Most people believe you need a six-figure income to build wealth. Brittany Flammer, a financial coach, YouTuber, and mom of five, proves otherwise.

With her husband, a high school teacher, Brittany has grown her family’s net worth to $858,000 by age 39. They did this all while averaging just $40,000 in annual household income for nearly two decades.

How did they do it? Through consistent saving, smart investing, and a clear focus on financial freedom.

In our conversation, Brittany shared the strategies and mindset shifts that allowed her family to thrive, even on a modest income.

Why She Started Building Wealth

Like many young couples, Brittany Flammer and her husband began their marriage without much financial knowledge.

“We got married, and neither of us really knew how to manage money. We had student loans, we had a car payment, and we were just figuring things out as we went.”

Her motivation for change came from something simple but powerful: peace of mind.

“Initially, it was just because I wanted to sleep at night. There is security with having some money in the bank. I’ve always loved having a plan — and the budget is just a plan.”

That plan gave her family a sense of control over life’s inevitable surprises. Over time, though, the motivation expanded.

“In the bigger picture, it’s more for financial freedom. We love to travel, and we want to be able to do that with our kids without being tied to a job we don’t love.”

Building Wealth on $40,000 a Year

The Flammers didn’t have the advantage of a high salary.

“For the first 18 years of marriage, our average income was about $37,000 a year. My husband is a teacher, and I was a stay-at-home mom until just a few years ago.”

Despite that, their net worth steadily climbed. How? By spending less than they earn and saving consistently.

“It started off by spending less than we made. We never had any debt until we bought our house. We were both raised with great parents who set good examples. We always naturally saved, but we also used high yield savings accounts and invested as much as we could.”

Even when money was tight, they invested.

“When we were in the Peace Corps, they gave us $6,000 each when we finished. We invested that immediately. After that, sometimes it was only $20 a month, but we kept going.”

“It doesn’t have to be in the thousands. Even $20 a month adds up over time.”

Breaking Down Their Net Worth

So what does nearly a million dollars in net worth look like for Brittany’s family? Here’s the snapshot of their assets:

• Cash: $45,000 (emergency fund and sinking funds for travel and home projects)
• Investments: $245,000 (mostly Roth IRAs and 401(k)s)
• Home Equity: $675,000 (including a future $200,000 addition they’re cash-flowing)

Here’s the snapshot of their liabilities:

• Mortgage: $107,000 (their only debt)

That leaves them with a total net worth of $858,000.

“It feels awesome. Not because of the dollar amount itself, but because of the freedom and security it represents.”

She set a goal to hit millionaire status before turning 40, and while their addition may push that milestone just past her birthday, the bigger picture is clear: they’ve built a strong foundation for long-term wealth.

Tracking her net worth has been a huge motivator along the way. If you’re not already tracking yours, Brittany suggests getting started today. Tools like Empower (formerly Personal Capital) make it easy to see all your accounts in one place and watch your progress toward financial freedom.

Teaching Their Kids About Money

With five children, Brittany is intentional about passing down good money habits.

“I want to raise independent kids who are capable. The most important thing is setting an example because they learn by what they see. Our kids watch us budget, make choices, and involve them in decisions.”

Their kids earn money through household jobs, allowance, and part-time work and then follow a simple system:

• 10% to giving
• 20% to long-term savings (like their 529 college accounts)
• The rest for spending

“Our oldest two even buy most of their own clothes. It’s painful as a parent sometimes, but I’d rather them make mistakes now with small amounts than later with big amounts.”

When it comes to college, the Flammers take a different approach.

“We’re not planning on paying for our kids’ college. We want them to have skin in the game. Both my husband and I paid for our own schooling, and it made us more motivated.”

Instead, their kids save in 529 accounts and focus on scholarships.

“It’s about teaching them responsibility and good decision-making.”

Giving Back Through Tithing

A cornerstone of Brittany’s financial philosophy is generosity.

“My husband and I pay a tithe to our church, and it’s something we’ve always done. The more we give, the more grateful we feel for what we have.”

Her children also practice giving.

“They sometimes grumble, but I want it to become a habit. Giving makes you appreciate what you have and helps you focus on what really matters.”

One Small Step You Can Take Today

What advice would Brittany give to someone inspired by her story?

“Just get started. There’s no one monumental step. It’s about baby steps. Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to do everything at once. Pick one thing — pay off a little debt, increase your investing just a bit, start an emergency fund. Just move in the right direction.”

Learn More From Brittany Flammer

Brittany shares monthly budget breakdowns, tutorials, and personal finance tips on her YouTube channel and through her website. Her approachable, real-life advice has inspired thousands of families to take control of their money.

Final Thoughts: Building Wealth on Any Income

Brittany Flammer’s story proves that wealth isn’t reserved for high earners. By focusing on saving, consistent investing, and teaching her kids strong money habits, she’s on track to hit millionaire status while living the life she loves.

If you want to start your own wealth-building journey, the best step you can take is to track your net worth. It’s exactly what Brittany did — and it’s what my wife and I used to grow from –$50,000 to over $1,000,000 in 10 years.

Start today with Empower’s free net worth tracker. It could be the first step toward your own financial freedom.

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