409: How I Lost 40% of My Retirement Savings (A Huge Money Mistake)

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Let me share a money mistake that still stings to talk about.

Before building Clever Girl Finance, writing books, and becoming a millionaire, I made a mistake that cost me 40% of my retirement savings overnight. Yes, 40%!

I'm sharing the story of how I accidentally triggered taxes and penalties on my 401(k) after leaving a job, the lesson I learned the hard way, and what I would do differently today.

If you're changing jobs or thinking about cashing out a 401(k), this is something you need to understand before making a move.

What I share:

• The 401(k) rollover mistake that cost me thousands
• Why cashing out your retirement account can be extremely expensive
• The difference between a 401(k) rollover and a payout
• How to avoid early withdrawal penalties and taxes
• What to do with your 401(k) when leaving a job

Money mistakes happen to everyone, even financial experts. What matters most is how you learn from them and rebuild.

I share this story in Chapter 6 of my new book Clever Girl Millionaire, where I talk about real-life financial mistakes, lessons learned, and how resilience plays a role in building long-term wealth.

If you've ever made a financial mistake, know this: your story isn't over. You can learn, recover, and keep building.

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