Teacher hitting $250k at 39 - proof you don't need a huge salary
15 years of teaching math in public schools ($74k current salary). Started with $42k in student loans and a tiny apartment with two roommates. Finally hit a milestone I never thought possible on a teacher's salary.
Current breakdown:
- 403(b): $155,834.84
- Roth IRA: $29,194.73
- HSA: $5,167.85
- Individual Account: $8,883.46
- Emergency Fund: $51,223.67
- Total: $250,304.55
The first 8 years were brutal - living with roommates, working every summer school session I could get, and doing SAT prep on weekends. Started with just the minimum 403(b) match because of loan payments, but increased my contribution by 1% with every raise or extra tutoring client.
What that worked for me:
- Lived with roommates for 7 years to tackle loans aggressively
- Never skipped the 403(b) match, even during tight months
- Summer school every year ($6-7k extra annually)
- SAT prep classes on weekends
- Automatic investments from every paycheck
- Tracked every dollar (became oddly addicting)
- Used tax refunds for Roth IRA instead of spending them
- Built emergency fund before individual investing
Wish I'd started the HSA earlier - just opened that two years ago when our district changed healthcare plans. The individual account is mostly from tutoring money I didn't need for bills.
It's been a slow climb, especially those first 8 years paying off loans. But compound interest is finally working in my favor instead of against me.
Not a crazy portfolio by this sub's standards, but pretty proud considering where I started. Shows you don't need a tech salary or inheritance to build wealth - just patience and consistency.