My First $1 Million: Retirement Coach, 69, Sammamish, Wash.

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The Basics
The Fun Stuff
Looking Back
Looking Ahead

Welcome to the fifth installment of Kiplinger’s My First $1 Million, 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 69-year-old certified retirement, transition and longevity coach in Sammamish, Wash. 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.

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.

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The Basics

How did you make your first $1 million?

I made my first $1 million via stock options from a biotech company — it came on my first-year anniversary with the company. I was granted more over the next seven years.

What are you doing with the money?

My first $1 million was used to set money aside for my kids’ college. The rest was used to reinvest and start saving for the long term.

The Fun Stuff

Did you do anything to celebrate?

Yes, I bought two bottles of champagne — one cheap and the other expensive — to remind myself it didn't matter.

A pair of champagne bottles chilling on ice.

What is the best part of making $1 million?

(Not having to worry about paying for the) kids’ college. (I also) have an emergency fund and can help others who are less fortunate.

Did your life change?

Yes. (The money) gave me more confidence to seek and take risks in the workforce.

Any plans to retire early?

I was 36 when I got my first $1 million. I worked nine more years, then tried to retire and pivot to other things. I am still working after trying retirement a number of times.

A businessman marks up a contract while sitting at a table with another businessman, only their hands showing.

Looking Back

Anything you would do differently?

Nothing at all.

Did you work with a financial adviser?

I worked with an adviser after the first money was in my account. I now do most of my own investing and management, but I use Robert W. Baird for advice.

Did anyone help you early on?

(I was helped by) mentors at work who had already gone through what I was going through. My boss was amazing — we still talk and meet to this day, 34 years later.

Looking Ahead

Plans for your next $1 million?

Gifting to the kids as well as things like more travel, major home improvements and repairs, as well as add to the nest egg.

A father gives money to his young adult daughter, only their hands showing.

Any advice for others trying to make their first $1 million?

Don’t let the money be the driving force (in your life). Make sure you have sound savings, spending, budget and investment knowledge first, then work hard, be a team player at work and find a good industry that rewards good work.

What do you wish you'd known …

When you first started saving? Save more and spend less.

When you first started investing? Patience and diversification.

Before you were old enough to retire? That time was going to move fast and to be ready with other things to do outside of work — socializing, being with family, making new friends, enjoying hobbies.

When you first started working with a financial professional? More literacy to be able to ask more questions and understand.

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'll also want to verify that you really do have $1 million. Your answers may be edited for clarity.

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As Contributed Content Editor for the Adviser Intel channel on Kiplinger.com, Joyce edits articles from hundreds of financial experts about retirement planning strategies, including estate planning, taxes, personal finance, investing, charitable giving and more. She has more than 30 years of editing experience in business and features news, including 15 years in the Money section at USA Today.