Couples communication about money

What if you could reach a point where your investments were doing the heavy lifting and you could finally slow down without falling behind? Would you keep pushing forward, or would you take the exit and design a life that fits right now?

In today’s episode, Anders Skagerberg shares how he and his wife reached Coast FIRE in their early thirties and made the intentional decision to downshift. Instead of continuing to save aggressively, they chose to prioritize time, flexibility, and family while letting compound growth work in the background. Anders explains what Coast FIRE really looks like in real life and how it gave his family options instead of pressure.

This episode is part of our Best of MKM series and was originally recorded in 2023. A short clip from this conversation took off on YouTube, so we decided to bring you the full story. Anders breaks down his Coast FIRE numbers, the accounts he uses, how he and his wife communicate about money, and why taking the Coast FIRE exit does not have to be permanent.

If you are Coast FIRE curious or wondering whether you can have both freedom today and security tomorrow, this conversation will help you think differently about what is possible.

CHAPTERS 🎧
0:00 Intro
0:41 Meet Anders Skagerberg
2:08 Coast FIRE Five
3:06 Retirement projections
4:41 Current household spending
5:43 What motivated Anders to start investing
6:46 Lessons from the Great Financial Crisis
9:02 How their investments are structured
10:43 Why tax diversification matters
11:50 How they communicate about money as a couple
13:03 Taking the Coast FIRE exit
15:12 Life after downshifting
16:30 One step to start your Coast FIRE journey
17:14 Where to find Anders online

RESOURCES 📚
Own Your Time
https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book

Track Your Spending and Net Worth with Monarch Money
https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney

Coast FIRE Calculator
https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/

HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER ⚠️
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Opinions are our own.
Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a licensed financial professional for your specific situation.
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CREDITS 🎙️
Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson
Editor: Johnny Sohl

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