My First $1 Million: Information Tech Engineer, 54, Nashville
"I may wait (to retire) until 62. I enjoy what I do, but I also have a history of cancer, so that's put more of a focus on living for the now."
Welcome to Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series, in which we hear from people who have made $1 million.
They're sharing how they did it and what they're doing with it. This time, we hear from a 54-year-old, unmarried network and security engineer in information technology in Nashville who's still working.
See our earlier profiles, including a writer in New England, a literacy interventionist in Colorado, a semiretired entrepreneur in Nashville and an events industry CEO in Northern New Jersey. (See all of the profiles here.)
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Each profile features one person or couple, who will always be completely anonymous to readers, answering questions to help our readers learn from their experience.
These features are intended to provide a window into how different people build their savings — they're not intended to provide financial advice.
To hear more about My First $1 Million, you can check out this podcast with bestselling author and tax attorney Toby Mathis:
The Basics
How did you make your first $1 million?
I made everything from saving and investing consistently and with determination.
I grew up poor and never imagined having money. But once I started understanding the stock market and compounding interest, I lived well below my means (lived on half my income) and invested in aggressive ETFs.
I went from a total net worth of about $50,000 to $1 million in 15 years.
I hit $1 million at age 50, including home equity.
Today, at 54, my total net worth is about $1.5 million with over $1 million liquid.
What are you doing with the money?
I have zero debt, and I continue to work and build my wealth, still investing in aggressive ETFs.
I see myself retiring at age 60. I hope to travel more often and buy a boat the whole family can enjoy.
I make a few significant donations to charitable causes.
The Fun Stuff
Did you do anything to celebrate?
Not really. I may have had an extra-fancy restaurant dinner. 😄
What is the best part of making $1 million?
Freedom from financial stress. I have no debt at all. My cost of living is incredibly low.
I'm already realizing investment returns in excess of my annual salary — and far in excess of my cost of living.
Did your life change?
It actually didn't. I grew up poor, and even when I started earning decent money, I lived way below my means. I still do.
I don't have a big house. I have a nice BMW but nothing extravagant.
I was eager to achieve that $1 million goal, and it was nice to see seven figures in my asset column.
But mostly it was a mental achievement.
Does anyone know you're a millionaire?
I've told two close friends who I talk with about money and investing. My closest family members probably assume I've achieved this, but they haven't heard it from me.
I do want my family to understand wealth and investment strategies, and they do, but I feel it would be ostentatious to talk about the money I've made.
Any plans to retire early?
Yes. My plan right now is to retire at 60. Depending on how things look then, I may wait until 62.
I enjoy what I do, but I also have a history of cancer, so that's put more of a focus on living for the now.
Looking Back
Anything you would do differently?
I would have started earlier and avoided some stupid debt I took on when I was young.
Any advice for others trying to make their first $1 million?
Envision that it's possible. Start early. Live below your means. Be aggressive with investments.
Envision what life will be like when you have financial freedom. Let that motivate you.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
All of the above. Mainly to avoid stupid debt and start earlier.
I didn't start investing with seriousness and intent until I was 35. I still made it, even with a career of mostly modest earnings.
Did you work with a financial adviser?
I have not yet ever worked with a financial adviser, but I expect to as I get closer to retirement.
Did you read any books that helped you on your journey?
The Millionaire Next Door (by Thomas Stanley and William Danko).
Did anyone help you early on?
No. I mostly learned to invest from reading online.
Looking Ahead
Plans for your next $1 million?
I only hope to continue building wealth and more financial security. I expect to leave a meaningful inheritance for the younger generation in my family.
Do you have an estate plan?
I haven't yet made a formalized plan, although I have plans in my head. I expect at some point I will establish a trust.
What do you wish you'd known …
When you first started saving? Even small amounts matter. Just start building a foundation. I didn't have $5,000 to put into a mutual fund when I was young. That felt daunting. But I wish I had started putting away $50 or $75 on a regular schedule to let that grow.
When you first started investing? ETFs weren't very well-known or common when I was in my early 20s. I wish they were. Avoiding debt would have been my best move. I could have saved and invested a lot more and sooner.
Anything you'd like to add?
I grew up very poor, raised by a single mother who never made more than $14,000 a year. I had good teachers in high school who instilled in me a vision for a better future for myself.
That started with the (at the time) audacious idea that I should go to college. I did and earned a business degree. That gave me a good foundation for knowing how to invest.
If you have made $1 million or more and would like to be anonymously featured in a future My First $1 Million profile, please fill out and submit this Google Form or send an email to MyFirstMillion@futurenet.com to receive the questions. We welcome all stories that add up to $1 million or more in your accounts, although we will use discretion in which stories we choose to publish, to ensure we share a diversity of experiences. We also might want to verify that you really do have $1 million. Your answers may be edited for clarity.
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