There are many constraints for people in joining startups like family, non-immigrant status etc. What is the best way to retire in 5 years if you are a great programmer.
If you are a top Java/C++ coder, you could probably make that much working for a big investment bank. Many of them are upgrading their FX trading systems to allow low latency trading and are prepared to pay top bucks to get the right people.<p>Alternatively, if you have a strong quantitative background (ie. Maths / Physics) you could go into quant development which would pay handsomely as well.
Hmm... individuals or small groups who have made over $1 million lately.<p>* Pocket God - 2 people<p>* Doodle Jump - 2 people<p>* Minecraft - 1 person (?)<p>If you are a great programmer, your best bet is to sell your own apps. The app ecosystem has the biggest momentum.<p>It's not going to be easy, and it's going to take a lot of time. But it's there for the taking.
1) Take your income from programming and save as much as possible. Depending in your income & lifestyle you can probably save up several hundred thousand in a few years.<p>2) learn to trade the stock market. Continually invest, and re-invest in high risk/reward stocks<p>3) As soon as you are able to sustain yourself indefinitely you quit your day job and begin coding full-time for yourself
You'll need a <i>lot</i> more money, or to live very frugally/not in the West. A 1% post-inflation post-taxes return would only give you $10 000 a year, and even then a single bad year could make it impossible to live off interest alone - and a million dollars won't last a lifetime if you're actually spending it (20 years?)
you probably won't retire in five years if you have that mentality.<p>the ones that succeed the post have a passion about what they are building. that passion doesn't go away.<p>they may have a lot more freedom, but many jump right back into the game.