FIRE at 49 as a Single Mom on a Middle-Class Salary
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- Опубликовано: 5 июл 2024
- Episode #525
Think it’s too late for early retirement? Do you feel like just because you’re in your late thirties, forties, or fifties, FIRE doesn’t make sense for you? Well, think again because today’s guest defied the odds by retiring over fifteen years early, all while raising her daughter on her own and without a six-figure salary to sail her swiftly to a million-dollar net worth. Plus, she did all of it with no investing experience. If Jackie Cummings Koski can do it, so can you!
Jackie grew up in a single-parent household. Her father worked hard to support her and her five siblings. This instilled a strong work ethic in Jackie and made her realize that running towards hard things, not away from them, was the true path to success. She figured out college on her own and, shortly after, landed a corporate job that took her far away from the small town she grew up in. She got married and had her daughter, but then everything changed.
Jackie was getting divorced, forcing her to rely on herself fully for her financial future. In true Jackie fashion, she took this as a challenge and began educating herself as best as she could. Through smart saving, spending, and life-changing investing decisions, Jackie built her wealth in record time, reaching financial independence just ten years after finding the FIRE movement-all without any advantages!
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Money Podcast 154 - Bill Bengen (The Inventor of the 4% Rule) Talks Retirement, Past Crashes, and How You Can Withdraw Even More:
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Money Podcast 344 - Rethink Social Security: Myths, Benefits, and Clearing Up Misconceptions:
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Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Better Investing: www.betterinvesting.org/
Root of Good: rootofgood.com/
Mr. Money Mustache: www.mrmoneymustache.com/
Mad Fientist: www.madfientist.com/
1500 Days: www.1500days.com/
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Connect with Jackie:
F.I.R.E. For Dummies: www.amazon.com/FIRE-Dummies-B...
Instagram: @finomenal_woman or / finomenal_woman
LinkedIn: / jackiecummingskoski
Podcast: catchinguptofi.com/financial-...
Website: www.finomenalwoman.com/
X/Twitter: @FInomenal_Woman or / finomenal_woman
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00:00 Intro
01:14 FIRE at 49!
02:50 Making Money in Retirement
06:11 Early Years, College, and Getting Divorced
11:21 Working Her Way Through College
15:06 Getting Hired After College
15:50 Starting to Learn About Stocks
20:02 Finding the FIRE Movement
26:54 Spending and Saving
36:01 Jackie's Podcast and New Book!
38:20 Connect with Jackie!
This is the most interesting interview on this channel so far. She sounds like a real person instead of those tech robots who say "I had always been a saver. I saved 95% of my income"
Wow! I didn't start educating myself on finances until I was 39 - she is I and I am her. On the road to FIRE!!!
I am at this point right now, any tips?
@@iamannabeautiful I started with Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps and then evolved from there
Me too, very late in life.
This lady is an American hero
I am 40, getting divorced and don’t own a home. Not sure where to start and what will happen but I’m inspired.
Things will be just fine.
Be encouraged. 😊
I divorced at 48 without my own home, in a foreign country, with 3 kids to feed and no job (and not enough language skills to get one). Break down what you need to each quarter and don’t let the ‘starting from zero’ overwhelm you. You can do this! 🌸
All will be well with you.
Here’s what a lot of people don’t understand about eduction: it’s not just about making money it’s about EXPOSURE, soft skills and analytical skills. In underrepresented communities college is important (right school and right majors) for development and exposure. You see how she got her start because someone at her COLLEGE EDUCATED JOB got her into Better Investing, and in the path? That wouldn’t have happens in her childhood environment. College, like networking, expands the surface area of possibilities. Sorry, but I hate the “college isn’t for everyone” perspective. lol Happy for her. She’s amazing and I’m going to get the book to support.
🫶🏾‼️ You are spot on. Started as a poor immigrant. Choose the wrong major for my aptitude, but I needed to eradicate poverty. Obtained a BS, MS, and other grad degree. I don't work in my major directly but the soft skills, people analysis, understanding human behavior/motivation, networking learnt has been transformative.
I agree. Where I live once you graduate from HS you can go right to college for free. I'm trying to get my daughter to understand this, but she wants to work right now. Thank God she does have any bills, so she is saving but still doesn't understand the full magnitude of money. I am continuing to teach her from making the mistakes I did.
@@suzettebarclay6423 Can you encourage her to at least take 1-2 online classes to meet general education classes encase she decides to pursue a degree? Tell her she’d get a head start and have a chance at making more money in the long run.
@@Arun71150 that’s awesome! 🔥
Totally agree. I once heard someone say that a college education is sometimes more about earning the credentials to enter certain circles by way of getting hired by one company instead of another. Some employers used to gatekeep employment opportunities by requiring a bachelor’s degree at minimum.
Now this is a very credible low-middle income FI story. Thanks for sharing!
80K was not a lower middle income salary when she retired. She retired in 2019 and said that she averaged 80K for the previous 10 years so 80K/yr from 2009 to 2019 was a very good salary.
@@kli9005how was she saving more than $20K a year as a single mom? The math doesnt seem to add up with her life experiences
@@thenewbanker1225 She said several times she "lived" off 40-45k a year. She got $800/month for child support, the child became an adult before she retired, and she lives in Cincinnati Ohio which is relatively less expensive than most places.
@@Rebel-ct2pqMost likely she saved up her track money and did something smart with it
@@pauobunyon9791 She didn't do anything spectacular. She has done a lot of these interviews here on RUclips. She said all she did was max out every possible retirement accounts every single year in addition to the company match and made sure those moneys were invested properly in the 401ks, roth, HSA etc. She also got roughly 60k from the divorce settlement in the beginning which gave her a little start.
Great episode! As a single income teacher household, we had my pension and Roth IRAs we were partially contributing to starting at age 26, but got intense four years ago at the age of 33 after paying off all debt. In 4 years our net worth has increased by 250%, and we are closing in on 1/2 million in our accounts. This is one of the gems of the FI movement - ANYONE CAN DO IT. It's about what you budget and keep vs. what you spend. Too many FIRE channels are about high income earners and most of the talk shows and podcasts are 100k+ households. Thanks for this!
Ok, not money related but she favors Natalie Cole to me...jmo😂
Tru
Yep I agree
I thought the same thing!
She does!😊
She does!
I felt so connected. With this conversation of seeing ordinary people, how they did it that has inspired me. Thank you for your dedication. Thank you for these words and sharing your wisdom. That is a great blessing in my life. I am currently 40 years old. I have zero savings. I was a very young mother of three children, but it is never too late to start. May God bless you. Thank you and to everyone who reads this comment, we can move forward with the help of God. Happy Mother’s Day 10❤🎉😊❤😊
What an incredibly impressive woman, she is a role model for America. For those who whinge ‘you can’t get ahead in America anymore’ take a look at this lady and learn.
Most complaining is attributed to housing costs. Naturally, this is everyones biggest monthly expense. @31:20 In this example, she mentioned she had a low 2.50-3% mortgage rate, or something ridiculously low, and lives in a low cost of living area (Ohio). She stated her monthly mortgage was maximum $1,100/month (inclusive of principal and interest).
She's also in her mid-50's, which makes her a part of "generation X". Along with the baby boomers, these 2 generations are super lucky to have been able to get property at less than half of what homes are going for now (as of 2024 the median home price in America is close to $400k).
What she's done is super impressive on $80k/year, don't get me wrong. But most millenials and Gen Z'ers with similar salaries are out of luck in this day and age.
This was good. Someone with a regular middle-class income and lifestyle
What an inspirational story! Shows that early retirement is possible - if you're willing to "live in means". I wish this content was available 20 years ago when I was just starting out
I love Jackie! I love hearing her story and got to meet her at the 2023 EconoMe conference. She is so nice and thoughtful. ❤
I watched out of curiousity, and came away super impressed with Jackie. Tough upbringing makes for tough and motivated people, and Jackie is absolutely kickass tough, smart, and motivated. We're doing quite well, but Jackie inspires me to do better.
I really appreciate that Jackie emphasized not having to sign any FI doctrine. Hearing how she did things a little outside of FI orthodoxy is inspiring. Thank you both for a worthwhile episode.
I’m confused how did she amass $1.3 million by 45-46 years of age after a divorce and being a single mom? She only made $80k between 2009-2019. If she took care of her child and after taxes expenses etc probably saving $20k/year if at atll. Over 10 years thats just $200k. Somehow she had $1.3 million??? Math is simple. It either makes sense or not. What are we missing here since the math isn’t adding up based on her life experiences
@@thenewbanker1225 The math is mathing for me, when you consider she said she had a savings rate of 40% and a nice matching program through her employer. Then you add to that some wise investment strategies and a couple of bull markets I can see $1.3 million pretty clearly. She also mentioned some things that made me believe she is not the typical American consumer, i.e., buying a used car with cash and teaching her daughter to contribute for her first vehicle versus feeling obligated to provide everything for the next generation.
@@B4iBaSlave no it doesnt. she cant save 40% after post tax as a single mother. Quit playing that nonsense. That math makes no sense. Just because she said she did doesnt mean its true. Unless there’s some unique reason her expenses were so los
@@thenewbanker1225 the fact that you are highlighting she is a single mother might provide some insight as to why you do not believe her. However, I will set that aside for now. She also mentioned that she received $800 a month in child support and clearly lived beneath her means. Also, she said she did not start at zero from the divorce so perhaps there was a small nest egg to begin with. The story is quite compelling and very believable and it does make sense if you are looking through clear lenses.
@@B4iBaSlave i highlighted it to mention her expenses can’t be low. Her husband clearly wasnt rich either. She didnt have a crazy nest egg. Again there are people her age who make way more and dont have to take care of a child and still cant reach $1.3 million by 45-46. I’m only looking at this from a math perspective. You like to believe in the fantasy, but even under generous assumptions, at least from what she’s saying it doesnt make sense. There’s clearly stuff we’re missing here. Does this channel actually verify net worth?
You go girl! Great story. I retired last year at 45 and it’s amazing. The first year has been an adjustment for sure, but no regrets. 🎉 I was the first to graduate high school so I can relate to how struggles make you want to work harder.
Thank you for sharing. For your early retirement, how do you able to have health benefit ?
Wow!!!! Huge huge respect for this women, and her dad!!! 👏👏👏 Guys, you are my heroes!!! Thank you for being an inspiration!
I am 50
I own my house
No debts
No kids
I have a business.
I've got money for. My retirement
Life it's good
Get a prenup if your planning on marrying.
So are you retired or plan to retired soon?
How’s gonna get the house when the time comes?
A REAL bottom to the top story!!💯 No safety nets just grind & determination!!!🙌🏽
Thanks for sharing & hats off to you!!!!🙏🏽
I didnt watch this yet but i am excited. I hope to fire by 49. I am 41
I am definitely going to include reading up on FIRE as this is the first time I have heard of this concept. For about four months I have been following Dave Ramsey on RUclips and have become very interested in turning my finances around for the better as I just turned 40.
She was great! Her journey makes sense. Many of your guests lately have seemed very scammy. Glad to hear from a real person on planet earth.
Love this story. What a Go-getter!
I’m 45 and my goal is to each fire by 55
One of the best interviews so far! I’m right at 41 learning all this. I liked where she said there is no doctrine that you have to follow exactly what other people do. It’s called “personal finance” for a reason 😊
I can’t wait for the FIRE For dummies book. Good interview.
It’s now available wherever books are sold!
What a smart and delightful lady!
I thought (not really) I was the only one running from poverty…from West Virginia! Thank you for an awesome & informational interview!
I think there’s a lot of of people running from property
I know the Aiken area. Good for you for rising up. I come from a similar situation but got started on the journey much later with a lower income.
She’s a great storyteller!
My biggest financial regret is not educating myself about investing much earlier than now. I was too busy spending money.😅 I was one of the people who didn't believe in stock investing because I didn't understand it. I thought of it as gambling, and with that mindset I was never taking it seriously. Also, I didn't know what it meant to plan for retirement. I thought it was something you did closer to retirement. My whole world changed a few years ago when I started educating myself. The good thing is that I still have some time to make a difference.
That said, I'm doing whatever I can now. It's crazy to think that she retired with $1.3 million and 5 years later she is at about $2 million.
The big issue now is that you can't assume the past will be repeated. Maybe the next 10 years will be magical, or they could suck for investors.
But we buy all these corporations products like phone sneakers cars😊
It will have some bad yrs but if you have 7 yrs of 20% returns then a loss yr .. it's 140- 10 120net😊
great interview. I plan to move out of a higher cost of living area upon retirement, but it seems like the lower cost areas are becoming higher costs as well lol
My time frame was covid. I found all the podcasts and videos on FIRE and became a junkie. I revamped all of my finances and while I am not depriving myself, I did focus on maxing out retirement accounts. Once my kids are out of the house and off to college then I will focus on beefing up my brokerage account.
I am 65 yrs old. I worked a job since highschool. I didn't plan well. I have no 401k and no pension plan. I am still working. I am in debt about $20k. Right now I am homeless. I live in my van. I am at the point where I am working on fixing my debt and I got started in Real estate investing to increase my finances.
I'm glad you're working on a solution. Better late then never, we've all made mistakes
Just keep working and saving. As long as you’re not on drugs or alcohol you can figure out solutions later as long as the money is coming in.
What state are you in?
I like this woman. She is very smart. I learned a lot from this. Also thanks for being open about your mistakes, I certainly made mistakes financially. Congratulations on your Success. 🎉🎉🎉
She is incredible. Loving the show, thank you!
I have lots in common with the single mom. running from poverty and hungry for financial freedom.
OMG…thank you so much for this interview. I totally can relate to Jackie in so many ways. Excellent! ❤
This was SO inspiring, thank you both for the interesting, moving and enlightening interview. I will definitely be checking Jackie out. I dislike the shame, my own shame, involving feeling financially unsavvy. I know that’s usually an important first step to getting educated.
As long as you learn from your mistakes you will be alright.
Great interview and great information shared. Thank you both!
The broken ankle story made me gasp! 😖😖😖
This was the FI story I was looking forward. Being a single mom and starting later in life has its set of challenges that married couples dont face, thats not saying its easier, just different. I will definitely look out for the podcast and the book.
Inspiring story. The big question: What did she invest in?
S&P 500. Seen her on other platforms including that CNBC money RUclips channel
@@hkatsonga thanks. I like Nasdaq 100 leveraged etf
Great interview! Awesome guest
Thank you for sharing. Im also happy to hear her father was apart of her growth. ❤️
Great interview with some actual actionable steps. Really good segment.
Thank you for sharing your experience and details with quantitative data! This was a refreshing from many high level and abstract videos. Love BiggerPockets.
God bless this woman. Great interview! ❤
That is awesome and true 👍, you have to learn about different funds in 401K, how they are gained, loss, and what type of funds or companies in each. After, I switch to growth fund, and a few others, I see the differences amounts my 401K are after 6 months
Very impressive.she takes away excuses (if you’re not disable) regardless of gender, race, status, background to reach financial goals but early financial education is always key.
Thank you for sharing ❤😊
What an inspiration! Loved this so much 💪🏻
Fantastic, inspiring guest!!
❤ this.. I love the different stories and that there are various paths to 🔥
This was a fantastic interview.❤ I’m on the right path for saving and retirement. Working on purchasing my first home.
I'm new to FIRE. I loved this video. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your inspirational story..😇
I just love this guest! I wish we lived in same area - would love to be in investment club with her! Smart and personable! Win-win!
This was a GREAT EPISODE! I’ve read her story and I love how it’s relatable with her never had made more than 100k prior to 2020. Only thing that I think should have been shared is if she got some of her ex- husband’s 401k. Cause even if it’s not half, with compounding interest whatever amount given, that would help accelerate her journey. Other than that, she gets all the props for having disciple, consistency and doing the work to reach FIRE.
If half $60k
i do like the mortgage thing bc i have a pymt still but its similar to this guest's pymt and will pay it off in less than 10 yrs though i'm 49 now and still working.
Thank you!!! ❤
This is wonderful. I love it. I love Catching Up to FI. I look forward to reading F.I.R.E book. Your daughter is really creative. I love that Instagram name. I look forward to learn more from you.😊
Loved this episode!
Great episode!!❤😊
I have a similar approach with money. I was never a budgeting person. I knew how much to save in my retirement accounts and general investing. I lived off what’s left. The metrics I’ve watched since I was a kid was my net worth. As a kid, that was my saving account balance. 😊
And that balance cannot go below a certain amount.
All these FIRE stories have 1 thing in common.. they all make more in retirement talking about FIRE and theyre good speakers. And we only hear the successes.. wonder how many try FIRE and fail, but we dont hear about it.
There is no "failing" when you attempt F.I.R.E. At best, you will reach your investment goals, within your planned time frame. But if that doesn't happen, you will still have more than the average person, since the core principle is eliminating debt and consistently investing/saving a sizable amount of your income each month.
This woman is amazing!!
WoW- Awesome story🎉
It’s good you are teaching principals to women on how to handle money and invest.
Most women’s fire movement is divorce and taking half
Great show!
Great episode!
Great job!
What an amazing woman. 👏
Love this story!
I'm 62 and don't plan to retire until I'm 69.
I get to work from home and use my vacations to travel the world, so there's really no need or desire for me to retire.
I don't plan to live off my 401k, but use it and my brokerage accounts for special expenses. Social Security and penson will cover normal expenses, with half left over.
My question is what do you do for health insurance if you retire early?
very good question. Those premiums are pretty high!
Yes, I want to know as well!
You have to pay for coverage.
Checkout the AFFORDABLE healthcare …if your income is low enough you can very reasonable coverage
Expect to pay $1,500 per month if you want decent insurance.
I’ve watched this but I still don’t understand how she retired at age 49. I might need to watch it again.
Same here
Great video. Proof that anyone on an average salary can do it. Think differently. If you work toward a career, you’ll have a career. Work toward FIRE. You’ll retire early.
It's commendable that she was employed by a reputable corporate entity and had investments with them. It's noteworthy that she managed to sustain herself on an annual income of under $50,000, a feat not easily achieved, especially where I live in a region as expensive as Southern California - no way can you live on less than $200,000 seems almost possible. And due to me living paycheck to paycheck, regrettably, I was unable to save any money for a downpayment in order to capitalize on the exceptionally low mortgage rates available during the period of 2020-2021.
It is very much achievable in Southern CA, but you may need a side hustle (or two), if your primary income is not enough...
Well, this lady was and is money smart but she is fortunate she was getting $800 a month for child support and her employer was matching at 9%. You won’t get that a lot of times and very very reasonable mortgage. You go girl and she is also making much more now educating people. FIRE aid not just retiring and sitting at home, it is work in for yourself and being financially independent and not reporting to anyone. Actually they work much more
How can we get the book??
Love Mindy ❤
what should one do about health insurance retiring at age 49?
I use the ACA Exchange
I know Aiken SC..I'm from Savannah Ga..
She went from one extreme to another, of “not having enough “ deep wounds
Many people’s story!! She accomplished a life which she is proud of ❤
Im from Toledo Ohio 😊
Well my husband and I have done everything in our life to build a strong retirement but so far our portfolio doesn't look anything like what she's talking about 😢. One still has to live, such as keeping a roof over our heads, food, transportation etc.
She live right down the rd from me. Small world.
Did she say: she studied financial therapy? Where!?
Yes, it was a wonderful Financial Therapy program at Kansas State.
When you volunteer 🙋♀️ you get a broken foot
First step for me max my 401K and IRA which I've been feeling pushed to do as well 🎉
can anyone share w me ways to budget on a non fixed income?? my husband gets paid 1 to 2x's a yr and it's been very challenging to figure out 😕
What's the book name?
Some people want to retire from 30 something. Can't wait until 40. Congrats to here.
75% household savings rate here :)
What is the name of the book that was published 4/30?
F.I.R.E. for Dummies
Fire for dummies.
What’s an investment club??
What 25 times your expenses means exactly? On a year basis?
She said about 45k per year for her which means she needed 1.125 million in her investment portfolio to retire using the 4% withdrawal rate
@@reinam3848 thank you so much for your reply!
@@shayraboeva7393you need to first add up your projected expenses for the month. Than times that number by 12 to get your yearly expenses. 25 times that number gives you the amount of money you will need to retire. 4% of that number divided by 12 is what you would have to live on each month in your retirement age. P.S. if that number is to low your need to save more money before you can retire comfortably.
well i dont make 80k and never made over 70k but good job. i have 3% match w a fund but most of my retirement is my own money (roth)
49 but look very young!