Paul J. Mauro, a 50-year veteran of the financial services industry, has distilled a lifetime of real-world financial experience into the Smart Financial Lifestyle series, offering practical, approachable strategies for Baby Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials to build, enjoy, and transfer wealth while living a fulfilling financial lifestyle through his Retire Early and Often (REO) system.
Mauro does more than teach abstract financial concepts; he puts them into practice. His vast financial background, which has seen both highs and lows, informs each principle, highlighting its legitimacy. His website features a blog with numerous articles related to personal finance, which complement the lessons taught in the book series, providing a comprehensive overview of retiring early and building wealth.
The Journey of Paul J. Mauro
Beginning his financial journey in 1974, he built a billion-dollar financial firm in Boston, which ultimately led to the founding of Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. Along the way, he developed the REO lifestyle and began applying its principles to his own life, proving the system’s effectiveness long before sharing it publicly. His career journey also inspired a three-book series, Smart Financial Grandparenting, Smart Financial Longevity Planning, and Smart Financial Wealth Building, that translates decades of lessons into practical guidance for three generations of Americans.
Understand the REO Lifestyle
The REO lifestyle emphasizes early retirement by following the financial roadmap outlined by Mauro. At its core, “retire early and often” means structuring life so that individuals can step away from work in shorter and planned-out intervals. Whether to travel, spend time with family, or pursue passions, the goal is to do it without jeopardizing long-term financial security. Mauro demonstrates how regular families can afford these breaks through prudent investing, time management, and disciplined saving. In his words about the economic future, “ It’s not cut and dry; it’s ragged and wet.” This statement pertains to Mauro’s outlook on financial stability and how to achieve security across different generations. His REO approach provides a road map for dealing with that ambiguity.
Experience that Matters
Mauro has not only applied his principles to his life, but he is also an experienced financial consultant with over 4,000 financial plans completed. His plans focus on real-life, actionable strategies rather than theory, while speaking plainly and directly to average American families.
His background also includes financial disasters, divorce, market upheavals, and family caregiving challenges, which is why he can relate to his readership. Instead of wallowing in his financial sorrows, Mauro turned them into teachable moments, underscoring his resolve and passion to help American families.
Advocating for Each Generation
Mauro’s unique approach to wealth management advocates for each generation. His strategy helps millennials define personal wealth, Generation X plan for longevity, and Baby Boomers act quickly to support their grandchildren. As he reaches the third act of his career, Mauro is focused on authoring books, hosting podcasts, and public speaking, as well as participating in webinars and online educational initiatives to reach a broader American audience.
A Lasting Legacy of Financial Wisdom
The applications and lessons in each book are viable solutions to financial issues, and Mauro’s life proves this. He has experienced financial setbacks, but he prevailed and aims to teach these valuable lessons to a wider audience.
Ultimately, Mauro’s life demonstrates that obstacles can serve as stepping stones, and his Smart Financial Lifestyle series encourages readers to adopt the same principles in their own lives. He asks a simple question: What would you do with the freedom to retire early and often?
