Marriage Kids and Money: Personal Finance for Families

Disagreements around money in marriage can trigger anxiety, conflict, and even long-term damage if left unspoken. So how can couples move from financial tension to emotional connection? In this “Best of MKM” episode from 2019, psychiatrist Dr. Laura Dabney shares her insights on why money arguments go deeper than dollars—and how to address the feelings behind the finances. Dr. Dabney explains why our childhood experiences shape our money mindset, how to express emotions without blame, and what to do when your spouse isn’t on the same page. Whether it’s a surprise boat purchase or hidden debt, she offers tools to help couples move beyond the surface and truly communicate. This conversation is full of “a-ha” moments and practical advice for parents and partners trying to build trust and teamwork. If disagreements around money in marriage are stressing you out, this episode with Dr. Laura Dabney is a must-listen. Resources ⁠⁠Sponsors, Deals and Partners⁠⁠ MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Own Your Time⁠: Pre-order my first book today! ⁠MKM Coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠⁠⁠Cr⁠ew⁠⁠⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠⁠⁠ ⁠- Convenient Estate Planning CHAPTERS 00:00 – How emotions—not dollars—spark financial fights 01:40 – Introduction to Dr. Laura Dabney 03:00 – Childhood roots of money conflict 04:30 – Learning to identify and express feelings 06:30 – How to talk about big purchases 09:00 – Communication strategy: “I feel X when you do Y” 11:30 – Making time for emotional check-ins as parents 13:45 – How tech affects emotional connection 15:30 – Red flags to watch in serious relationships 17:30 – Boundaries and when to seek therapy 20:00 – Counseling alone when your spouse won’t come 22:30 – Why money classes may miss the root issue 24:00 – Dr. Dabney’s book recommendations and resources 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 as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (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 advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever feel like your phone gets more of your attention than your family? You’re not alone. In this Best of MKM episode, we explore how to reclaim our focus, strengthen our relationships, and find balance in a world full of digital distractions. Author and speaker Mark Ostach joins me to talk about digital wellness—what it means, why it matters, and how small shifts can make a huge difference in our marriages, parenting, and personal health. From setting boundaries with email to modeling good tech habits for our kids, Mark shares practical strategies to help us become more present at home and less consumed by screens. This conversation originally aired in 2022, but it’s just as powerful today. As part of our Best of MKM series, I’m excited to bring back this timeless chat with Mark, the author of Courage to Connect. Resources ⁠Sponsors, Deals and Partners⁠ Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:30 – What Digital Wellness Really Means 04:00 – The “Holy Trinity” of Checking & Digital Distraction 06:30 – Early Struggles That Sparked Mark’s Mission 07:50 – Impact of Screen Time on Marriage & Family Life 09:40 – Modeling Healthy Tech Habits for Kids 11:50 – Coping with Distraction & Digital Stress 13:30 – Small Steps Toward Digital Wellness 17:00 – Morning Routines & Phone Boundaries 18:00 – Healthy Ways to Use Social Media 20:00 – Managing Email & Avoiding Overwhelm 23:50 – When Should Kids Get Their First Devices? 25:00 – Parents as “Paparazzi” & Memory vs. Instagram 28:30 – Predictions for the Future of Digital Wellness 32:30 – One Simple Step You Can Take Today 34:00 – Where to Find Courage to Connect MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠⁠Own Your Time: Pre-order my first book today! MKM Coaching⁠⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠⁠Cr⁠ew⁠⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠⁠⁠ - Convenient Estate Planning 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 as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (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 advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Andy Hill sits down with LendingTree’s Matt Schulz to break down the real price tag of parenting in 2024 (spoiler: nearly $300K!). They cover rising childcare costs, smart savings strategies, and how your budget can survive the baby years. Then, financial planner Madison Sharick shares how she and her husband hit Coast FIRE in their 30s — while raising two young kids! 💡 Whether you're a future parent or already knee-deep in diapers, this episode is packed with practical money moves to help your family thrive. EPISODE RESOURCES Sponsors, Deals and Partners Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More (Matt's book): https://amzn.to/4mg7mgb (affiliate) Matt Schulz: https://www.mattschulz.com/ Nectarine (Advice Only Financial Planners): ⁠⁠https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/nectarine⁠ (affiliate) Madi Minds Money: ⁠https://madimanagesmoney.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Is the cost of raising a child worth it? 00:33 – Show introduction and episode preview 01:09 – Meet Matt Schulz, LendingTree financial expert 02:10 – How much does it cost to raise a child? 03:20 – Why these rising costs impact family planning 04:13 – How fast is the cost increasing? 05:30 – Most and least expensive states to raise a child 07:46 – Major cost drivers: daycare and housing 09:00 – Average percentage of income spent on child expenses 10:30 – Where to begin: budgeting basics for new parents 12:00 – Smart moves to save on childcare 13:50 – Debt management tips to free up cash 16:00 – Should high costs stop you from having kids? 18:00 – Coast FIRE segment 20:11 – Meet Madison: Coast FIRE at 35 with kids 21:33 – Retirement projections and 4% rule 22:45 – The motivation behind early investing 24:00 – How Madison and Jake built wealth 26:50 – Madison’s career path and income 28:15 – Combining income as a couple 29:45 – Career vs. parenting: striking a balance 33:15 – How Madison financially prepared to quit her job 35:09 – Pausing contributions and strategic Roth conversion 36:15 – Generational wealth planning 37:30 – College planning with 529s 38:45 – Financial literacy goals for her daughters 39:20 – Easy step to start Coast FIRE journey 40:20 – Where to find Madison and her financial advice 41:01 – Closing thoughts and inspirational quote MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠MKM Coaching⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠Cr⁠ew⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠⁠ - Convenient Estate Planning 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 as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (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 advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to quit your job and earn a full-time income on YouTube? 💻 Denis Trufin went from working in retail to building a YouTube business that now generates over $10,000/month — most of it passively. In this episode, Denis shares how he grew multiple YouTube channels, why evergreen content is his secret weapon, and what solopreneurship really looks like behind the scenes. ✅ You’ll Learn: How Denis got started (and what failed) When he realized YouTube could replace his day job 4 ways YouTubers actually make money What a typical week looks like as a solo creator His top advice for beginners (and what mistakes to avoid) Whether you're dreaming of leaving your 9–5 or growing your side hustle, Denis's journey is packed with tips, transparency, and inspiration. Resources: ⁠⁠⁠Sponsors + Partners + Deals⁠⁠⁠ TruFinancials (Denis's YouTube Channel): ⁠https://www.youtube.com/TruFinancials YouTube Passive Income Podcast (Denis's Podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/youtube-passive-income-by-ranking/id1735315505 Chapters 00:00 – Why Most People Quit Too Early 00:22 – Introduction to Denis Trufin and His YouTube Journey 01:00 – How a Lack of Time Control Sparked His Entrepreneurial Drive 01:56 – Early Attempts and Failures on YouTube 03:00 – Personal Finance Channel Launch and Initial Struggles 03:36 – Earning Ad Revenue After 7–8 Months 04:15 – Working in Retail Before YouTube 05:08 – The Moment Denis Decided to Quit His Job 07:06 – How His Immigrant Parents Inspired Him 07:40 – What Solopreneurship Means to Denis 08:41 – Using Content to Help Others With Finances 09:58 – Four Ways to Make Money on YouTube 11:31 – What Makes Up Denis’s YouTube Income 12:16 – Making $10K/Month Through Mostly Passive Income 14:03 – Why Evergreen Content Wins Over Trendy Topics 15:48 – Is $10K Enough for a Comfortable Life? 17:00 – Typical Work Week as a Full-Time YouTuber 18:50 – How Long It Takes to Succeed on YouTube 21:00 – Do You Need Passion to Start a Channel? 21:30 – The Power of Evergreen and Staying Niche 22:40 – Solopreneur High Five: Favorite Tools 23:55 – Outsourcing to Stay Focused 25:11 – Biggest Mistake: Not Niching Down Sooner 27:10 – Life Outside of YouTube and Supporting a Nonprofit 28:34 – What Retirement Means to a Solopreneur 29:44 – Final Advice: Stick With It 30:25 – Where to Find Denis Trufin Online MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠⁠MKM Coaching⁠⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠⁠⁠Crew⁠⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠ ⁠⁠- Convenient Estate Planning 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 as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (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 advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With so much market noise and doom-filled headlines, you might be wondering — is now actually a good time to invest? In today’s episode, we break down six compelling reasons why today could be the best day to start your investing journey. 📈 Also in this episode: A Net Worth Win from Vinny in New Zealand, who grew his family’s net worth to over $1 million NZD by age 55 "Good Word" segment with my son Calvin about the health benefits of running and why it can add 12 years to your life Whether you're just getting started with investing or need inspiration to stay on track, this episode will help you build wealth and strengthen your family tree! Resources: ⁠Sponsors + Partners + Deals⁠ Own Your Time (Pre-order on Amazon): https://amzn.to/3ICXFKq Own Your Time (Pre-order on Barnes & Noble): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/own-your-time-andy-hill/1147563897 PensionBee (sponsor): https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/pensionbee Project Frugal (Vinnie Anglesey's YouTube Channel): https://www.youtube.com/ProjectFrugal Good Word Article (Runner's World): https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/news/a45685364/running-help-you-live-longer/ Podcast Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Why Now Is a Good Time to Invest 02:29 – Reason #1: Waiting Could Cost You More 04:50 – Real Example: VFIAX Price Drops and Recovery 06:10 – Reason #2: No One Can Predict the Market 07:00 – Reason #3: The Market Rises in the Long Run 07:50 – Reason #4: Investing Favors Those Who Start Early 09:00 – Reason #5: You Might Already Be Investing 11:00 – IRAs, Rollovers, and Consolidation 11:51 – Reason #6: Dollar Cost Averaging Works 13:00 – When NOT to Invest: No Emergency Fund or High Interest Debt 15:00 – Net Worth Win: Vinny & Denise from New Zealand 17:00 – From Debt to Financial Transformation 20:00 – Partnering on the Budget as a Couple 22:30 – Net Worth Breakdown and Lean FIRE Goals 25:46 – How to Reach Lean FIRE in Four Years 27:38 – Monthly Net Worth Tracking: Vinny’s #1 Tip 28:30 – Project Frugal YouTube Channel 29:58 – The Good Word with Calvin Hill 30:57 – Good News: Running Can Add 12 Years to Your Life 35:50 – Time Ownership and Andy’s New Book 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 as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (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 advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Hill sits down with Jessica Moorhouse—accredited financial counselor, award-winning content creator, and author of Everything But Money—to explore the impact of money trauma and how our financial behaviors are often shaped by past experiences. Jessica shares how both big T and little T traumas influence our financial decisions, the role of generational trauma in our money mindset, and how unhealed emotional wounds can lead to cycles of overspending, fear, and financial stress. She also opens up about her own personal journey of self-discovery, the power of therapy in reshaping her financial mindset, and actionable steps you can take to break free from unhealthy money patterns. If you’ve ever felt anxiety, guilt, or shame around money, this conversation will help you unpack the past and move forward with financial confidence. Listen now to start healing your money story! RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals Everything but Money (book): https://amzn.to/3Da02Cg (affiliate) CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Introduction to the Episode 01:00 – What is Money Trauma? 02:26 – The Difference Between Big T and Little T Trauma 04:52 – How Trauma Affects Our Financial Decisions 07:00 – Childhood Money Trauma and How It Shapes Us 09:35 – Generational Trauma and Its Lasting Impact 12:07 – Can Money Trauma Be Used as Motivation? 16:17 – The Power of Therapy: EMDR & Internal Family Systems (IFS) 18:26 – Jessica’s Personal Experience with Childhood Trauma 24:32 – Mindfulness, Meditation, and Daily Practices for Healing 27:05 – Overcoming Negative Self-Talk and Imposter Syndrome 29:20 – One Small Step to Start Healing Money Trauma 30:20 – How Parents Can Avoid Passing Money Trauma to Their Kids MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to build generational wealth and happiness for your kid? Learn more about my course! Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning 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 as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (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 advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sit down with Grant Sabatier, the author of Inner Entrepreneur, to explore how entrepreneurship can be a powerful path to financial independence, time freedom, and personal joy. Grant shares his incredible journey from feeling stuck in corporate life to building multiple businesses, reaching financial independence by 30, and crafting a life centered around what he loves—including owning a bookstore and spending meaningful time with his family. If you’re curious about starting a business, finding peace beyond just chasing money, or learning how to build an “empire” that truly fits your life, this is a must-listen conversation. Resources: ⁠⁠Sponsors + Partners + Deals⁠⁠ Inner Entrepreneur (book): https://amzn.to/4l7v6D9 (affiliate) Chapters 00:00 – Why People Get Stuck in Unfulfilling Careers 00:42 – Welcome to the Show & Introduction of Grant Sabatier 01:58 – Why Entrepreneurship is a Powerful Path to Financial Independence 04:08 – Is Now a Good Time to Start a Business? 07:40 – Using Entrepreneurship to Create Peace, Not Just Money 11:59 – Grant’s Journey: From Digital Marketing to Multi-Millionaire 14:24 – Selling Millennial Money and Building MMG Media Group 18:55 – Levels of Entrepreneurship: Solopreneur to Empire 23:17 – Avoiding Growth Traps & Building a Business That Fits Your Life 24:43 – A Typical Week in Grant’s Life as a Dad and Entrepreneur 29:40 – Parenting, Balance, and Being a Role Model for Your Kids 32:03 – Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Trust Yourself and Start Small 37:35 – Where to Find Grant’s Book “Inner Entrepreneur” MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠MKM Coaching⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠⁠Crew⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠ ⁠- Convenient Estate Planning 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 as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (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 advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do the world’s greatest investors know that the rest of us don’t? In this episode, we sit down with William Green, author of Richer, Wiser, Happier, to uncover the timeless principles he's learned from interviewing legends like Charlie Munger, Howard Marks, and Bill Miller. Rather than chasing hot tips or quick wins, William reveals how traits like emotional control, simplicity, and avoiding big mistakes can help you build wealth—and a more meaningful life. We discuss the difference between gambling and investing, the wisdom of indexing for most families, and why subtracting noise can lead to clarity and success. Whether you're just starting out or well along your financial journey, this conversation offers valuable takeaways for life and money. If you want to become richer, wiser, happier, this episode with William Green is a must-listen. RESOURCES: ⁠⁠Sponsors + Partners + Deals⁠⁠ Richer, Wiser, Happier (book): https://amzn.to/4kkLq2e (affiliate) Chapters 00:00 – Timeless wisdom and survival in investing 01:00 – Introduction to William Green and his journey 03:30 – The surprising philosophical nature of top investors 06:00 – Learning from failure: The Bill Miller story 08:30 – The power of accepting impermanence (Mujo & Howard Marks) 11:30 – Gambling vs. investing: Lessons from a young William 14:30 – The Buffett playbook and indexing for most families 18:00 – The art of subtraction and simplifying your financial life 22:00 – Defining a rich life: Health, relationships, peace of mind 25:00 – Charlie Munger’s key principle: Invert, always invert 28:30 – How to survive financial storms: Diversify and avoid leverage 32:00 – Dogged incremental progress and being “number one-ish” 36:00 – William’s biggest takeaway from 25 years of interviews 38:00 – Where to find Richer, Wiser, Happier and his podcast MKM RESOURCES: ⁠⁠MKM Coaching⁠⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠⁠Monarch Money⁠⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠⁠Empower⁠⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠⁠Crew⁠⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠⁠Trust & Will⁠ ⁠- Convenient Estate Planning 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 as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (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 advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this two-part episode, we’re diving into strategies for building wealth as a modern parent. First, Kelly Palmer—a financial planner and founder of The Wealthy Parent—joins the show to break down how to choose a 529 plan. She shares the pros and cons of different education savings options, the impact of the new SECURE Act updates, and why she’s a proud 529 mom herself. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by college savings decisions, this segment is full of clear, practical guidance. Then, in our Net Worth Win segment, Shang Saavedra from Save My Cents reveals how she and her husband built a net worth north of $2 million by age 39. From a revenge-of-the-nerd money mindset to embracing FIRE, Shang’s story is packed with lessons on frugal living, dual-income saving strategies, and long-term thinking. Whether you're focused on education planning or financial independence, this episode delivers actionable tips and real-life inspiration. EPISODE RESOURCES Nectarine (Advice Only Financial Planners): ⁠https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/nectarine (affiliate) The Wealthy Parent: https://thewealthyparent.com  ⁠ Wealth is a Mindset (Book): https://amzn.to/3FQT0nh (affiliate) Save My Cents (Shang Saavedra's Website): https://savemycents.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction01:00 – How to Choose a 529 Plan05:20 – Tax Benefits and State-Specific Rules09:00 – SECURE Act Updates and New Roth IRA Rollovers13:45 – 529s vs UTMAs and Roth IRAs for Kids18:00 – Final Thoughts from Kelly Palmer20:30 – Net Worth Win: Shang Saavedra24:15 – The Mindset Shift Behind Wealth Building29:30 – Living on One Income and Saving the Other33:00 – Renting by Choice and Real Estate Insights36:00 – Teaching Generational Wealth Through Habits38:30 – Future Goals and Advice for Parents MKM RESOURCES: ⁠MKM Coaching⁠: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠YouTube⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠Monarch Money⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠Empower⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker Cr⁠ew⁠ - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠Ethos⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠Trust & Will⁠ - Convenient Estate Planning 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 as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (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 advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this inspiring Solopreneur Life segment, Andy Hill sits down with Colin Graves—a former bank manager turned full-time freelance writer and editor. Colin shares how a toxic workplace pushed him to reevaluate his career and ultimately build a thriving solo business making over $150,000 per year. Listeners will learn how Colin transitioned from a 9-to-5 job into solopreneurship, the steps he took to scale his business, and how he now enjoys a flexible lifestyle that prioritizes family, freedom, and fulfillment. If you're a parent looking to escape the corporate grind and design a business on your own terms, this episode is packed with insights and encouragement. EPISODE RESOURCES: ⁠Sponsors + Partners + Deals⁠ Colin Graves (website): https://colingraves.com MKM RESOURCES: ⁠MKM Coaching:⁠ Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. ⁠Coast FIRE Calculator⁠: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. ⁠Mortgage Payoff Calculator⁠: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. ⁠YouTube⁠: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): ⁠Monarch Money⁠ - Best Budget App for Families & Couples ⁠Empower⁠ - Free Portfolio Tracker ⁠Crew ⁠- HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link ⁠Ethos⁠ - Affordable Term Life Insurance ⁠Trust & Will ⁠- Convenient Estate Planning CHAPTERS 00:00 – Life after corporate: Embracing flexibility 00:16 – Meet Colin Graves: From bank manager to solopreneur 01:40 – A toxic boss sparked the journey 03:22 – Starting with blogging and side hustles 05:20 – Defining a vision with his wife 06:30 – Turning freelance writing into a real business 08:45 – Putting in the hours and finding "comfortable torture" 10:18 – Landing multiple clients at FinCon 12:45 – Making the leap to full-time solopreneur 14:30 – Life after quitting the 9-to-5 16:30 – How freelance writers earn income 17:25 – Income breakdown: $150K/year as a solopreneur 18:20 – Time management and weekly hours 20:33 – Taking spontaneous family trips 22:00 – What new freelance writers can expect to earn 24:15 – Why $500/month from freelancing is powerful 26:07 – Favorite solopreneur tool: Wise 27:30 – Outsourcing help and using ChatGPT 30:27 – His biggest mistake: Getting too comfortable 32:50 – Life outside work: music, biking, and disc golf 34:23 – Rethinking retirement as a solopreneur 36:29 – How to connect with Colin and get coaching 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 as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (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 advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices