Early Retirement at 36 with Just 4 Rental Properties

Early retirement was a goal for today’s guest, Antoinette Munroe, the moment she started making money. Her money journey started in second grade when she sold her Halloween candy for extra cash. By high school, she graduated to selling a wide variety of different things and even started her own distribution network with her cousins at their respective schools.
By the time she got to college, her main focus was staying out of trouble, avoiding debt and saving. It wasn’t until her last semester of grad school that she had to take out loans. After graduation, her priorities shifted, and she got a job to pay off her debt. Starting with her first check at her new job, she laid out her budget ABCs. Her ABCs follow a simple principle; automation, balance, and consistency. And after two years, she paid off her $27,000 debt!
In 2015 she decided to start looking for a home, and by the end of 2015, she purchased one. She did a complete rehab on the house while also adding an addition in hopes of getting rid of her expenses to achieve her ultimate goal of not having to work. She put the finished addition on Airbnb, and it now cash flows and pays her expenses. After she realizing the power of real estate investing to build net worth and generate wealth, she did this three more times and now owns four cash-flowing properties. She is now retired and lives the free life of leisure she always envisioned for herself.
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Connect with Antoinette on BiggerPockets:
www.biggerpockets.com/users/a...
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Paying Off Debt (& Avoiding Debt Relapse):
www.biggerpockets.com/blog/bi...
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9 Ways to Save Money You Have Probably Never Tried:
www.biggerpockets.com/blog/wa...
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12 Sneaky Habits That Kill Your Budget in the Night:
www.biggerpockets.com/blog/sn...
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Follow Antoinette on Social Media:
Instagram: @fearlessandfreefi or / fearlessandfreefi
Tiktok: @fearlessandfreefi or / fearlessandfreefi
Facebook: @fearlessandfreefi or / fearlessandfreefi
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Episode 295
Show notes at: www.biggerpockets.com/blog/mo...
00:00 Intro
03:20 The Beginning of Her Money Journey
09:54 Paying Off College Debt
14:48 Quitting Her Job & Buying Her First Property
23:05 Using Airbnb to Generate Passive Income
26:28 Buying Her 2nd and 3rd Property
32:11 Her Journey as a Real Estate Investor
40:34 Her Retired Day to Day Life
44:52 Her Next Steps
47:00 Famous Four

[@allisonquinteros1969]

By far my favorite episode. So much to love here, especially being content in what she has and living below her means.

[@DionTalkFinancialFreedom]

Beautiful “If it was in a 401k I would still be working”

[@lucasp1185]

omg..I thought it was wrong to feel like this...I also just want to be freepreneur....I have not interest in being an entrepreneur....

[@lucasp1185]

@@rafaelw8115 well not according to Brandon Turner.

[@lucasp1185]

@@rafaelw8115 what are you talking about ..the are systems you can use or implement to take care of that like for example a property manager for rent collection/repairs..by using your own logic it would impossible to have more than 5 properties let alone have them in a different states....

[@hhhoneycomb]

yes me too love

[@thegreat9481]

@@rafaelw8115 duh you’re less likely to cashflow if you got one door per property lmfao

[@509travel8]

@@rafaelw8115 great insights

[@gethome1306]

Very intelligent and great decision maker from a young age! No wonder she's retired!! Also, she's beautiful and does NOT look 36, SOO well done!

[@Ken309]

This is exactly how I feel about life, all I want is freedom. Still on my journey in the workforce but hopefully soon I will be able to break free! 🙏🏾

[@prettynestd]

To have this mindset in your early 20s is amazing!

[@darienfowler8102]

I pray my daughter grows up to be this smart and wise. She inspires me as a parent.

[@Llama_vet]

This sister is a queen and she earned that title. I’m rocking with her!

[@michellewright99]

Wow. I love that she added "strategic doors" and kitchenettes to maximize the houses and she has flexible terms that work for everyone involved. Love it.

[@verb0ze]

her systems to keep herself in check are impresive! I love her "shopping therapy". It takes extreme discipline to stay committed to a crafted vision of the future! Also, her smarts in leveraging debt is off the charts. most people would have fumbled this. I think her secret is her ability to live on very little, and do away with the uncessary luxuries most of us tend to sink our dollars in.

[@jacqueline8566]

Antoinette did what im tryna do 😭 This was the video I needed to hear

[@cvzphotography]

Move back in with your parents and don't pay anything for rent, food and utilities! Save everything for the down payment on your first deal. ✨️

[@jacqueline8566]

@@cvzphotography lol it’s true. i lived with them from 2015-2020. Until my dad kicked me out in Mar 2020, while my mom had stage 4 lung cancer, because of the pandemic fear. My mom passed so no way im going back. But I live in my primary residence now & my salary is high by God’s grace & i’m single. So looking to buy a second with money saved up. God is merciful bc of His son Jesus Christ.

[@cvzphotography]

@@jacqueline8566 keep grinding. You got it!

[@johnpyejr.5670]

This young lady is so fricken smart!..Awesome interview. I'm so inspired.

[@fearlessandfreefi]

🥰

[@violetsinclairerealtor]

Wow! This is by far my most favorite podcast from BP about a creative, relatable, and down to earth individual. Truly an inspiring journey and please keep us posted about Antoinette's future endeavors!

[@fearlessandfreefi]

Your words mean the world Violet, having an impact is what it's all about. Thank you for the love.

[@Nemo0610]

Antoinette is so dope with an amazing story. I will teach this to my future kids... as Dave Ramsey said.. she lived like no one elso, so now she can live like no one else. Such an inspiration.

[@caleberwin65]

I love her philosophy. Couldn’t agree more with her opening statement.

[@shesfabulouz]

FAMU producing some of the best people. Congratulations Antoinette! #Rattlerpride

[@fearlessandfreefi]

🐍🐍🐍

[@pablogomez631]

Charming, smart, and surprisingly so humble guest. Great podcast, and great guest choice.

[@sandrawithoutborders5631]

She’s definitely a rockstar. Her approach is so inspiring.

[@YusefWakeel]

This is so inspiring 🙏🏾 currently 22 rn have no debt. First goal is to help my parents pay off their mortgage and then I want to get my own property

[@MrWaterbugdesign]

I retired 20 years ago at 45 with $100k cash and no passive income. Took me a while to figure out but got spending down to $600/mo.

[@teresariordan3397]

How?

[@308KingsRoad]

♨️Your time-line is my goal , I'm just figuring it out now I'm a bit late at 40 but this is my goal 20yrs

[@Nola1176]

My hero!! Are you living in the US or abroad?

[@HostileGingerATL]

Unless he has a way to multiply it, he’ll be back to work before retirement age.

[@verb0ze]

Invest the money, live rent/mortgage-free, live a modest life. My guess is some inheritance in real-estate, or a partner who's still working. And probably lives in a lcol area. Def missing details here, because even investing 100k, you are barely making that 600/month.

[@TheRetirementality]

Another great story about someone who is crushing it with just a few properties. I think these stories are more relatable. Maybe I'm biased because its similar to my story, but she is awesome.

[@shelleyhuskey1870]

Nice post! Loved it!!!

[@1Fit2ATee]

Thank you Bigger Pockets & Antoinette for all of this great information as well as the encouragement. I'm so ready to airbnb some properties right now. Antoinette your skin is flawlessly beautiful.

[@reubenflores8]

Antoinette is a great story teller, very inspiring

[@The_Bronze_Spoon_Investor]

Great perspective thanks for sharing 👍

[@falsificationism]

Woah...watching this in September 2022. Half expecting her to be a billionaire by now. "Smart" doesn't do your guest justice...she's absolutely brilliant. I'm a social neuroscientist who studies the ways we control our emotions (e.g., cognitively, socially, etc.) and she strikes me as someone who had adequate childhood nutrition, stable social relations etc...resulting in a GREAT deal of executive control. Most college kids are simply not prepared to face the onslaught of propagandistic and predatory marketing. Brava, Antoinette!

[@desievans6498]

Wow, this story gives me hope! Thank you!

[@YasinNabi]

Thanks for the share.... so good to watch such a nice video... liked !....

[@CC-iy4xq]

Amazing. So inspiring! Thank you for sharing your journey

[@clarebear9263]

Thank you for this episode. This is so much more relatable.

[@labellt9717]

Gr8t Focus! You have put the most important things first!

[@elyceturner1185]

Phenomenal story. Thanks for sharing 👍 😊

[@Tiflhughes]

Awesome episode!

[@Phyllisjordan2006]

Such an amazing story. Well done :)

[@CharlaMalloy]

I LOVE THIS INFORMATION!!!! THANK YOU!!

[@edwardr.gheraii4716]

Fantastic interview!

[@daltondrake3118]

Awesome!!!!! Great family behind you to cheer you on. Love it

[@rachelbey6150]

Thanks for POWERFUL PRESENTATION!

[@hughesj3911]

This is such an awesome story!

[@learnwithlashaye5872]

Love this interview!

[@kiawilson1628]

Really really great!!!! I just shared this interview with my daughter!!!!! GREAT!!!!!!

[@debrahuynh4574]

Thanks for sharing your inspirational story

[@latoyajuniel3604]

I love every second of this interview!

[@caimbeauty9628]

Great conversation!

[@norastocks5510]

ooooo....thank you so much for the healthcare policy tip. Been trying to figure that aspect.

[@jjohnson2912]

Absolutely amazing and awe inspiring.

[@courageoustracian]

I'm so inspired. Great source of information. Thanks 😊 much

[@TJ-th9hw]

This is a very inspiring interview. Thanks so much!

[@shana5300]

Great episode!!!

[@ashleypaigeb09]

She's killing it! Very inspiring!!

[@kocs98]

This was an awesome story to listen to ........it made me feel really good.

[@kwud93]

I am starting with my first airbnb property and I am glad you all touched on how a lot of the shows only focus on people that have 100 units or 60 cars on turo. I would love to just get to 4/5, figure out how it all works and then be free of my 9-5. I can then determine if I want more as I don't really want to "retire" just yet.

[@alp.9672]

AirBnB TikTokers ruined it. They got it so hyped and many homes in big cities are just sitting as Airbnb rentals. Going to hurt when people cut travel and they get stuck with the mortgage. What a huge bubble Airbnb has become.

[@fearlessandfreefi]

Thank you for the kind words, one year later how goes the process of focusing on your freedom ?

[@dobusinesslikeawoman]

Brilliant! So inspiring. Thanks.

[@vicneshkeysightscope1775]

This is awesome! Great job, Antoinette!

[@RidleyE]

THIS IS THE EPISODE FOR ME!!

[@thelyricistful]

She has given great content, well explained it sounds possible for anyone willing to put in the work!

[@zionrose007]

This segment is so inspiring.

[@celsomatos8375]

Best show. She's amazing!!

[@ladymikki02]

Wonderful tips, Antoinette!

[@byronrogers4489]

Great video. I'm from Memphis and live in the area still, but will be in FL or somewhere near a beach when I'm done with my job. Congratulations.

[@ama4046]

What a great episode. Good job sourcing this woman. Excellent excellent content.

[@itsvangieworld1857]

This is what hard work and a great foundation get you!! Congratulations 🎊

[@katrinagay7283]

This episode is EVERYTHING!!! Loved it and on the same journey now! Good luck and continued success to her and everyone 💯💗🤜🤛😉

[@itsdmariesmith2073]

This was a very inspiring video.

[@BrittneySharde15]

She is so amazing!! Definitely getting these points on paper for not only for myself to implement but for my teens and preteen to learn!!!!

[@callmekells802]

Love these ladies. You guys are great mentors!! And Scott! We need you!!

[@ChristinaFashion.]

So inspiring thank you 🙏

[@selfishgirlsgofirst]

All I can say is well done sis 👏🏾👏🏾. I am so inspired 🥰

[@HugoFlores-nb9wv]

Thank you so much guys..That was an amazing story. Greetings from Guadalajara Jalisco México

[@randyparlor5953]

Good podcast and guest! I would like to have known the total amount of oustanding debt remaining on each property, her mortgage payments on each property, how much of the cash flow she lives on, how much she saves or invests each month, and what her plan would be for covering her monthly mortgage payments if all of a sudden the market was upended (2008 housing bubble, 2020-2021 eviction moratorium, etc.) and she was not receiving the bulk of AirBnB bookings and rental income she's used to receiving, and had her equity loans cancelled.

[@grouphuff]

Excellent interview with Antoinette! She is doing things the right way.

[@audreayoung7527]

Wow! it's a blessing to come across your channel....what have I been missing....(everything I guess) Thank you...I am 49 and feels like I am running out of time....and desire to learn more.

[@financialfreedommindset8377]

Great interview. Realistic, hard work, and great discipline. Very encouraging 👍

[@israelmarius454]

This is an inspiring story. But I was discouraged of her starting salary. How someone with an MBA be paid that low--$50k? She has done well to get out of it.

[@therichrn]

that was over 15 yrs ago, today, thats a 73k starting salary

[@israelmarius454]

@@therichrn, I would agree with you. However, even $73k today for an MBA is still very low. Will you take $73k as a starting salary for an MBA? I wouldn't!

[@KayGee_yt]

Recent grad here. I have friends in various medical fields, accounting, I'm a graphic designer, engineering so on and so forth. Most starting salaries are 30-65k straight out of school. It kinda sucks but it's where we're at rn

[@beatricerights]

@@israelmarius454 It was also in Florida. Also, note it was a sales job and she was probably getting commissions and bonuses.

[@Hidden2u]

@@therichrn She also had no working experience-most ppl with MBAs have 2-3 years full time working experience

[@andratoma9834]

Your guest is AWSOME!

[@cynthiawhittley4044]

Loved this episode. So inspiring and thank you Antoinette for sharing your success with us.

[@newbiemaddie]

Wonderful interview. Love the way she thinks.

[@Ohole]

She is AMAZING!!!

[@whoknew5940]

I love it! This is EXACTLY how I want to be. Financially free. Good for You and best of continued success. 😊

[@bigcitymao4657]

Great interview super inspiring 🔥🔥🔥🔥💯💯🙏🙌🏆

[@destinyinvest364]

Wow Congratulations Queen

[@tamiajae9465]

ROCKSTAR..SWEETHEART. SO HAPPY for You, THANK YOU for sharing, and SO HAPPY I came across your TITLE..

[@joshmiller4152]

This lady is awesome! I love her high brow strategy to win with money!

[@crystalraeproductions1505]

She's so smart! Lovely interview.

[@pam6367]

Antoinette is doing her thing! I Really enjoyed listening. Simple strategies and prioritizing money goals is my right now goal.

[@alex_la_fantastica1632]

This lady is awesome. Love her success story. ❤ great inspiration

[@lindaandai1184]

I love her answer.... Candid honest and it has worked for her. Proud of you.

[@lindal2055]

Awesome fellow rattler!!! So cool to hear this story from Famuly. A person after my own heart!!

[@MysterSer333]

I'm a Tallahassee local -- awesome to hear a rattler's story on my favorite podcast!

[@erickacole3818]

Love this. Go Rattlers! Unfortunately I gave my actual info for those credit cards during college. Amazing story.

[@tonyl6385]

Great young women, a power of example. Mind blowing how wise you were from a young age. God bless you, your business and family.

[@chinwemaduka2430]

Great job girl. You rock. 💪

[@RommanysWorld]

Antoinette, I love listening to your real estate investment story! Congratulations on your early retirement. 🤗

[@richardjudge2322]

Entrepreneurship start when you young. Growth!! Good stuff

[@jamescc2010]

Sharing with my kids, hope to start sooner or later. We need to find freedom (be own boss and have free time)soon in which I did not focus when I was younger.

[@slf5141]

i can relate to this woman so much in regards to her real estate portfolio...i have my own home and have also one rental property ..want to continue to get at least 2 more.. and be able to retire from my job. Bravo to you young lady!

[@fdoctor79]

Freedom-neurs, Yes! Congrats and continued success with your endeavors, Antoinette!

[@tiffanymitchell-ross6902]

Excellent! I have enjoyed the content, very knowledgeable. This material was very interesting 🤔 made me think how to better my life. Set for Life, is where I need to be. God bless have a great day!

[@susansholisticlifestyle4572]

Yes!!! Please continue to share all the info of a first time home owner!!! Next year I hope to buy my first home.

[@TyroneSuttonSteadyFlippin]

The name of the game is FREEDOM!!! Antoinette keep crushing it!!!