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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