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.)

1. 
   

   💰 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

   
   


2. 
   

   📊 YNAB (You Need A Budget) – Proactive budgeting system with a 34-day free trial: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ynab

   
   


3. 
   

   📱 Simplifi by Quicken – Clean, easy-to-use design for busy families. Includes a 30-day free trial: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/simplifi

   
   


4. 
   

   🏦 Crew – Family banking and kids’ debit cards with high-yield checking. Free to use: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/crew

   
   


5. 
   

   💳 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

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