Welcome to Kiplinger’s My First $1 Million series, in which we hear from people who have made $1 million. They’re sharing how they did it and what they’re doing with it.
This time, we hear from a married 47-year-old government worker who’s based overseas but is originally from Florida. He and his wife both work for the U.S. government.
See our earlier profiles, including a writer in New England, a literacy interventionist in Colorado, a semiretired entrepreneur in Nashville and an events industry CEO in Northern New Jersey. (See all of the profiles here.)
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Each profile features one person or couple, who will always be completely anonymous to readers, answering questions to help our readers learn from their experience.
These features are intended to provide a window into how different people build their savings — they’re not intended to provide financial advice.
THE BASICS
How did you make your first $1 million?
We have been working with the U.S. government for the past 16 years, which has provided a stable foundation for our financial journey. When we first started, we weren’t maximizing our contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), but over time, we became more intentional and disciplined about increasing those contributions.
It took years of steady saving and consistent investing, and as a result, both of our TSP accounts recently surpassed the $1 million mark. This milestone represents years of patience, persistence and a commitment to long-term growth.
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In addition to our retirement and taxable brokerage accounts, we once owned three residential rental properties that provided a steady stream of income for about 10 years. Managing these properties was an important part of our financial strategy for a time, and they helped diversify our income beyond our government salaries.
However, as regulations and requirements changed in Florida, we made the decision to exit that business to better focus on other financial goals.
A significant part of our financial success is due to my wife’s remarkable dedication and financial discipline from a very young age. She started working at just 12 years old, babysitting neighbors and (the kids of) family friends, and by the time she graduated high school, she had already saved over $20,000.
That early foundation of hard work, saving and financial responsibility gave us a tremendous head start. With that strong beginning, we committed ourselves to intentional saving and investing, which enabled us to purchase those rental properties and build our wealth further.
Today, we have multiple financial accounts that are each valued at over $1 million. Our journey to this milestone has not been about luck or quick wins, but rather about steady progress, diversification and making wise financial decisions over time.
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Who says you can’t become a millionaire working for the federal government?!
What are you doing with the money?
With our first $1 million, we’ve stayed focused on continuing to build a strong financial foundation rather than making any major lifestyle changes. Right now, we’re saving toward a potential future home — or possibly an overseas residential opportunity, if the right door opens.
So far, we haven’t spent the money on anything extravagant or “fun” in the traditional sense. That said, we do value meaningful experiences. Travel is something we enjoy, and having financial margin allows us to explore new places without stressing over the small details.
We don’t overindulge in luxury, but we appreciate the freedom to travel comfortably and spend quality time together.
We also believe in giving back. We make charitable contributions regularly and view generosity as an important part of our financial life.
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For us, this first $1 million isn’t about reward or status — it’s about continuing to make wise decisions, staying prepared for what’s ahead and using what we’ve been entrusted with in a thoughtful and purposeful way.
THE FUN STUFF
Did you do anything to celebrate?
Nothing out of the ordinary. We saw it more as a milestone along the journey rather than a reason for a big celebration. It reinforced our commitment to staying disciplined and focused on our long-term goals.
Does anyone know you’re a millionaire?
For us, it’s a private milestone, and we prefer to keep our financial matters personal. Our focus is more on continuing to manage and grow what we have rather than broadcasting it.
What is the best part of making $1 million?
The best part of making $1 million is the peace of mind and financial stability it brings. It creates a safety net that allows us to handle emergencies without stress, provides comfort and options in how we live and opens doors to opportunities we might not otherwise have.
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Beyond that, it gives us the ability to leave a meaningful legacy for our family and contribute generously to causes we care about.
Did your life change?
Making $1 million brought a significant sense of financial security and peace of mind. It didn’t change our lives overnight, but it gave us greater confidence to make decisions without constant worry about money.
It allowed us to focus more on experiences, family and long-term goals rather than day-to-day financial stress.
The milestone also reinforced the value of discipline and patience in building wealth.
Any plans to retire early?
I’m aiming to retire from the U.S. government within the next five years and transition into the private sector.
My wife is happy in her career, so we’re balancing our plans accordingly.
Ideally, we’re open to living overseas and are excited to see what opportunities may present themselves in the future.
LOOKING BACK
Anything you would do differently?
If we had to do it over again, one thing we might focus on more intentionally is maximizing our retirement contributions earlier on.
When we first started, we weren’t taking full advantage of the Thrift Savings Plan, and increasing those contributions sooner could have accelerated our growth.
In general, we really began focusing on generating wealth around age 30. Life has certainly included ups and downs, but we’ve been blessed to stay as consistent as possible through it all. That consistency and perseverance have been key factors in reaching our financial milestones.
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We also might have started investing in diversified assets a bit earlier, beyond just our government benefits and real estate, to further spread risk and capture growth opportunities.
That said, every step we took taught us valuable lessons and helped us build a solid foundation. We’re grateful for the discipline and patience we developed along the way.
Ultimately, the journey has shaped our values around saving, giving and planning well for the future.
What would you tell your younger self about making $1 million?
I would have started saving and investing sooner, because I know that even small amounts invested consistently can grow tremendously thanks to compound interest.
Building wealth is a marathon, not a sprint.
The most predictable manner is to stay disciplined even when progress seems slow or markets fluctuate.
Did you read any financial books that helped you on your journey?
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey and hundreds of articles from Kiplinger magazine and Morningstar.
Did you work with a financial adviser?
I’ve consulted with several financial advisers and studied the advice of others along the way. I’m especially grateful for the guidance provided by Larry Burkett, Dave Ramsey and resources like Kiplinger magazine, all of which have offered valuable insights to help shape my financial decisions.
Did anyone help you early on?
Larry Burkett and Dave Ramsey have provided invaluable financial wisdom rooted in practical principles and biblical stewardship.
Larry Burkett was a pioneer in Christian financial counseling, offering guidance that emphasized living within means, avoiding debt and giving generously.
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Dave Ramsey built on these principles with clear, step-by-step plans for getting out of debt, budgeting and building wealth, all grounded in personal responsibility and faith.
I first started working with their teachings because I wanted a financial approach that aligned with my values — one that balanced wise money management with purposeful generosity. Their straightforward, faith-based advice gave me a solid foundation and practical tools to take control of my finances and work toward long-term stability.
LOOKING AHEAD
Plans for your next $1 million?
Fortunately, we have already reached our next $1 million, and if history is any indication, we expect to achieve many more millions before we officially and completely retire.
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Our focus remains on steady growth, smart investing and maintaining financial discipline to support our long-term goals and lifestyle.
Any advice for others trying to make their first $1 million?
Time and consistency are your greatest allies. Even modest, regular contributions to retirement or investment accounts can grow significantly over the years thanks to compound interest.
Keep your spending in check.
Prioritize saving and investing over immediate gratification.
Take full advantage of employer-sponsored plans like the Thrift Savings Plan or 401(k), especially if there’s a matching contribution.
Don’t rely on just one source of income or one type of investment. Explore different avenues — whether it’s real estate, stocks or side businesses — that fit your situation.
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Building wealth rarely happens overnight. Stay disciplined through market ups and downs and keep your long-term goals in focus. Learn the basics of personal finance and investing.
When needed, seek trusted advice from qualified professionals.
Cultivating a spirit of generosity not only blesses others but also helps maintain a healthy perspective about money.
I have always thought that everyone’s journey is unique. It’s important to focus on steady progress rather than quick wins and build habits that will sustain your wealth for a lifetime.
Do you have an estate plan?
Yes, we have an estate plan that includes a will, powers of attorney and a health care directive. In the event that both of us pass at the same time, a testamentary trust would be established for our minor children.
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We believe these elements are the most effective methods to secure our legacy and ensure our family is cared for according to our wishes.
What do you wish you’d known …
When you first started saving? I’ve always had the desire to save, but what’s been most important to me is understanding the reasons behind the savings and having clear goals. Looking back, I wish I had known more about the power of starting early and how compound interest can significantly grow your savings over time.
Also, understanding different investment options and how to balance risk with growth would have been valuable from the start.
When you first started working with a financial professional? I have inquired with a few financial advisers, but at this time, I’m choosing to delay working with one until I’m confident about the relationship and the value it brings.
When you first started investing? When I first started investing, I wish I had understood that sometimes doing nothing is the best course of action.
It’s important to have a well-diversified portfolio and to prioritize maxing out tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s.
Patience and discipline often outweigh frequent trading or trying to time the market.
If you have made $1 million or more and would like to be anonymously featured in a future My First $1 Million profile, please fill out and submit this Google Form or send an email to MyFirstMillion@futurenet.com to receive the questions. We welcome all stories that add up to $1 million or more in your accounts, although we will use discretion in which stories we choose to publish, to ensure we share a diversity of experiences. We also might want to verify that you really do have $1 million. Your answers may be edited for clarity.
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