Marriage Kids and Money: Personal Finance for Families

Sami Womack and her husband have built a $730,000 net worth in their late 30s, all while raising three children and living primarily on one income. But their financial journey wasn't always this successful. Just 10 years ago, they were struggling with nearly $490,000 in debt, overdrafted bank accounts, and the stress of living paycheck to paycheck. In this episode, we explore how Sami and her husband completely transformed their finances by downsizing their home, paying off debt, budgeting consistently, and investing in simple index funds. We also discuss how they've grown their investment portfolio to nearly $600,000 and why their ultimate goal is to retire Sami's husband at age 50. From living in a 600-square-foot rental home to building generational wealth for their three daughters, Sami's story reminds us that financial independence isn't about having the biggest house or the fanciest cars. It's about creating more time with the people we love. In This Episode, We Discuss: How Sami's family went from $490,000 in debt to a $730,000 net worth Why downsizing to a 600-square-foot home changed everything How they've built nearly $600,000 in investments with a mostly single-income household Their simple approach to budgeting, index funds, and automated investing How they balance enjoying life today with saving for early retirement Their plan to retire Daniel at 50 and build generational wealth for their daughters Want to build wealth and design a life around what matters most? Check out our book Own Your Time: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Resources Mentioned: Sami Womack's Website, The Sunny Side Up Life: https://www.asunnysideuplife.com/ Sami's Free Budget Audit, Financial Coaching, and Resources: https://www.asunnysideuplife.com/links Sami on Instagram: @asunnysideuplife Podcast Credits:Host: Andy HillEditor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Management: Michelle Ahmed Carpe Diem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you afford to work part-time? And how do you know when you’ve saved enough for retirement? In this episode, we answer two listener questions that get to the heart of what financial freedom can actually look like for families. First, we hear from Sarah, who is expecting her first child and considering moving from full-time work to part-time. We walk through four questions families can use to decide whether working less is financially realistic, including understanding your true monthly expenses, evaluating your financial foundation, accounting for benefits and healthcare, and deciding what that extra time is worth to your family. We also share how we gradually moved toward part-time work in our own family and why financial independence doesn’t necessarily have to come before you start owning more of your time. Then, we hear from Matt, who has spent years aggressively investing for retirement but is wondering when enough is actually enough. We discuss how to define a comfortable retirement lifestyle, use Coast FIRE projections to understand whether you’re on track, and recognize the opportunity cost of continuing to invest every available dollar for future you. Because building wealth matters. But so does using the wealth you’ve already built to create a better life today. Resources: Boldin Retirement Planner:https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/boldinBuild your retirement plan, test different scenarios and see whether you’re on track. Try Boldin for free. (Affiliate partner) Coast FIRE Calculator:https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/ Own Your Time:https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Leave Us a Voicemail:https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail Credits: Host: Andy HillEditor: Johnny SohlPodcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would life feel like if your mortgage payment disappeared for good? Ericka Young and her husband, Chris, recently became mortgage-free after paying off their $271,000 mortgage in just under 14 years. Along the way, they balanced their mortgage payoff goal with raising two daughters, paying for college, traveling, renovating their home with cash, and continuing to invest for their future. We talk with Ericka about why becoming mortgage-free was about more than maximizing returns. For their family, it meant peace of mind, freedom of choice, and changing their family tree. We also explore why they chose a 15-year mortgage, how they handled the temptation to upgrade to a more expensive home, and what they're doing with their money now that the mortgage is gone. What We Discuss: How Ericka and Chris paid off a $271,000 mortgage in under 14 years Why choosing a 15-year mortgage helped keep their goal on track How they balanced home renovations, travel, college costs, and mortgage payoff Why they saved extra cash in a high-yield savings account before deciding where to use it How increasing their income helped support their long-term financial goals Why peace of mind mattered more to them than making the mathematically optimal choice How they're teaching their daughters about homeownership, debt freedom, and generational wealth What they're doing with their money now that they're mortgage-free Ericka's first step for families who want to calculate their own mortgage-free date Resources: 🏠 Mortgage Payoff Calculatorhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/mortgage-payoff/ 📘 Own Your Time by Andy Hillhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book/ 🎙️ For Better & Worth Podcasthttps://forbetterandworth.com/ Podcast Credits: Host: Andy HillPodcast Editor: Johnny SohlPodcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Never Settle by Attia Qureshi: Learn practical persuasion and negotiation skills to help you confidently ask for what you want - https://amzn.to/46hLVFN (Amazon affiliate) Asking for a raise can feel uncomfortable, but avoiding the conversation could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars over your career. In this episode, we sit down with negotiation expert and Never Settle author Attia Qureshi to learn how to confidently ask for a raise at work. We discuss why so many of us struggle to talk about money, how to research what we're worth, and why preparation can make us more confident negotiators. Attia also walks us through what to say during the conversation, why we shouldn't negotiate against ourselves, and how to turn "no" into "not yet." Plus, we explore why negotiation isn't about winning at someone else's expense. Done well, it can create more value for everyone involved. RESOURCES: Attia Qureshi – Learn more about Attia, Never Settle, and her negotiation resources. MKM RESOURCES: Own Your Time – Discover 10 financial steps to put your family first and escape the corporate grind. MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey. Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how quickly you could become mortgage free. Marriage Kids and Money on YouTube – Subscribe to watch our latest videos and interviews. CREDITS: Editor: Johnny Sohl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Leigh and his wife have grown their net worth to $700,000 by age 29, all while building careers as public school teachers. In this episode, we talk with Chris, the personal finance educator behind Everyday Finance 101, about the habits and decisions that helped his family build wealth at a young age. Chris shares how he and his wife grew their combined income from around $100,000 to roughly $180,000, paid off student loans and car debt, invested consistently, and built nearly $1 million in assets. We also discuss building wealth as a married couple, increasing your income as a teacher, investing for early retirement, and why tracking your spending may be even more important than choosing the perfect investment. If you're working toward your first $100,000, $500,000, or $1 million net worth milestone, Chris's story is a great reminder that starting early, communicating with your spouse, and consistently managing your money can make a huge difference over time. Want to build wealth and design a life around what matters most? Grab my book Own Your Time: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book In This Episode You'll Learn: How Chris and his wife built a $700,000 net worth by age 29 How two teachers grew their combined income to around $180,000 Why getting on the same financial page with your spouse matters How they paid off student loans and car debt Why Chris uses Roth IRAs, 457 plans, a brokerage account, and an HSA How 457 plans can help teachers pursuing early retirement Why tracking your spending is one of Chris's most important wealth-building habits How starting early can give you more freedom later in life Resources Mentioned: Own Your Time: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Everyday Finance 101: Find Chris Leigh on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @everydayfinance101 Monarch Money (Get 50% off your first year of Monarch Core): https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Leave a voicemail for the show: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail Podcast Credits: Host: Andy HillEditor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you invest your extra money or use it to pay off your mortgage early? In this episode, we tackle that question from Brian, a 35-year-old dad with two kids and an extra $1,000 per month. His ultimate goal isn't simply building the biggest net worth possible. He wants to work less and spend more time with his family. We walk through a practical path that prioritizes building a strong financial foundation, reaching Coast FIRE, working toward mortgage freedom, and ultimately using that financial flexibility to create more time, space and margin. We also answer a question from a 40-year-old listener with $700,000 invested for retirement who wonders: Can you actually save too much for retirement? We explore how Coast FIRE can help us determine when we may have enough invested for the future, why time has an opportunity cost too, and how pulling back on retirement contributions could allow us to enjoy more of our lives today. And to close things out, Calvin Hill joins us for another Money Quiz! We talk investing, the difference between making more money and making more time, and the surprising amount of money generated by the company behind his favorite game, Clash Royale. RESOURCES: Boldin:https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/boldin Coast FIRE Calculator:https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/ Nectarine (Advice-Only Financial Advisors):https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/nectarine Leave us a voicemail:https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail CREDITS: Host: Andy Hill, AFC® Podcast Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicole left her corporate career six weeks ago to launch her own skincare studio. So... was it the right decision? In this Bread & Wine conversation, we pour a glass, get honest about the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and share what it's really like when the excitement of starting a business gives way to self-doubt, marketing struggles, and sleepless nights. We talk about: Why Nicole finally decided to leave her job after years of thinking about it The surprising challenges of running your own business How social media can hurt confidence more than it helps Why promotion is often harder than creating a great product What it's like to support your spouse through a major career transition Why starting a business feels a lot like becoming a parent Whether you're dreaming about starting a business, considering a career change, or simply navigating a season of uncertainty, we hope this conversation reminds you that you're not alone. Thanks for joining us for another Bread & Wine. Cheers! 🍷 *Links & Resources* Glass Skin Studiohttps://glass-skin-studio.com Follow Nicole on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/glassskinnicole The RealEsth with Nicole Hill (YouTube)https://www.youtube.com/@therealesth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This summer marks 10 years of Marriage Kids and Money. Back in 2016, I launched this podcast with a simple goal: help families build wealth and create more freedom. Over the past decade, we've shared hundreds of conversations about money, marriage, parenthood, entrepreneurship, financial independence, and designing a life you love. Today, I have a quick personal update. For the first time in the show's history, I'm taking the summer off. Why? Because if I'm going to encourage you to own your time and prioritize what matters most, I need to do the same. With my kids now 14 and 12, I want to spend this season making memories with my family, focusing on my health, and creating more space in my life. Consider this the end of the first 10-year season of Marriage Kids and Money. Thank you for being part of this journey. I'll see you back here in September for Season Two. Carpe diem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emily Egashira grew her family’s net worth to $2.2 million by age 35. But her story didn’t start there. Growing up in poverty, Emily experienced financial instability firsthand and was determined to create a different future for her family. In this episode, we explore how she and her husband built wealth through intentional spending, consistent investing, and a shared vision for financial independence. Emily shares how they increased their household income from $120,000 to more than $400,000, paid off their mortgage in just three years, and built a seven-figure investment portfolio. We also discuss financial communication in marriage, raising a child with healthy money values, and using wealth as a tool to create freedom and generosity. If you've ever wondered how to build wealth without lifestyle inflation or how financial independence can create more options for your family, this conversation is for you. Want to build wealth and design a life around what matters most? Grab our book Own Your Time: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book In This Episode You'll Learn: How Emily grew her family's net worth to $2.2 million by age 35 Why monthly money meetings strengthened their marriage How they paid off a mortgage in just three years The role investing played in building a seven-figure portfolio How to balance generational wealth with raising grounded kids Why financial independence is really about freedom and flexibility Resources Mentioned: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyfrienditsem TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heyfrienditsem Monarch Money (track your net worth): https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Leave a voicemail for the show: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail Podcast Credits: Host: Andy Hill Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens after you reach Coast FIRE? For years, you save aggressively, maximize retirement accounts, and build wealth with one goal in mind: hitting your investment goal. But once you arrive at Coast FIRE—Coast to Financial Independence and Relax Early—a new question emerges: Now what? In this episode, we answer a thoughtful listener question from Richard, who has built a seven-figure net worth with his wife but feels stuck in a sales career that’s wearing him down. We discuss how to actually act on Coast FIRE, the four career paths available after reaching the milestone, and how to use the financial strength you’ve built to create more freedom and margin in your life today. Then, we welcome back retirement expert Jesse Cramer to discuss an important and often-overlooked topic: Social Security benefits after divorce. We cover how spousal and survivor benefits work, eligibility requirements, common misconceptions, and what divorced spouses need to know when planning for retirement. What Coast FIRE really means beyond the calculators Four career paths to consider after reaching Coast FIRE Why more money isn't always the answer How to use your wealth to create more time freedom Social Security spousal benefits explained Social Security survivor benefits explained Divorce and Social Security eligibility rules Common Social Security claiming strategies for married couples Retirement planning considerations for divorced spouses RESOURCES Own Your Time: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Coast FIRE Calculator: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/coast-fire-calculator Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors Podcast: https://bestinterest.blog/podcast Leave a Voicemail: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail Instagram: @marriagekidsandmoney LinkedIn: @AndyHillMKM CREDITS Host: Andy Hill Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would it feel like to never make a mortgage payment again? In this episode, we talk with Bobby Richardson from New Jersey about how he and his wife Alexandra paid off their $242,000 mortgage in just 10 years and became completely debt free on their home. We discuss the emotional side of homeownership, the desire for certainty in an uncertain world, and why becoming mortgage free gave their family peace of mind. Bobby also shares the practical strategies they used to make it happen, including increasing their income, staying aligned as a couple, and maintaining an achievement mindset throughout the journey. If you’ve ever wondered whether paying off your mortgage early is worth it, this conversation will give you a transparent look at both the math and the meaning behind becoming mortgage free. RESOURCES Mortgage Payoff Calculator: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/mortgage-payoff/ Own Your Time: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Barbell Financial (Bobby Richardson): https://www.barbellfinancial.com/ HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Host: Andy Hill Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simone Stolzoff’s new book: How to Not Know - ⁠https://amzn.to/420WLhp⁠ (affiliate) Uncertainty is everywhere right now. From economic shifts and global conflict to career changes and parenting decisions, many of us are craving answers in a world that feels increasingly unpredictable. In this episode, we sit down with author and journalist Simone Stolzoff to discuss how we can become more comfortable with uncertainty instead of constantly trying to eliminate it. Simone shares insights from his new book, How to Not Know: The Value of Uncertainty in a World That Demands Answers, and explains why our obsession with certainty may actually be fueling anxiety. We discuss how technology has changed our tolerance for the unknown, why discomfort can lead to growth, and practical ways to build resilience in uncertain times. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the future, this conversation will help you slow down, breathe deeper, and rethink your relationship with uncertainty. RESOURCES Own Your Time – Pre-order our first book today! MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey. Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how fast you can become mortgage free. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS & AFFILIATES) Monarch Money – Best budget app for families & couples. Crew – HYSA banking built for families (Get an extra 0.5% APY with our partner link). GUEST RESOURCES Simone Stolzoff’s new book: How to Not Know - https://amzn.to/420WLhp HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS Host: Andy Hill Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Johnson grew his family’s net worth to $1.8 million by age 34 through high income skills, consistent investing, and disciplined saving. In this episode, we discuss how Ben and his wife paid off $80,000 of debt in just two years, increased their household income from $110,000 to more than $250,000, and built a seven figure investment portfolio while raising two young daughters. We explore the power of tracking your net worth, investing in low cost index funds, and staying focused during the “messy middle” of family life. We also talk about why supply chain careers can be lucrative, how generosity plays a role in their financial plan, and why discipline matters more than motivation when building wealth. If you want practical guidance on increasing your income, growing your investments, and building long term family wealth, this episode is for you. Want to build wealth and design a life around what matters most? Grab my book Own Your Time: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book In This Episode You’ll Learn: How Ben and his wife paid off $80,000 of debt in two years Why increasing your income accelerates wealth building How they grew their net worth to $1.8 million by age 34 Their simple low cost index fund investing strategy Why tracking your net worth monthly matters How generosity and intentional living fit into their financial plan Resources Mentioned: Monarch Money to track your net worth: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Leave a voicemail for the show: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail Podcast Credits: Host: Andy Hill Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coast FIRE can be an incredible milestone, but what happens when the math, lifestyle, or motivation behind it starts to fall apart? In this episode, we talk with Bo Hanson, co-host of The Money Guy Show and partner/co-founder of Abound Wealth Management, about where Coast FIRE can go wrong and how families can avoid common mistakes. Bo shares why conservative assumptions matter, how lifestyle inflation can change your Coast FIRE numbers, and why it’s important to know what you’re actually moving toward before you take your foot off the gas. We also discuss marriage, kids, tax diversification, burnout, and how to build a financial plan that supports a fulfilling life today and tomorrow. RESOURCES The Money Guy Show – Free financial resources, calculators, and educational content from Bo Hanson and the Money Guy team. Marriage Kids and Money – Connect with Andy Hill and explore family finance resources. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you reached Coast FIRE (Coast to Financial Independence and Relax Early)… but still can’t bring yourself to slow down? Today’s listener, Chris, is in that exact spot. At 36 years old with $860,000 invested, two young kids, and a strong financial foundation, he’s done the math. He knows he’s on track. But mentally, he can’t shake the feeling that if he stops investing, he’s falling behind. In this episode, we break down a 5-step approach to confidently step into Coast FIRE and start reclaiming your time today: • Why this isn’t a math problem — it’s a belief problem • How to validate your Coast FIRE number • The mindset shift from money investing → time investing • Why you don’t have to stop… just step down • How to use your financial freedom to improve your family life now Then, in the second half of the episode, we are joined by financial planner and author Jamie Bosse to discuss how to raise financially confident kids: • When to start teaching kids about money • Simple ways to introduce investing to tweens and teens • The best account options for kids (UTMA, Roth IRA, 529s & more) • How to guide kids away from speculation and toward long-term investing If you’ve ever thought, “I know I have enough… but I can’t slow down,” or you want to raise financially savvy kids — this episode is for you. 📘 Investing for Tweens by Jamie Bossehttps://amzn.to/41Q4lev 📘 Own Your Time by Andy Hillhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book 🎤 Leave a question for the showhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail Instagram: @marriagekidsandmoney LinkedIn: @AndyHillMKM Podcast Credits: Host: Andy Hill Guest: Jamie Bosse Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abhi Jain has built a $1.3 million net worth by age 38 through a combination of career growth, side hustles, and real estate investing. In this episode, Abhi shares how he went from a traditional employee mindset to accelerating his income through strategic job changes and multiple streams of income. After moving to the United States from India, he leaned into opportunity, developed new skills, and embraced discomfort to grow both professionally and financially. We talk about how he and his wife work together as a team, combining his corporate career in software engineering with her creative business to increase their household income. Abhi also breaks down how real estate became the foundation of his wealth, including buying fixer uppers, building rental income, and scaling his portfolio across multiple states. If you are looking to grow your income, invest in real estate, or build generational wealth for your family, this conversation offers both practical strategies and inspiring perspective. Want to build wealth and design a life around what matters most? Grab my book Own Your Time: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book In This Episode You’ll Learn: How Abhi built a $1.3 million net worth by 38 Why switching jobs can accelerate your income growth How side hustles can add significant income over time The basics of buying and renting out fixer upper properties How to think about generational wealth and financial independence The mindset shift from employee to wealth builder Resources Mentioned: Divine Studio Henna Business: https://divine-studio.net Monarch Money to track your net worth: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Leave a voicemail for the show: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail Podcast Credits: Host: Andy Hill Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to reach Coast FIRE by your mid-30s and actually enjoy the freedom that comes with it? In this episode, we sit down with personal finance educator Liz Enriquez from Ambitious Adulting to discuss how she and her husband reached Coast FIRE with nearly $1 million invested by age 35. We break down the habits, mindset, and income strategies that helped them build wealth over nearly two decades, starting with small contributions and growing into a powerful investing system. Liz shares how growing up in an immigrant household shaped her money mindset, why she focused on maintaining a high savings rate early on, and how multiple income streams accelerated their progress. We also dive into the Canadian investing landscape, including TFSAs, RRSPs, and how to think about diversification across accounts. Now that they’ve reached Coast FIRE, Liz opens up about the emotional side of slowing down, reducing their savings rate, and designing a more flexible lifestyle. From her husband leaving a high-stress job to work part-time at a pizza shop to prioritizing time with their son, this conversation highlights what life can look like when your investments are working for you. If you’re working toward financial independence or wondering what happens after you hit your number, this episode will give you both the strategy and the perspective to keep going. Resources & Links Ambitious Adulting (Liz Enriquez): https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousadulting/Coast FIRE Calculator: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/Own Your Time (Andy’s Book): https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Credits Host: Andy Hill Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When work starts to take over your life, it can impact more than just your schedule. It can affect your health, relationships, and overall happiness. In this episode, we interview psychologist and bestselling author Guy Winch to explore how to reclaim balance in a world that rewards overworking. We discuss why overworking has become so common, how it affects our mental and physical well-being, and what practical steps you can take to regain control. Guy shares simple, science-backed strategies to help you set boundaries, quiet your mind after work, and reconnect with the parts of your life that matter most. If you’ve ever felt like work is crowding out everything else, this conversation will help you reset, refocus, and build a healthier relationship with your time. Learn more in Guy’s latest book, Mind Over Grind → https://amzn.to/48zLic2 RESOURCES Own Your Time – Order my first book today! MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey. Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube – Subscribe for free to watch videos of episodes and interviews. GUEST RESOURCE Mind Over Grind by Guy Winch – Break free from overwork and reclaim your time. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you have a third child? And how can you help your kids graduate college debt-free? In this episode, we explore one of life’s most personal decisions: whether to grow your family. We walk through a thoughtful 7-step framework to help you and your partner decide if a third child is right for you—covering emotional readiness, relationship strength, finances, and the value of time. Then, we’re joined by educator and author Shelley Branine to talk about how families can avoid student loan debt. We dive into why college costs have skyrocketed and how strategies like dual enrollment can help students earn college credits in high school—often at little to no cost. If you’re thinking about expanding your family or planning for your child’s education, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and practical next steps. Resources and Links 📚 📖My new book, "Own Your Time"  https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon 📞Voicemail for Questions: Leave a voicemail at ⁠marriagekidsmoney.com/voicemail⁠ to have your question answered on the show! 💻 Sponsors and Additional Resources ⁠⁠https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources⁠⁠ 👉Connect with me on social media: LinkedIn: ⁠AndyHillMKM⁠ Instagram: ⁠MarriageKidsAndMoney⁠ CREDITS Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Michelle Ahmed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially in today’s market with rising prices and higher interest rates. In this episode, we sit down with real estate expert Scott Harris to break down how first-time buyers can move forward with confidence. Scott, founder of Magnetic Real Estate and author of The Pursuit of Home, shares why so many buyers feel stuck and how to overcome that fear with the right preparation and mindset. We discuss how to save for a down payment, get pre-approved, choose the right real estate agent, and navigate the emotional side of buying a home as a couple. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines wondering when to buy or how to start, this episode will help you take your next step toward homeownership with clarity and confidence. RESOURCES Andy Hill's book Own Your Time The Pursuit of Home (Book) – Scott Harris’ guide to navigating the home buying journey. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to reach Coast FIRE in your late 30s and how does it change your life? In this episode, we sit down with certified financial educator Suzy May to discuss how she and her husband reached Coast FIRE with $900,000 invested before age 40. We talk about how starting early, maintaining a strong savings rate, and investing consistently allowed their portfolio to grow to a point where they no longer need to aggressively contribute to retirement. Suzy shares how Coast FIRE has given their family the freedom to slow down, work less, and design a life filled with travel, flexibility, and meaningful time with their kids. We also discuss the emotional shift that happens when you move from wealth building to wealth enjoying and how families can define success beyond the numbers. If you’ve ever wondered what happens after you build a strong investment foundation, this conversation will give you a real-life look at how Coast FIRE can create more options for your family. Carpe Diem! Resources & Links Own Your Time (Andy’s book): https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Suzy May Website: https://suzymaywander.com Wander World School Podcast: www.wanderworldschool.com Monarch Money: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Credits Host: Andy Hill Editor: Johnny Sohl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung have grown their family’s net worth to $2.9 million by age 43 without owning a home and while traveling the world for years. In this episode, we break down how they built wealth starting with a modest income, avoided lifestyle inflation, and reached financial independence in their 30s. Kristy and Bryce share how their $1 million portfolio doubled while they were retired, how geographic arbitrage helped them control spending, and why investing early matters more than earning a six figure salary. We also talk about becoming parents after reaching FI, the real cost of raising a child, and how marketing pressures families into overspending. If you have ever worried that kids will derail your financial goals, this conversation will challenge that narrative. Most importantly, Kristy and Bryce explain how financial independence gave them the ultimate gift, time, especially during one of the most difficult seasons of their lives. Want to build wealth and design a life around what matters most? Grab my book Own Your Time: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book In This Episode You’ll Learn: How they reached $1 million in their 30s and grew it to $2.9 million Why avoiding lifestyle inflation accelerates wealth building The difference between investable assets and home equity How travel helped lower their annual expenses The real cost of raising a child Why financial independence is about buying back your time Resources Mentioned: Parent Like a Millionaire Without Being One: https://amzn.to/4rbbKPM Millennial Revolution Blog: https://www.millennial-revolution.com Free Investment Workshop: https://www.millennial-revolution.com/investworkshop Monarch Money to track your net worth: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Leave a voicemail for the show: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail Podcast Credits: Host: Andy Hill Editor: Johnny Sohl Carpe Diem! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicole is back for our annual Bread & Wine episode and this one gets real. After finally reading my new book Own Your Time, she shares her honest and emotional reaction including the chapter that made her cry. We talk about the embarrassment of discussing money, the tension we felt during our debt payoff journey, and what it really takes to pursue financial independence as a married couple. Nicole opens up about growing up with money insecurity, why sharing our financial story felt vulnerable, and how we found a healthier middle ground on our path to time freedom. We also discuss why money should not be taboo, how to avoid pushing your spouse too far in the pursuit of financial independence, and what wealth truly feels like today. If you are in the messy middle of career, kids, and financial stress, this conversation is for you. Resources Mentioned Own Your Time by Andy Hillhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Leave us a voicemail for a future episodehttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When work becomes optional, a new question appears: who do you want to be now? Brad Barrett retired in 2015 at age 35 after a 13 year career as an accountant. Since then, he’s spent the last decade experimenting with early retirement, building ChooseFI into one of the largest personal finance podcasts in the world, and refining what a meaningful life actually looks like after financial independence. In this episode, Brad shares what pushed him toward financial independence, the key financial decisions that accelerated his path, and the surprising lessons he’s learned after 10+ years of optional work. We also talk about balance, identity, intentional living, and why some people stay one more year longer than they need to. If you’re pursuing financial independence or wondering what life really looks like on the other side, this conversation will challenge you to think deeper about time, money, and what truly matters. Want to build wealth and design a life around what matters most? Grab my book Own Your Time: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book In This Episode You’ll Learn: Why Brad started pursuing financial independence in his 20s The financial decisions that helped him retire at 35 How to think differently about spending and intentionality What early retirement is really like after the honeymoon phase Why “one more year” can cost more than you think Resources Mentioned: ChooseFI Podcast: https://choosefi.com ChooseFI Local Groups: https://choosefi.com/local Monarch Money (track your net worth): https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Leave a voicemail for the show: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail Podcast Credits: Host: Andy Hill Editor: Johnny Sohl Carpe Diem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Taylor reached a $2.8 million net worth by age 35 and retired in his early 30s. In this episode, he breaks down exactly how he built wealth, transitioned from the Air Force to corporate America, and walked away from full-time work to design a life focused on freedom, health, and travel. Justin shares how growing up with a scarcity mindset shaped his financial habits, why tracking your net worth changes everything, and the simple total stock market index fund strategy that fueled his growth. If you’ve ever felt behind financially or wondered whether financial independence is possible for you, this conversation will give you both tactical steps and mindset shifts. Want to build wealth and design a life around what matters most? Check out my book Own Your Time: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book In This Episode You’ll Learn: How Justin built a $2.8 million net worth by 35 His simple index fund investing approach The income journey from military to corporate What early retirement actually looks like How to overcome a scarcity mindset Resources Mentioned: The Financial Independence Show: https://thefishow.com/ Saving Sherpa: https://saving-sherpa.com/ Monarch Money (track your net worth): https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Leave a voicemail for the show: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail Podcast Credits: Host: Andy Hill Editor: Johnny Sohl Artwork: Kayli Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we talk with Jesse Cramer about his journey to reaching Coast FIRE, a milestone where existing investments can grow to fund retirement without additional contributions. We unpack how starting early and letting compound interest work over time can create long-term freedom. We also discuss the tension between saving and enjoying life today, especially while managing the realities of family expenses. Along the way, we highlight the importance of financial education and staying flexible as plans evolve. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re starting too late, unsure how to balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s goals, or questioning what financial independence really looks like, then this episode is for you. 00:00 The Importance of Saving and Compound Interest 02:58 Achieving Coast Fire: Jesse's Journey 06:02 Understanding Investments and Financial Education 09:01 Income Growth and Financial Decisions 11:57 Balancing Spending and Budgeting 14:57 Managing Family Expenses and Lifestyle Inflation 18:03 The Flexibility of Financial Planning 20:54 Generational Wealth and Parenting Perspectives 24:04 Future Goals and Family Focus 27:11 Key Takeaways for Financial Success Resources and Links 📚 📖My new book, "Own Your Time"  https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book 🎙️ Jesse Cramer's podcast: Personal Finance for Long Term Investors 💻 Jesse Cramer's blog:  ⁠Best Interest Blog⁠ 💻 Sponsors and Additional Resources https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources 📞Voicemail for Questions: Leave a voicemail at marriagekidsmoney.com/voicemail to have your question answered on the show! 👉Connect with me on social media: LinkedIn: Andy Hill, MKM Instagram and Facebook: MarriageKidsAndMoney Credits Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can we help our kids become resilient and independent without pushing too hard or protecting too much? This week, we sit down with Lee Benson, author of Value Creation Kid, to talk about turning everyday responsibilities into growth opportunities. Lee shares how chores, family meetings, and shared decision making can create a culture of leadership, accountability, and value creation at home. We wrap things up with practical steps families can take today, including involving kids in financial decisions and setting clear expectations that foster independence. Whether you are raising preschoolers or teens, this episode will help you shift from protecting to preparing your kids for life. Visit dinnertable.com to learn more about building a value driven family culture. CHAPTERS 🎧 0:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome1:33 - Why Parents Avoid Struggle3:18 - Healthy vs. Unhealthy Struggles5:04 - Lee Benson's Personal Story9:04 - Connecting with Kids on Values10:34 - Family Meetings and Leadership13:30 - The Role of Family Dinners16:09 - Running the Household as a Team19:51 - Chores, Allowances, and Money Mindset24:32 - Conclusion and Call to Action Resources and Links 📚 📖My new book, "Own Your Time"  https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon 💻 Sponsors and Additional Resources https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources 📞Voicemail for Questions: Leave a voicemail at marriagekidsmoney.com/voicemail to have your question answered on the show! 👉Connect with me on social media: LinkedIn: AndyHillMKM Instagram and Facebook: MarriageKidsAndMoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you decide between Roth and traditional investing when you want flexibility in the future? We kick off the show by answering a listener question from Liz about how much to invest in Roth versus traditional accounts. We walk through tax diversification, the three bucket strategy, and how to think about today’s income versus retirement so your family can build wealth with options. Next, we sit down with Anthony Rojas from Georgia for our Net Worth Win segment. Anthony shares how his family built an $868,000 net worth by age 39, the financial lessons shaped by his upbringing, and how he and his wife are using money to create stability, generosity, and meaningful experiences for their growing family. We wrap things up with a Money Quiz featuring Calvin. Together, we test his knowledge on net worth, investing, and YouTube monetization so kids and parents can learn and play along together. Chapters 🎧 0:00 Introduction and Episode Overview  1:29 Listener Question from Liz  2:51 Tax Buckets Explained  11:52 Anthony Rojas's Net Worth Journey  21:38 Building Generational Wealth  31:03 Money Quiz with Calvin Hill  Resources and Links 📚 📖My new book, "Own Your Time"  https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon 📞Voicemail for Questions: Leave a voicemail at marriagekidsmoney.com/voicemail to have your question answered on the show! 🎙️Anthony Rojas's Podcast: Listen to Anthony's podcast, Unknown Variables 🍑Nectarine Financial Advisors: Recommended for advice-only financial planning. Visit marriagekidsmoney.com/Nectarine for more information. 💻 Sponsors and Additional Resources ⁠https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources⁠ 👉Connect with me on social media: LinkedIn: AndyHillMKM Instagram and Facebook: MarriageKidsAndMoney Credits Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I talk with Cody Berman and Sean Mullaney about what it really takes to reach early financial independence. Cody shares how he built a $4.8 million net worth by 29 through frugal living, intentional spending, and creating multiple income streams, while Sean breaks down the smartest tax strategies early retirees use to access money sooner and keep more of what they earn. We cover how to effectively use 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, HSAs, and taxable accounts together, plus key tactics like the Rule of 55, Roth conversions, and tax arbitrage that can dramatically lower your lifetime tax rate. Sean makes complex tax planning simple and actionable for anyone pursuing FIRE. Whether you’re just starting your wealth-building journey or planning an early retirement, this episode delivers practical strategies to grow wealth faster and design a flexible, purpose-driven financial future. CHAPTERS 🎧 00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview 01:10 – Best Accounts for Early Retirement 02:45 – Why Traditional 401(k)s Still Matter 04:55 – Accessing Retirement Money Before 59½ 07:10 – Roth IRAs for Early Retirement Flexibility 11:45 – Using Taxable Accounts to Retire Early 14:10 – Tax Rate Arbitrage & Keeping Taxes Low 18:45 – HSAs, ACA Planning, and Early Retirement 23:10 – Financial Independence with Purpose 26:00 – Net Worth Win: $4.8M by Age 29 27:45 – Cody Berman’s FIRE Origin Story 32:00 – Quitting Corporate & Scaling Income Fast 37:00 – Building Multiple Income Streams 41:45 – Net Worth & Asset Breakdown 46:25 – Debt, Risk, and Long-Term Wealth Strategy 50:55 – Spending, Lifestyle, and Life After FI 52:55 – Advice for Your 20s & Getting Started 55:00 – Final Thoughts & Where to Connect Resources and Links 📚 My new book, "Own Your Time" - https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Sponsors and Additional Resources https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources FI Tax Guy (Sean’s blog & tax planning resources): https://fitaxguy.com/ Cody Berman’s official site (passive income guides & resources): https://codydberman.com/ The Financial Independence Show (podcast by Cody Berman & Justin Taylor): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-financial-independence-show/id1434155196 Gold City Ventures (Cody’s company focused on passive income and online business): https://goldcityventures.com/ Gold City Ventures on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/goldcityventures Credits Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson NOTE: The discussion is intended to be for general educational purposes and is not tax, legal, or investment advice for any individual. Andy and Marriage Kids and Money do not endorse Sean Mullaney, Mullaney Financial & Tax, Inc. and their services.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Marriage Kids and Money podcast, we break down Coast FIRE, a financial approach that lets you “coast” to retirement once your investments can grow on their own, without needing to keep pouring money in. We're joined by Mike English, who shares his real-life path to reaching Coast FIRE in his 30s and what that decision changed about his life and priorities. Plus, Calvin joins Andy and hops on the mic for a fun and meaningful conversation about why investing early actually matters. They talk investment strategies, financial independence, and how to think long-term about building wealth that lasts. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re saving enough, questioned the pressure to grind forever, or thought about what kind of money story you want your kids to grow up with, this episode might shift how you think about the road to financial freedom. Chapters 🎧 00:00 Introduction to Coast Fire 01:15 Understanding Coast Fire by Age 30, 40, and 50 12:08 Interview with Mike English: Achieving Coast Fire 34:04 Good Word with Calvin: Celebrating Financial Literacy Resources and Links 📚 My new book, "Own Your Time" - https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon Try our FREE Coast FIRE Calculator 📱 https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/ Sponsors and Additional Resources https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources Credits Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sit down with Larry Hagner, founder of The Dad Edge and author of The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood. We talk about a powerful idea Larry calls “the drift”—how men can slowly lose focus in their roles as husbands and fathers without even realizing it. Larry shares how to interrupt that drift and become more intentional at home, strengthen your marriage, and build deeper connections with your kids. We also dive into practical habits, mindset shifts, and simple actions dads can take right now to create a more fulfilling family life. If you’re a husband or father who wants to show up better for the people who matter most, this conversation is for you. Resources and Links 📚 The Dad Edge: https://thedadedge.com/ Larry's New Book : The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood https://amzn.to/3Zgszx2 My new book, "Own Your Time" - https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon Sponsors and Additional Resources https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources Credits Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a lot of noise in the investing world, but building wealth doesn’t have to become a second job. In this episode, I share how to invest simply, consistently, and with your family’s future in mind, without stress or constant decision-making. In today’s episode, I sit down with Blake Edwards from Georgia, who has built an $865,000 net worth by age 31. Blake breaks down how intentional income growth, living below their means, and staying aligned as a couple helped accelerate their wealth. He also shares a transparent look at his family’s assets, approach to generosity, and what generational wealth really means to him beyond the numbers. I wrap up with a Money Quiz, testing my son Calvin on Stranger Things revenue, compound interest, and the gap between race prizes and investment returns. If you want real-life inspiration and practical proof that calm, consistent investing works, even with a busy family and W-2 jobs, this episode will encourage you to stay the course and keep moving forward. Chapters 🎧 0:00 Intro 1:19 Hannah's Question: Getting Started with Investing 11:49 Meet Blake Edwards 12:32 Blake's Motivation for Building Wealth 14:03 Partnership and Shared Values 15:54 Career Trajectory and Income Growth 18:58 Asset Breakdown: Where the Money Is 20:28 Getting Started: The Roth IRA Journey 23:48 Liabilities: The Mortgage Decision 26:14 Generational Wealth and Values 28:31 Future Goals and Dreams 30:04 The Power of Giving 31:25 Advice: Intentionality and Education 33:57 Building Quiet Wealth with W2 Jobs 35:29 Money Quiz: Calvin's Financial Education Resources 📚 Own Your Time https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Track Your Spending and Net Worth with Monarch Money https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Coast FIRE Calculator https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/ HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER ⚠️ This show may contain affiliate links or links from our sponsors where we earn a commission, direct payment, or products at no extra cost to you. Opinions are our own. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a licensed financial professional for your specific situation. Marriage Kids and Money (https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. Credits 🎙️ Podcast Artwork: Kayli Groves Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if there was a third option between grinding it out in corporate life and chasing extreme early retirement? What if you could work less, be more present with your family, and still feel confident about your financial future? In today’s episode, I join Paula Pant on her top-ranked podcast, Afford Anything, to talk about the middle ground between traditional employment and full FIRE. We dive into Coast FIRE, part-time work, and what it really takes to own your time while raising kids. I share how my wife and I structured our lives to both work part time, stay involved with our kids, and still build long term wealth without burning out. This conversation is part of our Best of MKM series and was originally recorded live at FinCon in Portland. Paula and I walk through my 10-step framework for owning your time, including how to reduce financial anxiety, eliminate debt, invest with intention, and design a three-day work week that supports your family and your health. We also talk candidly about parenting, identity, lifestyle tradeoffs, and how to model a life of freedom and generosity for your kids. If you are tired of living for the weekend and want a realistic path to more time freedom, this conversation will open your eyes to what is possible. CHAPTERS 🎧 0:00 Intro and Best of MKM setup 1:10 Meeting Paula Pant and Afford Anything 2:30 Why two working parents chose part time work 5:10 Designing a balanced family schedule 8:00 Being present during pivotal childhood years 12:05 Identity beyond work 15:10 The 10 steps to owning your time 18:00 Eliminating debt and financial anxiety 22:00 Reaching Coast FIRE 25:30 Why paying off the mortgage matters 30:00 FU money and career flexibility 35:00 Designing a three day work week 40:00 Health insurance outside corporate life 45:00 Avoiding lifestyle creep 50:00 Teaching kids generational wealth habits 1:00:30 Where to learn more about Andy and Own Your Time RESOURCES 📚 Own Your Timehttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Track Your Spending and Net Worth with Monarch Moneyhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Coast FIRE Calculatorhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/ Afford Anything Podcasthttps://affordanything.com HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER ⚠️ This show may contain affiliate links or links from our sponsors where we earn a commission, direct payment, or products at no extra cost to you. Opinions are our own. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a licensed financial professional for your specific situation. Marriage Kids and Money (https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. CREDITS 🎙️ Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you could reach a point where your investments were doing the heavy lifting and you could finally slow down without falling behind? Would you keep pushing forward, or would you take the exit and design a life that fits right now? In today’s episode, Anders Skagerberg shares how he and his wife reached Coast FIRE in their early thirties and made the intentional decision to downshift. Instead of continuing to save aggressively, they chose to prioritize time, flexibility, and family while letting compound growth work in the background. Anders explains what Coast FIRE really looks like in real life and how it gave his family options instead of pressure. This episode is part of our Best of MKM series and was originally recorded in 2023. A short clip from this conversation took off on YouTube, so we decided to bring you the full story. Anders breaks down his Coast FIRE numbers, the accounts he uses, how he and his wife communicate about money, and why taking the Coast FIRE exit does not have to be permanent. If you are Coast FIRE curious or wondering whether you can have both freedom today and security tomorrow, this conversation will help you think differently about what is possible. CHAPTERS 🎧 0:00 Intro 0:41 Meet Anders Skagerberg 2:08 Coast FIRE Five 3:06 Retirement projections 4:41 Current household spending 5:43 What motivated Anders to start investing 6:46 Lessons from the Great Financial Crisis 9:02 How their investments are structured 10:43 Why tax diversification matters 11:50 How they communicate about money as a couple 13:03 Taking the Coast FIRE exit 15:12 Life after downshifting 16:30 One step to start your Coast FIRE journey 17:14 Where to find Anders online RESOURCES 📚 Own Your Timehttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Track Your Spending and Net Worth with Monarch Moneyhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Coast FIRE Calculatorhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/ HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER ⚠️ This show may contain affiliate links or links from our sponsors where we earn a commission, direct payment, or products at no extra cost to you. Opinions are our own. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a licensed financial professional for your specific situation. Marriage Kids and Money (https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. CREDITS 🎙️ Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really mean to be “almost a millionaire”? And is that number as important as the freedom you gain along the way? In today’s episode, Joshua Weekley shares how he and his wife built a net worth of nearly $1 million by age 35 without extreme deprivation or risky bets. Instead of chasing shortcuts, Joshua focused on consistent habits, automation, and learning how to control his money so it could support the life he wanted with his family. This episode is part of our Best of MKM series and was originally released last year. It quickly became one of our most popular and highly viewed interviews because of its honesty, relatability, and practical approach to wealth building. Joshua opens up about growing up around money stress, learning from what his parents did and did not do with finances, and why net worth became a powerful motivator for reclaiming his time. He also breaks down exactly where his money is today, including home equity, retirement accounts, brokerage investments, and cash. Most importantly, he explains why wealth is built milestone by milestone, not overnight. If you are working toward your first $1,000 emergency fund or closing in on your first million, this conversation is a powerful reminder that every step forward matters. CHAPTERS 🎧 0:00 Intro 0:20 Why milestones matter more than a million 1:46 Joshua’s motivation for building wealth 2:58 Income journey from serving to engineering 3:50 Household income growth over time 4:06 Net worth breakdown at nearly $1 million 4:45 Investing vs saving early on 5:51 Avoiding analysis paralysis with automation 6:36 Current debts and mortgage balance 7:26 Tracking net worth after Mint 8:49 Generational wealth plans for his kids 10:07 Teaching money skills over inheritance 10:55 How wealth created more family experiences 12:19 Advice for getting started from zero 13:45 Why emergency funds are a major milestone 14:35 How to connect with Joshua RESOURCES 📚 Own Your Timehttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Track Your Spending and Net Worth with Monarch Moneyhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Mortgage Free Payoff Calculatorhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/mortgage-payoff/ HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER ⚠️ This show may contain affiliate links or links from our sponsors where we earn a commission, direct payment, or products at no extra cost to you. Opinions are our own. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a licensed financial professional for your specific situation. Marriage Kids and Money (https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. CREDITS 🎙️ Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would your life look like if you woke up tomorrow and your home was completely paid off? How much freedom would that give your family? And how much more possibility would you feel if housing costs disappeared forever? In today’s episode, Ken and Mary Okoroafor from The Humble Penny share how they became mortgage free in one of the most expensive cities in the world: London. They paid off the equivalent of nearly $475,000 in just seven years, and the ripple effects changed everything. Ken and Mary open up about the peace of mind they gained, how their work and family life transformed, what mortgage freedom made possible for their children, and why this choice unlocked a new lifestyle filled with flexibility, purpose, and joy. This Best of MKM conversation is one of the most inspiring mortgage free stories we have ever featured. If you want to eliminate stress, design a more intentional family life, and build generational wealth with confidence, this episode will light a fire under you. CHAPTERS 🎧 0:00 Intro 0:34 Meet Ken and Mary Okoroafor 1:50 Mortgage Free Three 2:40 Why they became mortgage free 4:10 How cost of living shaped their decisions 5:43 How they paid off their mortgage in seven years 8:03 Living on one income and side hustles 9:41 Cutting costs and intentional lifestyle choices 10:51 Working together as a couple 12:39 Celebrating the mortgage free moment 15:26 How their work life changed 18:14 What life looks like today 20:11 Why this freedom would not be possible with a mortgage 21:58 Generational wealth and their children 24:20 Being present as parents 26:00 Their book Financial Joy 27:00 Where to find The Humble Penny RESOURCES 📚 Own Your Timehttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Track Your Spending and Net Worth with Monarch Moneyhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Mortgage Free Payoff Calculatorhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/mortgage-payoff/ The Humble Pennyhttps://thehumblepenny.com Financial Joy Bookhttps://amzn.to/48jWREN The Humble Penny YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/thehumblepenny HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER ⚠️ This show may contain affiliate links or links from our sponsors where we earn a commission, direct payment, or products at no extra cost to you. Opinions are our own. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a licensed financial professional for your specific situation. Marriage Kids and Money (https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. CREDITS 🎙️ Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered what would change in your life if you finally reached the point where your investments could grow on autopilot even if you stopped contributing? What kind of freedom would that give your family? And what possibilities might open up if you did not have to hustle at 110 percent forever? In today’s episode, Marko Zlatic from Whiteboard Finance shares how he and his wife reached Coast FIRE in their mid-thirties with over $730,000 invested. Marco breaks down the exact moves that got them there, from early investing habits to their simple index fund strategy to building a life that blends ambition with balance. He also opens up about parenting, marriage, culture, and why he believes Coast Fire is the most realistic financial independence path for families. This Best of MKM episode earned more than 40,000 YouTube views when it first aired, and for good reason. It is transparent, motivating, and packed with actionable takeaways for anyone aiming to build wealth while still enjoying life today. CHAPTERS 🎧 0:00 Intro 0:35 Meet Marko Zlatic of Whiteboard Finance 2:09 Coast Fire Five 3:30 Retirement projections 3:58 Current expenses 4:15 How Marko started investing 5:11 When he shifted to index funds 6:20 Money dynamics in marriage 7:52 What is inside Marko’s portfolio 8:31 Pre tax, taxable and Roth strategy 9:42 529s and kids plans 11:35 His take on bonds 12:45 How Coast Fire changed his mindset 14:03 Why Coast Fire is perfect for parents 15:51 Balancing FIRE with living well 17:37 What excites Marko about the next 15 years 19:20 A life philosophy rooted in purpose 20:25 Where to find Marko online RESOURCES 📚 Own Your Timehttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Track Your Net Worth with Empowerhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/empower Whiteboard Finance YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/whiteboardfinance Whiteboard Finance Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/whiteboardfinance HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER ⚠️ This show may contain affiliate links or links from our sponsors where we earn a commission, direct payment, or products at no extra cost to you. Opinions are our own. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a licensed financial professional for your specific situation. Marriage Kids and Money (https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. CREDITS 🎙️ Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered what life would look like if you designed your days around freedom instead of work? What would change if you could travel for months at a time, pick projects you actually enjoy, and still watch your net worth climb into the millions? Today you’ll hear how Lauren and Stephen Keys, creators of Trip of a Lifestyle, built a million dollar net worth in their early thirties and used it to create a flexible, travel-filled life. They didn’t wait for traditional retirement at 65. They didn’t burn out on the way to FIRE. Instead, they created a lifestyle where they work less, live more, and let their money do the heavy lifting. This conversation originally aired last year and quickly became one of our most-watched interviews, so it felt like the perfect Best of MKM feature for this holiday week. Lauren and Stephen share how they avoided lifestyle creep, traveled the world cheaply, took mini retirements, paid off two homes, and built more confidence with each dollar saved. If you're dreaming of more time freedom, this story will show you what’s possible. CHAPTERS 🎧 0:00 Intro 0:26 Meet Lauren and Stephen Keys 2:00 The moment that changed everything 4:15 Early moves that accelerated their wealth 5:11 Avoiding lifestyle creep 6:50 How they travel constantly without overspending 9:03 Their first six month mini retirement in Hawaii 10:42 Visiting every national park 12:17 Leaving full-time work 13:38 Life at a million-dollar net worth 15:36 Why they still choose to work 16:38 Rethinking traditional retirement 18:05 Breaking down their million dollar portfolio 19:20 Paying off homes vs investing 21:39 Looking ahead to the next decade 22:57 One step couples can take today 23:20 Where to find Lauren and Stephen RESOURCES 📚 Own Your Timehttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Track Your Net Worth with Empowerhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/empower Trip of a Lifestylehttps://www.tripofalifestyle.com Cram Better tutoringhttps://crambetter.com Trip of a Lifestyle Financial Roadmaphttps://www.tripofalifestyle.com/roadmap HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER ⚠️ This show may contain affiliate links or links from our sponsors where we earn a commission, direct payment, or products at no extra cost to you. Opinions are our own. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a licensed financial professional for your specific situation. Marriage Kids and Money (https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. CREDITS 🎙️ Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we explore the power of generosity and the traditions that can help our kids grow into grateful and giving adults. We walk through five simple and meaningful family giving ideas, including Big Tip Tuesday, the Big Give, glovebox giving, and volunteer habits that bring families closer. Then we sit down with Angela Rozmyn from Women’s Personal Finance to learn how she and her husband reached Coast Fire in their thirties and how intentional living shaped their journey. Angela shares transparent details about their investing, lifestyle choices, and the trade-offs that helped them create more time freedom as parents. We close with a heartwarming Good Word story featuring Calvin and a Today.com piece about a baker who delivers free birthday cakes to his neighbors experiencing homelessness. It is a powerful reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. If you want more margin to live generously, check out Own Your Time at https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon Chapters 0:00 Welcome to the show 0:24 Five family giving traditions 9:05 Coast Fire Couple interview with Angela Rozmyn 38:30 Where to find Angela online 39:02 The Good Word with Calvin 40:55 Today.com good news story 43:45 Final thoughts Resources and Links Women’s Personal Finance (Angela Rozmyn)https://womenspersonalfinance.org/ Baker delivers free birthday cakes to homeless peoplehttps://www.today.com/food/people/baker-delivers-free-birthday-cakes-to-homeless-people-rcna235965 Own Your Time - New book: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon Crew: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/crew Sponsors and additional resourceshttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/sponsors Disclaimer This show is for entertainment purposes only. Be sure to seek out a professional for your specific financial situation. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Credits Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talking about money with your spouse can be hard, especially when emotions, expectations, and old habits get involved. In this episode, we explore how couples can discuss money without fighting and move toward fairness, trust, and teamwork. Our guests, Heather and Douglas Bonaparth, are a married couple who know both the financial and emotional sides of money. Heather is a lawyer turned writer, and Douglas is a nationally recognized financial advisor and founder of Bonafide Wealth. Together, they co-authored Money Together, a book that helps couples create equity in their relationships and communicate more effectively about finances. We discuss how to approach tough conversations about spending, why understanding your financial beginnings matters, and how to replace accusation with curiosity. Heather and Douglas also share practical advice on balancing contributions at home and work, maintaining fairness when one partner earns more, and building a marriage rooted in empathy and shared goals. PODCAST CHAPTERS 00:00 – Welcome and introduction 01:00 – Why money can be a sticky subject in marriage 02:00 – How our beginnings shape our money beliefs 03:30 – Common money conflicts in relationships 05:15 – The importance of curiosity and empathy 06:30 – Setting the right time and place for money talks 08:00 – Start with wins, not criticism 09:00 – Turning money conversations into teamwork 10:45 – Redefining contribution beyond income 13:00 – Creating fairness at home and in finances 15:30 – Building equity in your marriage 17:30 – Moving away from traditional gender roles 19:30 – Balancing breadwinning and identity 22:30 – Power dynamics and redefining success 25:00 – Learning from couples who do it right 27:00 – How to start small and lead with vulnerability 29:00 – The role of time, communication, and empathy 31:30 – About the book Money Together and where to learn more RESOURCES & NOTES 📚 Money Together by Heather and Douglas Bonaparth – Learn how to create fairness and become an unstoppable financial team: https://amzn.to/3JH4tHO 🌐 Heather and Douglas Bonaparth – DoMoneyTogether.com – Explore their resources, newsletter, and more insights for couples. 💰 Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/sponsors 📘 Own Your Time – Pre-order our first book: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book ▶️ YouTube – Subscribe to watch videos and interviews: https://www.youtube.com/marriagekidsandmoney HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our sponsors where we earn a commission, direct payment, or products at no extra cost to you. Opinions are our own. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a licensed financial professional for your specific situation. Marriage Kids and Money (https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Solopreneur Life segment, Rebecca Richardson, also known as The Mortgage Mentor, shares how she built a thriving mortgage origination business earning up to $20,000 per month while maintaining the flexibility to be present for her four kids and family. With more than 20 years in the mortgage industry and a large social media following, Rebecca has leveraged her expertise to create multiple income streams, including coaching, consulting, and speaking, which bring in an additional $5,000–$7,500 per month. She joins us to discuss how solopreneurship has allowed her to build a balanced life, the lessons she’s learned from market ups and downs, and how others can design a career that fits their family goals. We also cover her favorite tools, the biggest mistake she’s made on her journey, and what retirement looks like now that she’s truly “work optional.” CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction 00:25 – Meet Rebecca Richardson, The Mortgage Mentor 01:15 – How she got started in the mortgage business 03:00 – Transitioning into a solopreneur-style career 04:30 – Balancing autonomy with company structure 05:55 – The freedom to design her own business and schedule 07:45 – Lessons from 2008 and adapting to market changes 09:25 – Staying nimble in uncertain housing markets 11:30 – How mortgage originators make money 12:50 – Building multiple income streams through content and coaching 13:45 – Earning $15K–$20K per month in mortgage income 14:25 – Adding $5K–$7.5K per month from consulting and speaking 15:30 – Running a lean, efficient business 16:45 – Learning to outsource and protect her time 18:00 – How long it takes to build income consistency as a loan officer 19:30 – Why this career path offers flexibility for parents 21:45 – Rebecca’s advice for aspiring mortgage originators 23:15 – Solopreneur High Five: tools, AI, mistakes, hobbies, and retirement 29:00 – Her best advice for aspiring solopreneurs 29:45 – Where to find Rebecca online RESOURCES & NOTES 🌐 Rebecca Richardson – The Mortgage Mentor: https://www.themortgagementor.co 💰 Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/sponsors 📘 Own Your Time – Pre-order our first book: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book 💼 Gusto – The payroll and benefits platform built for small business owners: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/gusto ▶️ YouTube – Subscribe to watch episodes and interviews: https://www.youtube.com/marriagekidsandmoney HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our sponsors where we earn a commission, direct payment, or products at no extra cost to you. Opinions are our own. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a licensed financial professional for your specific situation. Marriage Kids and Money (https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. CREDITS Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re Debt Free. Now What? After years of paying off debt, many families wonder what to do next. In this episode, we answer a question from Brian in Michigan, who just became debt-free with his wife and wants to know how to make the most of their extra $1,000 per month. We share five time freedom moves to help families use that money wisely, from building an emergency fund and reassessing insurance coverage to investing for Coast FIRE and starting a 529 plan for their new baby’s future. We also discuss how to avoid lifestyle inflation and use money to buy time, not things. Then, in our Be The Change segment, we talk with Keith Wargo, President and CEO of Autism Speaks, about financial planning for families with special needs children and how their organization supports parents navigating the system. Finally, we wrap up with a fun Money Quiz featuring Calvin Hill, testing his financial knowledge on debt, giving, and net worth. PODCAST CHAPTERS 00:00 – Use money to buy time, not things 00:22 – Welcome and episode overview 01:00 – Question of the month from Brian in Michigan 02:10 – Step 1: Build savings and your safety net 03:40 – Step 2: Reassess insurance coverage 05:00 – The power of protecting your family 06:20 – Step 3: Invest for Coast FIRE 07:30 – Our Coast FIRE journey and growth 09:00 – Step 4: Start a 529 plan for your child’s future 10:00 – Lump sum investing and early start benefits 11:00 – Step 5: Focus on time freedom, not lifestyle inflation 14:00 – Be The Change with Autism Speaks 15:00 – Financial planning for special needs families 16:45 – ABLE accounts and special needs trusts 23:00 – How to get started with financial planning 25:30 – How to support Autism Speaks 28:20 – Money Quiz with Calvin Hill 34:20 – Closing message: time, freedom, and family RESOURCES & NOTES 💰 Crew – Family-friendly banking with high-yield savings, kids’ debit cards, and shared budgeting for couples: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/crew 💙 Autism Speaks – Learn more or donate to support families: https://www.autismspeaks.org 📘 Own Your Time – Pre-order our first book: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book 💰 Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/sponsors ▶️ YouTube – Subscribe to watch videos and interviews: https://www.youtube.com/marriagekidsandmoney HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our sponsors where we earn a commission, direct payment, or products at no extra cost to you. Opinions are our own. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a licensed financial professional for your specific situation. Marriage Kids and Money (https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quick update for you! Marriage Kids and Money is moving to Wednesdays. This change is part of our experiment to live out the principles from my new book Own Your Time and build a flexible schedule that supports a semi-retired lifestyle. We’re testing a three-day work week and seeing how it fits our goals for more balance, family time, and freedom. See you tomorrow! Carpe Diem! Resources & Notes: Own Your Time (pre-order here): https://www.amazon.com/Own-Your-Time-Financial-Corporate/dp/1394342772/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can we move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance? In today’s episode, Leisa Peterson, author of The Mindful Millionaire and The Money Catalyst, joins us to explore how our early money beliefs can hold us back and how to create a healthier, more abundant relationship with money. Leisa shares how she overcame her own scarcity mindset, the impact it had on her marriage, and practical steps you can take to enjoy your wealth and your life with more freedom and trust. Then, in our Net Worth Win segment, we meet Sushant Thakray from North Carolina. Sushant and his wife Amrita have built a $3 million net worth in their 40s and achieved financial independence after years of living below their means, investing steadily, and staying debt-free. He explains how they grew from $30,000 of student debt to full financial freedom, how they’re passing money lessons to their kids, and what life looks like now that he’s “retired from corporate life, but not from life.” RESOURCES 👉 Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/sponsors 📚 Leisa Peterson – The Mindful Millionaire & The Money Catalyst: https://amzn.to/4nvXGP9 📺 Sushant Thakray – Money with Swabi (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@Moneywithswabi 📘 Own Your Time – Pre-order Andy’s new book: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book PODCAST CHAPTERS 00:00 – Leisa Peterson on overcoming scarcity thinking 00:28 – Today’s two segments overview 01:15 – Defining a scarcity mindset 02:10 – How early money beliefs shape our behavior 04:30 – Moving toward abundance and trust 06:30 – Recognizing scarcity triggers 07:10 – Leisa’s “candy bar” story and breaking old patterns 09:45 – Parenting and passing down money beliefs 10:50 – How to identify your money story and triggers 12:30 – Scarcity and marriage dynamics 15:30 – Navigating abundance vs. frugality in relationships 16:20 – The $4,000 New Zealand trip that changed everything 18:15 – First steps to embracing abundance 20:20 – Finding joy and celebrating life’s moments 21:30 – Leisa’s new book: The Money Catalyst 23:25 – Introducing Net Worth Win: Sushant Thakray 24:00 – From average student to millionaire mindset 25:00 – Motivation shifting from money to freedom 26:20 – Paying off $30,000 in student loans 27:45 – Living below their means and saving for freedom 29:45 – Retiring from corporate life, not from purpose 30:20 – Breaking down a $3 million net worth 32:10 – Teaching his kids about money and investing early 34:00 – Generational wealth through knowledge and mindset 36:00 – Redefining retirement and designing a free life 37:30 – Advice for new investors and wealth builders 38:40 – Connect with Sushant and his Money with Swabi channel 39:35 – Andy’s update on Own Your Time book pre-orders 39:50 – Quote of the Week: Eckhart Tolle on gratitude and abundance HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning photographer Kristin Sweeting turned her love of creativity into a thriving solopreneur business that now earns between $300K and $400K per year, all while working about 20 hours a week and homeschooling her son. In this episode of Solopreneur Life, Kristin shares how she went from a $30K church salary to $30K months, what pushed her to finally raise her rates, and the mindset shifts that helped her design a business and a life on her own terms. You will learn how photographers can build profitable, flexible careers through clear vision, intentional pricing, and smart outsourcing. Kristin also opens up about single parenting, work life balance, and how she uses creativity and travel to inspire both her art and her business coaching. If you have ever dreamed of turning your artistic passion into a full time business, this episode will show you what is possible. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro – Why more people are choosing solopreneurship 01:10 Kristin’s origin story: from youth director to photographer 04:20 Hitting a $30K month after being told she had hit her career cap 07:45 How photographers actually make money 10:20 Breaking down her income and salary today 14:10 Working 20 hours a week and homeschooling her son 17:20 Raising rates from $5K to $25K weddings 20:40 What new photographers can realistically earn 22:45 Why photography can be ideal for parents 24:40 Solopreneur High Five: tools, outsourcing, AI, and freedom 36:45 Her advice for new photographers – start before you are ready 38:40 Where to connect with Kristin Sweeting 💡 RESOURCES AND NOTES Connect with Kristin Sweeting 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinsweeting 🎧 Podcast: Dangerous Creatives – https://dangerschool.com/podcast Solopreneur Tools I Love 💼 Gusto – Payroll and benefits made easy: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/gusto 🏦 Live Oak Bank – Small business banking built for entrepreneurs: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/liveoakbank 🎙️ Riverside – Professional quality podcast and video recording: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/riverside 💰 Monarch Money – Best budgeting app for solopreneurs and families: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Recommended Resources 📘 Own Your Time by Andy Hill – 10 Financial Steps to Put Your Family First and Escape the Corporate Grind: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book 🎧 More episodes on solopreneur success: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/epcats/create-a-solopreneur-life/ Credits 🎬 Editor: Johnny Sohl 🎨 Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson ⚠️ Disclaimer and Disclosure Information shared on this podcast may come from financial, business, or creative professionals, but it should not be considered professional advice specific to you or your situation. Always consult with your own professional before making decisions related to your finances or business. Some of the resources mentioned may contain affiliate links, which means if you choose to make a purchase through those links, Marriage Kids and Money, Andy Hill and Solopreneur Life may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. These partnerships help support the show and allow us to continue creating valuable content for solopreneurs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you and your spouse are tired of money stress, this episode will help you find teamwork and peace with your finances. First, we count down the Top 5 Best Budget Apps for Families and Couples to simplify your money life. From EveryDollar to Monarch Money, discover which tools make it easiest to budget together, track goals, and finally stay on the same page financially. Then, we talk with Blair Hickman and Mariah Hudler, a California couple who reached Coast FIRE with $2 million invested. They share how teamwork, consistency, and transparency helped them triple their net worth and transition into a semi-retired lifestyle focused on health, travel, and family time. Finally, Andy and his son Calvin Hill close the show with The Good Word, a heartwarming story about kindness from the Good News Movement and a reminder to appreciate the present moment. RESOURCES 👉 Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/sponsors 🎥 Good News Movement: Mia’s Story – Watch the uplifting video shared in The Good Word:https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPgoyaQjvpR/ TOP 5 BUDGET APPS FOR FAMILIES AND COUPLES(These are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you decide to sign up. There’s no extra cost to you and it helps support the show.) 💰 Monarch Money – Our top pick for couples and families. Try it free for 7 days and get 50% off your first year: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney 📊 YNAB (You Need A Budget) – Proactive budgeting system with a 34-day free trial: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ynab 📱 Simplifi by Quicken – Clean, easy-to-use design for busy families. Includes a 30-day free trial: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/simplifi 🏦 Crew – Family banking and kids’ debit cards with high-yield checking. Free to use: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/crew 💳 EveryDollar – Simple zero-based budgeting from Ramsey Solutions. Premium plan includes a 14-day free trial: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/everydollar GUEST RESOURCES 🌐 Mariah Hudler – Coru Financial Therapy: https://www.korufinancialtherapy.com 🌐 My Financially Flexible Life: https://myfinanciallyflexiblelife.com PODCAST CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro and welcome 00:18 – Today’s three segments overview 00:52 – Are you and your spouse tired of money stress? 01:25 – The Top 5 Best Budget Apps for Families and Couples 02:00 – #5 EveryDollar 03:20 – #4 Crew 05:05 – #3 Simplifi by Quicken 06:20 – #2 YNAB (You Need A Budget) 07:15 – #1 Monarch Money 08:52 – Coast FIRE Couple: Mariah Hudler and Blair Hickman 09:45 – Their $2M journey to Coast FIRE 12:00 – How they built trust and transparency around money 19:00 – Reaching semi-retirement and living on purpose 24:00 – Building wealth through pensions, 457Bs, and index funds 33:00 – Teaching their son Bo about saving and investing 36:00 – Planning a 7-month move to New Zealand 39:30 – Advice for those nervous to slow investing 41:00 – Becoming “Optionaires” 43:00 – How to connect with Mariah 44:20 – The Good Word with Calvin Hill 46:40 – Mia’s story and the power of empathy 49:40 – Closing quote from Seneca HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you didn’t have to wait until your 60s to experience the freedom of retirement? In this episode, we sit down with Jillian Johnsrud, author of Retire Often and host of the Retire Often Podcast, to explore the life-changing concept of “mini retirements.” Jillian shares how families can take extended breaks from work — to rest, travel, or explore new goals — without derailing their financial independence journey. We discuss the emotional and financial benefits of pausing your career, how to negotiate time off with your employer, and ways to plan mini retirements with kids. If you’re feeling burned out or stuck in the grind, this episode will inspire you to design more space, adventure, and joy into your family’s financial plan. RESOURCES⁠Sponsors, Deals, and Partners that Support the Show Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place. MKM RESOURCES Own Your Time – Pre-order my first book today! MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey. Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube – Subscribe for free to watch videos of episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS & AFFILIATES) Monarch Money – Best budget app for families & couples. Empower – Free portfolio tracker. Crew – HYSA banking built for families (Get an extra 0.5% APY with my partner link). Ethos – Affordable term life insurance. Trust & Will – Convenient estate planning made easy. GUEST RESOURCES Retire Often (Book) – Learn how to design a life filled with mini retirements. RetireOften.com – Explore Jillian’s podcast, blog, and mini retirement tools. Podcast Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – What is a mini retirement and why it’s trending 02:20 – Why burnout is pushing families toward mini retirements 03:00 – Is the traditional 40-year career model dead? 04:30 – Why employers may welcome your mini retirement 06:00 – How to negotiate a one-month break from work 08:10 – How to address employer concerns with solutions 09:30 – Budgeting for a mini retirement 10:05 – Real-life example: living abroad for the cost of childcare 11:10 – Emotional recovery and resetting after burnout 12:45 – Planning affordable breaks earlier in your financial journey 14:00 – Jillian’s personal mini retirement story 15:00 – Making the most of parental leave and family bonding time 16:30 – Negotiating flexible work or part-time transitions 18:00 – Exit negotiations: how to leave your job on your terms 20:20 – Creating part-time roles and consulting opportunities 22:20 – What is a family gap year and how to plan one 23:40 – Practicing travel and flexibility with kids 25:30 – The FI dilemma: does taking time off derail your goals? 27:00 – Why mini retirements can accelerate your financial growth 28:50 – Mini retirements as wealth-building opportunities 30:00 – About Jillian’s book Retire Often 31:00 – Final thoughts and where to learn more HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building a six-figure business as a solopreneur doesn’t happen overnight -- but with the right mindset and systems, it’s absolutely possible. In this episode, we talk with Jannese Torres, a nationally acclaimed Latina money expert, business coach, and host of the Yo Quiero Dinero podcast. Jannese shares how she turned her food blog, Delish D’Lites, into a $10,000-per-month business that allowed her to leave her corporate engineering career and design a life on her own terms. She also breaks down how new creators can find their niche, diversify income through ads and affiliates, and build long-term passive income online. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your passion into a profitable business, this conversation will inspire you to take that first step. To learn more, check out her Jumpstart Your Blog Bootcamp. RESOURCES & NOTESSolopreneur tools, guest links, and favorite resources to help you build your solo business GUEST LINKS Yo Quiero Dinero Podcast – Learn from Jannese’s money and business insights. Delish D’Lites – Discover her viral Puerto Rican food blog. Jumpstart Your Blog Bootcamp – Jannese’s signature course for aspiring bloggers. SOLOPRENEUR TOOLS WE LOVE Monarch Money – The best app to manage your business and personal budget in one place. Gusto – Payroll and benefits made easy for solopreneurs hiring contractors or employees. Riverside – Record high-quality remote podcasts and videos. Belay – Virtual assistants and bookkeeping support for entrepreneurs. Live Oak Bank – High-yield business savings accounts. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES Visit our full list of partners and deals: Sponsors & Resources Podcast Chapters 00:00 – Stay curious: the mindset that fuels success 00:24 – Jannese Torres on finding freedom through solopreneurship 01:00 – From corporate engineer to creative entrepreneur 02:15 – How her food blog began as a hobby 03:30 – The turning point: making her first $10,000 05:00 – Balancing a full-time job while building her business 07:00 – Quitting her corporate career with confidence 09:40 – Financial prep before leaving a steady paycheck 11:40 – The biggest differences between solopreneurship and corporate life 13:00 – How food bloggers make money (ads, affiliates, sponsors) 15:40 – Diversifying income as a blogger 17:00 – Passive income that continues to pay 18:30 – Building flexibility and time freedom as a parent 20:30 – How to stand out in today’s AI-driven content world 23:40 – The Solopreneur High Five rapid-fire segment 25:30 – Favorite solopreneur tools and apps 27:00 – Lessons from her biggest mistakes 28:45 – Redefining retirement as “work optional” 30:15 – How to start your own food or lifestyle blog today 31:10 – Where to find Jannese and her online resources HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New parents often wonder where to start when it comes to investing for their child’s future. In this episode, we walk through a 5-step plan to invest for your newborn -- from protecting your family and setting up a 529 plan to teaching your kids how to build wealth on their own. We also feature Naseema McElroy, founder of Financially Intentional, who paid off $1 million of debt and built a $1 million net worth by age 44. She shares how she’s teaching her kids about ownership, investing early, and building generational wealth. Finally, we wrap up with a fun money quiz with Calvin, testing his knowledge about investing, scholarships, and how to grow wealth over time. RESOURCES⁠Sponsors, Deals, and Partners that Support the Show Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place. MKM RESOURCES Own Your Time – Pre-order my first book today! MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey. Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube – Subscribe for free to watch videos of episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS & AFFILIATES) Monarch Money – Best budget app for families & couples. Empower – Free portfolio tracker. Crew – HYSA banking built for families (Get an extra 0.5% APY with my partner link). Ethos – Affordable term life insurance. Trust & Will – Convenient estate planning made easy. Podcast Chapters 00:00 – Generational wealth and the true legacy worth investing in 00:21 – Welcome and episode overview 00:49 – Net Worth Win: Naseema McElroy of Financially Intentional 01:15 – Listener question: how to invest for a newborn 01:40 – Step 1: Secure your own finances first 02:45 – Step 2: Protect your family with life insurance, a will, and credit freezes 04:30 – Step 3: Open a 529 college savings plan 06:30 – Step 4: Consider a UTMA or UGMA custodial account 08:00 – Step 5: Add a custodial Roth IRA once your child has earned income 09:20 – Teaching kids the power of compounding 10:00 – Recap: five steps for investing for newborns 11:10 – Naseema McElroy on paying off $1M of debt 13:20 – Investing for herself and her children 15:20 – Building wealth through retirement accounts and home equity 18:00 – Teaching her kids to invest and own stocks 23:00 – Employing kids in your business for Roth IRA contributions 24:00 – Why starting early matters for generational wealth 25:20 – Naseema’s advice: start now, don’t wait 26:57 – Money Quiz with Calvin Hill HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Setting up your 401 (k) can feel overwhelming, especially when you are faced with a long list of investment options. To make it easier, we welcome Zina Kumok, financial advisor and money expert, to explain how to choose wisely. Zina covers the importance of the employer match, diversification, and automation so your retirement savings can grow without stress. In the second half, we sit down with Jessica and Corey Fick of The Fioneers, who reached Coast FIRE in their early 30s. They share how they built a million-dollar portfolio, left corporate jobs that no longer fit their lives, and created a business that supports the lifestyle they truly want. If you are just starting out with your 401k or aiming for Coast FIRE, this episode will give you both the tactical steps and the long-term inspiration to succeed. RESOURCES⁠Sponsors, Deals, and Partners that Support the Show Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place. MKM RESOURCES Own Your Time – Pre-order my first book today! MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey. Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube – Subscribe for free to watch videos of episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS & AFFILIATES) Monarch Money – Best budget app for families & couples. Empower – Free portfolio tracker. Crew – HYSA banking built for families (Get an extra 0.5% APY with my partner link). Ethos – Affordable term life insurance. Trust & Will – Convenient estate planning made easy. Podcast Chapters 00:00 – Why your 401k match is part of your compensation 00:28 – Welcome and overview of today’s episode 01:00 – Introduction to Zina Kumok 02:15 – What a 401k is and why it matters 03:30 – Understanding employer matches 05:00 – Choosing investments in your 401k 06:30 – Risk tolerance and diversification explained 08:30 – Automating your 401k contributions 09:20 – Alternatives to a 401k (IRA, HSA, brokerage) 13:00 – The importance of capturing your employer match 14:30 – Where to connect with Zina Kumok 15:17 – Coast FIRE couple spotlight: Jessica and Corey Fick 16:20 – The Coast FIRE Five 18:00 – Their journey from early investing to Coast FIRE 22:30 – How burnout pushed them to redesign their lives 25:00 – Reaching Coast FIRE and slowing contributions 27:00 – What their portfolio looks like today 29:30 – Household income range over 15 years 31:30 – Growing investments without new contributions 33:30 – How they control expenses in New England 35:20 – Advice for others pursuing Coast FIRE 37:10 – Why Coast FIRE is more approachable than full FIRE 40:00 – Where to learn more from The Fioneers HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when Google’s algorithm changes upend your online business? Corritta Lewis, founder of It’s a Family Thing, joins me to share how her family travel blog dropped from $7,000/month to $1,000/month due to recent shifts in Google AI—and how she pivoted into consulting to stay financially secure. We explore the rise and fall of her blogging income, how she balances digital nomad life with raising a child, and why she’s now aiming for early retirement at age 45. If you’ve considered travel blogging or you’ve been hit by the same algorithm changes, this conversation is packed with insight on how to adapt, pivot, and thrive as a solopreneur. ⏱️ Podcast Chapters 00:00 – Intro: Travel blogging hit hard by AI 00:35 – Meet Corritta Lewis: Digital nomad + travel blogger 02:00 – Laid off during the pandemic… then launched the blog 03:30 – From 13¢ to $7K/month: How Corritta scaled her income 05:00 – Juggling full-time work and travel content creation 06:30 – Consulting work and digital nomad flexibility 07:30 – Financial stability, travel insurance, and raising a kid on the road 08:45 – How affiliate links + ads powered her blog income 10:00 – The impact of Google AI: $7K/month drops to $1K/month 11:20 – Why she’s not sure blogging is worth it in 2025 12:30 – Corritta’s pivot into HR tech consulting 13:30 – “I didn’t know I liked writing…” 14:15 – Tools she uses to run her solopreneur life 15:00 – Mistakes: Delaying, lowballing, and not knowing her worth 16:30 – FIRE plans: 80% of the way there at age 36 17:30 – Real estate vs. stock market for financial freedom 18:40 – Raising a world-schooled son and dealing with “reverse culture shock” 20:00 – The future: Antarctica, early retirement, and living on their terms 21:30 – Where to connect with Corritta 🔗 Resources & Notes 👤 Guest Links – Corritta Lewis 🌍 It’s a Family Thing Blog – Follow Corritta’s travel adventures and family travel tips 📸 @itzafamilything on Instagram – See where Corritta and her family are heading next 🎥 It’s a Family Thing on YouTube – Travel content and global family living 🚀 Solopreneur Resources 🎯 Own Your Time – Pre-order my book and escape the corporate grind 📅 Solopreneur Coaching – 1-on-1 support for growing your business 📺 Solopreneur Life on YouTube – Subscribe for weekly interviews and tips 💼 Sponsors, Deals & Resources – See all offers that support this show 💼 Recommended Tools for Solopreneurs 📊 Monarch Money – Best budget app for solopreneurs and families 🏦 Live Oak Bank – Business savings accounts with strong APY 👥 Belay – Virtual assistants and staffing for growing solo businesses 📋 Gusto – Solo payroll and benefits made simple 🎙 Riverside – Record high-quality podcasts and interviews remotely 💼 More Sponsor Offers – Explore all partner discounts and recommendations 💰 How We Make Money + Disclaimer This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers, where we earn a commission if you click and make a purchase. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support our mission to empower solopreneurs with freedom and financial confidence. Thank you for supporting this small business! 👉 Full list of sponsors and deals Disclaimer: This show is for entertainment purposes only. Be sure to seek out a professional who knows your situation best before making any financial decisions. 🎧 Credits Editor: Johnny SohlPodcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Family finances get a full refresh in this week’s episode of Marriage Kids and Money! First, we count down the Top 5 Best Budget Apps for Families and Couples, including ⁠Monarch Money⁠, our number one pick for building a shared budget that actually works. Discover how these apps make money tracking simple and family friendly, with features like shared dashboards, digital envelopes, and kids’ debit cards. Then, we talk with ⁠Blair Hickman⁠ and ⁠Mariah Hudler⁠ about how they hit Coast FIRE in California with $2 million invested, a pension, and a part-time lifestyle that lets them focus on family, health, and adventure. They explain how decades of consistency turned into financial freedom and how being “optionaires” gives them time to live fully today. Finally, we close with The Good Word, a heartwarming story about compassion and community that reminds us to be there for one another during difficult times. Sponsors, Deals, and Partners that Support the Show 👉 Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place. 🎥 Good News Movement: Mia’s Story – Watch the uplifting video shared in The Good Word. (These are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you decide to sign up. There’s no extra cost to you and it helps support the show.) 💰 Monarch Money – Our top pick for couples and families. Try it free for 7 days and get 50% off your first year with this link. 📊 YNAB (You Need A Budget) – Proactive budgeting system with a 34-day free trial. 📱 Simplifi by Quicken – Clean, easy-to-use design for busy families. Includes a 30-day free trial. 🏦 Crew – Family banking and kids’ debit cards with high-yield checking. Free to use. 💳 EveryDollar – Simple zero-based budgeting from Ramsey Solutions. Premium plan includes a 14-day free trial. 📘 Own Your Time – Pre-order our first book today. 🎯 MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey. 🔥 Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. 🏠 Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how fast you can become mortgage free. ▶️ YouTube – Subscribe for free to watch videos of episodes and interviews. 💰 Monarch Money – Best budget app for families and couples. 📊 Empower – Free portfolio tracker. 🏦 Crew – HYSA banking built for families (Get an extra 0.5% APY with our partner link). ❤️ Ethos – Affordable term life insurance. 📝 Trust & Will – Convenient estate planning made easy. 🌐 Mariah Hudler 🌐 My Financially Flexible Life This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Working hard doesn’t always mean moving up the wealth ladder. Many families feel stuck — despite long hours and financial discipline — because their strategy isn’t aligned with their stage of wealth. To help us rethink our approach, Andy Hill sits down with Nick Maggiulli, COO of Ritholtz Wealth Management and bestselling author of The Wealth Ladder: Proven Strategies for Every Step of Your Financial Life (get it here). Nick explains his “wealth levels” framework, the six stages of net worth, and how your financial strategy should evolve at each step. Whether you’re just starting out or on your way to millionaire status, this conversation will help you identify pitfalls, focus on the right levers, and take practical steps to keep climbing. RESOURCES⁠Sponsors, Deals, and Partners that Support the Show Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place. MKM RESOURCES Own Your Time – Pre-order my first book today! MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey. Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube – Subscribe for free to watch videos of episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS & AFFILIATES) Monarch Money – Best budget app for families & couples. Empower – Free portfolio tracker. Crew – HYSA banking built for families (Get an extra 0.5% APY with my partner link). Ethos – Affordable term life insurance. Trust & Will – Convenient estate planning made easy. The Wealth Ladder (Book) – Learn Nick Maggiulli’s strategies for every wealth level. Podcast Chapters 00:00 – Why working harder isn’t always the answer 00:30 – Introduction to Nick Maggiulli & The Wealth Ladder 02:00 – Why effort alone doesn’t guarantee wealth 04:30 – Defining the “Wealth Ladder” framework 06:30 – The six levels of wealth in America 09:00 – Why income is the biggest driver of wealth 10:30 – Spending freedom at different wealth levels 13:00 – When investing starts to accelerate wealth building 15:00 – Level 3 realities: income vs. investments 18:00 – Homeownership as an asset vs. consumption good 20:30 – Pitfalls of ego-driven spending in Level 3 24:00 – What separates Level 3 from Level 4 wealth builders 26:00 – Nick’s personal journey to Level 4 28:00 – Mistakes and lessons learned along the way 30:20 – Solopreneurship and scaling outside your 9-to-5 32:00 – Advice for frustrated wealth builders 33:40 – Where to get The Wealth Ladder HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artificial intelligence is changing everything — from the way we work, to how we run businesses, to how we raise our kids. To help us prepare for this AI-driven future, Andy Hill sits down with Matt Britton, leading AI and consumer trend expert and author of Generation AI: Why Generation Alpha and AI Will Change Everything. In this conversation, Matt explains what AI really means for employees, solopreneurs, and parents. He shares how workers can future-proof their careers, why solopreneurs have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build businesses faster than ever, and how parents can prepare their children for a world where AI is everywhere. If you’re feeling both excited and overwhelmed by AI, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and actionable steps for your family’s future. Grab Matt’s book Generation AI here → https://amzn.to/42jAXxR RESOURCES⁠Sponsors, Deals, and Partners that Support the Show Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place. MKM RESOURCES Own Your Time – Pre-order my first book today! MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey. Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube – Subscribe for free to watch videos of episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS & AFFILIATES) Monarch Money – Best budget app for families & couples. Empower – Free portfolio tracker. Crew – HYSA banking built for families (Get an extra 0.5% APY with my partner link). Ethos – Affordable term life insurance. Trust & Will – Convenient estate planning made easy. Generation AI (Book) – Learn more in Matt Britton’s latest book. Podcast Chapters 00:00 – The evolution of AI and jobs it replaces 01:00 – Introduction to Matt Britton & his new book Generation AI 02:00 – What AI really means today 04:00 – Is AI a fad or here to stay? 06:30 – How AI impacts employees: who should be concerned 08:30 – Future-proofing your career with AI 10:30 – AI as a personal life tool 12:00 – Opportunities for solopreneurs with AI 14:00 – Matt Britton’s journey with AI adoption 15:45 – Why now is the best time to dive in 16:00 – Preparing kids (Gen Alpha) for an AI future 18:20 – AI in schools: private vs. public adoption 20:30 – Is college still worth it in the age of AI? 22:00 – Jobs that may not exist by 2030 24:00 – Human skills that remain valuable 26:00 – One step to start embracing AI today 27:45 – About Generation AI and where to find it 28:17 – Closing thoughts and listener support HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting your spouse on board with financial independence isn’t always easy ... especially when FIRE feels like a radical concept. In this episode, Andy Hill shares practical tips for inviting your partner into the journey without causing tension, from asking fun life questions to defining your own version of FIRE together. We also highlight Sunny and Sunmarie Burns from the FamVestor YouTube channel, who grew their net worth to over $3 million in their 30s while raising five kids. They reveal how frugal living, real estate investing, and shared family goals helped them achieve financial freedom. Finally, Andy brings his son Calvin on for a fun money quiz, testing his knowledge of financial independence and teaching lessons the whole family can enjoy. Podcast Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: Why relationships come first on the FIRE journey 01:00 – Listener question: How do I get my spouse on board with financial independence? 02:15 – Common mistakes Andy made early in his marriage 04:20 – Step 1: Ask your spouse fun life questions 06:50 – Step 2: Share your passions and desires too 09:30 – Step 3: Define FIRE together on your own terms 09:32 – Net Worth Win: Sunny & Sun Marie Burns (FamVestor) 13:00 – Saving $75k by living with family 15:00 – Their first house hack and rental property 20:45 – Building wealth through 12 rental units 25:40 – Breaking down their $3M+ net worth 27:40 – Generational wealth for their kids 31:40 – Life after leaving a corporate career 34:39 – Key advice for aspiring families 36:53 – Where to find Sunny & Sun Marie online 38:01 – Money Quiz with Calvin Hill 45:56 – Closing quote from Maya Angelou RESOURCES⁠Sponsors, Deals, and Partners that Support the Show Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place. MKM RESOURCES Own Your Time – Pre-order my first book today! MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey. Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube – Subscribe for free to watch videos of episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS & AFFILIATES) Monarch Money – Best budget app for families & couples. Empower – Free portfolio tracker. Crew – HYSA banking built for families (Get an extra 0.5% APY with my partner link). Ethos – Affordable term life insurance. Trust & Will – Convenient estate planning made easy. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would it mean to live a regret-free life, starting today? In this “Best of MKM” episode from 2022, I sit down with Jordan Grumet, a hospice doctor and author of Taking Stock, to explore how confronting death can help us live more intentionally. Jordan shares powerful stories from his hospice work, the deep regrets he’s heard at the end of life, and how we can avoid them by embracing purpose, identity, and connection now. We discuss the trap of chasing net worth and job titles, the tension between FIRE and YOLO, and practical frameworks to align your money with what truly matters. Whether you’re striving toward financial independence or simply seeking more meaning in your day-to-day, this episode will help you pause, reflect, and act with intention. If you’ve ever felt stuck on autopilot, this conversation with Jordan Grumet is a wake-up call to reassess your priorities and build a life with fewer regrets. Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sponsors, Deals and Partners⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Own Your Time⁠⁠⁠⁠: Pre-order my first book today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠MKM Coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cr⁠ew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠- Convenient Estate Planning CHAPTERS 00:00 – Regret and mortality: a powerful lens 01:30 – Intro to Jordan Grumet and the regret free life 03:00 – Stories from hospice: what people really regret 06:00 – Purpose, people, and climbing your “Everest” 08:00 – The hedonic treadmill and false financial goals 10:30 – FIRE vs. YOLO: where’s the balance? 12:30 – How to decide when to spend vs. save 14:30 – Fear-based planning: what scares you most? 17:00 – Finding the middle ground: Slow FI, Coast FI, Barista FI 20:00 – Subtraction: designing your life through removal 23:00 – Building purpose in early careers 26:00 – Modeling fulfillment for your kids 28:00 – Two life-changing exercises to reduce regret 31:00 – Where to find Taking Stock and connect with Jordan HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to raise money-smart kids? In this Best of MKM episode from 2020, Andy Hill sits down with Liz Frazier, Certified Financial Planner and author of Beyond Piggy Banks and Lemonade Stands. Liz shares practical strategies parents can use to teach their young kids the value of money—starting as early as age four. From understanding needs vs. wants to saving, giving, and making smart spending decisions, Liz outlines fun and effective ways to build lifelong financial habits in children. She also tackles common questions around allowances, chores, and how parents can be positive money role models, even if they don’t feel financially perfect themselves. If you’re ready to help your kids build confidence, generosity, and gratitude with money, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration for families. Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sponsors, Deals and Partners⁠⁠⁠⁠ MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Own Your Time⁠⁠⁠: Pre-order my first book today! ⁠⁠⁠MKM Coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cr⁠ew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠- Convenient Estate Planning CHAPTERS 00:00 – Teaching kids the basics of money 02:00 – Why childhood shapes money habits 06:45 – When to start money lessons 08:30 – Needs vs. wants activity 09:45 – Teaching priorities and decision-making 10:45 – Allowance vs. chores debate 12:30 – Save, spend, share jars 13:45 – Making saving fun for kids 15:30 – Encouraging generosity and giving 18:15 – Teaching gratitude with money 20:00 – Helping kids appreciate wealth 21:00 – Parents teaching money (even if not perfect) 22:15 – Simple ways to start today 23:00 – Where to find Liz Frazier’s book HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you feel like a rockstar at work but a failure at home, you’re not alone—and there is a better way forward. In this “Best of MKM” episode from 2020, I talk with entrepreneur and author Mark Timm about the powerful concept of work-life integration. After years of chasing “balance” and falling short, Mark had a breakthrough moment: instead of separating work and family, what if he integrated the two? Mark shares how he legally incorporated his family, started holding intentional family meetings, and brought the same leadership skills he used in business into his home life. The result? A stronger marriage, deeper connections with his six kids, and a thriving family culture with a mission of its own. If you’re struggling to juggle your career and your personal life, this episode with Mark Timm will inspire you to lead at home like you do at work—and build something extraordinary with the people who matter most. Resources ⁠⁠⁠Sponsors, Deals and Partners⁠⁠⁠ MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Own Your Time⁠⁠: Pre-order my first book today! ⁠⁠MKM Coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠⁠⁠⁠Cr⁠ew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠- Convenient Estate Planning CHAPTERS 00:00 – The courage to be vulnerable01:30 – Introduction to Mark Timm and the concept of work life integration03:00 – Why work-life balance is a myth05:00 – Mark’s “driveway moment” of realization07:00 – Incorporating his family as a business09:00 – How family meetings transformed communication12:00 – Creating a family mission: Love God, Live Right, Lead All Out14:30 – From discipline to leadership: Family court16:00 – Traveling with his kids to create deeper bonds19:00 – Involving the family in business and decision-making21:00 – How work life integration strengthened his marriage23:00 – The power of showing, not just telling25:00 – Why vulnerability is leadership27:00 – Creating unity in a blended family29:00 – First steps for families ready to integrate32:00 – How to connect with Mark Timm and get the book HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disagreements around money in marriage can trigger anxiety, conflict, and even long-term damage if left unspoken. So how can couples move from financial tension to emotional connection? In this “Best of MKM” episode from 2019, psychiatrist Dr. Laura Dabney shares her insights on why money arguments go deeper than dollars—and how to address the feelings behind the finances. Dr. Dabney explains why our childhood experiences shape our money mindset, how to express emotions without blame, and what to do when your spouse isn’t on the same page. Whether it’s a surprise boat purchase or hidden debt, she offers tools to help couples move beyond the surface and truly communicate. This conversation is full of “a-ha” moments and practical advice for parents and partners trying to build trust and teamwork. If disagreements around money in marriage are stressing you out, this episode with Dr. Laura Dabney is a must-listen. Resources ⁠⁠Sponsors, Deals and Partners⁠⁠ MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Own Your Time⁠: Pre-order my first book today! ⁠MKM Coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠⁠⁠Cr⁠ew⁠⁠⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠⁠⁠ ⁠- Convenient Estate Planning CHAPTERS 00:00 – How emotions—not dollars—spark financial fights 01:40 – Introduction to Dr. Laura Dabney 03:00 – Childhood roots of money conflict 04:30 – Learning to identify and express feelings 06:30 – How to talk about big purchases 09:00 – Communication strategy: “I feel X when you do Y” 11:30 – Making time for emotional check-ins as parents 13:45 – How tech affects emotional connection 15:30 – Red flags to watch in serious relationships 17:30 – Boundaries and when to seek therapy 20:00 – Counseling alone when your spouse won’t come 22:30 – Why money classes may miss the root issue 24:00 – Dr. Dabney’s book recommendations and resources HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever feel like your phone gets more of your attention than your family? You’re not alone. In this Best of MKM episode, we explore how to reclaim our focus, strengthen our relationships, and find balance in a world full of digital distractions. Author and speaker Mark Ostach joins me to talk about digital wellness—what it means, why it matters, and how small shifts can make a huge difference in our marriages, parenting, and personal health. From setting boundaries with email to modeling good tech habits for our kids, Mark shares practical strategies to help us become more present at home and less consumed by screens. This conversation originally aired in 2022, but it’s just as powerful today. As part of our Best of MKM series, I’m excited to bring back this timeless chat with Mark, the author of Courage to Connect. Resources ⁠Sponsors, Deals and Partners⁠ Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:30 – What Digital Wellness Really Means 04:00 – The “Holy Trinity” of Checking & Digital Distraction 06:30 – Early Struggles That Sparked Mark’s Mission 07:50 – Impact of Screen Time on Marriage & Family Life 09:40 – Modeling Healthy Tech Habits for Kids 11:50 – Coping with Distraction & Digital Stress 13:30 – Small Steps Toward Digital Wellness 17:00 – Morning Routines & Phone Boundaries 18:00 – Healthy Ways to Use Social Media 20:00 – Managing Email & Avoiding Overwhelm 23:50 – When Should Kids Get Their First Devices? 25:00 – Parents as “Paparazzi” & Memory vs. Instagram 28:30 – Predictions for the Future of Digital Wellness 32:30 – One Simple Step You Can Take Today 34:00 – Where to Find Courage to Connect MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠⁠Own Your Time: Pre-order my first book today! MKM Coaching⁠⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠⁠Cr⁠ew⁠⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠⁠⁠ - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Andy Hill sits down with LendingTree’s Matt Schulz to break down the real price tag of parenting in 2024 (spoiler: nearly $300K!). They cover rising childcare costs, smart savings strategies, and how your budget can survive the baby years. Then, financial planner Madison Sharick shares how she and her husband hit Coast FIRE in their 30s — while raising two young kids! 💡 Whether you're a future parent or already knee-deep in diapers, this episode is packed with practical money moves to help your family thrive. EPISODE RESOURCES Sponsors, Deals and Partners Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More (Matt's book): https://amzn.to/4mg7mgb (affiliate) Matt Schulz: https://www.mattschulz.com/ Nectarine (Advice Only Financial Planners): ⁠⁠https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/nectarine⁠ (affiliate) Madi Minds Money: ⁠https://madimanagesmoney.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Is the cost of raising a child worth it? 00:33 – Show introduction and episode preview 01:09 – Meet Matt Schulz, LendingTree financial expert 02:10 – How much does it cost to raise a child? 03:20 – Why these rising costs impact family planning 04:13 – How fast is the cost increasing? 05:30 – Most and least expensive states to raise a child 07:46 – Major cost drivers: daycare and housing 09:00 – Average percentage of income spent on child expenses 10:30 – Where to begin: budgeting basics for new parents 12:00 – Smart moves to save on childcare 13:50 – Debt management tips to free up cash 16:00 – Should high costs stop you from having kids? 18:00 – Coast FIRE segment 20:11 – Meet Madison: Coast FIRE at 35 with kids 21:33 – Retirement projections and 4% rule 22:45 – The motivation behind early investing 24:00 – How Madison and Jake built wealth 26:50 – Madison’s career path and income 28:15 – Combining income as a couple 29:45 – Career vs. parenting: striking a balance 33:15 – How Madison financially prepared to quit her job 35:09 – Pausing contributions and strategic Roth conversion 36:15 – Generational wealth planning 37:30 – College planning with 529s 38:45 – Financial literacy goals for her daughters 39:20 – Easy step to start Coast FIRE journey 40:20 – Where to find Madison and her financial advice 41:01 – Closing thoughts and inspirational quote MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠MKM Coaching⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠Cr⁠ew⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠⁠ - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to quit your job and earn a full-time income on YouTube? 💻 Denis Trufin went from working in retail to building a YouTube business that now generates over $10,000/month — most of it passively. In this episode, Denis shares how he grew multiple YouTube channels, why evergreen content is his secret weapon, and what solopreneurship really looks like behind the scenes. ✅ You’ll Learn: How Denis got started (and what failed) When he realized YouTube could replace his day job 4 ways YouTubers actually make money What a typical week looks like as a solo creator His top advice for beginners (and what mistakes to avoid) Whether you're dreaming of leaving your 9–5 or growing your side hustle, Denis's journey is packed with tips, transparency, and inspiration. Resources: ⁠⁠⁠Sponsors + Partners + Deals⁠⁠⁠ TruFinancials (Denis's YouTube Channel): ⁠https://www.youtube.com/TruFinancials YouTube Passive Income Podcast (Denis's Podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/youtube-passive-income-by-ranking/id1735315505 Chapters 00:00 – Why Most People Quit Too Early 00:22 – Introduction to Denis Trufin and His YouTube Journey 01:00 – How a Lack of Time Control Sparked His Entrepreneurial Drive 01:56 – Early Attempts and Failures on YouTube 03:00 – Personal Finance Channel Launch and Initial Struggles 03:36 – Earning Ad Revenue After 7–8 Months 04:15 – Working in Retail Before YouTube 05:08 – The Moment Denis Decided to Quit His Job 07:06 – How His Immigrant Parents Inspired Him 07:40 – What Solopreneurship Means to Denis 08:41 – Using Content to Help Others With Finances 09:58 – Four Ways to Make Money on YouTube 11:31 – What Makes Up Denis’s YouTube Income 12:16 – Making $10K/Month Through Mostly Passive Income 14:03 – Why Evergreen Content Wins Over Trendy Topics 15:48 – Is $10K Enough for a Comfortable Life? 17:00 – Typical Work Week as a Full-Time YouTuber 18:50 – How Long It Takes to Succeed on YouTube 21:00 – Do You Need Passion to Start a Channel? 21:30 – The Power of Evergreen and Staying Niche 22:40 – Solopreneur High Five: Favorite Tools 23:55 – Outsourcing to Stay Focused 25:11 – Biggest Mistake: Not Niching Down Sooner 27:10 – Life Outside of YouTube and Supporting a Nonprofit 28:34 – What Retirement Means to a Solopreneur 29:44 – Final Advice: Stick With It 30:25 – Where to Find Denis Trufin Online MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠⁠MKM Coaching⁠⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠⁠⁠Crew⁠⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠ ⁠⁠- Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With so much market noise and doom-filled headlines, you might be wondering — is now actually a good time to invest? In today’s episode, we break down six compelling reasons why today could be the best day to start your investing journey. 📈 Also in this episode: A Net Worth Win from Vinny in New Zealand, who grew his family’s net worth to over $1 million NZD by age 55 "Good Word" segment with my son Calvin about the health benefits of running and why it can add 12 years to your life Whether you're just getting started with investing or need inspiration to stay on track, this episode will help you build wealth and strengthen your family tree! Resources: ⁠Sponsors + Partners + Deals⁠ Own Your Time (Pre-order on Amazon): https://amzn.to/3ICXFKq Own Your Time (Pre-order on Barnes & Noble): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/own-your-time-andy-hill/1147563897 PensionBee (sponsor): https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/pensionbee Project Frugal (Vinnie Anglesey's YouTube Channel): https://www.youtube.com/ProjectFrugal Good Word Article (Runner's World): https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/news/a45685364/running-help-you-live-longer/ Podcast Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Why Now Is a Good Time to Invest 02:29 – Reason #1: Waiting Could Cost You More 04:50 – Real Example: VFIAX Price Drops and Recovery 06:10 – Reason #2: No One Can Predict the Market 07:00 – Reason #3: The Market Rises in the Long Run 07:50 – Reason #4: Investing Favors Those Who Start Early 09:00 – Reason #5: You Might Already Be Investing 11:00 – IRAs, Rollovers, and Consolidation 11:51 – Reason #6: Dollar Cost Averaging Works 13:00 – When NOT to Invest: No Emergency Fund or High Interest Debt 15:00 – Net Worth Win: Vinny & Denise from New Zealand 17:00 – From Debt to Financial Transformation 20:00 – Partnering on the Budget as a Couple 22:30 – Net Worth Breakdown and Lean FIRE Goals 25:46 – How to Reach Lean FIRE in Four Years 27:38 – Monthly Net Worth Tracking: Vinny’s #1 Tip 28:30 – Project Frugal YouTube Channel 29:58 – The Good Word with Calvin Hill 30:57 – Good News: Running Can Add 12 Years to Your Life 35:50 – Time Ownership and Andy’s New Book HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Hill sits down with Jessica Moorhouse—accredited financial counselor, award-winning content creator, and author of Everything But Money—to explore the impact of money trauma and how our financial behaviors are often shaped by past experiences. Jessica shares how both big T and little T traumas influence our financial decisions, the role of generational trauma in our money mindset, and how unhealed emotional wounds can lead to cycles of overspending, fear, and financial stress. She also opens up about her own personal journey of self-discovery, the power of therapy in reshaping her financial mindset, and actionable steps you can take to break free from unhealthy money patterns. If you’ve ever felt anxiety, guilt, or shame around money, this conversation will help you unpack the past and move forward with financial confidence. Listen now to start healing your money story! RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals Everything but Money (book): https://amzn.to/3Da02Cg (affiliate) CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Introduction to the Episode 01:00 – What is Money Trauma? 02:26 – The Difference Between Big T and Little T Trauma 04:52 – How Trauma Affects Our Financial Decisions 07:00 – Childhood Money Trauma and How It Shapes Us 09:35 – Generational Trauma and Its Lasting Impact 12:07 – Can Money Trauma Be Used as Motivation? 16:17 – The Power of Therapy: EMDR & Internal Family Systems (IFS) 18:26 – Jessica’s Personal Experience with Childhood Trauma 24:32 – Mindfulness, Meditation, and Daily Practices for Healing 27:05 – Overcoming Negative Self-Talk and Imposter Syndrome 29:20 – One Small Step to Start Healing Money Trauma 30:20 – How Parents Can Avoid Passing Money Trauma to Their Kids MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sit down with Grant Sabatier, the author of Inner Entrepreneur, to explore how entrepreneurship can be a powerful path to financial independence, time freedom, and personal joy. Grant shares his incredible journey from feeling stuck in corporate life to building multiple businesses, reaching financial independence by 30, and crafting a life centered around what he loves—including owning a bookstore and spending meaningful time with his family. If you’re curious about starting a business, finding peace beyond just chasing money, or learning how to build an “empire” that truly fits your life, this is a must-listen conversation. Resources: ⁠⁠Sponsors + Partners + Deals⁠⁠ Inner Entrepreneur (book): https://amzn.to/4l7v6D9 (affiliate) Chapters 00:00 – Why People Get Stuck in Unfulfilling Careers 00:42 – Welcome to the Show & Introduction of Grant Sabatier 01:58 – Why Entrepreneurship is a Powerful Path to Financial Independence 04:08 – Is Now a Good Time to Start a Business? 07:40 – Using Entrepreneurship to Create Peace, Not Just Money 11:59 – Grant’s Journey: From Digital Marketing to Multi-Millionaire 14:24 – Selling Millennial Money and Building MMG Media Group 18:55 – Levels of Entrepreneurship: Solopreneur to Empire 23:17 – Avoiding Growth Traps & Building a Business That Fits Your Life 24:43 – A Typical Week in Grant’s Life as a Dad and Entrepreneur 29:40 – Parenting, Balance, and Being a Role Model for Your Kids 32:03 – Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Trust Yourself and Start Small 37:35 – Where to Find Grant’s Book “Inner Entrepreneur” MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠MKM Coaching⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠⁠Crew⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠ ⁠- Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do the world’s greatest investors know that the rest of us don’t? In this episode, we sit down with William Green, author of Richer, Wiser, Happier, to uncover the timeless principles he's learned from interviewing legends like Charlie Munger, Howard Marks, and Bill Miller. Rather than chasing hot tips or quick wins, William reveals how traits like emotional control, simplicity, and avoiding big mistakes can help you build wealth—and a more meaningful life. We discuss the difference between gambling and investing, the wisdom of indexing for most families, and why subtracting noise can lead to clarity and success. Whether you're just starting out or well along your financial journey, this conversation offers valuable takeaways for life and money. If you want to become richer, wiser, happier, this episode with William Green is a must-listen. RESOURCES: ⁠⁠Sponsors + Partners + Deals⁠⁠ Richer, Wiser, Happier (book): https://amzn.to/4kkLq2e (affiliate) Chapters 00:00 – Timeless wisdom and survival in investing 01:00 – Introduction to William Green and his journey 03:30 – The surprising philosophical nature of top investors 06:00 – Learning from failure: The Bill Miller story 08:30 – The power of accepting impermanence (Mujo & Howard Marks) 11:30 – Gambling vs. investing: Lessons from a young William 14:30 – The Buffett playbook and indexing for most families 18:00 – The art of subtraction and simplifying your financial life 22:00 – Defining a rich life: Health, relationships, peace of mind 25:00 – Charlie Munger’s key principle: Invert, always invert 28:30 – How to survive financial storms: Diversify and avoid leverage 32:00 – Dogged incremental progress and being “number one-ish” 36:00 – William’s biggest takeaway from 25 years of interviews 38:00 – Where to find Richer, Wiser, Happier and his podcast MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠MKM Coaching⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠⁠Crew⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠ ⁠- Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this two-part episode, we’re diving into strategies for building wealth as a modern parent. First, Kelly Palmer—a financial planner and founder of The Wealthy Parent—joins the show to break down how to choose a 529 plan. She shares the pros and cons of different education savings options, the impact of the new SECURE Act updates, and why she’s a proud 529 mom herself. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by college savings decisions, this segment is full of clear, practical guidance. Then, in our Net Worth Win segment, Shang Saavedra from Save My Cents reveals how she and her husband built a net worth north of $2 million by age 39. From a revenge-of-the-nerd money mindset to embracing FIRE, Shang’s story is packed with lessons on frugal living, dual-income saving strategies, and long-term thinking. Whether you're focused on education planning or financial independence, this episode delivers actionable tips and real-life inspiration. EPISODE RESOURCES Nectarine (Advice Only Financial Planners): ⁠https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/nectarine (affiliate) The Wealthy Parent: https://thewealthyparent.com  ⁠ Wealth is a Mindset (Book): https://amzn.to/3FQT0nh (affiliate) Save My Cents (Shang Saavedra's Website): https://savemycents.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction01:00 – How to Choose a 529 Plan05:20 – Tax Benefits and State-Specific Rules09:00 – SECURE Act Updates and New Roth IRA Rollovers13:45 – 529s vs UTMAs and Roth IRAs for Kids18:00 – Final Thoughts from Kelly Palmer20:30 – Net Worth Win: Shang Saavedra24:15 – The Mindset Shift Behind Wealth Building29:30 – Living on One Income and Saving the Other33:00 – Renting by Choice and Real Estate Insights36:00 – Teaching Generational Wealth Through Habits38:30 – Future Goals and Advice for Parents MKM RESOURCES: ⁠MKM Coaching⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠YouTube⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠Monarch Money⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠Empower⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker Cr⁠ew⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠Ethos⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠Trust & Will⁠ - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this inspiring Solopreneur Life segment, Andy Hill sits down with Colin Graves—a former bank manager turned full-time freelance writer and editor. Colin shares how a toxic workplace pushed him to reevaluate his career and ultimately build a thriving solo business making over $150,000 per year. Listeners will learn how Colin transitioned from a 9-to-5 job into solopreneurship, the steps he took to scale his business, and how he now enjoys a flexible lifestyle that prioritizes family, freedom, and fulfillment. If you're a parent looking to escape the corporate grind and design a business on your own terms, this episode is packed with insights and encouragement. EPISODE RESOURCES: ⁠Sponsors + Partners + Deals⁠ Colin Graves (website): https://colingraves.com MKM RESOURCES: ⁠MKM Coaching:⁠ Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠YouTube⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠Monarch Money⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠Empower⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠Crew ⁠- HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠Ethos⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠Trust & Will ⁠- Convenient Estate Planning CHAPTERS 00:00 – Life after corporate: Embracing flexibility 00:16 – Meet Colin Graves: From bank manager to solopreneur 01:40 – A toxic boss sparked the journey 03:22 – Starting with blogging and side hustles 05:20 – Defining a vision with his wife 06:30 – Turning freelance writing into a real business 08:45 – Putting in the hours and finding "comfortable torture" 10:18 – Landing multiple clients at FinCon 12:45 – Making the leap to full-time solopreneur 14:30 – Life after quitting the 9-to-5 16:30 – How freelance writers earn income 17:25 – Income breakdown: $150K/year as a solopreneur 18:20 – Time management and weekly hours 20:33 – Taking spontaneous family trips 22:00 – What new freelance writers can expect to earn 24:15 – Why $500/month from freelancing is powerful 26:07 – Favorite solopreneur tool: Wise 27:30 – Outsourcing help and using ChatGPT 30:27 – His biggest mistake: Getting too comfortable 32:50 – Life outside work: music, biking, and disc golf 34:23 – Rethinking retirement as a solopreneur 36:29 – How to connect with Colin and get coaching HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coast FIRE is when you've saved enough for retirement that you no longer need to contribute—just cover your current expenses and coast. But how does it really compare to traditional retirement? We'll break down the pros and cons of both so you can decide which path fits your family's lifestyle and financial goals best. Next, we’re back with our Coast FIRE Family segment. This month, we’re featuring Jason Edwards from Rhode Island. Jason and his wife Amber reached Coast FIRE with $1.2 million invested. He shares how they did it, the role adoption played in their journey, and how they're now focusing on building generational wealth. Lastly, my son Calvin joins me for another “Good Word” segment. With school wrapping up, we're talking about generosity, favorite teachers, and celebrating the good in the world—because sometimes, you just need a little positivity. Resources Mentioned: Coast FIRE Calculator Crunch your numbers and find out how close you are to achieving Coast FIRE: 👉 marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire Empower Track your net worth and financial progress for free: 👉 marriagekidsandmoney.com/empower Monarch Money Budget and plan your financial goals as a couple: 👉 marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Nectarine Financial Get fee-only, fiduciary advice with no product pitches: 👉 marriagekidsandmoney.com/nectarine (or include affiliate link if available) Podcast Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: What Retirement Means to You 01:00 – Segment 1: Coast FIRE vs. Traditional Retirement 09:00 – Planning Your Retirement: Tools and Tips 12:50 – Segment 2: Jason Edwards' Coast FIRE Journey 13:45 – Jason’s Investment Strategy & Net Worth Breakdown 20:25 – Work, Income, and Family Expenses 24:00 – Adoption and Raising a Child 25:50 – Experiences Over Excess: Jason’s Retirement Philosophy 27:30 – Generational Wealth and Legacy Goals 29:45 – Advice for Future Coast FIRE Achievers 30:59 – Segment 3: A Good Word with Calvin Hill 33:00 – A Story of Student Generosity and Apple’s Support 34:15 – Celebrating Great Teachers 35:45 – Final Thoughts and Quote of the Day HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Hill welcomes back JL Collins—often dubbed the “Godfather of FI”—to discuss the updated and expanded edition of his bestselling book, The Simple Path to Wealth. Together, they demystify investing, discuss the power of index funds, and share how building FU Money can unlock freedom and solopreneur dreams. JL shares lessons from 50 years of market data and why “set it and forget it” is still the winning strategy. RESOURCES: ⁠Sponsors + Partners + Deals⁠ The Simple Path to Wealth (book): ⁠https://amzn.to/3ZBDGS2 (affiliate) Chapters 00:00 – The Simplest Investing Advice You’ll Ever Hear00:36 – Why So Few People Invest in the Stock Market01:53 – Why Investing Feels So Complicated (Thanks, Wall Street)03:06 – Index Funds 101: Why They Work04:57 – How Index Funds Are Self-Cleansing06:10 – Avoiding Analysis Paralysis: Stick to One Fund08:17 – Do You Need to Switch Brokerages for Better Funds?09:30 – Should You Add International Stocks? JL’s Take12:02 – Set It and Forget It: The Power of Automation15:42 – The “Tweaky Path” vs. The Simple Path16:16 – Filtering Out Financial Fear in the Media20:22 – Investing: A Psychological Game22:45 – 50 Years of Market Returns: What the Data Really Says27:48 – FU Money: Your Runway to Solopreneurship and Freedom29:42 – Buying Freedom vs. Buying Stuff31:47 – Is This Time Really Different? (Spoiler: It’s Not)33:46 – Planning for Black Swans? Or Betting on the 99%?35:25 – How to Get Started Today: One Simple Step36:48 – Where to Find the Updated Book and More Resources MKM RESOURCES: ⁠MKM Coaching⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠YouTube⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠Monarch Money⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠Empower⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠Crew⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠Ethos⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠Trust & Will ⁠- Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Hill sits down with bestselling author and digital entrepreneur Pat Flynn to discuss how "lean learning" can help overwhelmed parents and solopreneurs cut through the noise, focus on what really matters, and take meaningful action. Pat shares how absorbing less information — but more intentionally — can lead to quicker progress, stronger results, and more time for what truly matters: family, health, and creativity. Whether you're starting your first business, juggling multiple podcasts, or just looking to reclaim some peace of mind, Pat’s approach to learning less but achieving more might be just the antidote you need. Resources: ⁠Sponsors + Partners + Deals⁠ Lean Learning (book): ⁠https://amzn.to/3Hs6JkG (affiliate) Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Lean Learning and Overcoming Information Overload01:40 – Meet Pat Flynn: Entrepreneur, Author, Father, and Back to the Future Fan04:12 – How Information Obesity is Slowing Us Down06:25 – What is Lean Learning? A Golf Story That Explains It All08:26 – Public Speaking, Force Functions, and Learning One Skill at a Time10:42 – The Microsoft Word Ebook That Made $200K: Just-in-Time Learning in Action12:42 – The Double Meaning of “Lean” and the Power of Focus13:50 – What Should Solopreneurs Do With Their Newfound Time?14:55 – The “One-One-One” Strategy for Starting a Business17:09 – Solopreneur Pitfalls: Fear, Procrastination, and Why We Over-Plan19:10 – Fishing with One Jig: A Metaphor for Mastery21:17 – Alternatives to Information Overload While Driving or Exercising23:36 – Why Taking Action > Passive Learning25:37 – Where to Find Pat’s Book “Lean Learning”27:00 – Why Focusing on One Project at a Time Delivers Faster Results29:00 – Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts MKM RESOURCES: ⁠MKM Coaching⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠YouTube⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠Monarch Money⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠Empower⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠Crew⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠Ethos⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠Trust & Will ⁠- Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Samme from Chicago recently became debt free. She and her husband now have extra money. Should they pay off their mortgage, save or invest? Andy shares his thoughts. Andy also interviews Brittany Flammer, a financial coach, YouTuber, and mom of five, who has grown her family’s net worth to over $850,000 by age 39—despite a modest household income. 👩‍👧‍👦 Brittany shares: How she and her husband prioritized financial freedom over flashy spending The smart money habits that helped them grow their net worth on an average of $40K/year How they're raising financially capable kids without fully funding college Why giving, budgeting, and intentionality have been cornerstones of their success Their roadmap to becoming millionaires soon Last but not least, Andy's son Calvin Hill joins for a Money Quiz. They are covering school coming to a close, net worth topics and enjoying summer. EPISODE RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals Brittany Flammer (website): https://brittanyflammer.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Use Your Money According to Your Values00:25 – Welcome & Today’s Three-Part Show Outline01:00 – Listener Question: Mortgage vs. Saving vs. Investing02:24 – Sam’s Voicemail: Conflicted About Mortgage Strategy03:20 – Breaking Down the 3 Options: Save, Invest, or Pay Off Mortgage05:45 – How Much Emergency Savings is Enough?07:30 – Coast FIRE Explained & Retirement Account Strategy09:50 – When and Why to Pay Off Your Mortgage11:30 – Step-by-Step Financial Independence Roadmap12:38 – Net Worth Win Segment: Brittany Flammer Interview13:40 – Brittany’s Motivation: Security & Freedom15:00 – Building Wealth on a Modest Income16:45 – Saving, Budgeting, and Investing from the Start18:30 – Net Worth Breakdown: Cash, Investments, and Home Equity20:15 – Reaching $858K Net Worth and Nearing $1M21:00 – Generational Wealth: Teaching Kids About Money24:45 – Budgeting, Saving, and College Planning with 5 Kids27:00 – Teaching Generosity and the Habit of Giving29:45 – Advice for Others: Just Get Started30:59 – Where to Connect with Brittany Flammer31:40 – Money Quiz Segment with Calvin34:50 – Calvin's Money Lessons and Omnifix Cubes35:35 – What Is Net Worth? Calvin’s $11K at Age 1137:40 – How Many Days Are in Summer Vacation?38:20 – Final Quote & Show Wrap-Up MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Marriage Kids and Money Podcast, Andy Hill is joined by Robert Farrington and Jordan Biesinger to explore two powerful financial topics: tackling student loan debt and achieving Coast FIRE. First, Robert Farrington, founder of The College Investor, shares urgent updates on the resumption of student loan default collections, what borrowers need to know right now, and smart strategies for managing debt amid confusing government changes. Then, we switch gears with Jordan Biesinger, a Coast FIRE success story. Jordan and his wife hit Coast FIRE in their 20s and chose to move to China for a simpler, more financially free life. He shares exactly how they did it—and how you can too. EPISODE RESOURCES Robert Farrington (Website): https://thecollegeinvestor.com Jordan Biesinger (YouTube): https://youtube.com/@BiesingerFIREJourney CHAPTERS 00:00 - Intro01:30 - The Return of Student Loan Collections02:50 - What Happens If You Default on Student Loans04:20 - Forbearance vs. Default: Key Differences05:45 - Don’t Count on Future Forgiveness07:00 - The Trillion-Dollar Student Loan Problem08:00 - The SAVE Plan: Dead or Alive?09:40 - Using the Forbearance Window Wisely10:40 - Alternatives to the SAVE Plan12:00 - How to Find Out Who You Owe13:40 - Increasing Income and Cutting Big Expenses15:45 - Is College Still a Smart Investment?18:00 - The ROI Reality of a College Degree19:30 - Where to Find More Help from The College Investor21:00 - Coast Fire Family: Jordan’s Journey Begins21:45 - The Coast Fire 5 with Jordan23:00 - How Real Estate and Frugality Fueled Their FIRE25:30 - From Student Loans to Coast FIRE27:00 - Index Funds and Simple Investing28:30 - Income Growth Through Career and Side Hustles30:00 - Life and Work Abroad After Coast FIRE31:30 - Investing Beyond Retirement32:30 - Teaching Financial Literacy to the Next Generation33:45 - Why They Chose to Move to China35:30 - Coast FIRE as a Path to Flexibility and Healing36:30 - Life in China and Living Simply37:30 - Final Advice for Achieving Coast FIRE MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know time is a finite resource. Why do we keep overallocating our time? It all feels like too much of what we're supposed to do and not enough of what we want to do. In this Bread & Wine episode, Andy and Nicole discuss how their time has been swallowed up recently, how they are fighting back, and how you can own your time, too.  MKM RESOURCES **Sponsors + Partners + Deals: ⁠https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com/sponsors⁠ ⁠Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Leave a Rating: Spotify⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠: Follow our IG channel OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE ⁠Die With Zero: When FIRE Meets YOLO⁠ ⁠Reflecting on Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps 10 Years Later⁠ ⁠Are We Morons for Paying Off Our Mortgage Early?⁠ DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Creative Director / Show Director: Nicole Hill Editor: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling uneasy about your finances in today’s economy? Learn how to turn fear into your greatest investing motivator with Sam Dogen, founder of Financial Samurai. In this powerful episode, Sam shares how fear helped him build wealth, leave a high-stress Wall Street job, and create true financial independence. Whether you're just getting started or trying to level up your savings rate, this conversation will inspire you to use fear—not as a crutch, but as a catalyst. RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals Millionaire Milestones (book): https://amzn.to/4jOuh1n (affiliate) CHAPTERS 00:00 – The Role of Fear in Hard Times00:20 – Show Intro: Using Fear to Drive Financial Action01:30 – Should Families Be Fearful of Today’s Economy?02:30 – How Fear Can Be a Powerful Motivator03:40 – When Fear Becomes Paralysis04:15 – The Concept of “Return on Effort”05:15 – What is a Saving Rate and Why it Matters06:30 – How to Calculate Your Saving Rate07:45 – Sam’s Saving Journey: From Goldman Sachs to FIRE10:00 – Facing the Financial Crisis and Learning from It11:15 – The Fear During 2008 and Lessons for 202512:50 – Investment Strategies: Beyond the 401(k)13:45 – The Utility of Stocks vs. Real Estate Investing15:15 – Reaching Financial Independence and Negotiating a Severance17:20 – Financial Independence with Kids: The New Fear18:15 – The Dual Unemployed Parents Dilemma20:00 – Optimal Parental Anxiety and Letting Go21:00 – One Final Piece of Advice for Struggling Families22:00 – Understanding Bear Markets and Historical Cycles23:00 – Where to Find “Millionaire Milestones” by Sam Dogen23:20 – Andy’s Top 3 Takeaways from the Interview25:25 – Closing Credits and Final Thoughts MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coast FIRE is when you've front-loaded enough investments to simply coast to retirement without any further contributions. But with this stock market downturn as of late, is the idea of Coast FIRE dead? We'll share how our portfolio is holding up and discuss what to do to keep our Coast FIRE dreams alive. Second, we’re back with our Net Worth Win segment. This month, we’re featuring Michelle Onaka from Intentional Money Life. Michelle has grown her net worth to $900k by 37 years old. We’ll learn how she did it and how this helps her family travel more. Last, my son Calvin will be reading the month's review and I’ll quiz him with some money questions. We're talking about recessions, investing, and going on our first cruise! EPISODE RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals Michelle Onaka (website): https://Intentionalmoneylife.com CHAPTERS 00:00 - Intro01:30 - Coast FIRE Amid Market Turmoil02:46 - Revisiting 2021 Coast FIRE Numbers04:17 - Impact of Market Downturn on Retirement Outlook05:03 - 6 Ways We're Keeping Coast FIRE Alive11:46 - Interview: Michelle Onaka’s $900K Net Worth Journey13:19 - Motivation Behind Michelle’s Wealth Building15:55 - From Low Income to Six Figures18:16 - Smart Saving and Investing Habits20:18 - What’s in Michelle’s $1M+ Asset Portfolio22:37 - Liabilities and Mortgage Strategy23:58 - Teaching Kids About Generational Wealth25:51 - Why Their Kids’ Accounts Are in Their Names27:36 - The Future: More Travel, Less Work29:30 - How to Connect with Michelle Onaka33:31 - Calvin’s 3-Question Money Quiz37:17 - Social Shout-Out & Book Giveaway38:10 - Final Thoughts MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paid parental leave can have lifelong benefits for families — but why is the U.S. so far behind? Isabelle Hau, author of Love to Learn and Executive Director at Stanford's Accelerator for Learning, joins the show to break down how paid leave improves the lives of parents, children, and workplaces. Also, Stacey Blackshear from Virginia shares how she and her husband achieved Coast Fire with $500k by 40 years old — and how it's helping them create more time and freedom for their growing family! EPISODE RESOURCES Isabelle Hau (Website): https://www.isabellehau.com/ Stacy Blackshear (Website): https://www.rewirebehavior.com CHAPTERS 0:00 - Open2:30 - What is Paid Parental Leave and Why It Matters3:40 - Benefits for Children and Parents7:00 - The U.S. Paid Leave Problem: 80% Without Access8:00 - Why Other Countries Get It Right (and We Don't)9:00 - Companies Leading the Way on Paid Leave10:30 - Paid Leave’s Impact on Retention and Productivity11:30 - Ideal Time Off: 12 Weeks to 6 Months13:00 - The Rising Importance of Paternity Leave14:30 - Advice for Workers and Employers16:50 - Isabelle Hau's New Book and Final Thoughts17:30 - Stacey Blackshear - Coast Fire19:00 - Financial Lessons from Divorce and New Beginnings21:00 - Investing Smartly and Building Wealth25:00 - Slowing Down Work to Focus on Family28:00 - Teaching Good Money Habits to Kids32:30 - Stacey’s Advice for Financial Freedom34:15 - How to Connect with Stacey MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recession may be headed our way. How can we prepare? I'm walking through our family's 5 step financial plan to prepare for a recession. Second, we’re back with our Mortgage Free Family segment! This month we’re featuring Sandra Park from Texas. She’s going to share how she paid off her mortgage in his 40s and how it allowed her more cash flow and the ability to help her son pay for college. Last, we're sharing the Good Word once again. My son Calvin and I are sharing the latest World Happiness Report, how the United States ranks, and how service to others matters. EPISODE RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals Sandra Park: https://engineerherpath.com Good Word Story - CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/19/world-happiness-report-2025-finland-is-the-happiest-country.html CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro 01:50 – Step 1: Shore Up Your Emergency Fund 04:35 – Step 2: Continue Investing According to Your Plan 05:50 – Step 3: Reduce Expenses, Not Your Happiness 11:30 – Step 4: Earn More Without Burning Out 13:55 – Step 5: Be Generous Where It's Needed 16:40 – Mortgage-Free Family: Interview with Sandra Park 17:45 – Sandra's Mortgage-Free Journey 20:00 – Budgeting, Downsizing, and Mindset Shifts 29:00 – Post-Mortgage Life and Financial Freedom 32:50 – Generational Wealth and Lessons for the Next Generation 38:00 – Good News Segment with Calvin Hill 46:35 – Shoutout of the Month MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Hill sits down with Dr. Daniel Crosby—renowned psychologist, behavioral finance expert, and author of Soul of Wealth—to explore the true meaning of wealth beyond money. Dr. Crosby breaks down why financial success alone won’t bring happiness and how our beliefs, relationships, and personal growth play a crucial role in our well-being. He shares fascinating insights on why some of the wealthiest people still feel unfulfilled, the psychological traps we fall into when chasing money, and practical ways to balance financial goals with a meaningful life. If you’re striving for financial success but don’t want to lose sight of what truly matters, this conversation is a must-listen. Listen now to redefine your wealth and purpose! #Wealth #DrDanielCrosby #MoneyMindset #FinancialWellness RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals The Soul of Wealth (book): https://amzn.to/3FcQh6K (affiliate) EPISODE CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Introduction to the Episode 01:02 – Why Do We Believe Money Will Make Us Happy? 03:01 – How Money Can Buy Happiness (But Only to a Point) 07:07 – Dr. Daniel Crosby’s Personal Struggle with Money vs. Meaning 08:40 – The Five Pillars of Happiness and Where Money Fits In 11:49 – How to Find Balance Between Wealth and Purpose 12:14 – The Three B’s of Meaning: Believing, Belonging, and Becoming 17:41 – Teaching Kids About Wealth and Meaning 20:58 – The Reality of Generational Wealth 24:19 – One Actionable Step to Prioritize Meaning Alongside Wealth 25:08 – Where to Find Dr. Daniel Crosby and Soul of Wealth GUEST BIO - Dr. Daniel Crosby: Dr. Daniel Crosby is a psychologist and behavioral finance expert who helps organizations understand the intersection of mind and markets. Dr. Crosby's first book, Personal Benchmark: Integrating Behavioral Finance and Investment Management, was a New York Times bestseller. His second book, The Laws of Wealth, was named the best investment book of 2017 by the Axiom Business Book Awards and has been translated into 14 languages. His third book, The Behavioral Investor, was Axiom's best investment book of 2019 and is a comprehensive look at the neurology, physiology and psychology of sound financial decision-making. His latest book, The Soul of Wealth, is an exploration of money and meaning. When he's not decoding market psychology, Daniel is a father of 3, a fanatical follower of the St. Louis Cardinals, an explorer of the American South, and an amateur hot sauce chef. MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you really retire comfortably with a 5% withdrawal rate? Financial researcher and author Bill Bengen—the creator of the legendary 4% rule—joins us to share why his latest research shows that 5% is the new 4%. In this interview, Bill explains how his thinking has evolved, what today’s retirees should know, and how you can plan smarter for a fulfilling, financially free retirement. RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals A Richer Retirement (book): https://amzn.to/4iWzaVJ (affiliate) CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro – Bill Bengen 01:53 – What is the 4% rule? 04:01 – The rise of the 4% rule 05:17 – Evolving to the 5% rule 06:59 – Over-saving and regret 08:45 – Advice for young savers 10:31 – Thoughts on the 8% rule 12:34 – Portfolio allocation in retirement 13:55 – Downsides of 3% withdrawal rate 14:28 – Bill's personal withdrawal strategy 15:55 – Natural increase in withdrawal rate 17:38 – How to take your foot off the gas 19:16 – Long-term investing advice 20:35 – New book details 22:22 – Andy’s 3 takeaways from the conversation 26:52 – Credits and closing quote MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Groves Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sit down with Simone Stolzoff, author of The Good Enough Job, to explore how modern work culture has taken over our identities—and how we can break free. This Best of MKM episode revisits one of our most powerful conversations about redefining success, setting boundaries, and reclaiming our time. If you're looking to escape the hustle mentality and build a more balanced life, this one’s a must-listen! RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction: More Than Your Job 01:10 – Meet Simone Stolzoff & The Premise of The Good Enough Job 02:20 – Workism and Our Cultural Identity 04:30 – The Historical Shift in Work's Role 06:00 – The Risks of Overidentifying with Work 08:20 – Story of Kay He: The Wall Street Banker Burnout 11:00 – Simone’s Personal Journey with Career Identity 13:40 – What Makes a Job 'Good Enough'? 15:40 – Identity Diversification: The Key to Resilience 18:30 – Practical Advice to Reclaim Life from Work 20:45 – Where to Find Simone & The Good Enough Job 21:15 – Closing Thoughts & Dalai Lama Quote MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Best of MKM episode, Andy Hill shares inspiring conversations with Kathryn Hanna and Chris Luger, two individuals who found financial freedom after divorce. Kathryn achieved Coast FIRE in her late 30s, while Chris became a mortgage-free millionaire. They discuss navigating finances post-divorce, aligning money with personal values, and building a brighter financial future. Whether you're rebuilding or planning ahead, this episode offers real stories and practical advice for thriving financially after a major life change like divorce. RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro 02:20 – Kathryn Hanna Coast FIRE FIve 05:00 – How She Got Started 07:40 – Divorce & Coast Fire 09:00 – Investing Strategy 11:30 – Flexibility After Divorce 13:30 – Financial Independence in Marriage 14:50 – Single Mom Budgeting 16:45 – What’s Next 18:30 – One Step to Start 21:00 – Connect with Kathryn 22:25 – Chris Luger Introduction 23:00 – Mortgage-Free Three 24:15 – Why Go Mortgage-Free 26:30 – Divorce Sparked Change 30:00 – Real Estate Growth 32:15 – Retirement Contributions 34:00 – Is Paying Off Smart? 36:30 – Step One: Track Spending 38:00 – Connect with Chris 39:00 – Final Thoughts MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when you achieve financial independence and early retirement? Maggie Tucker joins us to share her journey of retiring at 41, leaving corporate America, and embracing a life of flexibility, purpose, and family. As the founder and host of Inside Out Money, Maggie talks about overcoming the challenges of early retirement, finding fulfillment beyond a traditional career, and raising financially mindful kids. Listen to her insights on early retirement, smart money habits, and the mindset shifts that helped her break free from the 9-to-5 grind. 🔹 How Maggie and her husband retired early after 20 years in corporate roles 🔹 Navigating the identity shift that comes with early retirement 🔹 The power of avoiding lifestyle inflation and maximizing savings 🔹 Building a meaningful life post-retirement—beyond binge-watching TV 🔹 Teaching kids financial responsibility and work ethic EPISODE RESOURCES Maggie Tucker (Website): https://insideoutmoney.org Nik Johnson (Website): https://EverydayMoneyHeroes.com MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. GUEST BIO - MAGGIE TUCKER Maggie Tucker retired early in 2022 at 41 after 20 years in corporate leadership. She and her husband leveraged financial freedom to embrace a new chapter in life. Maggie is the founder and host of Inside Out Money, a personal finance podcast focused on redefining wealth through mindset shifts, not just math. Formerly the co-host of Friends on FIRE, she believes open money conversations lead to better decisions and a happier life. Passionate about minimalism and simple living, she now spends her time with family, traveling, volunteering, and managing rental properties. GUEST BIO - Nik Johnson Nik Johnson is the founder and host of the Everyday Money Heroes podcast, a platform dedicated to inspiring and educating individuals on achieving financial independence. His fascination with the mechanics of money began in childhood, driving his passion to help others optimize their finances to reclaim their time. Through his podcast, Nik shares practical advice and motivational stories, empowering listeners to take control of their financial journeys. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Hill sits down with Dr. Brad Klontz—bestselling author, professor, and leading expert on the psychology of wealth—to explore the power of mindset in financial success. They dive into the differences between a poor mindset and a rich mindset, common money mistakes, and the habits that set wealthy individuals apart. Dr. Klontz shares his personal journey from financial struggle to success, the critical lessons he learned along the way, and actionable steps you can take today to shift your thinking and build lasting wealth. Whether you're an employee, an entrepreneur, or simply looking to break free from financial stress, this conversation will change the way you view money. #MoneyMindset #DrBradKlontz #ThinkRich #FinancialFreedom RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals Start Thinking Rich: 21 Harsh Truths That Will Take You from Broke to Rich (book): https://amzn.to/41zrnpk (affiliate) GUEST BIO - Dr. Brad Klontz: Dr. Brad Klontz, Psy.D., CFP®, is a renowned financial psychologist and Managing Principal at Your Mental Wealth Advisors. He serves as an Associate Professor of Practice at Creighton University's Heider College of Business and is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Klontz has co-authored several influential books on financial psychology, including "Money Mammoth," "Mind Over Money," and "Start Thinking Rich." His work has been featured in prominent media outlets such as ABC News' 20/20, Good Morning America, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. In addition to his academic and writing endeavors, Dr. Klontz co-founded the Financial Psychology Institute and has served as President of the Hawaii Psychological Association. MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning SHOW INFORMATION:  Marriage Kids and Money is dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. This award-winning platform helps couples and parents achieve financial independence and discover the true meaning of wealth.  To achieve these big goals, we answer questions and interview experts who uncover smart net worth building habits and tools that can help everyone find their own version of financial independence. Learn more at https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com  HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Considering working with a financial advisor? Here are 5 questions to ask a financial advisor before working with them. Getting answers to these questions will help you become informed and empowered on your investing journey. Second, we’re back with our Net Worth Win segment. This month, we’re featuring Jackie Cummings Koski from the Catching Up To FI Podcast. Jackie has grown her net worth to $1.8 million by 54 years old. We’ll learn how she did it and what generational wealth means to her as a mother. Last, my son Calvin will be reading the month's review and I’ll quiz him with some money questions. We're talking about Women's History Month, net worth, and visiting Cancun! EPISODE RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals FIRE for Dummies (book): https://amzn.to/41PHiS5 (affiliate) Jackie Cummings Koski (podcast): https://catchinguptofi.com MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning GUEST BIO: Jackie Cummings Koski is a financial educator, author, and F.I.R.E. advocate who achieved a $1M+ net worth despite earning under six figures. Raised in a modest household, she pursued financial literacy, earning a master's in Personal Financial Planning. As a single mother, she wrote Money Letters 2 My Daughter to teach financial principles. Now a CFP, AFC, and Certified Health Savings Advisor, she co-hosts the Catching Up to FI podcast and has been featured on CNBC, MarketWatch, and the Rachael Ray Show. Jackie is dedicated to empowering others through financial education. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Workplace benefits often get overlooked by employees. But they could be your ticket to a wealthy future. How can my workplace benefits make me a millionaire? Joe Saul-Sehy, Co-Host of Stacking Benjamins, joins the show again to help us answer this big question.  Also, Jace Mattinson from Texas (and the Millionaires Unveiled Podcast) shares how he and his wife grew their investments to over $1,000,000 and how this impacts their family journey in the future. EPISODE RESOURCES Joe Saul-Sehy (Podcast): https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/ Stacking Benjamins Benefits Guide (Resource): https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/benefits-influencer/ Jace Mattinson (Podcast): https://millionairesunveiled.com/ MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning GUEST BIO - Joe Saul-Sehy: Joe Saul-Sehy learned from failure. Destroying his credit immediately after leaving home, he had to learn about money the hard way—and much of it as he was telling other people how to manage their money, as a financial advisor. After 16 years in the industry he moved to financial media, creating Stacking Benjamins, one of the most listened to podcasts in the personal finance sphere. Kiplinger has called the show the “best personal finance podcast” and Fast Company has described it as striking a “great balance between fun and functional.” Joe lives in Texarkana with his spouse, Cheryl, and cat, Cooper, recording shows in his mom’s basement next door. GUEST BIO - Jace Mattinson: Jace Mattinson hosts the Millionaires Unveiled Podcast where they interview “everyday millionaires.” Stories included are those of doctors, lawyers, accountants, firemen, police officers, military members, real estate investors, and more. Outside of the podcast, Jace is the CFO of a building materials company and has five kids. He and his family reside in Austin, Texas. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s time to set some SMART financial goals! I'm walking through 10 SMART financial goals that will help you build family wealth this year. Second, we’re back with our Mortgage Free Family segment! This month we’re featuring JJ Buckner from Missouri. He’s going to share how he paid off his mortgage in his 30s and how it allowed him more family time and time to grow as a solopreneur. Last, we're sharing the Good Word once again. My son Calvin and I are sharing details on Mackenzie Scott's philanthropy mission, the Giving Pledge, and how Calvin likes to give back. EPISODE RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals Monarch (free trial): https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney (affiliate) Empower (net worth tracker): https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/empower (affiliate) Trust & Will: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/trustandwill (affiliate) Ethos (term life insurance): https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ethos (affiliate) JJ Buckner: https://www.youtube.com/c/JJBuckner Good Word Story (CNBC): https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/20/mackenzie-scott-announced-another-2-billion-dollars-in-2024-donations.html MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. Instagram: Follow our IG channel. SHOW INFORMATION:  Marriage Kids and Money is dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. This award-winning platform helps couples and parents achieve financial independence and discover the true meaning of wealth.  To achieve these big goals, we answer questions and interview experts who uncover smart net worth building habits and tools that can help everyone find their own version of financial independence. Learn more at https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com  HOST BIO:  Andy Hill, AFC® is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness.  Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of downloads and views, Andy’s message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world.    When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing in his hammock. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Podcast Doctors Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking to find more purpose in life? Author Jordan Grumet is here to help us answer this important question. He discusses Big P Purpose and Little P Purpose and why it's important to know the difference. RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals The Purpose Code (book): https://amzn.to/416q5TV (affiliate) GUEST BIO - Jordan Grumet: Jordan Grumet, MD, is an internal medicine physician turned author and podcast host. After earning his medical degree from Northwestern University, he practiced in Northbrook, Illinois, and now serves as associate medical director at Unity Hospice. In 2018, he launched the Earn & Invest podcast, which won the 2019 Plutus Award for Best New Personal Finance Podcast. His first book, Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor’s Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life, was published in August 2022. His second book, The Purpose Code, is out now. MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. Instagram: Follow our IG channel SHOW INFORMATION:  Marriage Kids and Money is dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. This award-winning platform helps couples and parents achieve financial independence and discover the true meaning of wealth.  To achieve these big goals, we answer questions and interview experts who uncover smart net worth building habits and tools that can help everyone find their own version of financial independence. Learn more at https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com  HOST BIO:  Andy Hill, AFC® is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness.  Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of downloads and views, Andy’s message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world.    When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing in his hammock. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Groves Editor: Podcast Doctors Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Craig from Wisconsin came into a lump sum of money recently and wants to know if he should lump sum invest it or use dollar cost averaging. We'll define lump sum investing vs. dollar cost averaging and decide which is better. Second, we’re back with our Net Worth Win segment. This month, we’re featuring Nicole Stanley from Massachusetts. Nicole and her husband Jake became a half millionaire couple at the age of 31! Listen up to hear how they did it. Last, my son Calvin will be reading the month's review and I’ll quiz him with some money questions. We're talking about Black History Month, investing, and the Super Bowl ... with no Lions :( EPISODE RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals Nicole Stanley (website): https://www.arise.financial/ MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. Instagram: Follow our IG channel. Voicemail: Leave your questions or comments here. Merch Store: Check out our t-shirts, hoodies, and coffee mugs! SHOW INFORMATION:  Marriage Kids and Money is dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. This award-winning platform helps couples and parents achieve financial independence and discover the true meaning of wealth.  To achieve these big goals, we answer questions and interview experts who uncover smart net worth building habits and tools that can help everyone find their own version of financial independence. Learn more at https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com  HOST BIO:  Andy Hill, AFC® is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness.  Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of downloads and views, Andy’s message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world.    When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing in his hammock. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Podcast Doctors Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buying gifts is a important part of everyday life. But have you ever really examined HOW you're giving gifts? In this Bread & Wine episode, Andy and Nicole discuss if they gifts they are giving are really intended for the person receiving them.  MKM RESOURCES **Sponsors + Partners + Deals: https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com/sponsors Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts Leave a Rating: Spotify Instagram: Follow our IG channel OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE Die With Zero: When FIRE Meets YOLO Reflecting on Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps 10 Years Later Are We Morons for Paying Off Our Mortgage Early? DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Creative Director / Show Director: Nicole Hill Editor: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump has signaled that imposing new tariffs will be a cornerstone of his presidency. How will tariffs impact your family finances? Meghan Rabuse, the Family Finance Mom, joins the show again to help us answer this big question.  Also, Larry Sprung from New York shares how he and his wife paid off their $1 million home and what they plan to do with the extra money! RESOURCES Meghan Rabuse (Website): https://www.familyfinancemom.com  Larry Sprung (Website): https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/ GUEST BIO - Meghan Rabuse Meghan spent nearly a decade as a Financial Analyst, before spending the last decade as a SAHM to three little ones. She shares simple money tips for moms to help their family reach their financial goals by building a financial plan they can LIVE with! GUEST BIO - Larry Sprung Larry Sprung, CFP®, is the founder and wealth advisor at Mitlin Financial, Inc., with over 26 years of experience in financial planning and asset management. He is the author of the bestselling book Financial Planning Made Personal and hosts the Mitlin Money Mindset® podcast. Recognized as an Investopedia Top 100 Financial Advisor from 2021 to 2023, Larry is also a member of the Forbes Advisor Banking Advisory Board. A dedicated mental health advocate, Larry has served on the National Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and co-founded the Keith Milano Memorial Fund, raising over $1.7 million. A graduate of Binghamton University, he combines professional expertise with a passion for community and well-being. MKM RESOURCES Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to make your kid a millionaire? Learn more about my course! MKM Coaching: Request a free 15-minute consultation today YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews Instagram: Follow our IG channel Voicemail: Leave your questions or comments here  HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS Research & Writing: Andy Hill Podcast Artwork: Kayli Groves Editor: Podcast Doctors Podcast Management: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've hit Coast FIRE! Congratulations but ... Now what? I'll share 7 lifestyle improvement ideas for you to consider. Second, we’re going to have a conversation with Nina Robinson from Michigan. She’s going to share how she achieved Coast FIRE with $600k invested in her and if this achievement changes her plans for the future. Last, we're sharing the Good Word once again. My son Calvin and I are having a conversation about ... the S&P 500 performance from 2024 and the generational wealth investing lessons we learned. EPISODE RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals Coast FIRE Calculator: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/ Endless Fridays with Nina: https://www.youtube.com/@EndlessFridaysWithNina Good Word Story (Schwab): https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/it-was-very-good-year MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. Instagram: Follow our IG channel. SHOW INFORMATION:  Marriage Kids and Money is dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. This award-winning platform helps couples and parents achieve financial independence and discover the true meaning of wealth.  To achieve these big goals, we answer questions and interview experts who uncover smart net worth building habits and tools that can help everyone find their own version of financial independence. Learn more at https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com  HOST BIO:  Andy Hill, AFC® is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness.  Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of downloads and views, Andy’s message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world.    When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing in his hammock. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Podcast Doctors Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ready to spend without the guilt? Frugal Friends Podcast hosts Jen Smith and Jill Sirianni share how to buy what you love without going broke. We discuss the concept of values-based spending and how it helps you live and spend freely. RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals Green Chef - Get up to $180 of free meals: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/greenchef GUEST BIO - Jen Smith and Jill Sirianni: Jen Smith and Jill Sirianni are co-hosts of the Frugal Friends Podcast, offering practical advice on frugality, intentional spending, and financial independence. Jen, a personal finance author, paid off $78,000 of debt in two years and has been featured in Forbes and Money Magazine. Jill, a licensed clinical social worker, cleared $60,000 of debt while combining her mental health expertise with personal finance strategies. Together, they wrote Buy What You Love Without Going Broke, helping others align spending with their values. MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. Instagram: Follow our IG channel SHOW INFORMATION:  Marriage Kids and Money is dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. This award-winning platform helps couples and parents achieve financial independence and discover the true meaning of wealth.  To achieve these big goals, we answer questions and interview experts who uncover smart net worth building habits and tools that can help everyone find their own version of financial independence. Learn more at https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com  HOST BIO:  Andy Hill, AFC® is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness.  Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of downloads and views, Andy’s message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world.    When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing in his hammock. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Podcast Doctors Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're tackling a question a lot of us have ... Am I on track for retirement? We'll dive into 3 different strategies we can use to answer this important question. Second, we’re back with our Net Worth Win segment. This month, we’re featuring Stefanie Gonzales, originally from Texas. Stefanie and her husband Joseph became a millionaire couple at the age of 40! Listen up to hear how they did it. Last, my son Calvin will be reading the month's review and I’ll quiz him with some money questions. We're talking about holiday spending, investing, and Fortnite. EPISODE RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals Monarch Money (free trial): https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney (affiliate) ProjectionLab (free trial): https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com/projectionlab (affiliate) Stefanie Gonzales (website): https://www.womenswealtheffect.com/ Crew: https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com/crew (sponsor) Natasha Preston Books: https://amzn.to/47WKTPu (affiliate) MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. Instagram: Follow our IG channel. Voicemail: Leave your questions or comments here. Merch Store: Check out our t-shirts, hoodies, and coffee mugs! SHOW INFORMATION:  Marriage Kids and Money is dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. This award-winning platform helps couples and parents achieve financial independence and discover the true meaning of wealth.  To achieve these big goals, we answer questions and interview experts who uncover smart net worth building habits and tools that can help everyone find their own version of financial independence. Learn more at https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com  HOST BIO:  Andy Hill, AFC® is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness.  Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of downloads and views, Andy’s message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world.    When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing in his hammock. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Podcast Doctors Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tae Kim achieved Coast FIRE after accumulating $2,000,000 in investments by age 42. In this BEST OF MKM episode from 2024, Tae shares how he and his wife built up their investments and what the future looks like now.  EPISODE RESOURCES: Coast FIRE Calculator: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/ Financial Tortoise (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/c/taekimfinancialtortoise  #BigTipTuesday Details: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/why-were-giving-100-tips-this-holiday-season-and-why-we-want-you-to-join-us/ Voicemail: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail (tell me about your #BigTipTuesday adventures!) SHOW INFORMATION: Marriage Kids and Money is dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. This award-winning platform helps couples and parents achieve financial independence and discover the true meaning of wealth. To achieve these big goals, we answer questions and interview experts who uncover smart net worth building habits and tools that can help everyone find their own version of financial independence. Learn more at https://marriagekidsandmoney.com HOST BIO: Andy Hill is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of downloads and views, Andy’s message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world. When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing on his hammock. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Groves Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your marriage feeling uneven? Authors Nate and Kaley Klemp think an 80/80 marriage may work for you. They are the writers behind “The 80/80 Marriage: A New Model for a Happier, Stronger Relationship”. In this BEST OF MKM episode from 2021, Nate and Kaley review how radical generosity can create a happier relationship and what to do when your partner isn't contributing enough. EPISODE RESOURCES: Recommended Resources 80/80 Marriage (book): https://amzn.to/4gsU2mm (affiliate) #BigTipTuesday Details: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/why-were-giving-100-tips-this-holiday-season-and-why-we-want-you-to-join-us/ Voicemail: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail (tell me about your #BigTipTuesday adventures!) GUEST BIO - Nate Klemp Nate Klemp is a writer, philosopher, and entrepreneur. Along with his wife Kaley, he is the author of the newly released The 80/80 Marriage: A New Model for a Happier, Stronger Marriage (Penguin Radom House). He is also the co-author, with Eric Langshur, of the New York Times Bestseller Start Here: Master the Lifelong Habit of Wellbeing and is a regular contributor for Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, and Mindful. He is also a founding partner at Mindful, one of the world's largest mindfulness media and training companies. Nate holds a B.A. and M.A. in philosophy from Stanford University and a PhD from Princeton University. GUEST BIO - Kaley Klemp Kaley Klemp is coauthor of The 80/80 Marriage. She is also one of the nation's leading experts on small-group dynamics and leadership development, a TEDx speaker, and the author of three other books, including the Amazon Bestseller The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, The Drama-Free Office, and 13 Guidelines for Effective Teams. A favorite with Young Presidents Organization (YPO) forums and chapters, Kaley has facilitated retreats for more than 400 member and spouse forums throughout the world. Kaley is a graduate of Stanford University, where she earned a B.A. in International Relations and an M.A. in Sociology, with a focus on Organizational Behavior. SHOW INFORMATION: Marriage Kids and Money is dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. This award-winning platform helps couples and parents achieve financial independence and discover the true meaning of wealth. To achieve these big goals, we answer questions and interview experts who uncover smart net worth building habits and tools that can help everyone find their own version of financial independence. Learn more at https://marriagekidsandmoney.com HOST BIO: Andy Hill is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of downloads and views, Andy’s message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world. When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing on his hammock. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Groves Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coast FIRE raises the question: What happens when I don't need to invest as much for retirement? In this "Best of Marriage Kids and Money" episode, I share my interview with Andrew Giancola on The Personal Finance Podcast. We discuss Coast FIRE and how it has allowed us to work less and live more. EPISODE RESOURCES: Recommended Resources Make My Kid a Millionaire: https://www.makemykidamillionaire.com/sa The Personal Finance Podcast: https://thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/ SHOW INFORMATION: Marriage Kids and Money is dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. This award-winning platform helps couples and parents achieve financial independence and discover the true meaning of wealth. To achieve these big goals, we answer questions and interview experts who uncover smart net worth building habits and tools that can help everyone find their own version of financial independence. Learn more at https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com HOST BIO: Andy Hill is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of downloads and views, Andy’s message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world. When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing on his hammock. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Groves Editor: Podcast Doctors Podcast Assistant: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re featuring two interviews we did this year - one with Jade Warshaw from Ramsey Solutions and other with George Kamel also from Ramsey Solutions.   If you’re not familiar with Ramsey Solutions, this is a company owned by Dave Ramsey, the personal finance guru that many people know.  Jade and George are personalities on Dave’s team and they both joined me this year to share their unique stories about becoming debt free and mortgage free.  Both of these interviews were very popular on our YouTube channel so I thought I would share them with you all today AND hopefully it’ll motivate you on your debt free and mortgage free journeys.  EPISODE RESOURCES: Recommended Resources Jade Warshaw: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/jade-warshaw George Kamel (book): https://amzn.to/3Ztn1ir (affiliate) George Kamel: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/george-kamel #BigTipTuesday Details: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/why-were-giving-100-tips-this-holiday-season-and-why-we-want-you-to-join-us/ Voicemail: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail (tell me about your #BigTipTuesday adventures!) GUEST BIO - Jade Warshaw Ever since paying off over $460,000 in debt with my husband, Sam, I’ve been coaching others on how to pay off their own debt by shifting their mindset, beliefs and actions around money. I absolutely love talking to people about all things finance (especially if there’s food involved), and I can’t wait to get to know you! GUEST BIO - George Kamel George Kamel is a Ramsey Personality and personal finance expert. Since 2013, he has served on the Ramsey team speaking nationwide and cohosting The Ramsey Show and Smart Money Happy Hour podcast. George educates and entertains on his YouTube channel, exposing the financial system designed to keep you broke. SHOW INFORMATION: Marriage Kids and Money is dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. This award-winning platform helps couples and parents achieve financial independence and discover the true meaning of wealth. To achieve these big goals, we answer questions and interview experts who uncover smart net worth building habits and tools that can help everyone find their own version of financial independence. Learn more at https://marriagekidsandmoney.com HOST BIO: Andy Hill is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of downloads and views, Andy’s message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world. When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing on his hammock. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Groves Editor: Podcast Doctors Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you've been saving around 50% of your income for a decade on your FIRE journey, it's hard to save less. Our family hit some incredible financial milestones over the last 10 years including becoming debt-free, mortgage-free, achieving Coast FIRE, and accumulating a million-dollar net worth. And now we're ready to enjoy more of our money today. Depending on your stage in your FIRE journey, this message can be challenging to hear. Let's discuss that today. Second, I've got another MKM Challenge for our community focused on generosity! EPISODE RESOURCES: Recommended Resources #BigTipTuesday Details: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/why-were-giving-100-tips-this-holiday-season-and-why-we-want-you-to-join-us/ Voicemail: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/voicemail (tell me about your #BigTipTuesday adventures!) SHOW INFORMATION: Marriage Kids and Money is dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. This award-winning platform helps couples and parents achieve financial independence and discover the true meaning of wealth. To achieve these big goals, we answer questions and interview experts who uncover smart net worth building habits and tools that can help everyone find their own version of financial independence. Learn more at https://marriagekidsandmoney.com HOST BIO: Andy Hill is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of downloads and views, Andy’s message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world. When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing on his hammock. HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Groves Editor: Podcast Doctors Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices