EverydayFI
Welcome to the EverydayFI podcast, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. I’m your host Meghan Combs, a personal finance junkie who learned from all of life’s money mistakes. Come with me as I talk to people on the path to financial freedom and the ultimate luxury: never having to work again.
Let's hear from an expert - Meg's Money Musings with Tim Smith, CFP | Ep 69
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Welcome to Everyday FI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I'm your host Meghan Combs, and I know 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 on Meg's Money Musings I'm doing something a little bit different. Normally I'm just here talking to myself, but I actually brought on a financial expert, Tim Sm...
Slow and curious FI - Rakesh M. | Ep 68
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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 show you that you don’t need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans you’ll see how you can forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way.
In today's episode, I am joined by Rakesh who shares his journey from growing up in India to building a life and career in the US w...
What's your threshold for DIY vs. just spending the money? - Mitch & Meg's Money Musings | Ep. 67
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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 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.
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 what we are will...
"Do hard things, but don’t do them alone." - Robin C. Part 2 | Ep. 66
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Welcome to EverydayFI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I’m your host, Meghan Combs, and in this show I want to show you that you don’t need a multi-million dollar book deal or famous podcast to reach financial independence 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 Robin. In this episode, Robin shares actionable advice on finding a good roommate based on her extensive...
Geodesic Dome to Nature Preschool: Robin's Unique FI Journey - Part 1 | Ep 65
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Welcome to EverydayFI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I’m your host, Meghan Combs, and in this show I want to show you that you don’t need a multi-million dollar book deal or famous podcast to reach financial independence 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 Robin, who I met at CampFI in 2022. In this episode we share our experiences with carp...
Why I'm Happier (And Richer) Off Social Media - Meg's Money Musings | Ep. 64
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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 show you that you don’t need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans you’ll see how you can forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way.
In today’s Meg’s Money Musings I talk about how I’m richer (and happier) off social media, my June red X month, and some updat...
Work, life, FI balance - Part 2 with Amanda | Ep. 63
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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 show you that you don’t need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans you’ll see how you can forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way.
We’re back with part two of Amanda’s story where we start by diving into how she has adjusted to life with her newborn son...
Career pivots, marriage, and kids: Amanda's FI Life | Ep. 62
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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 show you that you don’t need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans you’ll see how you can forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way.
In part one of today’s episode I get to connect with Amanda, who discusses her life in the Shenandoah Valley, her marriage, and recent mot...
The one where Mitch interviews Meg - Mitch & Meg's Money Musings | Ep. 61
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Welcome to EverydayFI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I’m your host, Meghan Combs, and in this show I want to show you that you don’t need a multi-million dollar book deal or famous podcast to reach financial independence early. By talking with real humans I’ll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom the everyday way.
Today on the show the turns have tabled, the chairs have swapped: Mitch interviews me! If you’ve been dying to hear my...
Freedom to Learn: The Path to FI & Multilingual Mastery - Ingrid T. Part 2 | Ep. 60
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Welcome to EverydayFI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I’m your host, Meghan Combs, and in this show I want to show you that you don’t need a multi-million dollar book deal or famous podcast to reach financial independence 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 Ingrid’s story. In this episode we dive into Ingrid’s life and financial independence...
"Time is more important than money." - Ingrid T. Part 1 | Ep. 59
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Welcome to EverydayFI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. I’m your host, Meghan Combs, and in this show I want to show you that you don’t need a multi-million dollar book deal or famous podcast to reach financial independence early. By talking with real humans I’ll show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom the everyday way.
This episode is part one with Ingrid, a retired software engineer who has embraced a lifelong passion for language learning and travel...
The "middle class trap" fallacy - Mitch & Meg's Money Musings | Ep 58
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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 show you that you don’t need a million dollar book deal or famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans you’ll see how you can forge your own path to financial freedom, the everyday way.
In today’s episode of Mitch & Meg’s Money Musings we pick apart the supposed “middle class trap” idea touted on the BiggerPockets Money podcast over the...
We were on a BREAK! - June Red X Month | Ep 57
Thanks for listening to EverydayFI, the show that explores the lives of everyday people on the path to financial indpendence so you can use their stories to forge your own path to financial freedom. I'm your host Meghan Combs and I'll be taking a break for the month of June! I'll catch you all back here July 7th with new episodes.
CampFI Spain with Suzy L. | Ep. 56
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the show that explores the lives of everyday people on the path to financial independence. I’m your host, Meghan Combs, a personal finance junky who loves to dive into people’s journeys. By sharing these stories I’ll show you in real ways how to forge your own path to financial freedom.
In this episode I get to hang with my new friend Suzy while we’re both at CampFI Spain! If you tune in on YouTube you’ll see us chatting in person at my Airbnb...
One year of EverydayFI! | Ep 55
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the show that explores the lives of everyday people on the path to financial independence. I’m your host, Meghan Combs, a personal finance junky who loves to dive into people’s journeys. By sharing these stories I’ll show you in real ways how to forge your own path to financial freedom.
It’s been one whole year since I started the show! I launched my first few episodes at the beginning of May 2024 and have been going hard ever since. This episode is all about wh...
54. FI Service Corps with Ryan B.
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Welcome to the EverydayFI podcast, the show that explores the lives of everyday people on the path to Financial Independence. Hearing these stories will teach you in real ways how to forge your own path to financial freedom.
In today’s episode I’m bringing back my buddy Ryan. You may remember him from one of the earlier episodes of EverydayFI and I’m so excited to have him back to talk about his new endeavor: FI Service Corps. Ryan started FI Service Corps as a way to bring the FI comm...
53. Mitch & Meg's Money Musings: Paying for a wedding the FI way
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Thanks for listening to the EverydayFI podcast, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people on the path to financial independence. Welcome to another edition of Mitch & Meg’s Money Musings. Today Mitch and I talk about how to pay for a wedding. It’s so common these days to want to spend extravagantly on getting married, but statistics say that couples who spend copious amounts of money and go into debt often have a harder time in the first year or two of marriage. Why bother when you...
52. Darren & Jolene - Part 2: "We don’t want to leave life un-lived."
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. Today we’re back with part 2 of Darren and Jolene’s story. Hopefully everyone having fun over in Spain has met them and been lucky enough to enjoy their company! In today’s episode we get to explore Darren and Jolene’s post-FI life, specifically their semi-nomadic lifestyle and all the different types of adventures they go on. Many of these include hiking incredible trails like the Camino in Spain.
Episode...
51. Darren & Jolene - Part 1: Accidentally FI
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. This episode is part 1 with my new friends Darren and Jolene, and today we talk a lot about how they used an alternative method to accomplish FIRE in their mid-late 40s, their upbringing and how that shaped the way they look at money today, plus the idea of spending time vs. spending money. Darren and Jolene recount their stories of leaving corporate jobs after long careers and becoming semi-nomadic, traveling half the...
50. Mitch & Meg's Money Musings: Hold onto your butts! The market crash this week.
CHECK THE EPISODE OUT ON YOUTUBE IF YOU WANT TO SEE OUR FACES!
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Welcome to the EverydayFI podcast, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people on the path to financial independence. Welcome to another edition of Mitch & Meg’s Money Musings. Today Mitch and I talk about the latest market dip, which has a lot of people freaked out, understandably so. We discuss our initial feelings about the drastic dip, what some of the public’s reactions were, and our plans to keep our cool and...
49. Julie R. - Part 2: "I'm a quitter and I'm proud of it."
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. Today’s episode is part two with my friend Julie. We chat about her journey to financial independence. Post layoff, Julie became passionate about managing her finances and soon delved into the FIRE community, finding inspiration in books like 'A Simple Path to Wealth' and 'Die With Zero'. She shares her experiences of becoming 'barista FIRE', where she balances minimal part-time work planning group travel excursions with her investment income to sustain a...
48. Julie R. - Part 1: "Do not underestimate the power of radical change."
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. In today’s episode I get to chat with Julie, who shares her journey from a conventional lifestyle to a full time nomadic one. We talk about her dissatisfaction with day-to-day life that prompted her to sell all her possessions and travel the world with only a $500K net worth. We also touch on the strategies she took to take this leap, such as refinancing her mortgage and side hustling. Julie emphasizes th...
47. Meghan's Money Musings: Life Finds a Way - My IVF Journey
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This episode includes discussions about infertility, IVF, periods, and other reproductive health topics. Listener discretion is advised. Please take care of yourself and feel free to skip or pause if needed.
Thanks for listening to the EverydayFI podcast, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people on the path to financial independence. In today’s Meghan’s Money Musings episode I’ll be talking about when life happens. I spent the past 9 years building up an HSA account. I took to heart the adage “begin with the end...
46. David R: Mr. Quit Your Job
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. Last week I spoke with David and our discussion centered on his mental health struggles in the military. I’m so grateful to him for opening up and sharing his experiences in the hope that it can help someone else. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or struggling with their mental health, please know that support is available. You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by di...
45. David R: Silent Struggle - Mental Health Challenges in Military Service
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. Today I’m chatting with my friend David Before the episode, I want to let you know that Our conversation touches on sensitive topics, including discussions about suicide and mental health struggles. I understand that these subjects can be challenging, so if this is something that might be difficult for you, please feel free to take a break from the show and return when you’re ready.
If you or some...
44. Mitch & Meg's Money Musings: Combining Finances
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Thanks for listening to the EverydayFI podcast, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people on the path to financial independence. Welcome to another edition of Mitch & Meg’s Money Musings. Today Mitch and I talk about couple’s combining expenses. Whether you’re getting married or just moving in together, it’s smart to start these discussions as early as possible. Mitch and I share what we did and some things to watch out for.
Tune in to hear more!
Episode Links:
BiggerPo...43. Bill Y. - Part 2: "Get to know your future self."
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the podcast that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. We’re back with part 2 of Bill’s story we embarked on last week. In today’s episode we get into Bill’s money origin story, which leads us to talking about financial literacy in general — the good, the bad, and what we can do at home about it. We also dive into Bill’s journey to finding the FI community and his “why of FI” as someone who is a late comer to the movem...
42. Bill Y. - Part 1: "Discipline is hard to maintain in the heat of battle."
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the podcast that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. Today on the show I’m chatting with Bill, whose voice you may recognize. This is another FI friend who I talked to for a long time so you’re getting two parts again! In part one we talk about balancing being an ER doctor with podcasting, plus the fallacy that doctors are rich and should show it in their lifestyle. Bill also shares how he accomplished graduating from med school with zero s...
41. Meghan's Money Musings: Turning 38... Is this where I thought I'd be?
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Thanks for listening to the EverydayFI podcast, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people on the path to financial independence. In today’s Meghan’s Money Musings episode I’ll be talking about turning 38! A big theme is wondering how my younger self would have felt about where I am today. Is it what she expected? Or have things drastically changed? Tune in!
Episode Links:
EverydayFI episode 33: Mitch & Meg’s Money Musings - Career Transitions ChooseFI Paula Pant’s Afford Anything Alan and Katie Donegan JL...40. Allen V. - Part 2: "FI saved us."
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the podcast that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. We're back with part two of Alan's story. In today's episode we discuss why Alan was drawn to the FIRE movement, why finding FI after 40 is different than when you're younger, and the reality of post-FI life. Tune in to hear the second half of Allen’s story!
Episode Links:
Episode webpage InvestED podcast Mr. Money Mustache Jack Bogle and the Bogleheads ChooseFI “Pillars of FI” episode 21 Catching Up to FI po...39. Allen V. - Part 1: The joys and struggles of the sandwich generation
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the podcast that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. This is part one with my guest Allen, and in today’s episode we discuss his journey to financial independence. Allen talks about transitioning from a tech career to early retirement at age 50, heavily influenced by observing his parents' financial struggles. Our conversation also delves into raising teenagers and Allen's thoughtful approach to allowing his children to work and navigate their own financial decisions. We also talk about the challenges and strategies of...
38. Mitch & Meg's Money Musings: Imposter Syndrome
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Thanks for listening to the EverydayFI podcast, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people on the path to financial independence. Welcome to another edition of Mitch & Meg’s Money Musings. Today Mitch and I talk about that familiar and notorious feeling: imposter syndrome. We talk about it with regards to work and careers, but we also explore how other areas of our lives — including the financial independence movement and having kids — could result in the feeling of being an “imposter.”
Tune in to hear more!
Epi...
37. Stacy B: "Experience is the best teacher."
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the podcast that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. Today on the show I’m chatting with Stacy, a former special education administrator, about her journey to financial independence. Stacy shares her experiences of leaving her job to spend more time with her 18-month-old son and pursue personal interests, such as financial coaching. We discuss Stacy's recent travels to France, her early money memories, and her decision to achieve Coast FI. Stacy also emphasizes the importance of community and flexibility in th...
36. Meghan's Money Musings - New Year's Resolutions
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Thanks for listening to the EverydayFI podcast, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people on the path to financial independence. In today’s Meghan’s Money Musings episode I’ll be talking about the New Year’s resolutions I’ve had in the past, the ones that worked, the ones that didn’t, and the ones I have for 2025 and my plan to keep them.
Episode Links:
Episode page Gretchen Rubin’s 4 Tendencies Quiz Paula Pant, Afford Anything Mindy and Carl, Bigger Pockets Factor meal plans (re...35. Doug N. - Part 2: "Money nerds unite!"
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the podcast that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. Today on the show I’m chatting with Doug — again! This is part two of our conversation and we get into the meat of things.
Episode Links:
Episode page The Millionaire Next Door Bill Bengen, Safe Withdrawal Rate The Trinity Study Early-retirement.org Work Less, Live More, Bob Clyatt Military Guide to Financial Independence, Doug Nordman How to Raise a Financial Savvy Family, Doug Nordman CampFI FinCon We’re Talkin...34. Doug N. - Part 1: Living in Hawaii, the military, and housing prices
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the podcast that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. Today on the show I’m chatting with Doug, whose voice many of you may recognize. He wrote a book with his daughter on raising FI-minded children and has been on several podcasts talking about it, but today we get to hear his story.
We recorded for so long that you get two episodes with Doug! In the first he gushes over living in Hawaii, gives us military newbies the lo...
33. Mitch & Meg's Money Musings: Career Transitions
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Thanks for listening to the EverydayFI podcast, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people on the path to financial independence. Today I’m welcoming my buddy Mitch, who will be joining me on the Meghan’s Money Musings episodes — these will be dubbed “Mitch & Meg’s Money Musings - cute, right? Gotta love alliteration!
On today’s episode Mitch and Meg chat about career transitions. How did we know it was the right time to make a change? What was the catalyst? Why did we choose the ne...
32. Kathy C: "I want to spend the rest of the time in my hourglass helping people."
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. Today I’ll be chatting with Kathy, who came to FI much later than most people in our community. In this episode you’ll hear Kathy’s harrowing story about being adopted by a middle class family with alcoholic parents and how that affected her money philosophies as an adult. Kathy also shares her biggest desire, which is to help blind and deaf people, and you’ll get to hear her take on what...
31. Meghan's Money Musings: Student Loans
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Thanks for listening to the EverydayFI podcast, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people on the path to financial independence. In today’s Meghan’s Money Musings episode I’ll be sharing a journey many of us millennials had to endure: student loans. Let’s dive in!
Episode Links:
Episode webpage HerMoney Jill On Money episode with me as the guest CBS News Segment on student loans ChooseFI interview with Travis Hornsby Student Loan PlannerSupport the Show:
Get the “Your Journey to Freedom...30. Monica S: "There's power in a story."
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Welcome to EverydayFI, the show that explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community. In this episode I get to chat with my friend Monica, who I didn’t realize I’d carpooled with to CampFI in 2022 until the very end of the episode (you all will get to hear that revelation and the laughter that ensued).
Monica talks about her experience growing up in a traditional Italian, immigrant household and balancing the culture of American expectation with her Italian roots. She also divulges her...
