How Carolin Helff Saved Big, Quit Her Job, and Took a Sabbatical - Without Going Broke (And Built Wealth Doing It)
Out of Office and Financially Free: How to Build Wealth and Redesign Your Life in 2025
Imagine sipping champagne on a terrace in Mexico City, your inbox blissfully closed, and your calendar filled only with what sets your soul on fire. Sound like a fantasy? Not anymore. This is the reality that financial coach Carolin lives and teaches — and in this post, we’re sharing how you can design a life that’s just as free.
Whether you dream of taking a sabbatical, switching careers, or simply building wealth on your terms, keep reading. We’re breaking down the exact mindset shifts, money practices, and lifestyle tips to live intentionally and financially empowered in 2025.
From Corporate Ladder to Sabbatical Queen
Carolin’s story starts in the world of corporate management, armed with double master's degrees and a vision of one day being the CEO on the cover of Forbes. But something shifted.
“I realized I wanted to go back to a place where I already had my toothbrush,” she says. “Not just keep bouncing from place to place.”
She built wealth by saving aggressively — often 30% of her income — and began preparing for her first sabbatical. It wasn’t just about quitting. It was about building a life with space for her dreams.
Financial Empowerment Starts with Clarity
One of the most powerful takeaways from Carolin’s story is that wealth-building is not just for the elite or trust fund kids. It’s for anyone willing to plan, be intentional, and shift their mindset.
Here are 5 foundational steps to begin building wealth right now:
Know Your Burn Rate: Understand what you actually spend monthly — from rent to almond cappuccinos.
Create a Dream Fund: Start a high-yield savings account with a clear goal. Label it “Sabbatical,” “Dream Apartment,” or “New Biz Launch.”
Use a 30% Savings Rate (if possible): Carolin’s formula? Save before you spend — and pay yourself like you pay your rent.
Set Financial Intentions: Treat saving like a spiritual practice. Ask: What do I truly want this money to do for me?
Build a Robo-Investing Habit: Use tools like Wealthfront to grow your money with minimal effort. Start with $50/month.
“At some point, I got more confident, and I put $150 there. And now, it’s just a habit,” Carolin shares.
Ditch the Limiting Beliefs Around Money
One of the reasons so many women feel stuck financially? The beliefs we’ve inherited. Carolin recommends journaling on this simple but powerful question:
What do I believe about money — and is it actually true?
Some common myths we’re collectively unlearning:
You must come from money to have money.
Wealth = working harder.
Investing is only for finance bros in Patagonia vests.
Let’s be clear: none of that is true. And your financial transformation starts when you stop believing it.
Planning a Sabbatical? Here’s Your Checklist
You don’t have to become an entrepreneur to live a financially free, out of office lifestyle. You do need a plan. Whether you’re prepping for a sabbatical or just a few months off between jobs, here’s how to set yourself up:
Start a “sabbatical simulation”: Can you live on less now to test your budget?
Figure out what you’ll keep paying for: Housing, health insurance, etc.
Explore travel vs. nesting: Are you roaming or establishing multiple home bases like Carolin (Mexico City + NYC)?
Use sublet groups like Hermanas: Tap into digital nomad WhatsApp communities for housing swaps and local recs.
Don’t forget the human stuff: OB-GYNs, dentists, therapists — use community groups to find new go-tos.
“Start figuring it all out while you still have the corporate job,” Carolin says. “You’ll thank yourself later.”
Build a Magnetic Relationship With Money
Financial freedom is practical and energetic. So if the idea of budgeting feels dry, reframe it. You’re creating alignment between your resources and your desires.
Try These Journal Prompts to Start:
What gives me a sense of security and stability?
What beliefs about money are holding me back?
How can I embody consistency in my financial life?
“Money is a tool to make your dreams a reality,” Carolin reminds us. “And if you don’t know your dreams, money won’t know where to go either.”
Get Financially Fierce
Carolin’s program, Financially Fierce, is a 10-week journey that blends strategy and soul. Inside, women normalize talking about money, map their dream life, and build systems to fund it.
You’ll walk away with:
A personalized plan for savings and investing
A fresh mindset rooted in abundance, not fear
Sisterhood that supports your dreams
Financial literacy that’s empowering — not overwhelming
Resources:
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