At 25, Tori Dunlap saved $100K, quit her corporate job, and started ‘Her First 100K,’ helping millions of women take control of their finances. She joined TheStreet to share her bold strategies for saving, investing, and building multiple income streams, plus the financial advice most experts get wrong.
00:00 Introduction
00:19 How Tori Saved $100K by 25
02:14 What $100K Really Gave Her
03:16 Do You Need Multiple Incomes?
04:52 The Hardest Money Truth
06:13 The Worst Money Advice
08:08 Invest or Pay Off Debt?
09:16 Rich Girl Money Habits
Transcript:
Caroline Woods:
Joining me now, Tori Dunlap, founder of Her First 100K. Tori, thanks so much for joining us.
Tori Dunlap:
Thank you for having me.
Caroline Woods:
So first, 100K is an ode to the fact that you quit your job at 25 after saving $100,000. Tell us—how did you actually make that happen?
Tori Dunlap:
Yeah, it’s hard to believe that was six years ago. Now I’m 31, but my path to saving $100K is really where Her First 100K started—my attempt to save and invest $100,000 by age 25.
I did that through a few different things. First, I graduated college without student loans, which was both a privilege—my parents investing for me—and also the result of me working three on-campus jobs, getting scholarships, and similar opportunities. I always like to acknowledge that I wouldn’t have hit that $100K as quickly if I’d had student debt, which is such a huge burden for so many people in their 20s and 30s.
I was also negotiating every single job I held—negotiating pay raises, and as soon as I realized my pay was capped, I moved on to a role that compensated me more fairly. I was saving a percentage of my income automatically. At my peak, I was saving 27% of my take-home pay, all on autopilot. Anyone watching or listening can do this by setting up automatic transfers from checking to savings so you don’t have to think about it.
Finally, Her First 100K was a business I was running on the side of my 9-to-5 marketing job. I had stable income, plus an additional income stream, which helped me reach that goal faster.
I hit $100K at 25, quit my job, and have since helped over five million women worldwide save money, pay off debt, start businesses, and leave toxic situations. Fighting for women’s financial rights is my favorite thing to do.
Caroline Woods:
And just to be clear—you saved $100,000, which allowed you to quit your job, but you didn’t retire. It gave you the financial freedom to leave the corporate world.
Tori Dunlap:
Exactly. Money means options. That’s my core belief, especially when educating marginalized groups and women. When you have money, you have options—to start a business, leave an unhealthy situation, donate to causes you care about, travel, and take care of yourself.
That $100K gave me the option to be my own boss and run my own company, but also to give other women jobs. We’re now a team of 17 at Her First 100K, and it allows us to continue delivering financial education to women who need it most. Personal finance is so much more than numbers—it’s about freedom.
Caroline Woods:
You mentioned multiple streams of income. Can someone achieve financial freedom—or save $100,000—on one income? How important is having multiple income streams today?
Tori Dunlap:
That’s a great question. An additional income stream can definitely accelerate your financial goals. That said, I don’t want to live in a society where people have to work multiple jobs or 60–70 hours a week just to get ahead.
Her First 100K was my ticket out. I always wanted to be an entrepreneur, and my 9-to-5 acted like my first investor—it gave me the stability I needed to build my business the way I wanted.
That said, given layoffs, inflation, and economic instability, having multiple income sources—even if that’s just your job plus a high-yield savings account or investment dividends—is crucial right now. Income can disappear or change, and I want money to be the last thing you worry about during a major life crisis.
Caroline Woods:
You’ve already shared some solid advice—like high-yield savings accounts and automatic deposits. What’s the harshest money advice people need to hear?
Tori Dunlap:
The hardest truth is that you have to look at your money. It sounds obvious, but many people think they’ll get ahead while still burying their heads in the sand. What you don’t measure doesn’t change.
When you look at your money, do it without judgment. Don’t shame yourself. Look at your numbers like an anthropologist—making observations and asking questions. For example: “When I’m stressed at work, I spend more money. Interesting. What can I change?” Instead of saying, “I’m terrible with money.”
You’re in control of your spending, saving, investing, and protection. You have to own that.
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