# Millionaire Interview: A Journey from Zero to $4 Million Net Worth – Part 1
In our continuing series featuring interviews with millionaires, we aim to reveal the perspectives and tactics of individuals who have effectively expanded their fortunes. From modest origins to financial autonomy, these narratives offer priceless insights that can motivate and educate anyone on their journey toward financial liberation. In this session, we converse with a 51-year-old woman who has built a net worth of $4 million over the years by making wise career decisions, investing in real estate, and adopting a flexible mindset regarding saving and expenditure.
This dialogue occurred in May, and due to its extensive length, we have divided it into two sections. Here, we will cover her history, income, and career trajectory. She wishes to keep her identity private but is candid about her experiences, victories, and obstacles faced along the way. Let’s get started.
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### **OVERVIEW**
**How old are you (and spouse, if applicable) and how long have you been married?**
I’m a 51-year-old woman. I relocated to the United States with my ex-husband in 2000 when I was 28. We were married for a decade and divorced in 2009. Although I’ve had a couple of significant relationships since, I see myself as single from a financial perspective.
**Do you have kids/family (if so, how old are they)?**
I have one son, who is 22 years old. He was born in the U.S., and I share equal 50/50 parenting responsibilities with my ex-husband. I appreciate that we maintained a strong partnership while raising our son, and we continue to live close to each other to uphold that support system.
**Where do you live, and is it an urban or rural area?**
For the past 22 years, I resided in a relatively upscale suburb of Seattle, Washington. The locality experienced substantial growth due to the tech sector’s expansion, which greatly benefited my career and provided excellent opportunities for raising my son. However, in recent years, I’ve been dividing my time among various areas. Over the last three summers, I’ve spent time in a small, tranquil town in Alaska, where I work, while wintering in Sedona, Arizona.
I often make long road trips between Seattle and Sedona, as it allows me the flexibility to visit friends and family along the way. Additionally, I travel abroad several times each year, flying out from Seattle or Phoenix.
**What is your current net worth?**
Around $4 million.
**What are your main assets?**
Here’s the breakdown of my assets:
– **Investments: $1 million**
– $750k from the sale of my home, diversified across various categories:
– $250k actively managed as a financial experiment.
– $200k in a money market account.
– $300k in cash, intended for gradual investment through dollar-cost averaging in the stock market.
– $250k in stocks from my previous employer’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). I aim to decrease this concentration in one company over time but have already achieved a significant capital gain from my home sale this year.
– **Retirement accounts: $1 million** in 401(k) and IRA accounts. I’m in the process of rolling over my 401(k) into an IRA and plan to execute Roth IRA conversions over the next decade.
– **Real estate: $2 million**, which consists of:
– A fully paid property in Sedona valued at $1.1 million, used as an Airbnb rental.
– A small cabin in Washington valued at $150k. Although I don’t utilize it much since I spend summers in Alaska, this cabin served as a serene retreat during the COVID lockdown.
– A waterfront condo near Seattle valued at $1 million, with a $490k mortgage at 2.875%.
– An investment property in Sedona valued at $700k, with a $460k mortgage at 3.5%.
Moreover, I have $50k in my Health Savings Account (HSA). Recently, I sold another property in the Seattle area and allocated those funds to the stock market. Although the sale incurred approximately $100k in capital gains tax, it enhanced the diversification of my portfolio, which had previously been heavily weighted in real estate.
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### **EARN**
**What is your job?**
I enjoyed a successful 22-year career in the technology sector. Currently, I work as a tour guide in Alaska during the summer months, which I find much more fulfilling compared to a corporate position. The rest of the year, I have the freedom to travel, manage my properties, and focus on personal projects.
**What is your annual income?**