I lived at home with my parents and saved $400,000. Why don't I regret it?

I graduated from college in 2012 and started working at Google. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, which has always been ranked as one of the most expensive places in the United States. My Asian parents always told me that renting was a waste. of money.

So, after finishing school, it made sense for me to live at home until I can stand on my own two feet. I thought I would buy my own home someday, but I ended up living in my parents' house for 12 years. When she moved in December of this year, I had her $400,000 in savings, which I invested from both my 9 to 5 income and my entrepreneurial income.

It wasn't the path I expected, but it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Here's why I have no regrets:

1. I wasn't inundated with bills.

Since I lived at home, I didn't have to worry about bills, car payments, or rent. Google also provided transportation to and from work and, in some cases, to change clothes.

In my early 20s, my diet was split 50/50 between my parents' cooking and Google Cafeteria. As I got older, I did most of the cooking and grocery shopping, often buying in bulk at Costco.

I find that without these expenses, I can be more deliberate about the financial habits I want to establish without having to struggle to make ends meet or go into debt.

2. I became a money management professional.

I am fortunate to have family members who know money, including my father, who is a financial advisor and insurance agent. Their biggest advice was: “Don't leave your money in the bank.”

So I joined a financial wellness group, created a consistent budget, and established three emergency funds (3-6 months worth of expenses) in a high-yield savings account and a credit union.

Using Vanguard founder John Bogle's 10 investment principles, I learned to invest in stocks, bonds, and ETFs. I also maxed out my retirement benefits at work.

3. I learned to prioritize self-care.

There were times when living at home took a toll on my mental health, but I made a real effort to prioritize self-care and personal growth.

I allocated about a third of my annual budget to things like gym memberships, weekly therapy sessions, self-help books, and a career coach to strengthen my overall health.

4. I was able to pivot to a new career.

Like many people in the tech industry, I experienced burnout at work. So in 2017, I quit Google and his 9-to-5 job to focus on what I'm truly passionate about.

I started teaching yoga in 2018 and five years later pivoted to my other passion: music. I opened her Claudia's Music Studio in 2021 and have been happily teaching full time ever since.

In the winter of 2022, most of my students were on vacation. When I had time, I started visiting my local Costco store several times a week. I became good friends with the staff, and one of the managers jokingly said, “You're always here, so you should do something on social media.”

Inspired, I started an Instagram account called Costco Claudia. She tries on the latest Costco styles and has 183,000 followers and counting. It grew from a fun hobby to something of a new career path.

5. You must choose the right home for you.

In December 2023, I moved to my first location in Fremont, California. I'm currently subletting a one-bedroom for $2,000 a month.

I spend about $255 a month on utilities. $92 for water and trash collection, $68 for internet, and $95 for electricity. I'm still a frugal person and love thrifting and bargains. I bought most of my furniture at Costco.

The apartment is a 10 minute drive from my parents' house. I never expected to live at home for this long. I also know I'm not alone, especially in the Bay Area, where one in four Millennials and three out of four Gen Zers do the same.

There may be a lot of stigma about living at home, but I know it was the best choice for me. I'm proud of how far I've come and excited for the next chapter.

Claudia Cheeis is a Bay Area native and former Google employee turned entrepreneur. Currently, she is a piano teacher, owner of Claudia's Music Studio, and a social media influencer who enjoys sharing her love for Costco on Instagram.

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