"We were kind of on autopilot. The internet says, 'Max out your 401(k).' We did that, but we didn't really think much beyond that. Within a year of investing in a financial planner and reevaluating their strategy, the New York City couple were surprised to learn that they had already reached financial independence."
"I thought that I knew what I was doing. Turns out when you speak with a knowledgeable third party, it really can change things profoundly. The couple chose to work with a flat-fee planner rather than traditional assets-under-management advisors, avoiding conflicts of interest in financial guidance."
"We have to acknowledge our privilege. We're two high-income professionals, but even then, I still feel like more people can do it than may realize it. This recognition highlights that while their high incomes contributed to their success, the strategies employed may be applicable to broader audiences."
Josette Chang and Alexander Nathanson, a finance professional and physician respectively, reached financial independence in their early 40s despite initially operating without a clear financial strategy. Though they maximized retirement accounts and saved consistently, they were essentially on autopilot until hiring a flat-fee financial planner. Within a year of reevaluating their approach, they discovered they had already achieved financial independence. Chang left her finance job in 2024, while Nathanson reduced his hospital hours, choosing to work by preference rather than necessity. Key to their success were obtaining third-party financial guidance, strategic investing, and eliminating their mortgage debt as their largest expense.
Read at Business Insider
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