Savings Tricks From Regular People Who Are Sitting on Millions
Saving $1 million is possible with good financial habits.
By Joel Anderson
One million dollars is a major milestone for almost anyone. It's the sort of nest egg that can fund a generous lifestyle in retirement or even build your dream home. However, for many, it's also a pipe dream. Understanding how to make a million dollars is a question for the wealthy, not the average American.
However, in many ways, that's a dangerous misconception. In fact, building up your savings to $1 million certainly isn't easy, but a lottery ticket or huge business deals aren't the only paths available. For plenty of people, smart budgeting, strategic investments and just good old-fashioned horse sense can combine to create the sort of habits that will put $1 million well within reach, even if you're living a relatively modest life.
If that seems implausible to you, it shouldn't -- especially after reading these real stories from a few normal people who have hit that $1 million goal. You'll probably notice an absence of lofty advice about sparking a huge windfall or a series of get-rich-quick schemes.
Instead, these people stress that the answer to the question of how to save a million dollars involves core financial habits, which are as valuable when you have $1 to your name as they are for those who have $1 million.
Carl Jensen, Blogger at 1500 Days to Freedom
Carl Jensen, the writer behind the blog 1500 Days to Freedom, has a net worth that is the source of considerable consternation for many of his neighbors who note his modest home and thrifty ways. However, Jensen puts his net worth at about $2.3 million, including approximately $1.8 million in investments.
"The best story about our situation is that a neighbor once told another neighbor that she thought we were poor because she saw me working on my car," Jensen said.
So how has Jensen managed to save that much money? He Made a Conscious Choice To Downsize
One big decision that Jensen cites as playing a crucial role was opting for a more modest home despite that it was significantly less impressive than where he had been living.
"We sold our $400,000, 4,500-square-foot home and moved to a Fannie Mae foreclosure that set us back $176,000," said Jensen. "Our family thought we were a bit crazy. The first home had four bedrooms and four bathrooms and was beautiful. The foreclosure had two bedrooms and one bathroom and was neglected and infested with ants. However, we went from a $250,000 mortgage and $3,500 in property taxes to a $136,000 mortgage and under $1,500 in taxes. We took our time fixing up the foreclosure and in the meantime invested all of the extra money."
Jensen also found that sticking with his 2003 Honda Element has been a major factor. It might have 200,000 miles on it, but it's completely paid off.
He Built Good Habits Into a Thrifty Lifestyle
To continue reading, please go to the original article here:
Tomorrow’s Election Changes Nothing About The National Debt
Notes From the Field By james Hickman (Simon Black/Sovereign Man) November 2, 2026
Johnny Moon was homeless and unemployed in the early 2000s. A high school dropout with a bad drug habit, Moon was hardly someone that banks would consider creditworthy.
And yet, over the course of a single year, he was able to borrow more than $600,000 to buy five different investment properties.
Rob Cunningham: Follow the Money
11-2-2026
No one hands over the world’s printing press voluntarily.
Start with one fact. The United States produces about 26% of world GDP, and the dollar is on one side of roughly 89.2% of foreign-exchange trades (BIS Triennial Survey). Whoever controls how dollars are issued, priced and settled controls the measure the largest economy on earth trades in, and through it the world’s trade.
$10,000 Gold, 10% Inflation: “Something Is Going to Break” | Vince Lanci
Miles Franklin Media: 1-11-2026
Michelle Makori, President & Editor-in-Chief of Miles Franklin Media, interviews Vincent Lanci, Publisher of GoldFix, Managing Partner at Echo Bay Partners, and Professor of Finance, about the sharp sell-off in gold and silver, growing risks in the U.S. financial system, and why he forecasts gold reaching $10,000 alongside 10% inflation within the next two to five years.
Lanci warns that cracks in credit markets, potential Treasury market instability, and the bursting of the AI bubble could force the Federal Reserve to reverse course even as inflation accelerates.
Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,
GLOBAL FINANCIAL STABILITY RESET WATCH: ECB WARNS OF AI VALUATION, BOND MARKET AND SHADOW BANK RISKS
The European Central Bank is highlighting vulnerabilities that could spread across markets as elevated technology valuations, bond-market pressures, and risks among nonbank financial institutions converge.
TNT:
Tishwash: Fahmi Burhan: The Kurdish regions are our strategic depth, and Article 140 is the basis for the solution.
The head of the General Authority for Kurdish Areas Outside the Region’s Administration, Fahmi Burhan, affirmed today, Sunday, November 1, 2026, that the Kurdish areas represent the strategic depth and national identity of the people of Kurdistan, stressing the need to address their issues based on the constitution, while warning at the same time of the negative repercussions of internal disputes in the region on the conditions of those areas.
During an interview on Kurdistan 24, Burhan said, "The Kurdish regions, especially Kirkuk, Khanaqin, Sinjar, Makhmur, and the Nineveh Plain, constitute the central issue and the strategic and historical depth of the Kurdish people," noting that the Kurds' struggle, revolutions, and diplomatic efforts over the past hundred years have focused on determining the fate of these regions.
Note: All intel should be considered as "Rumors" until we receive official announcements ...and “Rates and Dates” could change anytime until we get to the banks/redemption centers.
RV Excerpts From the Restored Republic via a GCR Update as of Tues. 2 Nov. 2026
Compiled Tues. 2 Nov. 2026 12:01 am EST by Judy Byington
FINAL HOURS: THE BRICS SETTLEMENT RAILS ARE LIVE …Christien B. Wallace Tier4b on Telegram Sun. 1 Nov. 2026
A sovereign trade coordination office sent an internal settlement confirmation through the encrypted channel. It said: “BRICS rails live. 41 nations. First settlement cleared in Rainbow Units. 19:00 UTC.”
Reset Intelligence: Iraq Vows to Close the Dollar Gap
11-2-2026 By Reset Intelligence | @EXIT_FIAT
On Sunday Iraq’s deputy prime minister, Mohammed Ali Tamim, went on state media with a promise about the dollar. The price on Baghdad’s street, he said, “will decline and come very close to the official exchange rate.” Then he added: “I take responsibility for these words.”
His reason is cash. Washington, he said, has decided to send $3 billion over 2 months, in 6 loads of about $500 million each. By his account the first arrived on Thursday and the second is due Monday.
CBI Reserves Top 113 Trillion Dinars After Devaluation
2026-11-02 Shafaq News- Baghdad The Central Bank of Iraq's (CBI) official reserves stood at about 113.991 trillion dinars (about $75 billion) on Oct. 15, 2026, up from 101.718 trillion dinars in September, according to the bank's financial indicators.
Good Morning Dinar Recaps,
GLOBAL ENERGY RESET WATCH: OPEC+ HOLDS OIL OUTPUT STEADY AS HORMUZ SHIPPING RISKS PERSIST
Seven key OPEC+ members have agreed to maintain December oil production targets as continued disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz keep global energy supplies, shipping costs, and market stability under pressure.
KTFA
Sunday Night Video
FRANK26….11-1-26….DOLLAR DYING
This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only
Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie and Omar in Iraq and guests
Playback Number: 605-313-5163 PIN: 156996#
Frank Giustra: Reckoning Upon Us as Global Debt Surpasses $365 TRILLION
Daniela Cambone: 10-31-2026
“You can’t change the course of history.” Join Daniela Cambone in Rome for an exclusive sit-down with Frank Giustra, as he connects today’s debt and currency risks to the fall of empires and shares how investors can prepare.
Clif High Warns of Banking System Collapse: Could Gold and Silver Benefit?
Capital Insight: 11-1-2026
This Capital Insight episode examines Clif High’s discussion of potential disruptions to the international banking system, sovereign debt, central banks, and the future of money.
High argues that established financial institutions could face significant disruption as the existing debt-based monetary system comes under pressure.
He also discusses how these changes could affect the broader economy, including the possibility of a downturn, and why he believes gold and silver could benefit from a potential restructuring of the financial system.
High’s prediction of a new asset-backed digital currency he calls the “Treasury Dollar”
"Countdown To Cutting Off Dealings With The International Development Bank": The US Treasury Extends The Deadline For Settling Financial Transactions Until December 1st.
The US Treasury Department announced an extension of the deadline for ending financial transactions with the International Development Bank for Investment and Finance of Iraq until December 1, after imposing sanctions on it in mid-October, on the grounds of accusations of facilitating Iran’s access to the US dollar and establishing financial relations with entities linked to Tehran.
Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY RESET WATCH: AI INVESTMENT BOOM RAISES NEW DEBT AND MARKET RISKS
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is driving enormous investment in data centers, chips, and computing infrastructure, while raising questions about borrowing, market valuations, and the financial risks tied to future growth.
Is a New Financial Order Taking Shape? | Susan Kokinda & Michelle Makori
Miles Franklin Media: 11-1-2026
Michelle Makori, President & Editor-in-Chief of Miles Franklin Media, speaks with Susan Kokinda, Coalitions Vice Chair of the Michigan Republican Party and co-founder of Promethean Action, about why she believes President Donald Trump is challenging the foundations of the global financial system and potentially laying the groundwork for a major monetary and economic restructuring.
Kokinda explains why she believes Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and monetary policy advocate Judy Shelton could play pivotal roles in reshaping the international financial order, including the possibility of a new Bretton Woods-style system and a greater role for gold in backing U.S. debt.
TNT:
Tishwash: US Chargé d'Affaires: Iraq is charting a course towards opportunity and prosperity for its people
The Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Iraq, Steven Fagin, affirmed on Saturday that Iraq is charting a course toward opportunity and prosperity for its people.
The embassy stated in a press release that "the US Embassy in Baghdad hosted a reception in honor of the Chargé d'Affaires, Ambassador Steven Fagin, with the attendance of Iraqi officials and distinguished guests."
The Chargé d'Affaires expressed his "vision for strengthening and expanding the horizons of the US-Iraqi partnership," and thanked "all the guests for their contribution to solidifying the strong relations between the two countries."
Note: All intel should be considered as "Rumors" until we receive official announcements ...and “Rates and Dates” could change anytime until we get to the banks/redemption centers.
RV Excerpts from the Restored Republic via a GCR Update as of Sun. 1 Nov. 2026
Compiled Sun. 1 Nov. 2026 12:01 am EST by Judy Byington
Judy Note: On Wed. 21 Oct. 2026 the Central Banking Structure in London (allegedly) experienced a massive liquidity drain. In reality, this was the official global roll out of the new gold/asset-backed ISO 20022 currency of our new Global Financial System. The return to the gold standard worldwide was (allegedly) taking place in 47 major banking networks – all at the same time.
CBI Denies Raising Travelers' Dollar Allowance
2026-11-01 06:17 Shafaq News- Baghdad The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) on Sunday denied reports that it had raised the dollar allowance for travelers from $2,000 to $3,500, describing a document circulating on social media as fake.
CBI Media Director Haider Ghazi told Shafaq News that the document, which purported to announce an increase in the allowance, was forged and that no such decision had been issued.
Good Morning Dinar Recaps,
GLOBAL TRADE RESET WATCH: QUAD NATIONS STRENGTHEN SUPPLY-CHAIN COOPERATION
The United States, Australia, India, and Japan are expanding cooperation on critical minerals, semiconductors, trusted technology, and reliable trade routes to reduce vulnerabilities in global supply chains.
Deputy Prime Minister: Dollar Exchange Rate In The Parallel Market Will Fall And Approach The Official Rate
Baghdad - INA - 11/01/2026 Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mohammed Tamim, confirmed on Sunday that the dollar exchange rate in the parallel market will decrease and move closer to the official rate. He also announced that a new shipment of $500 million is set to arrive tomorrow from the United States.