Imagine building a million-dollar net worth by your late 20s without inheriting a fortune or winning the lottery. Sounds impossible, right? Meet Natasha Etschmann, a 28-year-old who’s done just that—not through risky gambles, but by following a simple, often overlooked strategy she calls ‘Get Rich Slow.’ And this is the part most people miss: her journey began not in a high-paying finance job, but as a disability support worker pulling overnight shifts and saving every dollar she could.
Natasha’s story starts at 18, when her dad gave her a piece of advice that would change her life: invest in an S&P 500 ETF and hold onto it. Fast forward a decade, and Natasha—known online as TashInvests—has turned that single rule into a financial empire. Today, she boasts a share portfolio worth $310,000, owns both an apartment and a house, and has a net worth exceeding $1 million. But here’s where it gets controversial: her success isn’t about beating the market or timing trades—it’s about consistency, patience, and a refusal to overcomplicate things.
Her philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: buy, hold, and diversify. ‘I’m not trying to outsmart the market,’ she explains. ‘I just want something that fits my lifestyle. I’m not interested in staring at charts all day.’ At 18, she started with $1,000 in an ETF and added to it steadily, a strategy she now calls her ‘Get Rich Slow’ rule. It’s a stark contrast to the get-rich-quick schemes flooding social media, and that’s precisely why her story resonates.
But Tash didn’t just invest—she worked tirelessly, sometimes logging 56-hour weeks, and traveled the world on a budget, visiting over 40 countries without derailing her financial goals. ‘It’s not about balance,’ she says. ‘It’s about being intentional. Figure out what matters to you and spend ruthlessly on that—but cut everything else.’
Of course, her journey hasn’t been without missteps. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she made a costly mistake by investing in an inverse leveraged ETF, assuming the market wouldn’t recover quickly. It did, and she lost $5,000. ‘I learned the hard way,’ she admits. ‘I’ll never bet against the market again.’ Her biggest win? Buying her first apartment during the pandemic when competition was low. ‘That property has doubled in value,’ she shares.
Today, Tash runs a podcast, writes books, and mentors others—especially young women who feel excluded from financial conversations. Her message is clear: smart, consistent choices can pay off, but investing always carries risks. Past performance isn’t a guarantee, so do your research and tailor decisions to your goals.
But here’s the real question: Is ‘Get Rich Slow’ too slow for a world obsessed with instant results? Or is it the most sustainable path to wealth? Natasha’s story challenges us to rethink our approach to money. What do you think? Is slow and steady truly the way to win the financial race? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation!
