Yes — in 2019, our household’s net worth grew faster from index investing than it ever did from my paycheck, even though I spent the entire year at home instead of working a traditional job. It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s the direct result of compounding returns, a market that climbed 28%, and a deliberate decision to prioritize time over a second income. Here’s what that year actually looked like, the numbers behind it, and what I’d tell anyone considering the same leap.
It’s been a little more than a year since I stepped away from full-time work, so this is my honest reflection on how the first full year at home actually went — financially, personally, and everywhere in between.
A Year of Firsts: What Life Without a 9-to-5 Looked Like
Leaving a traditional job opened up space for experiences I had genuinely missed while working. Some firsts were small and physical; others reshaped how I think about time.
- Sleep, finally. I used to be up at 5:30–5:45am. Now I sleep until 6:45am, with enough breathing room afterward to catch up on Netflix before getting the kids to school.
- 100% parenting. I experienced full-time parenting for the first time in my life. I loved parts of it and, honestly, I’m willing to let go of others. It was something I needed to try, since I felt I’d missed out on it while working.
- New destinations. We traveled to places that had been on our list for years — Costa Rica, Hawaii, Yosemite, and San Diego — and we’re hoping to keep that momentum going in 2020.
- A new side hustle. I started my own dog boarding and dog walking business, which took off faster and better than I ever expected.
- Started this blog. I haven’t always been disciplined about publishing, but writing has been fulfilling and challenging in ways I didn’t anticipate.
The Numbers: How We Grew Net Worth Without a Paycheck
This is the part people usually ask about first: how do you grow wealth while not working? For us, it came down to three things — decluttering for cash, capturing free money through sign-up bonuses, and letting index investing do the heavy lifting.
Neither of us held a traditional full-time job all year, yet our net worth reached a new high — up 28% compared to 2018. That’s the power of compounding and index investing at work, not a fluke. We also spent double what we did in 2018 on travel — proof that stepping back from work didn’t mean stepping back from living.
The Struggles Behind the Scenes
It wasn’t all wins. A year at home surfaced some real friction points worth naming honestly, because glossing over them wouldn’t be useful to anyone considering this path.
Routines are harder to build than I expected. I wanted a morning routine with meditation, exercise, a gratitude journal, and a plan for the day, but I struggled to stick with it. Hearing James Clear discuss Atomic Habits on the ChooseFI podcast — his idea of improving 1% every day and letting it compound over the long run — pushed me to start an exercise routine in 2020 that I’m actually enjoying so far.
I waffled on going back to work. After a lot of reflection, I recognized that I need a job for a sense of security. I worry the market is due for a downturn, and I’d like capital ready to invest if that happens — a job would help with that. I also miss the feeling of achievement and the social camaraderie of a workplace.
Healthcare costs changed my math. As my parents have aged, medical bills have started coming in, and I’ve realized I need a lump sum set aside for emergency health expenses. Combined with a few other rising costs, this made me realize I had underestimated my FI number.
Lessons for Anyone Considering a Year at Home
If you’re weighing a similar step back from full-time work, here’s a practical checklist based on what we learned:
- ✅ Build a cushion beyond the standard 25x rule. We’re now targeting a 30x multiple of annual expenses instead of 25x, to cover kids’ college costs, 2–3 used cars over a lifetime, weddings, and healthcare.
- ✅ Budget for a health emergency fund. Aging parents and rising medical costs can appear with little warning — plan a dedicated lump sum for this.
- ✅ Expect the “should I go back to work” question to resurface. Wanting security, achievement, or social connection doesn’t mean you failed at stepping back — it means you’re being honest with yourself.
- ✅ Start small habits before you expect big discipline. A full daily routine (meditation, journaling, exercise, planning) is a lot to adopt at once. Improving 1% at a time is more sustainable.
- ✅ Look for low-effort income streams. Decluttering and credit card sign-up bonuses added over $4,000 in “free money” for us in a single year.
- ✅ Consider a side hustle tied to something you enjoy. Our dog boarding and walking business grew faster than expected because it fit naturally into our new schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really possible to grow your net worth without working?
Yes, if your investments are already positioned to compound — for us, index investing did the heavy lifting during a year the market rose 28%. This isn’t guaranteed every year, but it illustrates how a strong FI foundation can outperform active income in a good market year.
Do you regret leaving traditional work?
Not exactly, but I’ve realized I still crave the security, achievement, and camaraderie a job provides. That’s why 2020 planning includes revisiting whether some form of work belongs in the picture.
What would you change about your FI number in hindsight?
I’d build in more cushion from the start. Moving from a 25x to a 30x expense multiple accounts for healthcare, aging parents, college costs, and other expenses that are easy to underestimate early on.
Looking Ahead to 2020
As I move into 2020, I’m hoping to spend more time on my health, reading, and personal growth. I want to catch some live concerts — Billie Eilish, Maroon 5, and others on the list. I’m also hoping to visit Portugal and take some scouting trips to Ventura, California, Austin, and Portland to explore whether geographic arbitrage makes sense for our family.
Curious How the Numbers Actually Work?
See the exact strategies behind our early retirement math and how compounding made this year possible.
