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☆ A couple that grew their portfolio by $4 million in 11 years explain how they invest their money, including the individual stocks they own
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

They'd been smart with their money, Carl had maxed out his 401(k) every year, and they'd made money flipping homes. With a specific early retirement goal in mind, however, they revamped their investment strategy — and they started seeing results. He and Mindy, who works part-time as a podcast host for BiggerPockets, have grown their investment portfolio from $586,000 in 2013 to $4.6 million in 2024. "Almost all of our new money goes to index funds at this point in our life." Courtesy of Carl and Mindy JensenAs for general investing advice, "If they want to be completely passive, they should do index funds," said Carl.

Persons: Carl Jensen, —, weren't, They'd, Carl, maxed, they'd, Mindy, Carl Jensen They're, who's, I'm, Let's, we're, we've, Collins, Jensen, Mindy Jensen Organizations: Independence, Business, Google, Vanguard, Fund, Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund ETF, Fidelity, MLS Locations: Longmont , Colorado, It's, Colorado

☆ A millennial couple who reached financial independence by their mid-30s but don't want to retire early share how they still save 80% of their income
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Lindsey and David Barber save 75% to 80% of their income for retirement and their son's future. Despite having enough to retire early, the millennial couple plans to keep working. AdvertisementLindsey Harrison Barber, 34, and her husband, David Barber, 35, have enough to retire early, but neither intends to slow down. Lindsey owns a marketing agency, while David owns an insurance agency, which bring in a combined eight figures in top-line revenue. Some are part of the FIRE movement — financial independence, retire early — though others are moving away from early retirement, whether to continue building generational wealth or transitioning to lower-stress roles that still give them something to do.

Persons: Lindsey, David Barber, they've, —, Lindsey Harrison Barber, David, we've, we're, he's, hasn't, they're, she'll, they'll Organizations: Service, Business, North Carolina Locations: North Carolina , Texas , Kentucky, Ohio, Lindsey, North Carolina

☆ Homeownership isn't for everyone, money coach says: Don't fall for artificial 'pressure to buy'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Jannese Torres is the founder of the blog Delish D'Lites and the podcast "Yo Quiero Dinero." Yet in her pursuit of the American dream, she realized that she didn't know what to do with her financial success. Our families have told us to go and pursue the American dream, but we haven't been given instructions for how to manage the emotions that come with it. JT: Looking back at it now, I was falling victim to the American dream. Jannese Torres Latina money expert and entrepreneurship coachI definitely felt the pressure to keep up with the Joneses in that respect.

Persons: Jannese Torres, D'Lites, Dinero, you've, Torres, Jannese Torres Ana Teresa Solá, I've, We're, Jannese Torres It's, it's, who's Organizations: CNBC, Latina, ATS, JT, Jannese Torres Latina Locations: Latina, U.S

☆ How much money Americans in their 30s saved in 2023—and how to save more, according to a CFP
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Annie Probert | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

In your 30s, your list of financial burdens is probably growing, including everything from paying for child care to saving up for a first home. Despite these challenges, Americans in their 30s managed to save the most money out of any age group in 2023, according to data from New York Life. Parents in the U.S. spend around 24% of their household income on child care each year, a recent report from Care.com found. "But child care, we have to pay for that once the baby's born. If you're in your 30s and want to save more this year, here are two strategies to help stash away more cash.

Persons: it's, Shaun Melby, Care.com, you've Organizations: New York, Melby Wealth, CNBC Locations: New, U.S

☆ More Americans Are Moving Abroad Because the US Is Too Expensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Kelli María Korducki | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

"We realized we couldn't afford the mortgage and the car payments and everything," Stonestreet told me. Americans work more, vacation less, spend more on healthcare, and die sooner than people in other high-income economies. These factors likely explain why some Americans are moving to countries that aren't generally considered low-cost-of-living locales. She said that living abroad afforded her a degree of flexibility and spontaneity that would be out of reach back home. From their temporary perch in Tirana, Albania, the couple told me via WhatsApp that their only regret about moving abroad was not doing it sooner.

Persons: Amelia Basista, Stonestreet, Basista, Maliya, I'm, Fale, scoping, Cristina Johnson, Johnson, Mariana, Dustin Lange, that's, Mariana Lange, Mark Zoril, Andrew Hallam, Zoril, hasn't, — Zoril, Tomorrow's Organizations: State Department, American Citizens, Monmouth University, Labor Statistics, Financial Technology Association, Business Locations: South America, Denver, Cuenca, Ecuador, Germany, Canada, France, Minneapolis, Latin America, America, Puerto Morelos, Mexico, Pennsylvania, Belize, States, Austin, North Carolina, Central America, Portugal, Spain, Lisbon, Europe, Tirana, Albania

☆ An American expat who retired at 53 said he got 3 things right on his decades-long FIRE journey
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Todd Miller retired at 53 because he did not want his life to be defined by his career. "I didn't have the vocabulary back then of 'financial independence,' but I said I wanted optionality," Miller told Business Insider. He picked age 50 to retire — what the personal finance industry now calls FIRE, which stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. In 2019, just three years after the initial age target he had set for himself, Miller took the plunge and retired at 53. His passive income now funds the family's lifestyle in Phuket, Thailand, where they live.

Persons: Todd Miller, —, Miller, that's, you've, shubhangigoel@businessinsider.com Organizations: Service, Business, Financial Independence, FIRE Locations: Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Phuket, American, Real, Mardi, Nepal, Africa, Cambodia, Vietnam, Europe, Canada, Paris, Uganda, Asia

☆ A millennial who achieved financial independence years ago through 'extreme' saving opens up about what he would do differently — and explains how millennials are hitting financial freedom without a '
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"On the road to financial independence, I was trying to save and invest as much as I could as early as I could," he told Business Insider. Related stories"A vast majority of the people that are pursuing FIRE or financial independence have a much more measured approach to the pursuit and are doing it on their own terms," he said. How to hit financial independence without a 'sacrifice mentality'A common misconception about the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement is that it requires immense sacrifice. "Younger people are now much more focused on the freedom component and being able to get freedom now while simultaneously pursuing financial independence." As opposed to aggressively saving 80% of their income and waiting 10 years to reach financial independence.

Persons: —, Grant Sabatier, he'd, he's, He's, there's, it's, Sabatier, Lauren, Steven Keys, Steven, you'll, We're Organizations: Service, Business, Financial Independence

☆ A couple that quit full-time work in their 20s share the money mindset that 'propelled' them to financial independence without altering their quality of life: 'We made zero sacrifices'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Lauren and Steven Keys built a million-dollar portfolio from scratch, which set them up to quit their full-time jobs in their 20s and pursue various side projects and creative work. "We made, honestly, zero sacrifices on our journey," Steven said, noting that they never budgeted or tracked their spending. The couple kept the cost of their hobbies in check and sometimes even found ways to monetize them. In fact, it made us significantly more money than it cost us in the first place," said Steven. Playing Magic: The Gathering, on aggregate over my lifetime, has actually made me money, not cost me."

Persons: Lauren, Steven Keys, Steven, we're Organizations: Business, Bureau of Labor Statistics — Locations: The Florida, United States

☆ I invested most of my salary for 7 years and had enough to retire at 29. My best tips: Start young, take risks, and don't settle in expensive cities.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Lauren Crosmedlicott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Daniel George worked at Google X and then as a VP at JPMorgan after receiving his Ph.D. in 2018. After finishing my Ph.D. at 24 in 2018, I worked at Google X, leading AI for secret early-stage moonshot projects. When I started working at Google X in Mountain View, California, I made about $270,000 a year. Learn to negotiate payFor my first job at Google X, I was given an offer right after grad school and accepted it immediately. Find a partner who has similar goalsMy wife and I met at Google X.

Persons: Daniel George, —, JP Morgan Organizations: Google, JPMorgan, Service, Indian Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, Invest Locations: Kerala, India, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, University of Illinois Urbana, Champaign, Illinois, San Francisco , New York, Seattle, View , California

☆ I invested most of my salary for 7 years and had enough to retire at 29. My best tips: start young, take risks and don't settle in expensive cities.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Lauren Crosmedlicott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Daniel George worked at Google X and then as a VP for JP Morgan after receiving his Ph.D. in 2018. After finishing my Ph.D. at 24 in 2018, I worked at Google X, leading AI for secret early-stage moonshot projects. When I started working at Google X in Mountain View, California, I made about $270,000 a year. Learn to negotiate payFor my first job at Google X, I was given an offer right after grad school and accepted it immediately. Find a partner who has similar goalsMy wife and I met at Google X.

Persons: Daniel George, Morgan, Daniel, —, JP Morgan Organizations: Google, Service, India Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, Invest, JPMorgan, JP Locations: Kerala, India, India Institute of Technology Bombay, Urbana, Champaign, Illinois, San Francisco , New York, Seattle, View , California

☆ I've made simple changes in my life so that I can retire at 40 and move to the Philippines. There are 3 years left, and I'm on track.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The couple's tiny house and land as seen from above. AdvertisementI don't live in the Philippines full-time yet but the plan is for us to settle into a house that we build there eventually. Leading up to that, I decided to build a tiny house to see what the experience would be like. The exterior of the couple's tiny house. At that point, we'll live in the tiny house as we build our dream bungalow-style home on the main lot.

Persons: —, Brandon Turrell, I'd, it's, Arlene, I've, It's, I'm Organizations: Service, Business, Financial Independence, FIRE Locations: Washington, Philippines, Puyallup , Washington, Tacoma, It's, Southeast Asia, Leyte, Manila, Tanauan

But some smaller, more specialized tax credits and deductions could score you hundreds (or even thousands) of extra dollars back as well. Here's an overview of some overlooked federal and state tax credits that filers often miss. At first glance, this might seem counterintuitive — why wouldn't you deduct state income tax, which is usually a larger sum? AdvertisementEven if your state has an income tax, you may still come ahead by itemizing sales tax instead, depending on your tax profile. The IRS provides tables and tools to calculate if claiming sales tax delivers more savings than claiming income tax.

Persons: You've, filers, it's, you've, doesn't Organizations: IRS, Care Locations: California, Texas, Florida, Nevada

☆ Meet the typical retiree: A married woman in her 70s living on $30,000 a year in Maine or Florida
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

They're likely married, stopped their education after high school, and are making up a bigger share of the population in states like Maine and Florida. Even when they've been married once, women are still more likely than men to hold no retirement savings. Per Gallup, the average retirement age in the US has been rising. Similarly, Americans' "target" retirement age increased from 60 in 1995 to 66 in 2022. The "full" retirement age to receive maximum Social Security benefits is 67 for those born after 1960.

Persons: —, They're, they've, Gen, That's Organizations: Service, Pew Research, Business, Social Security, Gallup, Security Locations: Maine, Florida, New England, New Hampshire, Hawaii, . Maine

Investing apps that encourage you to invest like the rich are focused on active trading. The wealthiest 10% of US households own nearly 67% of the wealth in our stock market, according to data from the Federal Reserve. Investment apps are made for trading, not savingI put investors into two buckets: traders and savers. Most investment apps are designed to make users act like traders: They encourage you to pick individual stocks, trade them frequently and keep a close eye on their performance. Unless you're investing for the thrill of big wins and losses, stop seeking get-rich investment strategies from people who were already rich.

Persons: —, Michael Jordan, Read, Stephen King, Gary Vee, I'm, Rich Organizations: Service, TikTok, Echo Trade, Federal

☆ I was a 'trad wife' who got married on our 11th date. Influencers make this life look idyllic, but I had no money and no control.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jennie Gage, who used to be what social-media users have dubbed a "trad wife" — slang for "traditional wife." Courtesy of Jennie GageI was 17 when I went to a Mormon college. Being a 'trad wife' involved endless houseworkMy first son was born in 1998; I'd just turned 23. For most of my married life, Jake would give me cash envelopes. AdvertisementDo you identify as a trad wife or former trad wife?

Persons: Jennie Gage, She's, Gage, —, Hannah Neeleman, Jake, I'd, We'd, who's, Money, I'm, TikTok, Maria Noyen Organizations: Service, BI Locations: Arizona , Oregon, Utah, TikTok

☆ I retired from Amazon at 34 and chose to settle in Canada, where I only need $1,000 a month to live well
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

He saved a lot of his paycheck and earned relocation bonuses for moving from city to city in the US. Lukin has moved to Quebec City, where his rent is about $500 a month and he can afford to go out. Basically, you don't necessarily have to be broke or be "frupid" — when you make stupid decisions just to save money and it backfires. I visited Quebec City to do some apartment hunting and just absolutely fell in love. When my lease in Toronto ended in September 2021, I packed everything up into a U-Haul trailer, sold my car, and moved to Quebec City.

Persons: Grigory Lukin, Lukin, —, It's, Tim Ferriss, Kia, it's Organizations: Quebec City, Service, FIRE, Amazon, Brexit — Locations: Quebec, Russia, Seattle, Lukin, California, Reno, Las Vegas, Fort Worth and Tampa, Fort Worth, Tampa, Brexit, Brexit — Poland, Canada, Australia, Toronto, Quebec City, United States, British Columbia

☆ Retiring early is a dream for many. In reality, some regret it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Matt Turner | Jordan Parker Erb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . But when Nupur Dave walked away from corporate life at 40, becoming part of the FIRE (financial independence, retire early) movement, she soon came to regret it . Many of the early retirees who've spoken with BI in the past have shared the challenges that come with quitting work altogether. And there are many more striving to make early retirement a reality .

Persons: —, Nupur Dave, Dave, FIREgret, Dave's, who've, Rebecca Zisser, it's, Jenny Chang, Rodriguez, Alyssa Powell, Steve Pemberton, there's, Pemberton, Robert L, Johnson, America's, Matt Turner, Jordan Parker Erb, Dan DeFrancesco, Lisa Ryan Organizations: Business, Service, Microsoft, Google, Wall, Getty, Walgreens, Toyota, BET Locations: New York

Lives Ended in Gaza Since the war started, more than 30,000 people have been killed during Israel’s bombardment and invasion. Hamas ruled Gaza and ran a covert military organization, the identity of its fighters unclear, even to other Gazans. She worked with people who had been wounded and displaced by Israeli attacks on Gaza as well as with first responders. She moved to Egypt after the 2014 Gaza war but returned a few months before the current war. He performed complicated operations on Gaza’s war wounded while running Abu Yousef Al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah until his retirement.

Persons: Israel, Marah, Farah, Farah Alkhatib, Kinder, Selena al, Lubna Elian, Yousef Abu Moussa, Abdulhadi, Maram, Youmna Shaqalih, Abdulrahman Abuamara, Ghadeer Mohammed Mansour, Salah, Khaled Jadallah, Doaa Jadallah, Mahmoud Alnaouq, Jannat Iyad Abu Zbeada, Rami Abu Reyaleh, Alhelou, “, ”, —, Faida AlKrunz, Saud AlKrunz, tinker, Ahmed Abu Shaeera, Al Aqsa, Youssef Salama, Hedaya Hamad, Salah Abo Harbed, Jeries Sayegh, Inas, “ Sara ”, ” Sayel, Ai Wei Wei’s, Heba Zagout, Ali, Amneh, Belal Abu Samaan, Israel ”, Abu Yousef Al, Abdallah Shehada, Tarazi, Heba Jourany, Osama Al, Haddad, Riyad Alkhatib, ” Mahmoud Elian Organizations: UNICEF, Oxygen, Al, Awda, F.C, Barcelona, Facebook, Islamic, Palestinian Authority, Palestine Red Crescent Society, Free Gaza Circus, Christian, Officially, American International School, Palestine Athletics Federation, Najjar, United Nations, West Bank Locations: Gaza, Israel, Spain, Norway, Italian, Australia, Egypt, Turkey, Bolivia, Argentina, Panama, Mexico, Qatar, Al Aqsa, Jerusalem, “ Palestine, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Palestinian, Old City, Mazaj, Gaza City, Manhattan, Chicago, Mecca, Rafah, Libya, Uganda, Ireland

AdvertisementNupur Dave thought her decision to retire at age 40 in 2022 was an easy one. But the reality of retiring early turned out quite different. AdvertisementSavings and financial independenceDave on her last day at a financial services company, where there is an early retirement advertisement. Nupur DaveBy retiring at 40, Dave became part of the FIRE — "Financial Independence, Retire Early" — community. Advertisement"The whole idea of FIREing was possible because I'm in India," Dave said.

Persons: Nupur Dave, wasn't, Dave, Dave Dave, FIREing, Jovan Johnson, Gwendolyn Merz, Merz, Michelle Jackson, you've Organizations: FIRE, Google, Independence, BI Locations: Bangalore, India, Atlanta, San Francisco, Illinois, Asia

☆ A couple that quit their jobs in their 20s explains why the 4% rule of early retirement is overrated — and why they felt comfortable quitting before they reached 'full financial independence'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

It can help prospective early retirees figure out how much money they can spend in retirement without running out. When Lauren and Steven Keys set out to achieve financial independence and allow themselves the freedom to quit their 9-to-5s, they kept this formula in mind. But then they did an early retirement "test run" of sorts in 2015: They quit full-time work and traveled to Hawaii for six months. What they realized is that early retirement doesn't necessarily mean they'll never work again. Lauren and Steven Keys quit full-time work in their 20s.

Persons: Lauren, Steven Keys, Steven, Stephen, you'll, We're, I'm, we'll Organizations: Financial Independence, Business, National Parks Locations: Hawaii, United States, It's, Gainesville

☆ 'Super savers' are using a simple 2-pronged approach to save more than half their paycheck and achieve financial independence
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Business Insider has spoken to dozens of “super savers” who are setting aside more than half of their paychecks — and they make it sound relatively easy. The couple says they save 100% of their 9-to-5 income , thanks to a low cost of living and various revenue streams. That’s what early retirees Lauren and Steven Keys experienced . Lauren and Steven Keys quit full-time work in their 20s. Their side hustle income more than sustains their lifestyle, meaning they can save 100% of their day job income.

Persons: It’s, doesn't, Josh Lupo, Ali, Josh, Lauren, Steven Keys, Steven, ”, Avery Heilbron, you'll Organizations: Business Locations: San Francisco, hustles

☆ This early retirement strategy is 'delusional thinking,' says multimillionaire who retired at 34
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Sam Dogen is one of the pioneers of the FIRE movement — short for financial independence, retire early. "It's having enough in investments and passive income to cover your basic living expenses," Dogen says. By the time he left his investment banking job in 2012 at age 34, Dogen had exactly that — $80,000 a year in passive income, plus a $3 million net worth. If you think you can live on $40,000 a year, multiply by 25, and you need to save $1 million. Under Dogen's model, you haven't achieved FIRE until you've saved the $1 million, built $40,000 in annual passive income, or some combination of the two.

Persons: Sam Dogen, Dogen, you've, haven't Organizations: FIRE

☆ I saved $200,000 by the time I was 27 — but I was miserable
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Gwen Merz started saving money early with the goal of financial independence and retiring early. I had opinions on how my partners were spending their money, and people don't really appreciate that. I bought this really nice sewing machine because quilting and hobbies are really important to me. Doing these hobbies is really important to me, and I just didn't have any space to do anything. I’ve reached a point — it’s called “ Coast FIRE ” — where I don't really need to save any more money for retirement at this point because I have saved so much so early.

Persons: Gwen Merz, —, Merz, Gwendolyn Merz, I'm, It's, ”, “, I’ve, it’s Organizations: Service Locations: IT, Australia

☆ A couple that retired early explains the 'sweep away method' that helped them build a $1 million net worth — and why they don't budget or track expenses
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

After you’ve paid yourself and the rest of your monthly bills, you’re free to spend any excess however you’d like. When you’re debt-free, you could then sweep your excess into an investment account where your money can compound over time. The Keys hit a seven-figure net worth in 2023. “The reason we like net worth better than anything else is because it captures the whole picture and encourages big-picture actions that affect your total financial situation in a positive way,” said Steven. “If you look at your net worth, you'll see that that's just a transfer of assets from one place to another.

Persons: —, Lauren, Steven Keys, ”, you’ve, ’ ” Steven, Steven, we're, “, ” It’s Organizations: Service, Business, BI Locations: Florida, ”

☆ Gen Z couples are more likely than older generations to keep finances separate. Here's why
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Deciding to combine your finances with your significant other can be a big step in the relationship. Nearly 2 in 5 couples, or 39%, of couples who live together completely combine their finances, whether they're married or not, according to a new report by Bankrate. Gen Z adults, or those between the ages 18 to 27, are the most likely to keep their finances completely separate from their significant other, with 38%. By contrast, baby boomers, or adults age 60 to 78, are the most likely generation to fully combine their finances with their spouse or partner, at 44%. Almost half, or 46%, of people who are in relationships keep their finances separate to avoid losing their financial independence, according to a recent survey from the financial services company.

Persons: they're, Gen, Bankrate, Will, Lindsay Bryan, Podvin, Bryan Organizations: Bankrate, Finance, Bread

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