Have you ever looked at your bank account and wondered what it would feel like to be financially free? Not just free from debt—but free to live the life you want, without being tethered to a job you don’t love?

That’s exactly what Shang Saavedra has achieved. By the age of 39, she and her husband had grown their net worth to over $2 million. She now lives a “work-optional” lifestyle in Southern California with her family, proving that wealth isn’t just a number. It’s a mindset.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Shang on the podcast recently, where she opened up about her journey from burnout to financial freedom. She’s the founder of Save My Cents and the author of the new book, Wealth is a Mindset. Her story is inspiring, actionable, and a wake-up call for anyone who thinks millionaire status is out of reach.

Let’s unpack how Shang Saavedra did it—and how you can too.

The Motivation: From Teenage Revenge to Financial Freedom

For Shang, the early motivation to build wealth wasn’t what you might expect. It was rooted in pain. She shared, “I was actually bullied extensively as a child. I literally wrote in my high school diary, ‘I'm going to get back at everyone by becoming rich.’”

What started as a revenge fantasy evolved into something much deeper. After college and a few years in the workforce, Shang started questioning the corporate hustle. “Eventually, I realized wealth could bring financial freedom to do whatever I want. It’s not just about a vanity number.”

This mindset shift laid the groundwork for her family’s financial game plan.

The Plan: Living on One Income and Saving the Rest

One of the most practical strategies Shang and her husband used? Living on one income and saving the other. “We lived off of the lower salary and saved the higher one,” she said. “That was more than $100,000 a year going into retirement and investing accounts.”

They kept that up for five years, all while bringing their own financial wins into the marriage. Both were already serious savers before tying the knot, which helped accelerate their path to financial independence.

If you’re thinking, “I could never do that,” remember: It starts with knowing your numbers.

Use a tool like Empower to track your net worth and monitor your progress toward financial goals. Shang Saavedra was religious about understanding where every dollar went—and that awareness gave her the power to change her future.

What Did They Do for Work?

Shang’s professional background includes grueling 70–90 hour weeks in management consulting, paired with a wedding photography side hustle. Her husband also worked in a high-paying field.

“Consulting is like being a highly paid researcher,” she explained. “You're compensated very well, and as you rise in seniority, the pay—especially the bonuses—increase significantly.”

They weren’t partners in their firms, but they still cleared well over $200,000 a year combined.

The Portfolio: Stocks, Real Estate, and Cash

So what does a $2 million net worth look like in practice?

“The greater part of our assets sit in the stock market, mostly in low-cost index funds,” Shang said.

They also own a home in Manhattan, although they plan to sell it and exit real estate altogether. And interestingly, they don’t own in Southern California where they now live.

“Renting just makes more sense for us right now,” she explained. “A lot of people don’t realize that homeownership often costs more when you factor in everything—mortgage, taxes, repairs, insurance.”

Shang also emphasized the importance of a large emergency fund—at least one year’s worth of expenses in cash. “Because I’m not working right now, it creates more risk. If my husband lost his income, a job search at his level would take time.”

Liabilities: Keeping Debt Low

Shang and her husband maintain a small mortgage on their New York property, but that’s it. “We’re basically debt-free aside from that small mortgage,” she said.

By keeping their liabilities low, they’ve been able to direct more money into investments that build long-term net worth.

Generational Wealth: It’s About More Than Money

Shang and her husband also have kids—and yes, college is already funded. “We opened 529 plans before we even had kids. Starting early gave the investments more time to grow.”

But beyond money, Shang believes the real legacy is in teaching strong money habits. “Generational wealth is more about behaviors than dollars,” she said. “If your kids don’t know how to manage money, whatever you give them will disappear fast.”

Their oldest is just five, but he already gets an allowance and is learning that toys cost money. That early exposure is key.

Future Goals: Impact Over Income

Today, Shang runs Save My Cents, an educational platform where she shares content, courses, and now a book.

“I run it as a business, less for income and more for impact,” she explained. “And I charge for it because when people get something for free, they don’t use it. When they invest in it, they act on it.”

Health insurance is one of the few reasons her husband continues working in corporate. With chronic health conditions in the family, it’s a critical benefit.

Otherwise, Shang is focused on raising her kids and spreading her message. “My goal is to help people find joy in managing their finances. Money doesn’t have to be scary.”

The First Step? Change Your Mindset

When I asked Shang what advice she’d give someone who’s inspired by her story and wants to get started, she didn’t offer a savings hack or investment tip. She offered a mindset shift.

“If your first thought is, ‘That could never be me,’ then you’re right—it won’t be,” she said. “But if you ask, ‘What can I take from this to apply to my own life?’ that’s how the journey begins.”

That quote stuck with me.

And it’s also the heartbeat of her book, Wealth is a Mindset, where she dives deeper into the beliefs that either build net worth—or block it.

Final Thoughts

Shang Saavedra’s story proves that wealth isn’t about being born into money or getting lucky. It’s about intentionality, mindset, and consistent action over time.

Want to start your own net worth-building journey? Take a page from Shang’s playbook and start by tracking your net worth. It’s the clearest way to see where you stand and what steps to take next.

Use Empower to get started today—it’s free, easy to use, and the first step toward financial clarity.

Then pick up Shang’s book, Wealth is a Mindset, for more inspiration and practical strategies.

The sooner you start believing it’s possible, the sooner it becomes real.

---

What do you think of the story of Shang Saavedra? Are you working on growing your net worth?

Please let us know in the comments below.

---