I’m Jaime and I blog at Eventual Millionaire. I’m a mom of two adorable young children and work part time as a business coach. My blog is about becoming a millionaire by getting out of debt, creating your ideal lifestyle, and making a million doing what you love. It’s not about working 60+ hours per week and never seeing your family, that’s why it’s called Eventual Millionaire.
Since I was little I have had the goal of becoming a millionaire. I want to be a millionaire not only for the money, but for the person I’ll become when I reach the goal. The challenges I have faced and will face in the future will really shape me to be a better person. The million dollars in the bank will be a great bonus.
My Story
The reason why I am so passionate about not working 60+ hours per week and never seeing your family is because I did it. At the age of 22 I landed a six figure job and traveled around the US. It sounded like I had the perfect job.
But after two years of never seeing my husband, being stranded in an airport often, and a growing desire to have a baby, I knew I had to quit. I wanted to stay at home or work part time once we had children. The problem was I made over two thirds of our income and we were $70,000 in debt. My husband was a performing artist and his income varied.
It sounded like it was impossible for me to quit my job, even if we paid our debt off; but we took it one step at a time. These are the steps we took:
Setting the Goal
A goal is a great way to measure your progress. Our goal was “To be able to stay home for at least a year by December 2006” (December 12, 2006 was my due date once I became pregnant)
Becoming Debt Free
Controlling your money is so important if you want to have freedom. We realized that in order to sustain our goal for longer than a year we would have to pay off our debt. Since I had a great income at the time we figured now was the best time to crush our debt.
Taking Bold Actions
This is a step that is sprinkled everywhere but I like to highlight it because it’s so important! It’s an action that is hard to do, but reaps a big reward. It’s an action that has effort and fear written all over it. It’s an action that has to be overcome. Just like when we sold our two month old Honda Civic.
Working Part Time
After I quit, I realized that I love to work, I just didn’t like working for my previous company. I was able to apply a lot of what I knew with personal finance to starting my own business. Figuring out what I loved to do took a long time, but it was one hundred times worth it. I no longer dread Sunday nights. I actually am excited for Monday mornings!
Building My Net Worth
My net worth is building slower since I only work part time, but my goal is to reach millionaire status by the age of 40 while living a life of freedom. If I had stayed at my previous job I could have become a millionaire by the age of 30. But most of us in Yakezie can agree, life isn’t just about money.
My Mission
My mission now is to help other people do the same, even if they think it’s impossible. I started a new blog called Lifestyle Moms (which is entered into the new Yakezie Challenge). I want to help Moms not only life the lifestyle they want, but to be able to teach their children about personal finances and living their ideal lifestyle too. Dads are of course welcome too!
My Thanks to Yakezie
I started Eventual Millionaire back in March of this year. I learned about the Yakezie Challenge shortly after and was amazed to meet so many other bloggers that were willing to help each other. I was able to sky rocket my Alexa rank from over 3 million down to 130,000 by the end of the challenge. Within the first three months I had almost 500 subscribers. I owe a lot of that to my friends in Yakezie!
Thanks everyone!
Looking to learn how to start your own profitable website? Check out my step-by-step guide on how to start a blog. It’s one of the best things I did in 2009 to help earn extra money and break free from Corporate America!
Great story Jamie. That does sound to me like you had it made at 22. It’s interesting to see how priorities change once your situation changes. You mention that you thought it was the perfect job for you, but later found out you didnt get to spend as much time with your husband as you wanted. Good luck on getting your first million!
I think I was driven so much by money before that the situation didn’t matter as much. I’m glad money has taken a back seat to life. :)
Hi Jaime! Great to read your background. It is so nice to read that you enjoy life so much without the high salary. My husband changed jobs after having to be on the road constantly, and it made a huge difference to our family. He works full time, but he just found employment that allowed him to actually be a dad, and not just some guy that works.
Will go check out your other blog too!
Exactly! To your kids you become the mom or dad that works all the time. I remember my mom working a lot. That’s not where you want to be as a parent! I understand some people need to work to support their family and I 100% support that. But if you are doing it for the extra money, it’s not worth it!
It’s encouraging to read your story, Jaime. You’ve figured out exactly what you want and how to get it, and you’re taking the steps to get there. Congratulations on a job well done!
When you love what you do, your take home pay becomes less important in the grand scheme of things. Glad to hear you are finally doing what you enjoy!
Best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
Wow… at 22 I was still in the first or second year of university. Sounds like you definitely have the drive, but at the same time, you’ve learned to see beyond the money to the other things that are also important in your life. Balance is always good, and I’m sure you will achieve your goals. Thanks for sharing your story!
Thanks. The job sort of came out of the blue too, I had applied to 150 different companies. At that point I was willing to work at Home Depot so I could move back near my family.
Then I had an interview with that company and received a phone call right after walking out of the interview. It was an amazing thing. :)
Jaime, I really respect the fact that you’re working hard to achieve your goals but not losing site of what’s really important.
Jaime,
Wow. Your blog has come a long way since March, but it should be no surprise for someone who snagged a six figure job at age 22. I think having that job, then realizing it didn’t match your family values, gives you a great perspective on money and life. Many people wistfully dream of such a job, but you know from experience that it doesn’t make life perfect.
I wish you great success with both Eventual Millionaire and Lifestyle Mom. I have a feeling that wish will come true.
Thanks Joe :)
It’s funny how the grass is always greener on the other side. If I never had a chance to try that job I would feel the same way. I think it’s easy to have a goal or desire something and not really know what it will be like until you get there!
I love your story! It’s very encouraging that you were willing to leave your high-paying job to spend more time with your family! And it’s great to see that you are willing to teach others what you have already learned.
Hey Jaime, thanks for sharing your story. Looks like you have your head on straight, and know where you are going.
Good luck with reaching your goals!
Thanks @Beating Broke @Len Penzo @Mike @KNS Financial and @Dr Dean!
Great post Jaime. As Dr. Dean said, you seem to have a good plan. Keep us updated on when eventual becomes reality!
Awesome post, Jaime. And I really like your Lifestyle Moms blog, too. I have decided to make that specific date goal and stick to it. Hoping to work from home by next year. Keep it up! Because just having a goal of becoming a millionaire by a certain age puts you way ahead of many people who have yet to make a goal.
Awesome! I would love to help you in any way I can. I’ll be doing a free teleclass series for Lifestyle Moms in October too, and feel free to email me any time.
Great post jaime, and good job of setting and reaching to meet your goals. I’m sure you’ll reach them as you seem to be motivated and ready to put in the hard work that it takes.
Amazing story, Jaime! Love reading all these introductions!
Jamie – it seems as though you have discovered early on what’s truly important to you. Many people don’t learn such lessons until later in life. Thanks for sharing your story!
Jaime,
I’m impressed you landed a 6 figure job right out of college! What industry was it? Did you go to a highly rated college?
Best of luck in your quest to a million bucks! Sounds like you will get there no problemo.
I had worked full time while going to school full time, so I was able to climb the ranks in my previous job before this company. I worked for a Video on Demand Company and started as an engineer, then moved to Project Management. I went to RIT for IT. It’s a pretty good school, ($25k a year!) but it’s no MIT.
Nice to meet you! It’s amazing how much perspective getting what you think you want can give you, eh? I thought I was going to be a career woman myself. Then I landed what I thought would be my dream job. I gave it up to raise kids and move around with my husband’s career, and I would do the same thing again. I’m so glad I had that experience so I know just how good I have it now. I’ll need to check out your Lifestyle Moms site!
I agree 100%! I think that you will never know if you will like your dreams until you try it. What is hard to realize though is you might work really really hard on something and then not like it!
Jaime, Great story! I had a similar situation at 22 (good financially but not quite that good), and I travelled 100% of the time with only weekends at home, and sometimes not even that. I completely understand how the novelty can wear off very quickly and you want to have a regular life back.
I can remember my friends used to call me “Special Occasion” because it was always like a special occasion when i was in town and we had to go out and party it up. Of course, this happened at home and when i was on the road (special occasion for anyone who knew me) and I grew tired rather quickly and had to retire to a slightly different line of work after about 2 yeras. Now that I have a family, I can’t imagine travelling like that ever again.
Yes! I can totally relate. I saw the people at the airport more often than friends. I only lasted about 2 years too, that’s probably why they have to pay people so much to do those types of jobs. It can be really hard. I’m glad I got the experience, and I’m also glad it’s done! :)
Hi Jaime. I really like your story. I know many people that work or have worked 60, 80, 100 hours a week making great money but having so much stress in their life and very little “life”. I could never work that much in a week unless it was as a food taster or tv critic. Congrats on your blogs
I think these days people are starting to see that lifestyle may be more important than money. What’s the salary really worth if you sacrifice every other aspect of your life for it?
Great story and great goal! Looking forward to seeing your progress and seeing how I can apply your lessons to my life and family.
Another awesome Yakezie story! Your husband is still a performing artist I gather?
I’m like you, I love to work but on my own terms and not for 60+ hours a week (although sometimes I get a little obsessed with my own projects).
Great to hear your story.
Great story, and wise choice. We decided that my wife should quit working when my son was born to become a stay-at-home mom, and she loved it!
My kids have turned out great so far, so I’m happy too. Although I calculated we would be worth a million today if she would have continued to work (she was an accountant), but my kids might have suffered! And that’s just not acceptable.
Good call!
I love the whole theme of your site, eventual..just like Get Rich Slowly, you need to work consistently and at length in order to achieve wealth eventually.
Not many 20 year olds would quit a job making great money. I won’t lie, I would try it for a bit if I was paid to do it. Money really is my motivation. But kudos to you for taking control of your life, making changes, and deciding what you want. Even better than deciding what you want, you are going out there and doing it. Taking action with our goals is the least occuring thing in most people’s lives, but we are damn good at talking about what we want. I need to be more like you, action oriented and get it done. Yeah, you just got another reader.
Thanks Guys! My husband still is a performing artist, he just makes more money now than he did then. (Audiobody.com) It amazing how kids can change things in your life too. You put their welfare far above your own. It’s an amazing thing :)
Jesse- it’s funny you say that because about 3 hours before your comment I realized the same thing! I mentioned the similarity to my husband. (though he doesn’t read JD’s site and didn’t really know what I was talking about :) )
And thanks doctor_s for becoming a reader! I’m a little action obsessed. Now since I only work 20 hours a week I need to make sure the bulk of my time is taking bold actions. (otherwise I would just be doing email/twitter for 20 hours!)
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Jaime, You are a wonderful example of living what you believe. Leaving a high paying job for lifestyle reasons takes a lot of courage. Quite admirable. You never get time back, although money is replaceable! Best of luck, Barb
http://barbarafriedbergpersonalfinance.com
You realized at a younger age than most what’s really important in life. Congratulations on your new lifestyle and I know you’ll be an eventual millionaire!
I love your way of looking at things Jaime…how becoming a millionaire is not just about the money…but about what becoming a millionaire will mean you must have accomplished as a person…That’s a really great insight and a way of conquering both and life at the same time.
Thanks Kay- I’m excited that I can pass this lifestyle on to my kids instead of them taking years to figure it out too!
Andrew- I feel like it’s having cake and eating it too. :) Money isn’t a bad thing, as long as it’s not priority number one. That’s what I like about personal finance bloggers, they have their priorities straight!
Totally agree Jaime!
I am interested in your coaching, thanks!
Thanks! Just send an email to jaime @ eventualmillionaire.com
jamie i am impressed what you and your husband have done i need help getting on a budget
I workk my rear off have 2 kids and my wife broke her ankle and developed a blood clot and is in medical care so how do i do it anyone on this sight suggestions i make 55,000 a year house payment 1300 a month and the home bills electric,gas,phone insurance ext. help me
jamie you need to start a site to help people you are a great person and i really need help we are in bad shape i work all the time.my wife as i said is under medical care.I pay all the bills in the house and have 2 kids I need help so can you talk to me and help me set up a plan to get out of dept my house payment is 1300 and the rest of the the bills come up to 800 a month so thats why i need your help.can you help me?
iI am an engineering research and development and need online work doing something can anyone give me an idea or a great place to do this?jamie I love what you have done and i am willing to give up anything that is not needed
Hi Chris- Feel free to send me an email too jaime @ eventualmillionaire.com or send me a msg on facebook. :)