“According to experts, a person is considered financially independent when they have 25 times their annual expenses saved. With this amount, they would be able to withdraw 4% of their investments each year and live comfortably without ever running out of money, assuming they earn the average return.” Business Insider talked to Brent Sutherland and wrote 3 reasons to invest in real estate, according to a financial planner who owns 10 rental properties. Okay, now you can go ahead and add up your annual expenses and multiply by 25.