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☆ 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

☆ 'Super savers' are spending little to no money on housing to free up extra cash. Here are 3 strategies they use to lower their rent or mortgage payments.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Heilbron, along with other "super savers" — individuals who save more than half of their incomes — have found creative ways to lower (or eliminate) the biggest expense Americans face: housing. US Bureau of Labor StatisticsHere's how the experts save on rent or mortgage payments, listed in order of simplicity. Courtesy of Karina MejiaIf you can live with family, that's another way to save on housing. But, especially if you're based out of a major city, the further you go away from the city center, the more affordable space you're going to find. While it is perhaps the most effective way to lower housing costs, it is also the most complex in that it requires owning a home.

Persons: you'll, Avery Heilbron, Steven Keys, Lauren, Karina Mejia, Ali, Josh Lupo, Todd Baldwin Organizations: Business, Consumer, Bureau of Labor Statistics, of Labor Statistics Here's Locations: Boston, Augusta, San Francisco, Orlando, New York, Seattle

☆ 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

☆ Millennial millionaires are maxing out an investment account that offers a triple tax benefit. Here's how it works and who's allowed to open one.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

BI verified the Schlagbaums' net worth by looking at account screenshots and a copy of their personal balance sheet. The Schlagbaums max out their HSA but don't touch the money so it can grow and compound over time. After 65, you can use your HSA money to cover any expense without incurring a penalty, but the funds are subject to income tax. While they technically can use their HSA funds for medical costs, they opt not to touch that money so it can grow. Like the Schlagbaums, the Keyses could use their HSA funds for their medical costs, but they prefer to pay out of pocket with their cash flow so their HSA funds can remain untouched.

Persons: —, Brennan Schlagbaum, Erin, Brennan, Erin Schlagbaum, HSAs, It's, Schlagbaum, Lauren, Steven Keys, I'm Organizations: Service, Business, Medicare

☆ A couple in their 30s who hit a net worth of over $1 million and retired early explains how they invest their money — and why they didn't max out their retirement accounts
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

About six months later, after doing their own research, they discovered low-cost index fund investing , a relatively low-risk and hands-off strategy that aims to match the returns of a specific market index. Putting their money to work in stock market index funds helped them reach their current net worth of just above $1 million — but it’s not their only investment. BI verified their net worth by looking at investment account screenshots and property appraisal documents. Bond market index funds“While stocks and rental real estate can generate high returns, they’re also volatile,” they write. “To smooth out the ride, we hold bonds.”Specifically, they hold the Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund ( BND ).

Persons: Lauren, Steven Keys, “, ” Steven, Steven, we've, it’s, ”, they’re, Keys, “ It's, Roth IRAs, Roth Organizations: Business, Vanguard, Market Index, Index, ” Employees, HSAs Locations: Gainesville , Florida, We're

☆ 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, ”

☆ A couple in their 30s hit a $1 million net worth by saving and investing most of their 5-figure incomes. They share the strategies that helped them live on $26,000 a year without feeling deprived.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Read previewWhen Lauren and Steven Keys landed their first full-time jobs, they were earning well below the national average. Courtesy of Lauren and Steven KeysBetween 2013 and 2015, the Keys say they saved over $100,000 . Courtesy of Lauren and Steven Keys"It's not just gas," said Steven, who biked to work so Lauren could use the car for her commute. "You don't have to pay for insurance on the second car, you don't have to pay for maintenance or repairs or tires. While they don't work traditional 9-to-5 jobs, they have a variety of revenue streams that more than sustain their lifestyle.

Persons: —, Lauren, Steven Keys, Steven, Lauren didn't, Keys, It's, They've, They're, they've, we're, we've, there's Organizations: Service, Business, BI, University of Florida, Walmart, Costco, Aldi, Sam's, paychecks Locations: Gainesville, Orlando, San Francisco, Publix, Gainesville , Florida, Hawaii

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