From Travel Nurse to FIRE: How Olga Somers is Retiring Before 40

From Travel Nurse to FIRE: How Olga Somers is Retiring Before 40

In this inspiring Everyday Money Heroes episode, host Nik Johnson interviews Olga Somers, a registered nurse turned entrepreneur and investor. At just under 40, Olga is on track for semi-retirement, leveraging a fulfilling career and smart financial choices to gain control over her time and future.

The Moment Everything Changed

Olga’s financial awakening came during a pension workshop in her 20s. The realization—that she could wait decades to retire or take control now—sparked a shift toward personal finance education and the FIRE movement.

Influential Voices on Her Journey

Olga credits influencers like Mr. Money Mustache, JL Collins, and Ramit Sethi for shaping her financial philosophy. Their ideas—frugal living, index fund investing, and intentional money habits—helped her build a roadmap to early financial independence.

From Real Estate to ETFs: A Strategic Pivot

At first, Olga explored real estate investing, juggling multiple properties to create income streams. Eventually, she transitioned to low-cost index funds and ETFs, prioritizing simplicity, liquidity, and passive growth over the headaches of property management.

Maximizing Earnings Through Travel Nursing

Olga and her husband adopted an unconventional yet effective strategy: travel nursing. By working long-term travel nurse contracts—sometimes just once per year—they were able to earn significant income while freeing up time for pursuits that truly matter.

Shared Vision and Shared Success

Together, Olga and her husband developed a shared financial vision. He now enjoys retirement at 44, and Olga is on track to follow suit soon. Their story illustrates how aligning financial goals as a couple can accelerate progress and deepen partnership.

FIRE Doesn’t Mean Giving Up Work

Retiring early doesn’t mean quitting life—and Olga proves it. She continues working because she loves it, not out of necessity. She channels her creativity into her design company, Somertime Designs, showing that early retirement is really about having options.

Real-Life Advice That Resonates

Before the episode ends, Olga shares one piece of advice that changed everything for her—an insight well worth watching for practical wisdom in the FIRE journey.