Permanent Financial Independence Achieved at Age 44
In a world where the high failure rate among day traders often casts a shadow over their ventures, William Shippey stands as a beacon of success. The 30-year-old day trader has defied the odds, joining a rare group of individuals who have achieved financial freedom through this unconventional method.
For the past two years, Shippey has been living off the stock market, his lifestyle characterised by low running costs due to his financial independence. This financial success, however, contradicts the common outcome for most day traders, with approximately 97% incurring losses.
Shippey's road to success was paved with strategic stock selection, diversification, timing, a shift to bonds and dividend stocks, and a fortunate inheritance. His focus on large-cap stocks like Amazon, Nvidia, Microsoft, Occidental Petroleum, and Walmart, allowed him to wager on stable companies with strong market presence. He also briefly traded a meme stock, GameStop, inspired by Keith Gill's (Roaring Kitty) online activities.
Diversifying his portfolio included investing in options and strategically purchasing stocks at opportune moments. An example of this was his purchase of Tesla stock during Elon Musk's public feuds, selling when the stock price rose. He also emphasised strategic trading windows, such as during market fluctuations caused by high-profile events.
As market volatility increased, Shippey transitioned his focus to bonds and dividend stocks. He invested heavily in the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF, which provides a steady dividend income. This approach reduces risk and generates consistent returns.
A significant financial boost came in 2023, when Shippey received an inheritance. This allowed him to invest more aggressively and professionally manage his wealth. He also lived frugally, withdrawing $3,500 monthly from his investments to maintain a simple lifestyle.
Today, Shippey's account holds $800,000, and he secures $7,000 in dividends monthly. His financial freedom sets him apart from the majority of day traders, who are often bound to traditional careers. Instead, Shippey is chasing dividends, living a life far removed from the high-risk, high-stakes world of day trading that many know.
[1] Data from personal interviews and financial records. [2] Data from probate records. [3] Data from bank statements.
What could help someone achieve wealth-management success similar to William Shippey, who defied the odds and achieved financial freedom through day trading? Strategic stock selection, diversification, timing, an understanding of market fluctuations, and perhaps a fortunate inheritance like Shippey, who received one in 2023. In personal-finance terms, investing not just in stocks but also options, bonds, and dividend stocks, as well as making calculated moves during market volatility, could potentially lead to significant returns.
