William Shippey’s Early Retirement Through Day Trading
William Shippey, aged 44, is enjoying a life of retirement after stepping away from work about two years ago. Initially a bank analyst, he started day trading with an inheritance, amassing around $800,000 in wealth with a variety of trading strategies. He expresses confidence that he will never need to return to traditional employment, aside from possibly engaging in passion projects in the future.
These days, Shippey’s routine includes a morning check of the stock market and occasionally making trades. He describes his lifestyle as free from adult responsibilities, spending much of his time tending to his yard. With his brokerage account generating significant dividends, Shippey expects to earn approximately $7,000 this month.
Living modestly in a garage apartment in South Carolina, secured through family connections, Shippey and his wife maintain a frugal lifestyle. Aside from a Tesla he purchased in 2023, their expenses are minimal; they don’t pay rent or have children to support. He typically withdraws about $3,500 monthly from his investments, allocating $3,000 toward household bills while keeping the remaining amount for personal pleasures.
Shippey is part of the select group of day traders who have found consistent success, unlike many others who struggle to profit. During the pandemic stock boom, many individuals entered the market, often unsustainably. A study indicated that a staggering 97% of investors who traded actively for over 300 days ended up losing money, with less than 1% earning $54 or more daily.
His trading journey began in 2022 after he opened a Robinhood account and experimented with options trading, backed by self-taught market knowledge. An inheritance received in 2023, which included savings from his late mother and father, further propelled his trading activities, allowing him to invest $400,000 into his account for larger trades.
In 2024, a considerable market rally led to substantial profits for Shippey, attributing his earnings to well-timed trades. His investment strategies include following renowned figures like Keith Gill, known as “Roaring Kitty,” and making calculated bets based on perceived market movements.
While he currently favors dividend-paying stocks due to potential market uncertainties, he’s enjoying life without the constraints of traditional employment. With experiences ranging from working at a pizza shop to various positions in financial analysis, Shippey appreciates the freedom from bosses and intends to maintain his current lifestyle, even amid market volatility.
