Why These High Earners Chose Real Estate Over Traditional Retirement Plans

"I wasn't terrified of losing my job anymore, because if my company let me go, I felt like I would have opportunities outside. But after 2016, just seeing what Lifestyles people had accomplished within real estate really changed that game." - Candida

When you're pulling in six-figure incomes as oil and gas professionals, most people assume retirement planning is straightforward. Matt and Candida Wolfram had exactly that assumption until they realized their traditional approach might not be enough. Despite earning six-figure incomes per person and having disposable income, they discovered what millions of high earners face: unless they wanted to continue working for the rest of their lives, what they were doing may have been ineffective.

In 2016, their friend Eric Johnson, a Lifestyles Unlimited member, encouraged them to join. What started as wanting to "do better with our money" evolved into a complete transformation. They went through Lifestyles Unlimited's two-day Financial Freedom Seminar and it changed the course of their life. Matt was able to retire 11 months after joining, and Candida retired after five years.

This conversation reveals the analytical approach two engineers took to real estate investing, progressing through passive multifamily investing, single-family houses, and becoming lead investors. You'll discover why they chose Tennessee over Texas and how they built a business they can operate from anywhere with an internet connection.

What You'll Discover

• How Matt retired from his corporate job just 11 months after joining Lifestyles Unlimited using single-family houses

- Why Candida strategically waited until 2021 to retire and how real estate gave her workplace confidence during layoffs

- The specific advantages that made Tennessee more attractive than Texas for their multifamily lead investing

Key Timestamps

02:00 The Eric Johnson Introduction - How a trusted engineer friend who'd been a member for 8 years overcame their skepticism

06:20 Three Investment Phases - From passive multifamily to single-family houses to lead investors, and why each served their needs

08:45 Matt's 11-Month Strategy - How single-family houses provided the cash flow and control needed for his retirement

11:40 Golden Handcuffs and Control - Why Candida waited for medical benefits and how real estate changed her relationship with corporate layoffs

21:30 Tennessee vs Texas Analysis - Lower insurance costs, different tax assessment schedules, and family connections that influenced their market choice

FAQs

How did Matt retire in just 11 months after joining Lifestyles Unlimited?

Matt used single-family houses because they cash flow faster and provide more control and liquidity compared to multifamily passive investments. The plan wasn't initially to retire so quickly - it started as wanting to "do better with our money" but evolved when they did the math and realized the numbers were "shockingly close" to what they needed.

Why did Candida wait five years to retire if Matt could do it in 11 months?

Candida worked for Big Oil and had "golden handcuffs" - she needed to meet certain milestones to be eligible for medical insurance benefits in retirement. She strategically waited until 2021 when she became eligible, even though they had the real estate income to support her earlier retirement.

How do they manage Tennessee properties while living in Houston?

They describe having a "portable job" and can conduct business calls from cruise ships or Disney World as long as they have an internet connection. They work with property management companies and have established systems that allow remote management of their multifamily properties.

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The information and opinions on the Lifestyles Unlimited Real Estate Investor Radio Show are for entertainment purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Please consult a professional regarding your personal investment needs.