In this inspiring episode of Everyday Money Heroes, host Nik Johnson sits down with Andy Hill, AFC®—award-winning family finance coach and founder of Marriage, Kids and Money. Known for his mission to help families build wealth and happiness, Andy has amassed over 10 million views and podcast downloads and has been featured on CNBC, Forbes, and MarketWatch. In this powerful conversation, Andy shares his personal journey from a negative net worth of -$50,000 to achieving Coast FIRE and a million-dollar net worth—all while becoming the present, purposeful dad and husband he always wanted to be.

Andy opens up about his early career in corporate event marketing, the moment he realized he was financially stuck despite a six-figure income, and how becoming a father sparked his quest for financial independence. He candidly shares how he and his wife, Nicole, made the bold decision to start tracking their net worth, pay off debt, and build a financial plan around what truly mattered: owning their time and prioritizing family.

Listeners will learn how Andy leveraged the power of budgeting, goal setting, and consistent 1% improvements—also known as the aggregation of marginal gains—to make life-changing progress. He breaks down how embracing the Coast FIRE method helped him step away from the corporate grind while still building wealth through the power of compound interest. Andy also discusses how, by the age of 40, he and his wife accumulated $500K in investments, which has grown to over $750K just by allowing it to grow passively—proof that FIRE works.

This episode is full of actionable insights for anyone feeling overwhelmed or stuck in their financial journey. Andy offers practical advice for those who don’t know where to start: understand your net worth, build a simple budget, and focus on small, incremental wins. He emphasizes that financial freedom is not about deprivation but about designing a life where you can thrive with purpose.

As a bonus, the two also bond over their love for karaoke, adding a personal and humorous touch that makes the episode as entertaining as it is educational. Andy wraps up the episode by sharing details about his upcoming book, Own Your Time: 10 Financial Steps to Put Your Family First and Escape the Corporate Grind—a step-by-step guide to achieving financial independence on your own terms.

👉 If you're looking for real talk on building wealth, reclaiming your time, and creating a joyful family life, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

📘 Pre-order Andy's book now and start your journey toward financial freedom today!

https://www.amazon.com/Own-Your-Time-Financial-Corporate/dp/1394342772

Marriage Kids and Money

#financialfreedom #Coastfire #familyfinance #firemovement #moneytips #ownyourtime #escapethegrind #mmk #Andyhill

In this inspiring episode of Everyday Money Heroes, host Nik Johnson sits down with Erik Peterson, a financial prodigy who achieved financial independence and retired at the remarkable age of 31. Erik, now a financial coach, shares his unique journey and insights on how others can escape the 9-to-5 grind and live a life focused on what truly matters.

Erik emphasizes that his story, while rare, is not impossible. He advocates for the "FIRE movement" (Financial Independence, Retire Early) but stresses that it's not about strict deprivation, but rather intentional spending and building a financial system that provides options and freedom. His journey began with a traditional upbringing that encouraged good grades and a stable job, but he always knew there was "something more to life" than working until 65.

A key to Erik's early success was his aggressive saving and investing from the start of his career. Fresh out of college in 2014, earning $60,000 a year, he made the strategic decision to live at home with his parents for two years in San Diego, drastically reducing his cost of living. This allowed him to max out his 401k and Roth IRA contributions from day one, a habit he maintained for 10 years. He highlights the importance of "living below your means" and leveraging opportunities like living with parents to accelerate savings.

Erik credits a high school physics teacher, Mr. Ranny, for introducing him to the power of compound interest and Roth IRAs, a seed that blossomed when he started his professional job. While his initial investing strategy was complex, he now advocates for simplicity with index funds like S&P 500. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst, prompting him to deeply explore the FIRE movement after reading a Bigger Pockets real estate book that, surprisingly, led him to financial independence concepts.

Now, Erik is dedicated to spreading awareness about alternative financial paths, helping individuals understand that financial independence is a spectrum and not a finish line. He emphasizes the importance of open conversations about money and aims to free people from financial stress so they can focus their energy on passions, family, and making a positive impact on the world. While he achieved financial independence primarily through equities and brokerage accounts, he is exploring real estate for future ventures.

Follow Erik's journey and connect with him on Instagram at @learn2fire (the number 2).

Tired of watching your hard-earned money disappear into your gas tank, car payments, and insurance bills? In this eye-opening video, we reveal the shockingly simple secrets to dramatically reduce your transportation expenses. Discover how to save hundreds (or even thousands!) of dollars each year with these proven strategies.

We'll cover everything from easy-to-implement tips like walking or biking, using public transportation, and smart carpooling to often-overlooked tactics such as maintaining your car for better gas mileage , shopping around for cheaper car insurance , and avoiding unnecessary car loans. Learn how used cars can save you money, why off-peak driving matters, and the power of combining errands.

But that's not all! We'll also dive into the unexpected ways you're wasting money on transportation, like eating out for lunch, not taking advantage of available discounts and driving a gas-guzzling vehicle. Plus, we'll give you pro tips on fuel-efficient driving, the importance of proper tire inflation , and the benefits of using cruise control.

This video is your ultimate guide to mastering your transportation budget and keeping more money in your pocket. Don't miss out on these life-changing tips! Watch now and start saving today!

#firemovement

#transportation

#budget

#personalfinance

#lifehacks