Fast-Tracking Financial Freedom (in Her 30s!) with JUST 5 Rentals

19 snips

Jun 16, 2025

Jessica Cruel, the editor-in-chief at Allure & SELF, shares her inspiring journey from magazine editor to real estate investor. With just five rental properties, she found the freedom to cover her bills and plan for early retirement. Jessica talks about integrating property investments into her busy life in Newark and overcoming challenges like renovations and tenant management. She emphasizes the importance of setting clear financial goals and adopting a strategic approach to real estate investing, proving that anyone can achieve financial independence.

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ANECDOTE

Inspired by Ex-Boyfriend's Deal

Jessica was inspired to invest in real estate after watching her ex-boyfriend buy a three-family rental property.
She calls her first rental the "revenge rental" to show she could do it better than him.

ADVICE

House Hack Slowly with Demanding Job

Even with a demanding career, Jessica house hacked by choosing a property where she could live and rent units.
She took a slow, steady approach to renovations and managing tenants to avoid overwhelm while working full-time.

INSIGHT

Build Portfolio for Financial Goal

You don't need a huge portfolio to reach financial freedom; it's about meeting your income goal.
Jessica targets $5,000 monthly passive income from about five properties to cover her bills and retire early.

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Five rental properties are all you need to change your life. This income alone could cover all your bills, allowing your entire paycheck to go toward investing as you're fast-tracked to financial freedom and early retirement. Even if you’ve got a demanding job with long hours and limited free time, investing in real estate is STILL the right move. Today’s guest was able to utilize her (very limited) downtime to build a rental portfolio of six units, all while managing her hectic day job. Now, she’s in a great position to retire early and is even eyeing her dream retirement house as we speak.

Jessica Cruel is editor-in-chief at Allure & SELF, but before the big title, she was living in expensive Newark, New Jersey, looking to invest in real estate while making less than six figures a year. After watching her ex-boyfriend successfully do a real estate deal, she thought, “If he can do it, I can do it better.” So, she bought a rental with multiple units but a sizable renovation checklist. It took her two years to turn it around, but now, she’s cashing the checks that will fund her early retirement.

Six years later, Jessica has a six-unit portfolio, with enough income to cover her bills and a hunger to build her small, slow-but-steady, financial freedom-enabling real estate portfolio. If she can do it in her pricey area, why can’t you?

In This Episode We Cover

The single best strategy for starting in real estate (it will save you a TON)

Why you DON’T need a huge real estate portfolio to retire early

How to invest in real estate even with a demanding day job

How NOT to get your AC unit stolen while you’re away (seriously)

Buy your retirement home now! How to have your dream home pay for itself

And So Much More!

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