EverydayFI

Meghan Combs
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Jan 5, 2026 • 39min

What's life afterwards? And other FI-curious questions. - Eric L, Part 1 | Ep. 85

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
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Dec 29, 2025 • 1h 5min

Goodbye to all that... loving and leaving things behind - Mitch & Meg | Ep. 84

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
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Dec 22, 2025 • 49min

The road to recovery: how sobriety and smart saving transformed Zack's life. | Ep 83

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
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Dec 15, 2025 • 1h 2min

What should I do now that the enhanced ACA tax credit is going away? | Ep. 82

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
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Dec 8, 2025 • 58min

CFP on the Biggest Issue Affecting the FI Community - Meg's Money Musings | Ep 81

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
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Dec 1, 2025 • 51min

Health, Wealth, and Happiness: Larry M. - Part 2 | Ep 80

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
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Nov 24, 2025 • 53min

"We have the power to choose how to interpret anything.": Larry M. - Part 1 | Ep 79

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.
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Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 8min

Talking to your parents about their retirement (yike) - Mitch & Meg's Money Musings | Ep. 78

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
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Nov 10, 2025 • 1h 3min

Why a Million Isn't the Magic Number - Jillian Johnsrud, Part 2 | Ep. 77

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
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Nov 3, 2025 • 45min

Breaking Barriers in Mental Health and Money - JillIan Johnsrud, Part 1 | Ep. 76

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

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