Millionaire Mommy Next Door

[MillionaireMommyNextDoor]

I went from working a minimum wage job as a college drop-out to financial freedom as a debt-free, self-made millionaire by age 40. I earned my wealth as a work-from-home entrepreneur and mutual funds investor. In my early 30's, I taught myself about personal finance and created a lifetime financial plan that would allow my husband and I to be free of our money worries by age 40.

I live with my husband and two-year-old daughter. Financially free, we haven't set an alarm clock in years. Whether it be work, parenting or play, we wake with the sun, eager to spend each new day doing whatever we choose. Freedom is wonderful!

I am a woman on a mission-- I'm passionate about empowering others through financial education so they can experience the same lifestyle my family enjoys. I share my experience and knowledge regarding personal finance - and the joys of financial freedom - in a simple, supportive and personal way on my blog. I am also in the process of writing a book.

 

[Maurice]

Looks like another spamming troll...

 

[twaddle]

Nah, we've discussed her before. I think it's great that somebody can make money by pumping ER. She's not the first to write a book about it.

 

[Martha]

I removed the links from her post. Mommy, feel free to discuss retirement issues on the forum, but people here are very sensitive to perceived spam. If others want to see your blog, they can ask for the link and then you can post it.

 

[chinaco]

Welcome Millionaire Mommy.

You have plenty of peers on this board. It seems most did it working 9-5 jobs.

Although the board does have a fairly large number of well educated people posting.

 

[MillionaireMommyNextDoor]

Yikes! I'm definitely not a spammer!!! I'm horrified that my intro sounded spammy. I was just introducing myself in relation to the topic of early retirement. I promise, I have NOTHING to sell anyone. Yes, I spend some of my free time writing - not for money, but because I love it - and I pledge my profits to a non-charity organization. Like most of you here, I'm just over the moon happy about early retirement and want to shout it out from the rooftops. Again, sorry if my enthusiasm sounded spammy.

I look forward to sharing conversations with like-minded people here.

 

[Martha]

Well, welcome to the forum! It sounds like you will fit in fine. So are you still running a business as an entrepreneur or are you fully retired now?

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Like most of you here, I'm just over the moon happy about early retirement and want to shout it out from the rooftops. Again, sorry if my enthusiasm sounded spammy.

That's nice to hear. There are plenty of highly successful savers, investors, and retirees here for you to get to know. Many are pretty reserved about their finances, but most are happy to share their experiences.

As to being over the moon shouting it from the rooftops, you may be in a minority there .

Enjoy the board.

 

[MillionaireMommyNextDoor]

Well, welcome to the forum! It sounds like you will fit in fine. So are you still running a business as an entrepreneur or are you fully retired now?

I am fully retired now. I spend most of my time raising our young daughter, writing, traveling and playing. My husband is reluctant to completely retire (he's afraid he'd be bored) so he still hangs on to our small plumbing business, working 2 or 3 days a week (when he feels like it).

I think as time goes on, my husband's recreational activities will blossom and he'll find less reason to work . I'm so happy for our daughter, though, because she gets to spend lots of time with her daddy. I was raised by a workaholic father. I'm glad her father-daughter relationship is so different than mine was!

 

[Maurice]

Yikes! I'm definitely not a spammer!!!

Sorry if I jumped to an incorrect conclusion, but this board gets a lot of spammers hawking their books, financial advice, or get-rich-quick schemes.

 

[Purron]

Just curious, what charity do you support?

 

[MillionaireMommyNextDoor]

Many are pretty reserved about their finances, but most are happy to share their experiences.

As to being over the moon shouting it from the rooftops, you may be in a minority there .

I guess I'm just so surprised at how easy early retirement was to reach. Never in a million years, as a young adult (twenties) would I have believed that I'd be where I am now financially. My family really struggled to make ends meet and I didn't know to expect anything different. But fortunately, I read some great books when I was about 30 that changed my entire mindset. That's why I'm so enthusiastic about sharing what I've learned with anyone who cares to listen.

I used to be a closet millionaire - not even my closest friend knew. Why? Because while some people think it's cool, others don't. Some people are funny with those with some money. But I was getting frustrated watching them make easily-correctable mistakes and poor financial choices. So now I do plenty of "shouting from the rooftops", but I try not to be stupid. I use a pen name to protect my true identity.

I do worry about what people will assume about me if/when they learn of my early retirement. It's always awkward when someone asks, "So what do YOU do?"...

Other: What do you do for a living?
Me: I'm retired.
Other: Oh. You are too young to be retired. (scratches head and wanders off)

or

Other: What do you do for a living?
Me: I'm a stay-at-home-mom.
Other: Oh. (patronizing smile, thinking "how boring". Wonder what her hubby does.)

or

Other: What do you do for a living?
Me: I'm a writer.
Other: Wow, what do you write?
Me: A blog and I'm writing a book.
Other: Cool. What about?
Me: Personal finance, success and happiness (as I try to feel out the other person quickly. Do I feel okay sharing that I'm a self-made millionaire who wants to share her story? Pretty odd thing to tell someone you've just met...)
Other: Interesting. I'd like to read your blog. What is it called?
Me: "Blah Blah". (I'm leaving the name out on this forum so as not to "spam".) (Said while trying not to feel uncomfortable about disclosing my online identity and personal wealth)
Other: (usually speechless for a moment or two first) Oh! Uh... (Then the conversation goes one of two ways - One: they seem uncomfortable and we change the subject, or Two: profound interest, curiosity and tons of questions, and at that point, I realize that if I'm not careful, I could be stuck talking to just this one person at the party all night...)

I'm finding that I need to temper my enthusiasm a bit, depending on the audience. That's why I joined this forum - because hopefully many of you can relate to some of my experiences. I'm an early-retirement newbie and still learning my way. I don't have any personal relationships with anyone else in my financial boat.

So "Rich in Tampa", do your friends and family know of your financial status? How do you feel about that?

 

[MillionaireMommyNextDoor]

Just curious, what charity do you support?

Orphanage projects (we adopted our daughter from China) and Kiva - am I allowed to write about what they do on this forum?

 

[clifp]

Sure Kiva is a cool organization. Sorry for the rather hostile initial reception, but in 6 months you'll understand. The number of millionaires on the board is at least ten times the national average, so we live in fear that marketeers will discover this fact and bombard the forum with spam. Of course what they don't know is that the reasons there is such a high accumulation of wealthy is we don't spend much

Just curious about your adopted chilld. I was in China a few months ago, and one of the guides was telling us that with the one child policy that foreign adoption were becoming rare. We also went to an elite private elementary school the kids were so cute I wanted to adopt a couple! When and how did you go about adopting.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

So "Rich in Tampa", do your friends and family know of your financial status? How do you feel about that?

I'm in a situation where my finances would not be surprising to those who know me - I've been in a traditionally high paying profession for 33 years, now age 58. So, yes, my family and friends probably assume I have reached a level of financial independence.

Very different is the situation you describe, though I don't know your specifics. I gather a stay-at-home mom, hubby still working by choice and not for needed income. I am not surprised at your personal elation about feeling financially independent and am very happy for your success.

But I admit I'm a bit bemused by your strong drive to proselytize and reach out about it to the world with blogs, books, etc. (shout if from the rooftop, as you describe it). Do you have any concern that it might be perceived as boastful or immodest (even it that is not your intent)? Re: your blog, do you truly feel that you have stumbled on a sure-fire method for anyone who adheres to get rich?

I really don't mean to sound challenging or unwelcoming - just a little confused. No matter, lots of fun and good tidbits floating around here. Enjoy.

 

[Meadbh]

I took a look at your blog, which is excellent. You are so well informed about personal finance that I wonder whether you are in fact a financial professonal.

 

[Texas Proud]

Hmmm... so how did you make your money? You make it sound so 'easy'... but in reality MAKING a million is not... why do you think there are so few people who get there...

And yes, you did sound a bit spammy at first...

Glad to hear that you are having a great time with your financial freedom... it is a good feeling...

 

[Maurice]

Other: What do you do for a living?
Me: I'm retired.
Other: Oh. You are too young to be retired. (scratches head and wanders off)

Try listing 'investor' as your profession. It's a more or less accurate description for any ER'd folks.

 

[MillionaireMommyNextDoor]

Just curious about your adopted chilld. I was in China a few months ago, and one of the guides was telling us that with the one child policy that foreign adoption were becoming rare. We also went to an elite private elementary school the kids were so cute I wanted to adopt a couple! When and how did you go about adopting.

The China adoption program has slowed down to a snail's pace lately and no one really knows why. We have friends that are on their third year waiting for a child match. I'd like to believe that it's because less girls are being abandoned now, or that China's domestic adoption program is flourishing.

My husband and I waited for only 8 months to be matched with our daughter. We traveled to China for 3 weeks and brought her home when she was 9 months old. She'll be 3 yrs old in May. We used CCAI (Chinese Children Adoption International) in Denver for our adoption process. They're wonderful. Let me know if you want any more details or a referral.

 

[MillionaireMommyNextDoor]

I'm in a situation where my finances would not be surprising to those who know me - I've been in a traditionally high paying profession for 33 years, now age 58. So, yes, my family and friends probably assume I have reached a level of financial independence.

Very different is the situation you describe, though I don't know your specifics. I gather a stay-at-home mom, hubby still working by choice and not for needed income. I am not surprised at your personal elation about feeling financially independent and am very happy for your success.

But I admit I'm a bit bemused by your strong drive to proselytize and reach out about it to the world with blogs, books, etc. (shout if from the rooftop, as you describe it). Do you have any concern that it might be perceived as boastful or immodest (even it that is not your intent)? Re: your blog, do you truly feel that you have stumbled on a sure-fire method for anyone who adheres to get rich?

I really don't mean to sound challenging or unwelcoming - just a little confused. No matter, lots of fun and good tidbits floating around here. Enjoy.

Yes, it sounds like you and I come from two entirely different places. I would guess that some of your friends/family also enjoy financial freedom gained via a traditionally high-earning profession. On the other hand, my husband and I were not "expected" to make much or accumulate wealth. I was a dog-trainer and hubby is a plumber.

That's my whole point. I'm excited to share what I've learned about money with people who are wearing the same shoes we did. I'm NOT proselytizing nor boasting - my intent is to empower others by sharing. Break the taboo that says talking about money is impolite. I don't know about you, but my parents never understood money. They were intelligent, well-educated and hard-working, but lived paycheck to paycheck because they never had a financial education. Their lives could have been so different if someone had been willing to talk about money with them.

Where did you learn about money?

You asked me, "do you truly feel that you have stumbled on a sure-fire method for anyone who adheres to get rich?".

Heavens no. I share my story - what worked for me. I didn't do anything extraordinary. Everything I did was ordinary. I learned about money and applied commonly discussed financial principles. And it worked. No get-rich schemes or special-sauce secrets. Nothing to sell. No magic formula. Just learn how to save money, spend money, and invest money in effective ways that are in alignment with your own personal values.

Are you so passionate about a topic that you could talk someone's ear off about it - and enjoy it? I'm that way about my child, horses, travel, writing AND money. I suspect you're similar - that's why you participate on this forum.

Add to this my desire to give something back to my community and now you know why I share.

 

[MillionaireMommyNextDoor]

I took a look at your blog, which is excellent. You are so well informed about personal finance that I wonder whether you are in fact a financial professonal.

Thanks! I'm flattered. Truth be told, I never liked math until it had something to do with my money! No, I've never been a finance professional. The only finances I've ever managed have been my own. I have an inquisitive mind and am a motivated self-learner, so everything I've learned has been through bazillions of books, web pages, and plenty of life experience.

 

[MillionaireMommyNextDoor]

Hmmm... so how did you make your money? You make it sound so 'easy'... but in reality MAKING a million is not... why do you think there are so few people who get there...

We earned money from our small in-home businesses: I taught dog-training classes and managed my husband's plumbing biz. Our income was reasonable but never sensational ($60,000 to $128,000 a year during our 30's).

We made a little money buying and remodeling a couple fixer-uppers while we lived in them (net profit about $30k total). Then we built a home, sold it, downsized, rented and invested our equity. We still rent to this day.

Renting and investing in mutual funds instead of owing a home has made the biggest impact in growing our wealth. Plus the power of compounding growth on our investments.

I say it was easy because we never worked more than 40 hours a week doing it. We didn't do anything extraordinary to "strike it rich". We were frugal, avoided debt, invested wisely and consistently.

 

[MillionaireMommyNextDoor]

Try listing 'investor' as your profession. It's a more or less accurate description for any ER'd folks.

Great idea. I'll try it!

 

[enfp]

Welcome. I agree with you about to need to demystify finances and that most people don't learn much about finances in this society. The need is there, just look how popular Dave Ramsey is. My friends and I were talking about finances at parkday the other day. They are all amazed that we retired (DH, I'm a SAHM) at 40, so now the budgeting and investing questions are starting to roll in. I'm so frugal I make them all feel guilty. I don't want them to, but I'm glad that my example make them think. In fact, I pointed them to this group, plus told them my fav books on the subject. However, family certainly never asks for help or advice. They just think we're crazy.

I hope that your DH will eventually join you in retirement. With little ones there is no boredom factor. Crazy maybe Tonight I said, "Just wait, one day they'll be off to college". It's been one of those days where the questions and comments never stopped. My DH has been home only for 1 month, but the kids (7 & 4) love his being home all the time.

In reality it's not typical retirement when your kids are still young. It's just having 2 stay at home parents which is WONDERFUL. I really think our society has it backwards with its' strong push on long work weeks that sacrifice the little family time there is, and then a typical retirement after the kids are grown. Before we realized that we would make it till 60 (pension) without working again, we were going to do what we called "reverse retirement" and take off 10 years to be with the kids while they were young.

I'd love to see your blog. You could PM me if you can't post it.

 

[MillionaireMommyNextDoor]

.... However, family certainly never asks for help or advice. They just think we're crazy.

(and)

...I really think our society has it backwards with its' strong push on long work weeks that sacrifice the little family time there is, and then a typical retirement after the kids are grown...

My parents and siblings are the same way! In fact, I was recently invited to appear on a national daytime talk show about money and my family NEVER EVEN BOTHERED TO WATCH ME on the show! Either they aren't at all interested, they're too envious of our financial freedom to talk about it, or they think I'm nuts...

I completely agree with what you're saying about society pushing long work hours on parents. This is precisely my initial motivation for achieving FIRE. I didn't want work or money to interfere with my family relationships and enjoyment. At 30, my goal was FIRE at 40, adopt our child and raise her together.