**An Updated Millionaire Interview: Reflections, Growth, and Life Lessons**
In today’s feature, we circle back to learn from a previous **ESI Money** interviewee who shared her financial journey approximately three years ago. With an intriguing story and significant financial progress, this millionaire has an update filled with experiences, life changes, and discoveries we’ve all been eager to hear. The original interview can be found [here](https://esimoney.com/millionaire-interview-213/), but for now, let’s dive into the details of her progress over the last few years.
### **Overview**
**How old are you, and how has your family situation changed since the last interview?**
I am currently 46, and since my last interview, I have experienced several life changes, the most standout being that I’ve remarried! My husband, who is 52, and I got married about a year ago. Additionally, my family has expanded as we each have children from our previous marriages. I was married for 13 years, divorced for 10, and now I’m navigating the wonderful and challenging dynamics of blending a family.
**Tell us about your kids and the family dynamics.**
My own daughter is now 23 and has graduated from college. She now receives only limited financial support from me, as she starts building her independent life. My son, having graduated from high school, decided he didn’t want to pursue full-time college right away, so he’s attending community college and working about 35 hours a week while living with us.
From my husband’s side, we have a son starting graduate school this fall and another who’s just a high school freshman. It’s been a refreshing, full-circle experience to be back to watching high school sports again through my stepson!
Our family dynamics have naturally changed in terms of financial responsibilities and emotional investments as we blend two independent lives.
**Where do you live now? Has this changed since your original interview?**
I still live in the same quaint small town of about 10,000 people in the northeastern U.S., just adjacent to some much larger cities. Our town has a charming, quiet vibe that I enjoy, but we have easy access to big-city amenities when needed.
**Any notable changes in your financial habits since the first interview?**
Yes, several! My husband and I brought different financial habits and philosophies into our marriage, which we are constantly merging—and sometimes negotiating. We are both well-established in our individual money approaches, which sometimes differs, notably in terms of college tuition and family financial support.
When we married, we each owned our homes. I sold mine and moved into his. We now have a system to calculate shared household expenses such as mortgages, utilities, groceries, and health insurance, and we contribute equally to a joint account. We intentionally over-contribute a bit so we have some financial slack for shared outings or vacations. Beyond that, the rest of our earnings go into individual accounts.
Although my expenses have risen since getting married (because my previous house was paid off), we continue to balance our financial contributions and personal financial management.
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### **Net Worth**
**What is your current net worth?**
– August 2020 Net Worth: $1.3 million
– May 2024 Net Worth: $2.6 million
**What are the main components of your net worth?**
The growth has been substantial in the last few years, effectively doubling my net worth since my last interview. My assets primarily consist of retirement accounts, real estate, and brokerage investments. I’d like to emphasize that this is my individual net worth and does not include any of my husband’s assets.
A major portion of this growth stems from savings strategies and a continuous focus on reinvestment. To highlight, I achieved a big milestone recently by fulfilling one of my long-time goals—investing in real estate!
In late 2021, I purchased my first rental property. However, it needed a lot of maintenance and was rented below market value. I underestimated the challenges, realizing quickly that my tenants wanted an affordable and safe place, rather than the upgrades I had envisioned.
**What’s been the key to growing your net worth?**
It boils down to patience, consistency, and letting the “magic happen” in asset growth. I have been able to max out retirement accounts (both 401(k) and Roth accounts), contribute to my deferred compensation plan, and funnel excess income into a joint brokerage fund with my husband.
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### **Earn**
**What’s your job, and what do you earn annually?**
I’ve worked my way up to General Manager for a mid-sized company, a promotion from where I was during my last interview. Today, my base salary is $270,000, but with bonuses, I expect to earn approximately $380,000 this year.
**Has this changed since your last interview?**
Definitely! A promotion