A decade ago, Anthony Drew Gary and his wife had just $5,000 to their name. Fast forward to today, and the Indiana couple has accumulated a net worth of approximately $1.3 million, a feat Gary attributes to an "incredibly average" path to wealth.

Their journey is a testament to prudent investments, strict budgeting, and a lifestyle that prioritizes financial freedom over luxury.

A Decade of Discipline
The Garys, now in their mid-30s, have followed a disciplined approach to money management. Despite never earning more than $200,000 annually between them, they have managed to grow their wealth steadily over the years. With two children and the rising cost of living in the U.S., maintaining their financial health required careful planning and consistent effort.

"We shop at Aldi," Gary shared. "We're doing enough things right to have a significant margin in our lives that 10 years of compounded efforts have put us on the fast track to where we want to be."

Strategic Choices in Career and Housing
After graduating debt-free from a public university, Gary began building his career in real estate, gradually moving up the ranks while negotiating pay increases. He eventually started his own brokerage and invested in rental properties, all while deliberately not maximizing their earnings to spend more time with their children.

Instead of opting for a larger home, the couple purchased a modest three-bed, two-bath house for $200,000 in suburban Indianapolis, focusing on financial flexibility rather than impressing others.

Avoiding Lifestyle Creep
To avoid the common pitfall of lifestyle inflation, the Garys adhered to a strict budget, took vacations during off-peak times, and participated in neighborhood clothing and toy swaps. Their approach was simple: live modestly without sacrificing quality of life.

"I play a lot of golf — I'll hit as many bad shots in a $100 polo as I do when wearing a $25 polo," Gary said. "My story is one of doing all the boring things right to set ourselves up for a wonderful life where depending on how much we want to spend in future years, we could likely be done working by 40, even with two children."

A Common Thread Among Millionaires
Gary's story mirrors that of many other Americans who have built wealth through diligent saving, smart investing, and modest living. For these individuals, flashy wealth is not the goal. Instead, financial freedom and the ability to choose how they live their lives are the ultimate rewards.

Xiao Yu, another suburban Indianapolis resident, reached financial independence with his wife in October 2023 after consistently saving 35% to 45% of their income and avoiding lifestyle creep. Like the Garys, Yu and his family live in a modest home, drive decade-old vehicles, and prioritize financial security over material possessions.

"We aren't flashy with our wealth because money isn't our ultimate goal — financial freedom to choose how we want to live is our goal," Yu said.

A Message of Hope
Gary's story offers hope and inspiration to many Americans who feel that wealth is unattainable. By making consistent, smart choices, even those with average incomes can achieve financial independence.

"It's just casual human nature: We think that wealth is somehow unattainable," said Lawrence Delva-Gonzalez, who grew his net worth from $150,000 in debt to $1.3 million in 12 years. "The more you do what you're supposed to do, the more you create opportunities to do what you want to do."

The Garys' journey from $5,000 to $1.3 million underscores that wealth-building doesn't require a windfall or an extraordinary career. Instead, it’s about making disciplined, smart choices and staying focused on long-term goals. For this Indiana couple, the future looks bright, with the possibility of early retirement and a life filled with choices they’ve worked hard to earn.