30-year-old makes over $300,000 a year in a hospital—without going to med school

Chabely Rodriguez takes money seriously. She strategically chose an affordable college and lucrative career path that has set her up to live comfortably at 30 years old.

Rodriguez is a certified anesthesiologist assistant, and in 2024, she switched from a salaried role to working as a traveling CAA in contract positions. As a result, she brings in over $300,000 a year. She has a master’s degree in anesthesiology, which allowed her to then get her CAA credentials — without needing to attend medical school.

She still cleared $200,000 a year in her previous position, often picking up overtime hours and 24-hour shifts on top of her full-time schedule — the product of a “scarcity mindset” she says she carried with her since childhood.

“I always want to prepare for [the worst],” she told CNBC Make It in 2023. “I’ve worked a lot of overtime hours just to make sure that I always have something extra.”

Now, she sticks mostly to 40-hour workweeks with extra shifts here and there when her staff needs coverage. She could be making closer to $500,000 a year if she worked similar overtime hours to what she previously took on, but she doesn’t feel pressured to, she says.

“I want to make more money, but I don’t want to burn myself out along the way,” Rodriguez says. “So now I’ve hit above the $300,000 mark, I feel good about that.”

‘More secure, more confident’

As her income has grown, Rodriguez’s aspirations have evolved. She started her career while living in Florida and thought she would one day buy a house there. But she moved to Georgia in 2023 and switched to a six-month contract position there in 2024.

Realizing she wanted to spend more time traveling and that she could make more money as a contractor, her priorities shifted away from homeownership.

“I’m still not to the point of wanting to settle anywhere,” she says. “I still want to continue to explore and switch things around and potentially be outside of the country for two months or something out of the year.”

When her contract finished in Georgia, Rodriguez moved to New Mexico, where she lives now. She invests aggressively, aiming to put 40% of her pre-tax income into her brokerage and retirement accounts. Her total investments hit $500,000 in January 2025.

She’s been able to invest consistently in part because she paid off her student loans — nearly $124,000 — quickly in 2023.

“Because I was aggressive with paying off my loans, I could then shift towards investing,” Rodriguez says. “I would say, I exceeded my expectations along the way. So that’s been nice, and I feel like that’s made me just a happier, calmer person — more secure, more confident.”

Her main goals now are to avoid burnout from work, save for the future and enjoy her life in the present.

She previously set a goal of investing $2 million and retiring early, but she’s become less tied to a number and more focused on sustainable growth so she has the option to slow down by the time she’s 50 — if she wants to.

‘I can just breathe’

Rodriguez’s money mindset has also begun to shift away from the scarcity she previously felt. She still aims to live within her means, sharing rent with her partner and driving a standard Toyota Corolla. But she’s willing to splurge on travel, balancing bigger international trips with backpacking and camping.

Rodriguez is now willing to acknowledge her own accomplishments and no longer pressures herself to pick up every extra shift. “That’s something that I feel like I couldn’t have done until I got to this point,” she says.

“I feel so much more comfortable, and I can remove myself from situations if I’m uncomfortable,” she adds. “I can treat my partner to something, or treat myself to something … I am now saying, ‘Hey, I make enough. I don’t need to push it past my limit to pay for this.’ Now, I can just breathe.”

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Psychologist: People in the happiest relationships talk about 5 things every day—that most neglect

One of the most common myths about long-term relationships is that couples eventually run out of things to say. It’s easy to believe: Life gets busy, routines take over and conversations become more about logistics than connection.

As a psychologist who studies couples, and based on my own experience being happily married, I know how tricky communication can become if you’re convinced there’s nothing left to say. But couples in healthy relationships make a habit of talking about things that matter, every single day.

Their conversations stay fresh, connected and meaningful because they never stop learning about each other. Here are five things people in the happiest relationships talk to each other about every day — that most people neglect.

1. The state of their relationship

Couples in thriving relationships always make a point to check in and make sure the other partner is happy.

On some days, that means asking: “Do you feel loved? Supported? Connected?” Other days, it’s about expressing appreciation, sharing a laugh over a favorite memory or talking about something they’re looking forward to doing together.

Having these daily check-ins help prevent small misunderstandings from growing into larger issues.

2. What they’re currently into

In the strongest relationships, both partners stay curious about what excites the other. It could be a song they can’t stop listening to, a book they’ve been devouring, a hobby they’re exploring or even a TikTok that made them laugh.

Regardless of whether their interests overlap, they stay curious about each other’s passions. This is what keeps the spark alive.

Over their years together, these little updates remind one another of perhaps the most important thing to remember in a relationship: “We’re constantly growing and evolving, and we’re doing it together.”

3. Their future dreams

Happy couples are never stuck in the present or past. They often have conversations about long-term goals: owning a home, traveling more, starting a business or raising kids.

They also don’t shy away from less practical, more whimsical topics, like what they’d do with a year off, how they’d renovate their dream kitchen or where they’d go if money wasn’t a concern.

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Discussing dreams, no matter how realistic or farfetched, keeps the relationship future-oriented by instilling a joint sense of purpose and possibility. Even if a dream can’t be acted on right away, talking it over allows them to keep track of each other’s values.

4. Their fears and stressors

Happy couples aren’t uncomfortable bringing up what’s bothering them. A healthy relationship should feel like a safe space where couples can work through their troubles together as a team.

Whether it’s a tough day at work, a lingering insecurity or even a fear about the relationship itself, they trust their partner to respond with empathy.

Over time, this daily practice of being emotionally honest builds a rock-solid sense of safety. Both partners will never feel like they have to carry their baggage alone.

5. Their random thoughts

Even a half-formed musing can be a fun way to connect. Happy couples never think twice about sharing their random ideas: their shower thoughts, their “what-ifs,” their “this just popped into my head” theories.

And these don’t always have to be deep or profound. In fact, they’re usually pretty silly, weird or seemingly irrelevant. Adding a little bit of playfulness and spontaneity into every conversation also makes space for laughter and even intimacy.

I always remind couples that a big part of building a successful relationship is about being intentional with the conversations you choose to have. Couples who stay connected day after day create a shared space for curiosity, growth and joy.

Mark Travers, PhD, is a psychologist who specializes in relationships. He holds degrees from Cornell University and the University of Colorado Boulder. He is the lead psychologist at Awake Therapy, a telehealth company that provides online psychotherapy, counseling, and coaching. He is also the curator of the popular mental health and wellness website, Therapytips.org.

I built a 19-square-foot tiny house for $5,000—and it’s ‘the size of a closet’: Take a look inside

Could you build a house that’s the size of a closet? That’s the question I wanted to answer when I set out to build what might be one of the smallest livable homes around — at 19 square feet — in my front yard in southern Ohio.

I’ve always been obsessed with tiny living. I love seeing people get creative with small spaces. Over the past six years, I’ve traveled the U.S. documenting more than 300 unique Airbnbs, from treehouses to caves to luxury villas.

One day, after seeing someone attempt to live in a 22-square-foot home, I thought: I can build something even smaller … and better.

Building a tiny home in just one month

It all started with an old utility trailer sitting on my property. It had rust and electrical issues, but there was potential and it was the perfect foundation for a creative challenge.

The build took a month. Thankfully, we barely had any rain and wife helped me with a lot of it. I spent a total of about $5,000, which is less than it would typically cost since I already had a lot of the material. The majority of expenses went into lumber, insulation, solar, and electrical.

The most expensive part of this home was the battery system. These can run up to $2,800, but luckily I already had one. The second priciest item was the AC and heating unit. I bought a refurbished one for about $600. It was a big investment, but worth every penny because it’s part of what gives this tiny house a luxury feel.

A house this small needs to be incredibly efficient. I installed shed windows for natural light and framed a structure tall enough to allow standing room. For the exterior, I got a great deal on cedar wood, stained it black, and sealed it — giving the home a sleek, finished look.

Despite its size, the house has the necessary essentials: a compact AC and heating unit, a tilting bed in the vaulted loft space (I’m 5′9, but if you’re 5′10 or taller, it might be a little bit tight), a storage bench with space for the massive battery unit, a portable toilet, and an outdoor shower system.

The kitchen area has a mini fridge, a folding faucet, and a sink beneath the walnut countertop. When not in use, a cutting board covers the sink to create a seamless prep surface. The space isn’t ideal for cooking lavish meals, but with a hot plate or camping stove, you could prepare some simple dishes.

Everything, including the mini fridge and outdoor shower, is powered by the solar panels on the roof. You can also charge the battery by plugging it into an outlet somewhere (this is faster, since solar powering requires the sun).

I slept in the house during a snowstorm … and it held up

My wife, kids, and I live in our 2,500-square-feet home, but I’ve stayed in the tiny home a few times, including once during a massive snowstorm. I wanted to test the structure against nature, and it held up better than expected. I had heat, electricity, and a fire outside.

Another time, I camped in it with my 3-year-old son. He slept on a small mattress on the floor beneath my bunk. We made s’mores and watched a movie on a laptop. It was tight but cozy, and we had a lot of fun.

Would I live in it full-time? Probably not, but someone could. Sure, it’s really small, but it’s also proof that you can create a livable space with almost no square footage if you think creatively. With a truck, I could haul it off-grid or to a campground with no problem.

For anyone wanting to build their own tiny home, my advice would be to decide on your priorities first. My goal was to build the smallest, most functional tiny house possible. If your goal is comfort over minimalism, go slightly bigger — maybe 30 to 50 square feet. Even a few extra inches in width or ceiling height makes a huge difference.

Can you build a smaller livable home than mine? Let’s see who takes me up on it.

Levi Kelly is a tiny homes expert and builder. His YouTube channel is dedicated to showcasing unique, short-term stays, including treehouses, container homes, and luxury accommodations. He lives in Ohio with his wife and two kids. Follow him on Instagram @levimkelly.

Ivy League-trained psychologist: ‘A parent’s job is never to make their kid happy’—what to do instead

Many parents’ first instinct when their child is feeling sad, upset or frustrated is to try and cheer them up.

That’s a critical mistake, says Becky Kennedy, a Columbia University-trained clinical psychologist and mom of three. Constantly swooping in to boost your child’s mood during difficult moments hinders their resilience, making them less emotionally and mentally equipped to see their tough circumstances through, she says.

Instead, make it your job to give support or advice, and be a listening ear — not a superhero — when needed, Kennedy says.

“A parent’s job is never to make their kid happy or to smooth every bump in the road,” says Kennedy, the host of the “Good Inside” parenting podcast. “Our job in those hard moments … is to see a more capable version of our kid than they can access [themselves].”

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Children learn by messing up, getting frustrated and not getting their way, Kennedy says. If you’re constantly focused on making them happy, rather than helping them manage their full range of emotions and act on their feelings appropriately, you’re doing your kids a disservice.

“Learning is very messy. Learning involves melting down. It involves saying, ‘I’m so stupid,’ and ‘I can’t do it,’” says Kennedy. Stepping in “deprives them of the ability to learn it themselves and to see themselves as a resilient learner.”

The next time your kid is struggling with math homework, for example, empower them to come up with solutions on their own, she says. They may cry, catch an attitude or beg you to do the problem for them. Kennedy recommends responding with something along the lines of:

“You’re right. This math problem is really tricky. It feels hard because it is hard. And I can sit near you, I can check on you, I can take a breath with you — but I’m not going to do it for you, because I know you’re going to be able to figure this out. I believe in you. We can get through this together.”

An empathetic-yet-firm approach validates their feelings, and builds resilience and inner efficacy — an individual’s belief that they’re capable of meeting their goals, developmental psychologist Aliza Pressman wrote for CNBC Make It in January 2024.

Both skills are essential for kids to become successful, emotionally intelligent adults, wrote Pressman: “When kids understand that their failures aren’t due to permanent limitations, there’s an opening for future achievement.”

If you have a history of yielding to your child’s whining, crying fits or their puppy dog eyes, following Kennedy’s advice may be easier said than done.

But if you do, you’ll notice more resilience — in your child and yourself — fairly quickly, Kennedy says. You’ll find that you can tolerate their frustration more calmly, and that they’re regulating their emotions more quickly, leaning less on your reassurance and more on their own, she says.

Your child’s “self-talk” will also improve significantly, adds Kennedy: “Our words to our kids become our kids’ words to themselves. So when you say a couple of times, ‘Yes, this is tricky. And you’re a kid who can do tricky things,’ there will be a moment where you hear your kids say it to themselves.”

The No. 1 thing this Walmart exec looks for in an employee: It’s ‘a total green flag’

The ability to keep one’s word is a quality many seek out in their friendships and significant others.

Walmart chief people officer Donna Morris looks for this quality in her employees, too. Morris, 57, oversees 2.1 million employees, and also holds the title of executive vice president. She says that employees who do exactly what they say they’re going to are a major green flag in her book.

“They deliver what you are expecting at the time that you’re expecting,” she says, adding that the best employees tend to get things done ahead of schedule. “So what I would say is you’re better to deliver early than to deliver late, and you’re better to deliver more than less, if that makes sense.”

Integrity and trustworthiness are both highly sought after character traits in hiring, as bosses want to know their employees can get the job done and will go above and beyond at work, Morris says. They also help you gain status and more respect among your peers, leadership expert and author Scott Mautz wrote for CNBC Make It.

Along with reliability, Morris appreciates an employee who’s open to new opportunities. “They put their hand up to take on more. They don’t push back,” she says. “People who are like, ‘I’m willing to do it,’ even if they’ve got a lot on their plate — that’s a total green flag.”

It’s worth noting that taking on more than you can handle could backfire, LinkedIn career expert Drew McCaskill told CNBC Make It in April. Your mental health and productivity could take a huge hit — so only volunteer for projects you actually have the time for, he warned.

“You do not get extra credit for doing things the hard way,” he said. “When you get to a point where [work] is costing you sleep or sanity … or you feel overwhelmed, it’s time to speak up.”

Overpromising and underdelivering could erode trust between you and your boss, adds Morris, especially if you’re always bringing up “all the reasons why you can’t do things.”

If you want to focus and get more done at work without overdoing it, or falling victim to burnout, try acting as your own assistant. Ask yourself how you’d want a task to get done if you were your boss, Laura Mae Martin, Google’s executive productivity advisor, told CNBC Make It in December.

Being your own assistant also includes clearing out distractions that could keep you from doing your job effectively, like responding to text messages while you work or getting carried away with office chatter. Constant interruptions don’t only lead to procrastination, but they inhibit focus and can make your tasks feel unmanageable, Martin said.

When you’ve made progress but find yourself feeling a bit tired or restless, that’s the time to take a short break, she added.

“If you can take a moment to recover and re-visit the task, whether it’s in 10 minutes or the morning, that’s going to energize you and make a big difference in your output,” said Martin.