the use of professional services to get all of the details needed to make decisions, which is absolutely necessary.
That being said, you absolutely cannot read this book and magically understand the content. Even in the earlier chapters, it is laden with industry terms and borders on incomprehensible - while other times the author clearly spells out what he’s referring to in layman’s terms. This is something you will have to revisit again and again, and do lots of supplementary information gathering.
I liked this book and I learned a lot. At the same time, I’m having trouble understanding who the audience is. The people that need this information the most (the frosh) are not going to have the knowledge foundation to make effective use of the advice without more help. Most people don’t know what terms like “liquidity risk” and “primary asset classes” mean. They won’t have the money to have a financial advisor or attorney. This book has a ton of “what” but could use with a little more “how,” especially for beginners. This stuff takes years to learn, so don’t be discouraged. Overall, I liked it.
June 26, 2022
Don’t Retire…Graduate!” is a fresh take on planning for your financial freedom. With a unique outlet for progressing through the author’s dedicated steps and planning tools, readers can leave feeling more educated on the process towards retiring.
Set amongst the college landscape from application to each semester of the stereotypical four years of college, author Eric Brotman seeks to engage readers through his retirement curriculum. This layout within “Don’t Retire…Graduate!” is superbly engaging, but can exclude readers that either didn’t go to college or don’t remember/understand the foundations of it. Regardless of this, I was the perfect audience fit. As a lifelong learner, still taking continuing and higher education well past undergrad, this book’s layout sang to me. With a seamlessly laid out plan to financial freedom, following the path through a “retirement college,” there are lots of references to room, board, tuition, professors, etc. that makes it easy to follow and track for individuals of all ages.
I personally hold more than a decade in the financial industry, and I enjoyed the premise and advice given throughout “Don’t Retire…Graduate!” However, I felt each chapter swung wildly in terms of the range of financial savvy or understanding needed. For instance, in freshman year there were tips to avoid bankruptcy and managing one’s overspending and debt to a very detailed introduction to insurance products, including four life insurance products alone. As someone that deals heavily in life insurance products every day, the level of detail and intricacies was a lot for just a “freshman year” course topic. Despite being over the readers’ heads in some scenarios, the author does a great job of creating a comprehensive, wide, and diverse array of topics. I especially enjoyed insights into the financial planner or advisor selection process as Brotman provided a list of questions individuals may want to ask advisors/planners as they seek to find a professional that fits their needs and personality.
While every chapter, every course, or every college year may not be immediately fitting to readers, this comprehensive guide is a great reference tool to refer to again and again as/when needed. And while the author recommends time and time again to consult financial, tax, and legal professionals the advice and background “Don’t Retire…Graduate!” allows for readers to go into these consults with enough knowledge to ask the right questions and feel well equipped.
Set amongst the college landscape from application to each semester of the stereotypical four years of college, author Eric Brotman seeks to engage readers through his retirement curriculum. This layout within “Don’t Retire…Graduate!” is superbly engaging, but can exclude readers that either didn’t go to college or don’t remember/understand the foundations of it. Regardless of this, I was the perfect audience fit. As a lifelong learner, still taking continuing and higher education well past undergrad, this book’s layout sang to me. With a seamlessly laid out plan to financial freedom, following the path through a “retirement college,” there are lots of references to room, board, tuition, professors, etc. that makes it easy to follow and track for individuals of all ages.
I personally hold more than a decade in the financial industry, and I enjoyed the premise and advice given throughout “Don’t Retire…Graduate!” However, I felt each chapter swung wildly in terms of the range of financial savvy or understanding needed. For instance, in freshman year there were tips to avoid bankruptcy and managing one’s overspending and debt to a very detailed introduction to insurance products, including four life insurance products alone. As someone that deals heavily in life insurance products every day, the level of detail and intricacies was a lot for just a “freshman year” course topic. Despite being over the readers’ heads in some scenarios, the author does a great job of creating a comprehensive, wide, and diverse array of topics. I especially enjoyed insights into the financial planner or advisor selection process as Brotman provided a list of questions individuals may want to ask advisors/planners as they seek to find a professional that fits their needs and personality.
While every chapter, every course, or every college year may not be immediately fitting to readers, this comprehensive guide is a great reference tool to refer to again and again as/when needed. And while the author recommends time and time again to consult financial, tax, and legal professionals the advice and background “Don’t Retire…Graduate!” allows for readers to go into these consults with enough knowledge to ask the right questions and feel well equipped.
September 7, 2021
Many thanks to goodreads for the opportunity to read and review this book. This book was very well written, and informative. It is a must read, especially for those just starting their careers. It is the kind of book I wish I had read when I was younger. Most of the information did not apply to my situation, or was information I already gleaned through experience, and so was not helpful. I expected the book to be more geared toward retirees. I did like the way the book was organized in a step by step way, corresponding to different stages and periods of your life. (What to focus on in your twenties for example, then thirties, etc.). The problem that I had was that a lot of the information on investing was overly complicated, not explained in basic terms, and applicable only toward the more wealthy, and not the average worker. But I did like what the author had to say about retirement, the joys of retirement, and especially about leaving a legacy, other than just money.
October 12, 2021
Excellent financial advice about retirement in a unique format. The book is separated into 4 "years" (8 "semesters") that is packed full of good advice, not just for those approaching age 65 but also for those who are following a FIRE lifestyle and expect to retire in the next 5 to 10 years.
I'm going to recommend this book to my children. They have a long time before they even start to retire, but it has general good information so that they can plan ahead and make sure they are saving enough to retire comfortably.
I'm going to recommend this book to my children. They have a long time before they even start to retire, but it has general good information so that they can plan ahead and make sure they are saving enough to retire comfortably.
December 22, 2021
This book has a lot of great information pertaining to finances. This was my first time reading a finance prep book, so I don't know how it compares to others in this field. I do believe I am ready to take on some challenges here to get my affairs and finances in order. I like how current thus information is and how the book was set up. It has review at the end of each chapter to test yourself on comprehension and extra credit ideas.
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway and I am thankful for the chance to review it.
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway and I am thankful for the chance to review it.
June 22, 2021
Really lays out the steps of the personal finance journey in an easy to understand way. I feel like I can keep this book for years and revisit it during different phases of my life. It starts at an appropriate place for me (26yo) and focuses on debt reduction and saving money, and later I’ll be able to use the investment and portfolio advice and insurance advice. Really a well-rounded financial education and surprisingly not boring to read.
September 29, 2021
Practical knowledge on one of the most important phases of your life.
October 10, 2021
A book about retirement and jobs and reinventing yourself.I learned a lot and enjoyed this book. Recommend to you all. I received from Goodreads
Read
June 23, 2022Don’t Retire…Graduate!” is a fresh take on planning for your financial freedom. With a unique outlet for progressing through the author’s dedicated steps and planning tools, readers can leave feeling more educated on the process towards retiring.
Set amongst the college landscape from application to each semester of the stereotypical four years of college, author Eric Brotman seeks to engage readers through his retirement curriculum. This layout within “Don’t Retire…Graduate!” is superbly engaging, but can exclude readers that either didn’t go to college or don’t remember/understand the foundations of it. Regardless of this, I was the perfect audience fit. As a lifelong learner, still taking continuing and higher education well past undergrad, this book’s layout sang to me. With a seamlessly laid out plan to financial freedom, following the path through a “retirement college,” there are lots of references to room, board, tuition, professors, etc. that makes it easy to follow and track for individuals of all ages.
I personally hold more than a decade in the financial industry, and I enjoyed the premise and advice given throughout “Don’t Retire…Graduate!” However, I felt each chapter swung wildly in terms of the range of financial savvy or understanding needed. For instance, in freshman year there were tips to avoid bankruptcy and managing one’s overspending and debt to a very detailed introduction to insurance products, including four life insurance products alone. As someone that deals heavily in life insurance products every day, the level of detail and intricacies was a lot for just a “freshman year” course topic. Despite being over the readers’ heads in some scenarios, the author does a great job of creating a comprehensive, wide, and diverse array of topics. I especially enjoyed insights into the financial planner or advisor selection process as Brotman provided a list of questions individuals may want to ask advisors/planners as they seek to find a professional that fits their needs and personality.
While every chapter, every course, or every college year may not be immediately fitting to readers, this comprehensive guide is a great reference tool to refer to again and again as/when needed. And while the author recommends time and time again to consult financial, tax, and legal professionals the advice and background “Don’t Retire…Graduate!” allows for readers to go into these consults with enough knowledge to ask the right questions and feel well equipped.
Set amongst the college landscape from application to each semester of the stereotypical four years of college, author Eric Brotman seeks to engage readers through his retirement curriculum. This layout within “Don’t Retire…Graduate!” is superbly engaging, but can exclude readers that either didn’t go to college or don’t remember/understand the foundations of it. Regardless of this, I was the perfect audience fit. As a lifelong learner, still taking continuing and higher education well past undergrad, this book’s layout sang to me. With a seamlessly laid out plan to financial freedom, following the path through a “retirement college,” there are lots of references to room, board, tuition, professors, etc. that makes it easy to follow and track for individuals of all ages.
I personally hold more than a decade in the financial industry, and I enjoyed the premise and advice given throughout “Don’t Retire…Graduate!” However, I felt each chapter swung wildly in terms of the range of financial savvy or understanding needed. For instance, in freshman year there were tips to avoid bankruptcy and managing one’s overspending and debt to a very detailed introduction to insurance products, including four life insurance products alone. As someone that deals heavily in life insurance products every day, the level of detail and intricacies was a lot for just a “freshman year” course topic. Despite being over the readers’ heads in some scenarios, the author does a great job of creating a comprehensive, wide, and diverse array of topics. I especially enjoyed insights into the financial planner or advisor selection process as Brotman provided a list of questions individuals may want to ask advisors/planners as they seek to find a professional that fits their needs and personality.
While every chapter, every course, or every college year may not be immediately fitting to readers, this comprehensive guide is a great reference tool to refer to again and again as/when needed. And while the author recommends time and time again to consult financial, tax, and legal professionals the advice and background “Don’t Retire…Graduate!” allows for readers to go into these consults with enough knowledge to ask the right questions and feel well equipped.
January 19, 2023
A. This is one of those books that everyone needs to have.
B. I am buying a hardcover book for my use
C. Get a copy and use it. You won't be sorry!
Thank you, Goodreads Giveaways, and to the author Eric D. Brotman for this incredible book.
B. I am buying a hardcover book for my use
C. Get a copy and use it. You won't be sorry!
Thank you, Goodreads Giveaways, and to the author Eric D. Brotman for this incredible book.
January 25, 2023
What a Unique Approach!!
What a unique approach to the topic of retirement!! The author approached the various elements of retirement like the degree requirements for a college education. This book was very informative!!
What a unique approach to the topic of retirement!! The author approached the various elements of retirement like the degree requirements for a college education. This book was very informative!!
June 12, 2023
3.5. Well explained, but a US-centric approach to investment and retirement planning which largely didn't apply to my own situation.
July 31, 2023
I won this book. This was quite helpful and resourceful on planking for retirement. Provide an outlook for areas not considered. The author was quite knowledgeable. .
February 7, 2024
Lots of info
Lots of good information and ideas. I am not young enough or financially well off enough for it to help me so I can't agree with the any age.
Lots of good information and ideas. I am not young enough or financially well off enough for it to help me so I can't agree with the any age.
Currently reading
September 16, 2023I received a free copy of this book from a good reads giveaway, and i have not had a chance to finish reading it yet. I will update my review once I finish it. This book is one that I was going to read with my husband, so the review may take me longer than normal to get to.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews