An American couple built a $1 million portfolio and retired in their 40s. Here's how they did it.

• Jim White retired at 43 with his wife after years of saving with a net worth of over $1 million.
• White said he wanted to spend more time with his family and valued having more freedom in life.
• The family moved to Panama and then traveled around the US while homeschooling their daughter.

Jim White started dreaming about retiring early when his daughter was born in 2010. Like many new fathers in the US, he took just a week off from his office job to spend time with his newborn.