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Dreaming of that seven-figure bank balance? For Steven Keys and his wife, Lauren, it’s not a dream anymore. The couple hit the million-dollar mark before turning 35, and they didn’t need a windfall or a winning lottery ticket to do it.
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Keys, who now runs the online tutoring platform CramBetter, recently shared the three key investments that transformed their financial future. Here’s how they made their millions.
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They Invested In Their Skills
While many of us stop learning after college, Keys and his wife took a different approach.
“We invested in ourselves by learning as many skills as we could,” he shared. “We both took a traditional college path, graduating from the University of Florida in 2012 with degrees in physics and journalism, but we also taught ourselves marketable skills like photography using free online resources.”
This commitment to ongoing education gave them a competitive edge in the job market and laid the groundwork for future success.
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They Lived Frugally and Invested Aggressively
Here’s where Keys and his wife really separated themselves from the pack. Instead of splurging on luxuries when they landed their first “real” jobs, they took a different route.
“While working middle-class, five-figure jobs, we lived frugally and kept our living expenses low, which allowed us to invest 60%-80% of our incomes into low-cost index funds,” Keys said.
You might be wondering where they put all that money. Keys broke it down: “Our favorite index fund ETFs are VTI, VXUS and BND. These are all total market funds which passively produce income and capital gains with high diversification and low fees.”
By living well below their means and investing wisely, they were building wealth while many of their peers were racking up debt.
They Took a Calculated Risk
With a solid financial foundation in place, Keys and his wife felt confident enough to venture into entrepreneurship.
“Since accumulating enough wealth to quit our regular jobs for good, we’ve recently invested in our own business, CramBetter — an online math and science tutoring company for college students,” Keys shared.
The best part? Their previous smart money moves gave them the freedom to take this risk without jeopardizing their financial security.
“Starting a business with a strong personal financial foundation in place has allowed us to take risks in the company without fear,” he said. “Regardless of whether the business is successful, we’re already set for life!”
Story continues
Keys and his wife aren’t financial prodigies or Silicon Valley wunderkinds. They’re everyday people who made smart, consistent choices with their money. By continuously improving their skills, living below their means and making calculated investments (both in the market and in themselves), they’ve achieved a level of financial freedom that many only dream about.
Their story is a good reminder that building significant wealth is within reach — even on a middle-class salary. So the next time you’re tempted by an unnecessary purchase, remember the Keys’ approach. Your future millionaire self might thank you!
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How I Made My Millions? I Invested In These 3 Things