Amal Robinson, a former tech executive in generative AI, retired at the age of 40 with $3.6 million in savings. Having grown up in a modest household, he did not learn about money management from his parents. However, he attributes his financial success to lessons learned from books.
Robinson, who now lives in Dubai, has no debt and holds his wealth across investments, savings, and checking accounts. He emphasises that reading played a crucial role in his journey to financial independence.
“As far as the information that I learned that I use today, which has allowed me to become a multimillionaire and invest, a lot of this has come from books,” Robinson told CNBC Make It.
He credits three books for shaping his money strategy.
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‘The Millionaire Next Door’ by Thomas Stanley
Robinson read The Millionaire Next Door at a young age and says it changed his perception of wealth.
The book introduced him to the idea that millionaires are often frugal and “emotionally disciplined.” This perspective resonated with him, given his upbringing. His parents, both in the military, worked hard to provide for him and his sisters.
Robinson started earning money at 14 as a church janitor and later worked in fast-food restaurants through high school and college. His career began in the power and energy sector before he transitioned to tech, where his earnings increased significantly. Despite his rising income, he maintained frugal habits, saving and investing up to 90% of his salary.
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‘Die With Zero’ by Bill Perkins
While Robinson’s high savings rate enabled early retirement, he acknowledges that his mindset made it difficult to enjoy his money.
“I still, even to this day, view myself as this minimum-wage guy making $5.15 an hour,” he said. “I would make a $1 million a year, and I would struggle to spend over $50 on an item.”
Reading Die With Zero helped him reassess his approach to money. The book encourages readers to spend and give away their wealth in meaningful ways within their lifetime.
Robinson has since adjusted his spending habits. In 2025, he plans to withdraw at least 5% of his investment portfolio, amounting to $185,000. His focus is on experiences such as world travel, maintaining a healthy diet, and prioritising his physical and emotional well-being.
‘The Psychology of Money’ by Morgan Housel
Robinson believes The Psychology of Money is broadly relevant for anyone looking to understand financial behaviour.
The book presents a collection of short stories exploring how people make financial decisions and the psychological factors influencing their choices.
Robinson values learning from others about financial management. “I would just always ask [financial] questions, and be really deliberate and take advantage of the opportunity of the minds that I had around me that had accomplished more and had been older,” he said.
Throughout his career, Robinson engaged with high earners and sought their insights. He believes that understanding different financial perspectives has been instrumental in shaping his approach to money.
