How This Couple Retired at 35 and 40 With £2.4M Using Extreme Saving
Alan and Katie retired at just 35 and 40 by following the Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) movement. Their strict budgeting and smart investments allowed them to leave work years ahead of most. Now, at 41 and 47, they travel in Colombia while sharing their financial journey online.
The couple started with £100 and turned it into £1 million in only five years. They achieved this by saving up to 81% of their income and living frugally—driving a small Skoda Citigo and renting a modest flat in Basingstoke. Their annual spending at the time was just £40,000.
Their strategy focused on saving 25 times their yearly expenses and investing in low-cost global tracker funds. Along the way, they made errors, such as putting money into property and Premium Bonds, but their overall approach paid off. Today, their 'freedom fund' stands at £2,453,612, even after accounting for losses from their free financial education course.
In 2023, Alan and Katie received the British Empire Medal (BEM) for their work in financial education through Rebel Finance School. Alan’s advice for those aiming to retire early is simple: 'Do something extraordinary to achieve extraordinary results.' Now, they spend more on travel and hobbies, enjoying the freedom their planning secured.
The couple’s disciplined approach allowed them to retire in their mid-30s and build a multimillion-pound fund. Their story highlights how extreme saving and investing can lead to financial independence far earlier than traditional retirement. They continue to share their methods while exploring new adventures abroad.
