Key facts
- Brittany and Kelan Kline started The Savvy Couple blog in 2016 while managing $40,000 in student debt.
- The blog initially generated no revenue for nine months before earning its first $50.
- Kelan Kline transitioned to working on the blog full-time, followed by Brittany in 2019.
- The couple's combined businesses reported $1.3 million in revenue in 2023 and $1.1 million in 2024.
- Their household net worth, including businesses and investments, surpassed $1 million in 2020.
- The Klines prioritized investing their savings rather than increasing spending as income grew.
High-school sweethearts Brittany and Kelan Kline transformed their financial future by launching a blog, The Savvy Couple, in 2016. At the time, they were burdened by approximately $40,000 in student debt and working opposite shifts as an elementary school teacher and a jail deputy, respectively. Dissatisfied with their lack of control over their time, they sought an 'ideal lifestyle' centered on family and flexibility.
Inspired by personal finance bloggers, they started their own online venture with minimal costs, focusing on money management and debt reduction. After nine months with no income, they earned their first $50 from a sponsored post. This initial success prompted Kelan to leave his job to pursue the blog full-time, with Brittany joining him in 2019 after the business became self-sustaining. They made their final student loan payment in December 2019.
Their business portfolio later expanded to include The Savvy Mama, which covers household finances and family routines. Revenue streams include display advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and digital products. Their businesses peaked in revenue in 2023 and 2024, with Savvy Media Marketing reporting $1.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively. However, a significant drop in Google search traffic has led them to diversify into YouTube, memberships, and digital products.
The Klines maintained a frugal lifestyle, staying in their starter home and driving used cars, directing the difference between income and spending into investments. Their portfolio includes Vanguard funds and rental real estate. By 2020, their household net worth, encompassing businesses, investments, and their primary residence, exceeded $1 million. They now prioritize time freedom, organizing their work around their two daughters.