A New York City couple, Josette Chang and Alexander Nathanson, achieved financial independence and early retirement by prioritizing strategic investments, minimizing lifestyle inflation, and embracing a “die with zero” philosophy. As of February 2026, they are living comfortably off Nathanson’s part-time income as a physician, having fully paid off their mortgage in September 2024.
Nathanson, a Brooklyn native, always aspired to live in Manhattan, believing it signified success in New York City. He and Chang fulfilled that dream in 2018 by purchasing an apartment in Midtown East shortly after their marriage. Chang, who had previously rented in New York even as attending graduate school, was motivated by the escalating costs of renting. “I realized, ‘Wow, this is only going to go up,’” she told Business Insider.
The couple transitioned from substantial monthly rent payments to a mortgage, and ultimately to significantly reduced housing expenses after proactively paying off their mortgage. Their current housing costs are limited to monthly co-op maintenance fees. Public records with the New York City Register confirm the mortgage was satisfied in September 2024.
That same year, Chang left her finance position to begin early retirement. Nathanson, specializing in obesity medicine, reduced his hours at the hospital. Currently, the couple’s financial independence is sustained by Nathanson’s reduced salary, with the option to draw from their investment portfolio if needed, though they haven’t yet required it.
Their investment strategy is remarkably simple, consisting of three low-cost index funds: one tracking the overall U.S. Stock market, another for international stocks, and a third for bonds. They deliberately avoid speculative investments like individual stocks or cryptocurrencies, believing they carry higher risk and have less predictable returns. “We believe those investments have a higher risk and less proven track record,” Chang explained.
A key component of their financial plan is the decision not to have children. Nathanson stated that this choice influenced their approach to estate planning and their adoption of the “die with zero” mindset, popularized by Bill Perkins. This philosophy encourages maximizing enjoyment of wealth during one’s lifetime rather than accumulating it for future generations. “We like the ‘die with zero’ approach: spend the money when you can. It doesn’t make sense to accumulate it endlessly,” Nathanson said.
Avoiding lifestyle creep – the tendency to increase spending as income rises – was also crucial. The couple consciously evaluated their spending habits and resisted unnecessary upgrades. They even considered, but ultimately rejected, the idea of moving to a larger apartment. “We really thought about it: ‘Do we demand to sell our current apartment just to move to a slightly bigger one in the same neighborhood?’” Nathanson said. “The answer was no.”
Chang emphasized the importance of resisting social comparison, particularly in a city like New York. “Comparisons are the thief of joy,” she said. “It’s easy to see what others are doing, especially on social media. But it’s crucial to stay on your own path and remember why you’re doing it.”
Nathanson acknowledged their privileged position as high-earning professionals but believes financial independence is attainable for more people than they realize. He stressed the importance of intentional financial planning and avoiding autopilot spending. “Figure out what’s important to you,” he advised. “Don’t let yourself go on autopilot. Don’t make decisions just because everyone around you is.”
