A myth about the people going after financial independence is that they're all dudes in high paying tech jobs.

Penny defies all those stereotypes. Her and her husband are teachers on the path to financial independence. It's almost as far from high paid tech bro as you can get! They live simply and cheaply after getting their finances off on the wrong foot. Literally. Penny had a problem buying designer shoes.

In this episode she covers their shift in mindset about their finances, their debt pay down strategies, how much debt they've paid off so far, and how they're living simply to do so.

You'll love their story!

We also chat about...

Mindful consumerism
Funny looking veggies
Low cost cell carriers
Penny's timeline to FIRE

Enjoy this chat with Penny, and please subscribe to us in iTunes if you enjoyed it!

Show notes and links from today's episode

Imperfect Produce - $10 OFF first box
Turo - rent your car out
Instant Pot
Boost mobile
Google FI
Penny's Blog
Penny's Twitter

Key takeaways from our chat with Penny
1 - It all started with Jimmy Choos
Penny was getting paid decently for a first year teacher and side hustling like crazy. The money was rolling in and she was thrilled at 22. So thrilled, that she went out and spent the first $800 on a pair of silver Jimmy Choo shoes for her wedding.

She had the income part down, but needed to work on the spending side.
2 - They've paid off $$$$ in debt on $ income
Penny and her husband doubled down and paid off a TON of debt in the last few years. All of the side hustle money they earned went to pay down debt. Side note - all of this debt is their mortgage debt. They decided they didn't like having that money hanging over their head, so they buckled down and are trying to pay down the mortgage.

2015 - $24,000

2016 - $27.000

2017- $30,000

That is some super impressive debt pay down numbers on a double teacher salary.
3 - They don't eat like crazy
One of the reasons they've managed to pay off so much debt is the food they eat. They eat the same thing every day (almost) for breakfast and dinner. This allows more variety for dinner meals. Their grocery bills average $200-$250 a month!

They also garden and eat well from what they grow in the background.

Keeping their food costs low is important as Penny's salary is completely maxed out. Her students might mock the peanut & jelly sandwhiches for lunch, but Penny will get the last laugh!
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