How can we move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance?

In today’s episode, Leisa Peterson, author of The Mindful Millionaire and The Money Catalyst, joins us to explore how our early money beliefs can hold us back and how to create a healthier, more abundant relationship with money. Leisa shares how she overcame her own scarcity mindset, the impact it had on her marriage, and practical steps you can take to enjoy your wealth and your life with more freedom and trust.

Then, in our Net Worth Win segment, we meet Sushant Thakray from North Carolina. Sushant and his wife Amrita have built a $3 million net worth in their 40s and achieved financial independence after years of living below their means, investing steadily, and staying debt-free. He explains how they grew from $30,000 of student debt to full financial freedom, how they’re passing money lessons to their kids, and what life looks like now that he’s “retired from corporate life, but not from life.”

RESOURCES

👉 Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/sponsors

📚 Leisa Peterson – The Mindful Millionaire & The Money Catalyst: https://amzn.to/4nvXGP9

PODCAST CHAPTERS

00:00 – Leisa Peterson on overcoming scarcity thinking

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 professional advice.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning photographer Kristin Sweeting turned her love of creativity into a thriving solopreneur business that now earns between $300K and $400K per year, all while working about 20 hours a week and homeschooling her son.

In this episode of Solopreneur Life, Kristin shares how she went from a $30K church salary to $30K months, what pushed her to finally raise her rates, and the mindset shifts that helped her design a business and a life on her own terms.

You will learn how photographers can build profitable, flexible careers through clear vision, intentional pricing, and smart outsourcing. Kristin also opens up about single parenting, work life balance, and how she uses creativity and travel to inspire both her art and her business coaching.

If you have ever dreamed of turning your artistic passion into a full time business, this episode will show you what is possible.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

💡 RESOURCES AND NOTES

Connect with Kristin Sweeting

Solopreneur Tools I Love

Recommended Resources

Credits

⚠️ Disclaimer and Disclosure

Some of the resources mentioned may contain affiliate links, which means if you choose to make a purchase through those links, Marriage Kids and Money, Andy Hill and Solopreneur Life may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. These partnerships help support the show and allow us to continue creating valuable content for solopreneurs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you and your spouse are tired of money stress, this episode will help you find teamwork and peace with your finances.

First, we count down the Top 5 Best Budget Apps for Families and Couples to simplify your money life. From EveryDollar to Monarch Money, discover which tools make it easiest to budget together, track goals, and finally stay on the same page financially.

Then, we talk with Blair Hickman and Mariah Hudler, a California couple who reached Coast FIRE with $2 million invested. They share how teamwork, consistency, and transparency helped them triple their net worth and transition into a semi-retired lifestyle focused on health, travel, and family time.

Finally, Andy and his son Calvin Hill close the show with The Good Word, a heartwarming story about kindness from the Good News Movement and a reminder to appreciate the present moment.

RESOURCES

👉 Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/sponsors

🎥 Good News Movement: Mia’s Story – Watch the uplifting video shared in The Good Word:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPgoyaQjvpR/

TOP 5 BUDGET APPS FOR FAMILIES AND COUPLES
(These are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you decide to sign up. There’s no extra cost to you and it helps support the show.)

💰 Monarch Money – Our top pick for couples and families. Try it free for 7 days and get 50% off your first year: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney

📊 YNAB (You Need A Budget) – Proactive budgeting system with a 34-day free trial: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ynab

📱 Simplifi by Quicken – Clean, easy-to-use design for busy families. Includes a 30-day free trial: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/simplifi

🏦 Crew – Family banking and kids’ debit cards with high-yield checking. Free to use: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/crew

💳 EveryDollar – Simple zero-based budgeting from Ramsey Solutions. Premium plan includes a 14-day free trial: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/everydollar

GUEST RESOURCES

PODCAST CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro and welcome

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 professional advice.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you didn’t have to wait until your 60s to experience the freedom of retirement? In this episode, we sit down with Jillian Johnsrud, author of Retire Often and host of the Retire Often Podcast, to explore the life-changing concept of “mini retirements.”

Jillian shares how families can take extended breaks from work — to rest, travel, or explore new goals — without derailing their financial independence journey. We discuss the emotional and financial benefits of pausing your career, how to negotiate time off with your employer, and ways to plan mini retirements with kids.

If you’re feeling burned out or stuck in the grind, this episode will inspire you to design more space, adventure, and joy into your family’s financial plan.

RESOURCES
⁠Sponsors, Deals, and Partners that Support the Show

Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place.

MKM RESOURCES

Own Your Time – Pre-order my first book today!

MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey.

Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement.

Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how fast you can become mortgage free.

YouTube – Subscribe for free to watch videos of episodes and interviews.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS & 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 made easy.

GUEST RESOURCES

Retire Often (Book) – Learn how to design a life filled with mini retirements.

RetireOften.com – Explore Jillian’s podcast, blog, and mini retirement tools.

Podcast Chapters

HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER

CREDITS

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building a six-figure business as a solopreneur doesn’t happen overnight -- but with the right mindset and systems, it’s absolutely possible. In this episode, we talk with Jannese Torres, a nationally acclaimed Latina money expert, business coach, and host of the Yo Quiero Dinero podcast.

Jannese shares how she turned her food blog, Delish D’Lites, into a $10,000-per-month business that allowed her to leave her corporate engineering career and design a life on her own terms. She also breaks down how new creators can find their niche, diversify income through ads and affiliates, and build long-term passive income online.

If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your passion into a profitable business, this conversation will inspire you to take that first step. To learn more, check out her Jumpstart Your Blog Bootcamp.

RESOURCES & NOTES
Solopreneur tools, guest links, and favorite resources to help you build your solo business

GUEST LINKS

Yo Quiero Dinero Podcast – Learn from Jannese’s money and business insights.

Delish D’Lites – Discover her viral Puerto Rican food blog.

Jumpstart Your Blog Bootcamp – Jannese’s signature course for aspiring bloggers.

SOLOPRENEUR TOOLS WE LOVE

Monarch Money – The best app to manage your business and personal budget in one place.

Gusto – Payroll and benefits made easy for solopreneurs hiring contractors or employees.

Riverside – Record high-quality remote podcasts and videos.

Belay – Virtual assistants and bookkeeping support for entrepreneurs.

Live Oak Bank – High-yield business savings accounts.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Podcast Chapters

HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER

CREDITS

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New parents often wonder where to start when it comes to investing for their child’s future. In this episode, we walk through a 5-step plan to invest for your newborn -- from protecting your family and setting up a 529 plan to teaching your kids how to build wealth on their own.

We also feature Naseema McElroy, founder of Financially Intentional, who paid off $1 million of debt and built a $1 million net worth by age 44. She shares how she’s teaching her kids about ownership, investing early, and building generational wealth.

Finally, we wrap up with a fun money quiz with Calvin, testing his knowledge about investing, scholarships, and how to grow wealth over time.

RESOURCES
⁠Sponsors, Deals, and Partners that Support the Show

Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place.

MKM RESOURCES

Own Your Time – Pre-order my first book today!

MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey.

Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement.

Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how fast you can become mortgage free.

YouTube – Subscribe for free to watch videos of episodes and interviews.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS & 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 made easy.

Podcast Chapters

HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER

CREDITS

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Setting up your 401 (k) can feel overwhelming, especially when you are faced with a long list of investment options. To make it easier, we welcome Zina Kumok, financial advisor and money expert, to explain how to choose wisely. Zina covers the importance of the employer match, diversification, and automation so your retirement savings can grow without stress.

In the second half, we sit down with Jessica and Corey Fick of The Fioneers, who reached Coast FIRE in their early 30s. They share how they built a million-dollar portfolio, left corporate jobs that no longer fit their lives, and created a business that supports the lifestyle they truly want.

If you are just starting out with your 401k or aiming for Coast FIRE, this episode will give you both the tactical steps and the long-term inspiration to succeed.

RESOURCES
⁠Sponsors, Deals, and Partners that Support the Show

Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place.

MKM RESOURCES

Own Your Time – Pre-order my first book today!

MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey.

Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement.

Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how fast you can become mortgage free.

YouTube – Subscribe for free to watch videos of episodes and interviews.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS & 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 made easy.

Podcast Chapters

HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER

CREDITS

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when Google’s algorithm changes upend your online business? Corritta Lewis, founder of It’s a Family Thing, joins me to share how her family travel blog dropped from $7,000/month to $1,000/month due to recent shifts in Google AI—and how she pivoted into consulting to stay financially secure.

We explore the rise and fall of her blogging income, how she balances digital nomad life with raising a child, and why she’s now aiming for early retirement at age 45. If you’ve considered travel blogging or you’ve been hit by the same algorithm changes, this conversation is packed with insight on how to adapt, pivot, and thrive as a solopreneur.

⏱️ Podcast Chapters

00:00 – Intro: Travel blogging hit hard by AI

🔗 Resources & Notes

👤 Guest Links – Corritta Lewis

🌍 It’s a Family Thing Blog – Follow Corritta’s travel adventures and family travel tips

🚀 Solopreneur Resources

🎯 Own Your Time – Pre-order my book and escape the corporate grind

💼 Recommended Tools for Solopreneurs

📊 Monarch Money – Best budget app for solopreneurs and families

💰 How We Make Money + Disclaimer

This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers, where we earn a commission if you click and make a purchase. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support our mission to empower solopreneurs with freedom and financial confidence. Thank you for supporting this small business!

Disclaimer: This show is for entertainment purposes only. Be sure to seek out a professional who knows your situation best before making any financial decisions.

🎧 Credits

Editor: Johnny Sohl
Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Family finances get a full refresh in this week’s episode of Marriage Kids and Money!

First, we count down the Top 5 Best Budget Apps for Families and Couples, including ⁠Monarch Money⁠, our number one pick for building a shared budget that actually works. Discover how these apps make money tracking simple and family friendly, with features like shared dashboards, digital envelopes, and kids’ debit cards.

Then, we talk with ⁠Blair Hickman⁠ and ⁠Mariah Hudler⁠ about how they hit Coast FIRE in California with $2 million invested, a pension, and a part-time lifestyle that lets them focus on family, health, and adventure. They explain how decades of consistency turned into financial freedom and how being “optionaires” gives them time to live fully today.

Finally, we close with The Good Word, a heartwarming story about compassion and community that reminds us to be there for one another during difficult times.

Sponsors, Deals, and Partners that Support the Show

🎥 Good News Movement: Mia’s Story – Watch the uplifting video shared in The Good Word.

(These are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you decide to sign up. There’s no extra cost to you and it helps support the show.)

💰 Monarch Money – Our top pick for couples and families. Try it free for 7 days and get 50% off your first year with this link.

📊 YNAB (You Need A Budget) – Proactive budgeting system with a 34-day free trial.

📱 Simplifi by Quicken – Clean, easy-to-use design for busy families. Includes a 30-day free trial.

🏦 Crew – Family banking and kids’ debit cards with high-yield checking. Free to use.

💳 EveryDollar – Simple zero-based budgeting from Ramsey Solutions. Premium plan includes a 14-day free trial.

📘 Own Your Time – Pre-order our first book today.

💰 Monarch Money – Best budget app for families and couples.

🌐 Mariah Hudler

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 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 linking to Amazon.com.

CREDITS

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Working hard doesn’t always mean moving up the wealth ladder. Many families feel stuck — despite long hours and financial discipline — because their strategy isn’t aligned with their stage of wealth.

To help us rethink our approach, Andy Hill sits down with Nick Maggiulli, COO of Ritholtz Wealth Management and bestselling author of The Wealth Ladder: Proven Strategies for Every Step of Your Financial Life (get it here). Nick explains his “wealth levels” framework, the six stages of net worth, and how your financial strategy should evolve at each step.

Whether you’re just starting out or on your way to millionaire status, this conversation will help you identify pitfalls, focus on the right levers, and take practical steps to keep climbing.

RESOURCES
⁠Sponsors, Deals, and Partners that Support the Show

Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place.

MKM RESOURCES

Own Your Time – Pre-order my first book today!

MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey.

Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement.

Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how fast you can become mortgage free.

YouTube – Subscribe for free to watch videos of episodes and interviews.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS & 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 made easy.

The Wealth Ladder (Book) – Learn Nick Maggiulli’s strategies for every wealth level.

Podcast Chapters

HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER

CREDITS

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices