Mark Trautman grew up in the New York metropolitan area, starting his career on Wall Street in 1987 directly after graduation from Lafayette College. After working in securities brokerage, investment banking and money management while earning his Series 7, Series 63 and Series 4 (Options Principal) securities licenses during the first few years out of college, he accepted an enticing offer to join an equity mutual fund team as a securities analyst. A few years later, he was appointed as the lead equity portfolio manager at the firm. He continued employment with the same investment management company in this capacity through the remainder of his multi-decade career.
His passion for personal finance was initially inspired by reading The Wealthy Barber and The Millionaire Next Door in his late 20’s. From that point forward, he and his wife Marjorie forged their path toward financial independence in what seemed like isolation as they knew no one else on a similar track, living by their motto of “Make Some, Save & Invest, Live on the Rest.” Mark, Marjorie, and his daughter Katie moved to Crested Butte, Colorado in 2008 after successfully negotiating a full-time remote working arrangement with his employer.
Mark retired from money management at the end of 2015 just after his 50th birthday. He earned his Certified Financial Planner® designation immediately afterward as he initially thought that might be an interesting encore career. However, while doing the course work, reviewing case studies, completing the capstone project, and creating his own personal financial plan, he realized he had more than enough to support his lifestyle without the need for future income. At that point he decided to retire permanently but maintain his CFP® credential.
Subsequently, he has created a financial literacy course that he teaches voluntarily at the local high school in Crested Butte, Colorado. He is actively involved in the Financial Independence community attending numerous events including multiple CampFIs and EconoMe Conferences, the FI Freedom Retreat in Bali, and is proud to be one of the original members of Amberly Grant’s FinTalks group. He also maintains the blog MarksMoneyMind.com and plans to launch a podcast under that name in early 2024.
He considers his purpose in retirement to be a financial educator and resource within the Financial Independence community and hopefully well beyond it.
