Lauren and Steven Keys say they left full-time work before 30 after keeping spending below $22,000 a year for several years and investing about half their income. Their net worth topped $1 million in December 2023; businesses and rental income cover their costs.
From 2013 to 2016, their combined pretax pay was about $80,000 a year. Near Orlando, rent was $800 monthly, food averaged $400 and transportation about $180; employer health insurance and free activities helped contain costs. They used workplace retirement plans and employer matches, maxed Roth IRAs and put most additional investments in a taxable brokerage account, largely in index funds tracking U.S. and international markets.
After saving another $100,000 in two years, they bought a Gainesville home in cash. The couple says their six-month 2015 Hawaii trip cost about $1,880 a month; tutoring, photography and remote work covered expenses without drawing on savings. Lauren left full-time work in late 2018 and Steven in early 2020; by July 2020, they had more than $500,000 invested and a mortgage-free home. They later turned it into a rental after buying a Florida beach condo in cash. They say they have not needed to withdraw from their investments.
