I've been reading this site off and on for several months, and realize that perhaps retiring early is a reality for me. The problem is that nearly all of my money (or our money, as I'm including my wife as well) is tied up in tax-deferred IRA's and 401k's so I'd take a severe tax hit if I withdraw any money prior to reaching 59.5, and I'm currently 30. Did MMM save outside of his 401k/IRA, enough to retire on, or did he take a lump sum from his tax-deferred accounts and take a tax hit? Or does he take only a little each month from his 401k/IRA? Or other?
I've searched the blog and re-read the first 10 or so articles "Getting Started" and I can't find out for sure. I thought I remember reading an article a few months ago about him retiring from software programming and cashing out his 401k, but I can't seem to find it again.
Thanks in advance!