December 03, 2025

Coast FIRE w/ $730k by 36 | Marko Zlatic of Whiteboard Finance (BEST OF MKM)

22 minutes

Have you ever wondered what would change in your life if you finally reached the point where your investments could grow on autopilot even if you stopped contributing? What kind of freedom would that give your family? And what possibilities might open up if you did not have to hustle at 110 percent forever?

In today’s episode, Marko Zlatic from Whiteboard Finance shares how he and his wife reached Coast FIRE in their mid-thirties with over $730,000 invested. Marco breaks down the exact moves that got them there, from early investing habits to their simple index fund strategy to building a life that blends ambition with balance. He also opens up about parenting, marriage, culture, and why he believes Coast Fire is the most realistic financial independence path for families.

This Best of MKM episode earned more than 40,000 YouTube views when it first aired, and for good reason. It is transparent, motivating, and packed with actionable takeaways for anyone aiming to build wealth while still enjoying life today.

CHAPTERS 🎧

0:00 Intro

0:35 Meet Marko Zlatic of Whiteboard Finance

2:09 Coast Fire Five

3:30 Retirement projections

3:58 Current expenses

4:15 How Marko started investing

5:11 When he shifted to index funds

6:20 Money dynamics in marriage

7:52 What is inside Marko’s portfolio

8:31 Pre tax, taxable and Roth strategy

9:42 529s and kids plans

11:35 His take on bonds

12:45 How Coast Fire changed his mindset

14:03 Why Coast Fire is perfect for parents

15:51 Balancing FIRE with living well

17:37 What excites Marko about the next 15 years

19:20 A life philosophy rooted in purpose

20:25 Where to find Marko online

RESOURCES 📚

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

Track Your Net Worth with Empower
https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/empower

Whiteboard Finance YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/whiteboardfinance

Whiteboard Finance Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/whiteboardfinance

HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER ⚠️

This show may contain affiliate links or links from our sponsors where we earn a commission, direct payment, or products at no extra cost to you.

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.

Marriage Kids and Money (https://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 linking to Amazon.com.

CREDITS 🎙️

Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson

Editor: Johnny Sohl

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