EverydayFI

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Support the Show: Join my Patreon for ad free and bonus content Buy some merch Sign up to be on the show here Welcome to EverydayFI! I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say you don't need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach financial independence. By exploring the lives of everyday people pursuing FI I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way. Sam and I kick off part 2 of his story talking about the moments that led him to the financial independence community. Sam shares how the realization of student loan debt initially propelled him towards FI, but the intense focus on hitting a high savings rate created tensions in his marriage and personal life as he struggled to find balance. The second half of Sam's story promises an insightful look into balancing life's demands while pursuing financial goals and explores actionable advice for better financial planning and personal fulfillment. Tune in to hear the rest of Sam's journey. Episode Links: Physician on Fire ChooseFI Two Sides of FI The Money Guy Show Erin Talks Money Furnished Finder

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Support the Show: Join my Patreon for ad free and exclusive bonus content! Buy some merch - t-shirts, stickers, mugs, tote bags, all the things! Sign up to be on the show here It's official!! I've promised in several episodes that I'd be providing ad free and bonus content... Well, it's coming!! The first ad-free episode will drop Monday, February 2nd (you'll see the countdown in my Patreon posts) and the first BONUS episode will drop Friday, February 6th! So how do you access this content? It's super easy! I've created three tiers here in Patreon: Supporter, Ad Free, and EverydayFI+ Supporter Tier: if you don't mind listening to ads, but you'd like to support the show anyway this is a great, low cost option Ad-Free Tier: if you're sick of ads interrupting your listening experience, this tier let's you listen to all new* episodes ad free! EverydayFI+: this is the juiciest tier (yum). You not only get to listen ad free to new episodes, but you also get access to exclusive bonus content. You'll enjoy chats with experts, Meghan spilling the tea on her journey to early retirement (because some things you can only say behind a paywall), and things outside financial independence like podcast and book reviews, Meghan's fertility journey updates, and more. You'll also get an EverydayFI podcast sticker for your water bottle or laptop. This is hands down the best tier for the money. You can find all tiers and prices here. Once you sign up, you can listen to ad free and/or bonus content in the Patreon app using your custom feed, or check out this article to listen in your favorite podcast player. Make sure to subscribe to EverydayFI so you know when new content drops! *Episodes prior to February 1, 2026 will still had ads due to the nature of EverydayFI's current hosting platform.

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership (bonus content coming in 2026!!) Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here Welcome to EverydayFI! I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say you don't need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach financial independence. By exploring the lives of everyday people pursuing FI I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way. In today's episode, we delve into Sam's multifaceted career journey, from engineer to stay-at-home dad and finally pilot for a major airline. Sam candidly shares his challenges with financial dependence during his marriage, how a painful divorce led to his financial awakening, and his transition into the world of aviation. Sam also enlightens us about the cost differences and timelines between pursuing a medical degree and becoming a pilot. By sharing his story, Sam illuminates the financial vulnerability and lack of preparedness many face in adulthood. Despite life's unexpected turns, Sam shows us that financial independence is achievable with the right mindset and perseverance. Tune in to hear part one of Sam's story. Episode Links: Mr. Money Mustache The White Coat Investor

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo (premium content coming in 2026!!) Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here Welcome to EverydayFI! I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say you don't need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach financial independence. By exploring the lives of everyday people pursuing FI I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way. Today I'm diving into the life of full-time world traveler Julie, who you might remember from episodes 48 and 49. We'll discuss the trials and tribulations of maintaining relationships while living a nomadic lifestyle, including Julie's recent heartbreak and how she balances romantic and other relationships on the road. Stay tuned for some heartfelt insights and personal stories that you won't want to miss. Episode Links: EverydayFI episodes with Julie: Episode 48 Episode 49 EverydayFI episode 25 with Anonymous ("J") on life after divorce Julie's blog post: "Truth Bombs I'm Dropping after the Implosion of My Most Recent Serious Relationship" Julie's blog post: "The Hardest Lesson I've Ever Learned: A Breakup Post-Mortem and the Cost of Ignoring My Intuition" Want to travel with Julie on a mini sabbatical? Go here!

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo (bonus content coming in 2026!!) Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here Welcome to EverydayFI! I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say you don't need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach financial independence. By exploring the lives of everyday people pursuing FI I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way. Today is part two with my friend Eric and in this episode we chat about his journey to financial independence after retiring from the Marine Corps at 45. Eric shares how he found the FIRE movement, his experience learning about stocks, and his success investing in oil stocks before the 2008 financial crisis. Eric opens up about the struggles of finding a new identity and purpose post-retirement and the value of having multiple communities or 'tribes' to nurture different aspects of life. Eric also celebrates his recent accomplishment of completing his first fiction novel, emphasizing the importance of creativity and personal growth. Tune in to hear the second half of Eric's story after a word from some advertisers, who I do not choose and do not condone. Episode Links: Eric's links: YouTube Channel Website Instagram LinkedIn EverydayFI episode 45 with David Robinson ChooseFI FI Service Corps Friends on FIRE

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo (bonus content coming in 2026!!) Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here Welcome to EverydayFI! I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say you don't need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach financial independence. By exploring the lives of everyday people pursuing FI I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way. Today is part one with my friend Eric, whom I met at Camp FI Spain. You'll get to hear gripping tales of his time in the military as a United States Marine Corps combat helicopter pilot, including his special ops missions and deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. We also talk about the challenges of his late wife's battle with cancer, and how that led him to meet his new wife, Alise. Eric talks about how early retirement has opened a new chapter for him and Alise with travel and a focus on a peaceful life over the hustle and bustle. He also reflects on his family's approach to finances, the lessons he learned from his parents about money, and how his own financial journey evolved over time. Tune in to hear more of Eric's story! Episode Links: Eric's links: YouTube Channel Website Instagram LinkedIn Motley Fool Econome Conference

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here   Welcome to EverydayFI! I'm your host Meghan Combs and I'm here to say you don't need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach financial independence. By exploring the lives of everyday people pursuing FI I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way.  In today's Mitch and Meg episode, we talk about leaving things behind: careers, places, people… even the financial independence community. Tune in to hear what Mitch and I are leaving behind this year and make sure to listen til the end for a surprise from Meg... Episode Links: EverydayFI episode 61: Mitch Interviews Meg HerMoney Diabolical Lies Maintenance Phase Dr. Karan Explores Money With Katie Science Vs Sound Investing Money for Couples with Ramit Sethi ChooseFI Afford Anything Mad FIentist music

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo (premium content coming in 2026!!) Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here Please note, this conversation touches on the sensitive topics of sobriety and suicide. These subjects can be challenging, so if this is something that might be difficult for you, please feel free to take a break from this episode and return when you're ready. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or struggling with substance abuse, support is available. You can reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, or visit their website at www.988lifeline.org. Take care of yourself, and please listen at your own pace. ---------------------------- Welcome to EverydayFI! I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say you that you don't need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach financial independence. By exploring the lives of everyday people pursuing FI I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way. In this episode, I talk with my new friend, Zack, who shares his compelling story of growing up in Maine, struggling with alcoholism, and eventually finding his path to financial independence. Zack recounts how his college experiences led him to struggle with sobriety, but how his brother's death convinced him to seek rehab. We explore his career as a truck driver, his efforts in diversifying his skills, and his passion for learning to fly. Zack is newer to the FI space and discusses how he found the community, plus a current struggle he's dealing with now about selling his family home. Tune in to hear Zack's story! Episode Links: EverydayFI Episode 45: Silent Struggle - Mental Health Challenges in Military Service, Part 1 with David Robinson A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel Catching Up To FI podcast ChooseFI The Stacking Benjamins Show Afford Anything Monarch Money Empower

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership (bonus content coming in 2026!) Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here Welcome to EverydayFI! I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say you don't need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach financial independence. By exploring the lives of everyday people pursuing FI I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way.   Today on the show I wanted to deviate from my typical interview setup to talk about an urgent matter coming at the end of the year. If you're not aware, the ACA (ie the Affordable Care Act) enhanced tax credits are going away December 31st 2025, which will impact millions of Americans and raise costs of healthcare pretty much immediately. I've brought on Sam Ferguson, a FIRE community member who knows quite a lot about the ACA and knows all the details on what's going on, and David Robinson, my go to aspiring-CFP friend who'll give us strategies on what to do when the enhanced tax credits disappear at the end of the year. Episode links: This link will take you to the savings page on Healthcare.gov that can show you what you'd pay based on income and state, how to save on healthcare costs, and cost-sharing reductions

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership (premium content coming in 2026!!) Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here   Welcome to EverydayFI where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say that you do not need a million dollar book deal or a famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans, I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom the everyday way. Today I'm talking with a financial expert and CFP, Ryan Derousseau, who actually has a lot of clients on the path to FI. I know, you must be shocked! But FI people need financial help too, and as you'll hear Ryan has seen a common pattern amongst these folks that doesn't bode well for the FIRE movement… Tune in to hear more! Episode links: cfp.net Catching Up To FI podcast ChooseFI Ryan's website: Thinking Cap Financial

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo (premium content coming in 2026!!) Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here Welcome to EverydayFI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say you that you don't need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way. Today is part two with Larry, and we start talking about the good stuff like his daily routines, the importance of good sleep, and the positive impact of quitting alcohol 18 months ago. Larry shares insights from his coaching practice, emphasizing the intersection of health, wealth, and happiness. We discuss the challenges of imposter syndrome, the shift from people-pleasing to genuinely helping others, and the importance of building personal standards rather than just setting goals. This episode is a fantastic dive into reframing life's challenges and ever changing nature. Episode Links: Larry's Uncontrollable Me website larry@uncontrollable.me ChooseFI The Mad FIentist The Donegans Why We Sleep, by Matthew Walker FI Minded Podcast EverydayFI episodes with David Robinson Part 1 Part 2 EverydayFI episode where David coaches "Jess" live Part 1 Part 2 Afford Anything Supercommunicators, by Charles Duhigg Outlive, by Peter Attia Dexa Fit App Atomic Habits, by James Clear

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo (premium content coming in 2026!!) Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here Welcome to EverydayFI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say you that you don't need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way. Today is part one with Larry, who shares his fascinating journey towards FI, blending his career in technology with his passion for outdoor adventures. We delve into his upbringing in a frugal household, his career transition to product management, and his discovery of the FI community during the pandemic. Larry outlines his strategies, like funding a brokerage account to bridge retirement funds, and emphasizes the importance of directing time and attention where desired. This episode offers valuable insights into balancing a fulfilling life while on the path to financial independence.

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.  Welcome to Everyday FI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I'm your host Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say that you do not need a million dollar book deal or a famous blog to reach FI early by talking with real humans, I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom the everyday way. I'm back with my buddy and co-host Mitch, with another Mitch and Meg's Money Musings episode, and today we're going to talk about how to talk to your parents about their retirement. Gulp… Tune in! Episode Links: The Latte Factor, by David Bach Catching Up To FI Die With Zero, by Bill Perkins Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Welcome to EverydayFI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say you that you don't need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way. Today is part two with Jillian Johnsrud, whose new book "Retire Often" gives you a step by step guide to take several mini-retirements over your lifetime. But today, we actually aren't talking much about her book. Jillian and I get personal and talk about how she arrived at financial independence, well before her blog, book, and coaching businesses had taken off. Episode Links: Retire Often Website Retire Often Book (purchase here) Free Opt-In Worksheets: Planning Negotiating Retire Often Workbook Group Coaching Jillian's Socials: Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Welcome to EverydayFI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say you that you don't need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way. Today is part one with Jillian Johnsrud, whose new book "Retire Often" gives you a step by step guide to take several mini-retirements over your lifetime. But today, we actually aren't talking much about her book. Jillian and I get personal and talk about how she arrived at financial independence, well before her blog, book, and coaching businesses had taken off. Episode Links: Retire Often Website Retire Often Book (purchase here) Free Opt-In Worksheets: Planning Negotiating Retire Often Workbook Group Coaching Jillian's Socials: Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.   Welcome to EverydayFI where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say that you do not need a million dollar book deal or a famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans, I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom the everyday way. Today is the second half of Jess's live coaching session where David will reveal whether or not she can actually quit her toxic corporate job! Episode links: Die With Zero, by Bill Perkins Healthcare.gov Kaiser ACA calculator How Much More Would People Pay In Premiums If The ACA's Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expire? Simple Path to Wealth, by J.L. Collins Mark's Money Mind Show David's email: david.robinson022814@gmail.com Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.   Welcome to EverydayFI where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say that you do not need a million dollar book deal or a famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans, I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom the everyday way. Today I actually have a really huge treat for you all. Normally I'd be recording a Meg's Money Musings episode, but instead I'm hosting a live coaching session with David Robinson and Jess. David will be looking over Jess's portfolio live on the show and will talk to her about retirement readiness. Jess is new to the FIRE movement and finds terminology and principles extremely daunting. Other than living frugally, what more could she be doing? How does the 4% rule work? How can she use calculators correctly if she wants to understand scenarios like Coast FI? Could compounding returns enable her to take a passion job in a couple years? This episode is broken into two parts because our conversation went for almost 2 hours, so tune in for the exciting answer to whether Jess can pull the plug and quit her job! Episode links: Monarch Money Big ERN Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Welcome to EverydayFI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say you that you don't need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way. We're back with part two of Lauren's inspiring FI story! In this episode, Lauren and I chat about the pivotal FIRE community figures who ignited her passion for financial independence. Despite initial skepticism, Lauren eventually saw the value in using FIRE's specific strategies to pay off her burdensome student loan debt and to help her reach her goals. She and I then talk about how she likes to focus on spending with intention for a balanced life and how she's able to explore new career paths in positive psychology, financial coaching, and marine science now that she's reached FI. Tune in to hear the rest of Lauren's FI journey. Episode links: CampFI Mr. Money Mustache Your Money Or Your Life, by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez Blessing The Hands That Feed Us, by Vicki Robin ChooseFI Camp Mustache Afford Anything Bogleheads Conference Playing Big, by Tara Mohr Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Welcome to EverydayFI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I'm your host, Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say you that you don't need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way. Today is part one with my friend Lauren, who shares her remarkable journey from culinary arts to making a global impact through international development. We delve into her educational journey, the impact of her early work experiences, and crucial advice for those aspiring to enter international affairs. We also touch on how her upbringing shaped her perspectives on money, independence, and the influence of familial dynamics on her financial habits. Finally, Lauren candidly shares her personal growth journey, highlighting the significant impact of cutting out alcohol and seeking personal development through coaching and self-reflection. Tune in to hear the first part of Lauren's FI story after a word from our sponsors. Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.  Welcome to Everyday FI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I'm your host Meghan Combs, and I'm here to say that you do not need a million dollar book deal or a famous blog to reach FI early by talking with real humans, I'll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom the everyday way. I'm back with my buddy and co-host Mitch, with another Mitch and Meg's Money Musings episode, and today we're going to talk about the oh so fun and commonly felt concept of burnout. Tune in! Episode Links: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Fair Play by Eve Rodsky Meghan's ChooseFI episode Retire Often podcast Support the Show: Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo Buy me a coffee Sign up to be on the show here