[pc86]

I think what they mean is:

1. If you are a programmer who can make an above-average salary immediate upon graduating; and

2. If you are able to save an above average amount of that salary; and

3. If you are exceptionally good at traditional investment decisions (stock picking) such that you can consistently beat the market; and

4. You actually decide to use the money from #2 for #3

Then it's possible to retire after a sub-20 year career. In the same sense that it's possible to win the lottery multiple times. Each of the first three points are by definition exceedingly rare as single traits of any one person, let alone all three together.

[kamaal]

>>who can make an above-average salary

An above average salary in most common cases is interchangeable with 'living within means'. You can start with whatever little you have and grow.

Its really not about how small you start, its about how quickly and consistently you are making an attempt to grow.

[ryandrake]

If you have $100 to invest, you're down 5-10% right off the bat just from fixed price trading fees. Having little to invest is a huge roadblock.

[pc86]

I've never seen someone with any background in or knowledge of retail investment suggest that anyone start with less than $5,000. That seems to be about the minimum, especially if you're picking stocks where you're almost guaranteed to under-perform the market in the long term.