EverydayFI
Welcome to Everyday FI, where we explore the lives of everyday people pursuing financial independence. Host Meghan Combs knows that you do not need a million dollar book deal or a famous blog to reach FI early. By talking with real humans, Meghan and her guests will show you how to forge your own path to financial freedom the everyday way.
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Sam shares his secrets to financial freedom - Part 2 | Ep. 90
02/02/2026
Sam shares his secrets to financial freedom - Part 2 | Ep. 90
Subscribe on , , and . Support the Show: for ad free and bonus content 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. Sam and I kick off part 2 of his story talking about the moments that led him to the financial independence community. Sam shares how the realization of student loan debt initially propelled him towards FI, but the intense focus on hitting a high savings rate created tensions in his marriage and personal life as he struggled to find balance. The second half of Sam’s story promises an insightful look into balancing life's demands while pursuing financial goals and explores actionable advice for better financial planning and personal fulfillment. Tune in to hear the rest of Sam’s journey. Episode Links:
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HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT! Ad free and bonus content is HERE! | Ep. 89
01/30/2026
HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT! Ad free and bonus content is HERE! | Ep. 89
Subscribe on , , and . Support the Show: for ad free and exclusive bonus content! - t-shirts, stickers, mugs, tote bags, all the things! It's official!! I've promised in several episodes that I'd be providing ad free and bonus content... Well, it's coming!! The first ad-free episode will drop Monday, February 2nd (you'll see the countdown in my Patreon posts) and the first BONUS episode will drop Friday, February 6th! So how do you access this content? It's super easy! I've created three tiers here in Patreon: Supporter, Ad Free, and EverydayFI+ Supporter Tier: if you don't mind listening to ads, but you'd like to support the show anyway this is a great, low cost option Ad-Free Tier: if you're sick of ads interrupting your listening experience, this tier let's you listen to all new* episodes ad free! EverydayFI+: this is the juiciest tier (yum). You not only get to listen ad free to new episodes, but you also get access to exclusive bonus content. You'll enjoy chats with experts, Meghan spilling the tea on her journey to early retirement (because some things you can only say behind a paywall), and things outside financial independence like podcast and book reviews, Meghan's fertility journey updates, and more. You'll also get an EverydayFI podcast sticker for your water bottle or laptop. This is hands down the best tier for the money. You can find all tiers and prices . Once you sign up, you can listen to ad free and/or bonus content in the Patreon app using your custom feed, or check out to listen in your favorite podcast player. Make sure to subscribe to EverydayFI so you know when new content drops! *Episodes prior to February 1, 2026 will still had ads due to the nature of EverydayFI's current hosting platform.
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Grounded to Sky-High: Sam's Financial Independence Journey - Part 1 | Ep. 88
01/26/2026
Grounded to Sky-High: Sam's Financial Independence Journey - Part 1 | Ep. 88
Subscribe on , , and . Support the Show: (bonus content coming in 2026!!) 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 episode, we delve into Sam's multifaceted career journey, from engineer to stay-at-home dad and finally pilot for a major airline. Sam candidly shares his challenges with financial dependence during his marriage, how a painful divorce led to his financial awakening, and his transition into the world of aviation. Sam also enlightens us about the cost differences and timelines between pursuing a medical degree and becoming a pilot. By sharing his story, Sam illuminates the financial vulnerability and lack of preparedness many face in adulthood. Despite life's unexpected turns, Sam shows us that financial independence is achievable with the right mindset and perseverance. Tune in to hear part one of Sam’s story. Episode Links:
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Balancing Relationships with Full Time Nomadism - Julie Rose | Ep. 87
01/19/2026
Balancing Relationships with Full Time Nomadism - Julie Rose | Ep. 87
Subscribe on , , and . Support the Show: (premium content coming in 2026!!) 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 I’m diving into the life of full-time world traveler Julie, who you might remember from episodes 48 and 49. We'll discuss the trials and tribulations of maintaining relationships while living a nomadic lifestyle, including Julie's recent heartbreak and how she balances romantic and other relationships on the road. Stay tuned for some heartfelt insights and personal stories that you won't want to miss. Episode Links: EverydayFI episodes with Julie:
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How to become a pinecone farmer - Eric L, Part 2 | Ep. 86
01/12/2026
How to become a pinecone farmer - Eric L, Part 2 | Ep. 86
Subscribe on , , and . Support the Show: (bonus content coming in 2026!!) 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 two with my friend Eric and in this episode we chat about his journey to financial independence after retiring from the Marine Corps at 45. Eric shares how he found the FIRE movement, his experience learning about stocks, and his success investing in oil stocks before the 2008 financial crisis. Eric opens up about the struggles of finding a new identity and purpose post-retirement and the value of having multiple communities or 'tribes' to nurture different aspects of life. Eric also celebrates his recent accomplishment of completing his first fiction novel, emphasizing the importance of creativity and personal growth. Tune in to hear the second half of Eric’s story after a word from some advertisers, who I do not choose and do not condone. Episode Links: Eric’s links:
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What’s life afterwards? And other FI-curious questions. - Eric L, Part 1 | Ep. 85
01/05/2026
What’s life afterwards? And other FI-curious questions. - Eric L, Part 1 | Ep. 85
Subscribe on , , and . Support the Show: (bonus content coming in 2026!!) 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:
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Goodbye to all that... loving and leaving things behind - Mitch & Meg | Ep. 84
12/29/2025
Goodbye to all that... loving and leaving things behind - Mitch & Meg | Ep. 84
Subscribe on , , and . Support the Show: 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:
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The road to recovery: how sobriety and smart saving transformed Zack's life. | Ep 83
12/22/2025
The road to recovery: how sobriety and smart saving transformed Zack's life. | Ep 83
Subscribe on , , and . Support the Show: (premium content coming in 2026!!) 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 . 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:
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What should I do now that the enhanced ACA tax credit is going away? | Ep. 82
12/15/2025
What should I do now that the enhanced ACA tax credit is going away? | Ep. 82
Subscribe on , , and . Support the Show: (bonus content coming in 2026!) 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: 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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CFP on the Biggest Issue Affecting the FI Community - Meg's Money Musings | Ep 81
12/08/2025
CFP on the Biggest Issue Affecting the FI Community - Meg's Money Musings | Ep 81
Subscribe on , , and . Support the Show: (premium content coming in 2026!!) 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:
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Health, Wealth, and Happiness: Larry M. - Part 2 | Ep 80
12/01/2025
Health, Wealth, and Happiness: Larry M. - Part 2 | Ep 80
Subscribe on , , and . Support the Show: (premium content coming in 2026!!) 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@uncontrollable.me EverydayFI episodes with David Robinson EverydayFI episode where David coaches “Jess” live
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"We have the power to choose how to interpret anything.": Larry M. - Part 1 | Ep 79
11/24/2025
"We have the power to choose how to interpret anything.": Larry M. - Part 1 | Ep 79
Subscribe on , , and . Support the Show: (premium content coming in 2026!!) 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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Talking to your parents about their retirement (yike) - Mitch & Meg's Money Musings | Ep. 78
11/17/2025
Talking to your parents about their retirement (yike) - Mitch & Meg's Money Musings | Ep. 78
Subscribe on , , and . 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: Support the Show:
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Why a Million Isn't the Magic Number - Jillian Johnsrud, Part 2 | Ep. 77
11/10/2025
Why a Million Isn't the Magic Number - Jillian Johnsrud, Part 2 | Ep. 77
Subscribe on , , and . 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: (purchase ) Free Opt-In Worksheets: Jillian’s Socials: Support the Show:
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Breaking Barriers in Mental Health and Money - JillIan Johnsrud, Part 1 | Ep. 76
11/03/2025
Breaking Barriers in Mental Health and Money - JillIan Johnsrud, Part 1 | Ep. 76
Subscribe on , , and . 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: (purchase ) Free Opt-In Worksheets: Jillian’s Socials: Support the Show:
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Live Coaching with David Robinson - Part 2 | Ep 75
10/27/2025
Live Coaching with David Robinson - Part 2 | Ep 75
Subscribe on , , and . 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 is the second half of Jess’s live coaching session where David will reveal whether or not she can actually quit her toxic corporate job! Episode links: David’s email: david.robinson022814@gmail.com Support the Show:
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Live Coaching with David Robinson - Part 1 | Ep 74
10/20/2025
Live Coaching with David Robinson - Part 1 | Ep 74
Subscribe on , , and . 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 actually have a really huge treat for you all. Normally I'd be recording a Meg’s Money Musings episode, but instead I'm hosting a live coaching session with David Robinson and Jess. David will be looking over Jess's portfolio live on the show and will talk to her about retirement readiness. Jess is new to the FIRE movement and finds terminology and principles extremely daunting. Other than living frugally, what more could she be doing? How does the 4% rule work? How can she use calculators correctly if she wants to understand scenarios like Coast FI? Could compounding returns enable her to take a passion job in a couple years? This episode is broken into two parts because our conversation went for almost 2 hours, so tune in for the exciting answer to whether Jess can pull the plug and quit her job! Episode links: Support the Show:
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“I have enough to do anything, but not nothing” - Lauren Part 2 | Ep 73
10/13/2025
“I have enough to do anything, but not nothing” - Lauren Part 2 | Ep 73
Subscribe on , , and . 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. We’re back with part two of Lauren’s inspiring FI story! In this episode, Lauren and I chat about the pivotal FIRE community figures who ignited her passion for financial independence. Despite initial skepticism, Lauren eventually saw the value in using FIRE’s specific strategies to pay off her burdensome student loan debt and to help her reach her goals. She and I then talk about how she likes to focus on spending with intention for a balanced life and how she’s able to explore new career paths in positive psychology, financial coaching, and marine science now that she’s reached FI. Tune in to hear the rest of Lauren’s FI journey. Episode links: Support the Show:
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From Kitchens to Global Missions: Lauren P's Path to Freedom - Part 1 | Ep 72
10/06/2025
From Kitchens to Global Missions: Lauren P's Path to Freedom - Part 1 | Ep 72
Subscribe on , , and . 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 my friend Lauren, who shares her remarkable journey from culinary arts to making a global impact through international development. We delve into her educational journey, the impact of her early work experiences, and crucial advice for those aspiring to enter international affairs. We also touch on how her upbringing shaped her perspectives on money, independence, and the influence of familial dynamics on her financial habits. Finally, Lauren candidly shares her personal growth journey, highlighting the significant impact of cutting out alcohol and seeking personal development through coaching and self-reflection. Tune in to hear the first part of Lauren’s FI story after a word from our sponsors. Support the Show:
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Let's talk about burnout and why it sucks - Mitch & Meg's Money Musings | Ep. 71
09/29/2025
Let's talk about burnout and why it sucks - Mitch & Meg's Money Musings | Ep. 71
Subscribe on , , and . 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 the oh so fun and commonly felt concept of burnout. Tune in! Episode Links: Support the Show:
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Lawyer by day, biker by heart: the unexpected path to wealth | Ep. 70
09/22/2025
Lawyer by day, biker by heart: the unexpected path to wealth | Ep. 70
Subscribe on , , and . 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 an anonymous guest who shares her inspiring journey toward financial independence. Our guest talks about her background, including a diverse career path that led her ultimately to law. She discusses the challenges of running her own firm, her frugal upbringing, and how her experiences have shaped her financial philosophies. She also shares her passion for traveling, learning languages, and creating opportunities for young women in the legal field. Join us as we explore our guest’s story. Episode Links: Support the Show:
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Let's hear from an expert - Meg's Money Musings with Tim Smith, CFP | Ep 69
09/15/2025
Let's hear from an expert - Meg's Money Musings with Tim Smith, CFP | Ep 69
Subscribe on , , and . 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 Smith, who is a CFP, wealth strategist and financial educator, and today we're going to talk about mindset shifts during different phases of FI. Things like how do you go from being a spender to a saver? How do you become a valuest spender? How do you mentally prepare for early retirement? All of these questions and more will be answered in today's episode with Tim. Support the Show:
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Slow and curious FI - Rakesh M. | Ep 68
09/08/2025
Slow and curious FI - Rakesh M. | Ep 68
Subscribe on , , and . 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 within the tech industry. We explore his family's financial habits, influenced by his father's banking career, and Rakesh's own evolving understanding of money. We dive into his discovery of the financial independence movement in 2020, inspired by figures like Pete from Mr. Money Mustache and Carl from 1500 Days. Rakesh talks about the significant changes he has adopted, such as being more deliberate with savings and improving his and his family's health. We discuss the unique challenges he faces, including those related to his immigration status. We also highlight his love for running and his aspirations around financial independence. Finally, we touch on the importance of enjoying the journey, rather than just the destination, and the mental peace that financial security brings. Tune in to hear Rakesh’s full story after a word from our sponsors Episode Links: (not an affiliate link) Rakesh’s Twitter handle: @mindspeaksFI Support the Show:
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What's your threshold for DIY vs. just spending the money? - Mitch & Meg's Money Musings | Ep. 67
09/01/2025
What's your threshold for DIY vs. just spending the money? - Mitch & Meg's Money Musings | Ep. 67
Subscribe on , , and . 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 willing to spend money on and what we're not willing to spend money on. It’ll be very interesting since Mitch and I have very different cost structures to our lives, so tune in! Support the Show:
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"Do hard things, but don’t do them alone." - Robin C. Part 2 | Ep. 66
06/24/2025
"Do hard things, but don’t do them alone." - Robin C. Part 2 | Ep. 66
Subscribe on , , and . 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 personal experience, including the nuances of being both a roommate and a landlord. Our conversation shifts to Robin's journey towards financial independence, highlighting her involvement in the FI community through events like CampFI and Econome. Robin reflects on her current struggles and wins, emphasizing the importance of community, self-reflection, and intentional living. Tune in to hear part two of Robin’s story after we hear from our sponsors. Episode Links: Support the Show:
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Geodesic Dome to Nature Preschool: Robin's Unique FI Journey - Part 1 | Ep 65
06/18/2025
Geodesic Dome to Nature Preschool: Robin's Unique FI Journey - Part 1 | Ep 65
Subscribe on , , and . 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 carpooling to CampFI and the meaningful connections we made. Robin discusses her upbringing in an off-the-grid geodesic dome home in Virginia, her journey into early childhood education, and the inspiration behind launching an outdoor-focused nature preschool. Emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and community support, Robin shares insights from her entrepreneurial journey, highlights the value of intentional financial planning, and reflects on the lessons learned from her parents' approach to money. We engage in a heartfelt conversation about the significance of a stable home and the various paths to financial independence. Tune in to hear part one of Robin’s story. Episode Links: meetup in Charlottesville Support the Show:
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Why I'm Happier (And Richer) Off Social Media - Meg's Money Musings | Ep. 64
08/11/2025
Why I'm Happier (And Richer) Off Social Media - Meg's Money Musings | Ep. 64
Subscribe on , , and . 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 updates for the podcast. Tune in after a word from our sponsors. Support the Show:
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Work, life, FI balance - Part 2 with Amanda | Ep. 63
07/19/2025
Work, life, FI balance - Part 2 with Amanda | Ep. 63
Subscribe on , , and . 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, including transitioning back to work and navigating the challenges of maintaining a work-life balance. Amanda discusses her desire for a part-time schedule to enhance her presence and enjoyment of these early years of parenthood. We also explore financial strategies including achieving liquidity, building emergency funds, and planning for a 'barista FIRE' lifestyle. Amanda talks about practical steps she and her wife are taking, like considering a nanny share, and the unexpected complexities of managing work-from-home life with a baby. Last up, we dive into Amanda’s passion for writing and her recent accomplishment of self-publishing a collection of essays on transitional life moments. And make sure to stay til the very end, where Amanda shares a unique practice that has positively impacted her life. Tune in to hear Amanda’s full story. Episode Links: Support the Show:
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Career pivots, marriage, and kids: Amanda's FI Life | Ep. 62
07/28/2025
Career pivots, marriage, and kids: Amanda's FI Life | Ep. 62
Subscribe on , , and . 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 motherhood. She shares her path to financial independence, starting with paying off debt inspired by Dave Ramsey and then discovering the FI community through Choose FI. We explore Amanda's career pivot to data analytics, the role of a financial planner, and how having a child has shifted her FI goals to focus more on enjoying the present. Additionally, Amanda and I bond over our shared experiences of growing up feeling like we need to make ourselves smaller and the lifelong impact of that mindset. Tune in to hear Amanda’s full story. Episode Links: Support the Show:
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The one where Mitch interviews Meg - Mitch & Meg's Money Musings | Ep. 61
06/22/2025
The one where Mitch interviews Meg - Mitch & Meg's Money Musings | Ep. 61
Subscribe on , , and . 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 full story, or at least an unabridged version of it, tune in. Episode Links: Support the Show:
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