[Joshua]

Who here is in their 30’s-50’s financially free where you don’t have to work and how did you accomplish this?

Many people dream of reaching financial independence, where work becomes a choice rather than a necessity. However, the journey to financial freedom can look different for everyone.

If you’ve achieved this milestone or made significant progress between your 30s and 50s, I’d love to hear your story!

What strategies or habits had the biggest impact on your success? Did you focus on saving and frugal living, investing, building passive income, starting a business, or something else?

Were there any pivotal decisions or life-changing moments that accelerated your progress?

I’m also curious to learn about any challenges or setbacks you faced along the way, and how you overcame them. Did mindset shifts or personal development play a role?

Your insights could inspire and guide others who are on their own path to financial freedom.

Please share your experiences, lessons learned, and any advice you would give to those looking to achieve similar goals.

Thank you in advance for your time and wisdom!

[Lúa]

There’s no secret: make money —> save money —> invest. Do it religiously!

[Mì]

I have a higher education, an excellent career, and make a 6 figure salary.

Not going to lie, I’m financially free because my parents gave me a lot of money and 2 paid off houses.

[Herbert]

W2 job in financial software sales for 20 years. Used the income to
1) buy real estate every 2 years or so

2) 401k max every year

3) cash reserves in CD

4) inflation protection through precious metals

5) eventually became debt free few years ago

All of this slowly added up and allowed me to FIRE at age 45.
No longer in corporate and main focus now is rental property and also making sure I am healthy

So, my advice would be a high paying w2 job in sales and then transfer to a dollar cost average across real estate, stocks/bonds and other cash flow investments

[Bo]

Live below your means. Mow your own lawn. Clean your own house. Repair your own car. Do not go out to eat.

Do not take on any debt except for your primary residence.

Save and invest but still go out and explore the world and have fun.

Retire at 55 and live on dividends!

[Joe]

Earn like you’re rich, spend like you’re poor, invest the difference.

[Mindi]

Started my own businesses, acquired rental properties, lived frugally in a LCOL area.

[Scott]

From 24 to 40 I focused on income and living significantly beneath my income compared to the joneses at the same income level.

I never carried consumer debt or bought a new car or any car I didn’t have cash for.

I always lived by a budget and I still do today.

The difference was invested. From 40-44 I focused on positioning of assets while throttling back on career. By 44 I was done.

[Steve]

Save, invest, stay invested, reinvest gains. The snowball picks up speed as the years go by. Eventually it out earns you.

[Holli]

Bartender in my 20s. Saved my tips and bought rentals. Had a small business in my 30s, bought more rentals.

Sold my business in my 40s, retired.

[Andy]

Make money, keep as much of it as possible by moving to somewhere that offers a lower level of taxation, then aggressively invest or build businesses.

It depends on how committed to the concept you really are.

[Ovaseas]

Purchased our house at 24yrs old. Paid it off in less than 15yrs. We still live in the same house today. Max out two 401k’s, and 2 IRA’s.

We stayed out of debt and lived way below our means. Both 45yrs old now and “work optional” if we decided to move to a LCOL area.

I enjoy my job so I don’t want to retire yet. I’m also one of those people that thinks it will never be enough and I hate that!

[Tim]

Fully retired at 49.
Making well over double my best year ever working.

Bought many rental properties when nobody else was buying in the area.

[Burns]

I didn’t have kids or get married. I have a mechanical engineering degree and have always made more than I spend. I buy mostly only true needs and don’t buy many ‘want’ items.

I bought a foreclosure for dirt cheap in my early 30’s and remodeled it, doing as much of it myself as I could.

I also drove my new 2002 Cavalier until 2019 when the frame rusted out.

I was financially free at 38, a millionaire at 40, and at 44 I am work optional. Will work until my bf retires from the fire dept next year and then we will travel the world.

I will continue to work remotely if my employer allows me because I like the work and the company and a little extra cushion $ helps.

[Rui]

Went from 0 to retired in 8 years, 46 now, and with no secrets, just buy good assets and don’t sell

[Correia]

51, divorced 11yrs, have a 12yo. Purchased real estate at 27. 29years working for a healthcare payer with pension. Started 401k at 22 and always put more than match in, maxed out now.

Opened taxable brokerage, 529, IRA 11yrs ago.

Took one sizable payout and of 2022 and they hired me back for more, 4 mos later was able to bank most of the severance.

Make extra payments on my mortgage principal. Have kept living expenses low but comfortable and simple.

No debt.

[Guinnevere]

Having boomer parent with smart financial investments. Dont have any student nor loan debts.

[Sarah]

I just retired at 44, I was able to do it with a military pension, investments and two short term rental properties.

I also paid cash for vehicles, had a roommate for 3 years when I was in a HCOL area, and generally try to live within my means

[Dustin]

41, 9 years in sales, semi retired after 6 years in sales. Invested in Real Estate 2 years after being in sales and never looked back.

Unpopular opinion, but I like being a Landlord.

Buy and hold go although sometimes I’ll sell a few to invest into more doors.

[Shura]

Now I let my money work for me by investing in options, real estate, gold, and so on

[Rob]

51, partially retired. Lived well below my means and invested heavily in real estate.

Never traded hours for dollars.

[Author]

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