Marriage Kids and Money: Personal Finance for Families

In this episode, I talk with Cody Berman and Sean Mullaney about what it really takes to reach early financial independence. Cody shares how he built a $4.8 million net worth by 29 through frugal living, intentional spending, and creating multiple income streams, while Sean breaks down the smartest tax strategies early retirees use to access money sooner and keep more of what they earn.

We cover how to effectively use 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, HSAs, and taxable accounts together, plus key tactics like the Rule of 55, Roth conversions, and tax arbitrage that can dramatically lower your lifetime tax rate. Sean makes complex tax planning simple and actionable for anyone pursuing FIRE.

Whether you’re just starting your wealth-building journey or planning an early retirement, this episode delivers practical strategies to grow wealth faster and design a flexible, purpose-driven financial future.

CHAPTERS 🎧

00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview

01:10 – Best Accounts for Early Retirement

02:45 – Why Traditional 401(k)s Still Matter

04:55 – Accessing Retirement Money Before 59½

07:10 – Roth IRAs for Early Retirement Flexibility

11:45 – Using Taxable Accounts to Retire Early

14:10 – Tax Rate Arbitrage & Keeping Taxes Low

18:45 – HSAs, ACA Planning, and Early Retirement

23:10 – Financial Independence with Purpose

26:00 – Net Worth Win: $4.8M by Age 29

27:45 – Cody Berman’s FIRE Origin Story

32:00 – Quitting Corporate & Scaling Income Fast

37:00 – Building Multiple Income Streams

41:45 – Net Worth & Asset Breakdown

46:25 – Debt, Risk, and Long-Term Wealth Strategy

50:55 – Spending, Lifestyle, and Life After FI

52:55 – Advice for Your 20s & Getting Started

55:00 – Final Thoughts & Where to Connect

Resources and Links 📚

My new book, "Own Your Time" - https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book

Sponsors and Additional Resources

https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources

FI Tax Guy (Sean’s blog & tax planning resources): https://fitaxguy.com/

Cody Berman’s official site (passive income guides & resources): https://codydberman.com/

The Financial Independence Show (podcast by Cody Berman & Justin Taylor): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-financial-independence-show/id1434155196

Gold City Ventures (Cody’s company focused on passive income and online business): https://goldcityventures.com/

Gold City Ventures on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/goldcityventures

Credits

Editor: Johnny Sohl

Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson

NOTE:

The discussion is intended to be for general educational purposes and is not tax, legal, or investment advice for any individual. Andy and Marriage Kids and Money do not endorse Sean Mullaney, Mullaney Financial & Tax, Inc. and their services. 

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In this episode of the Marriage Kids and Money podcast, we break down Coast FIRE, a financial approach that lets you “coast” to retirement once your investments can grow on their own, without needing to keep pouring money in.

We're joined by Mike English, who shares his real-life path to reaching Coast FIRE in his 30s and what that decision changed about his life and priorities. Plus, Calvin joins Andy and hops on the mic for a fun and meaningful conversation about why investing early actually matters. They talk investment strategies, financial independence, and how to think long-term about building wealth that lasts.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re saving enough, questioned the pressure to grind forever, or thought about what kind of money story you want your kids to grow up with, this episode might shift how you think about the road to financial freedom.

Chapters 🎧

00:00 Introduction to Coast Fire

01:15 Understanding Coast Fire by Age 30, 40, and 50

12:08 Interview with Mike English: Achieving Coast Fire

34:04 Good Word with Calvin: Celebrating Financial Literacy

Resources and Links 📚

My new book, "Own Your Time" - https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon

Try our FREE Coast FIRE Calculator 📱

https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/

Sponsors and Additional Resources

https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources

Credits

Editor: Johnny Sohl

Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson

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We’re one day away from launch, and I wanted to share a quick update and ask for your support.

As of today, Own Your Time is at 354 pre-orders, with a goal of 500 by launch day. If Marriage Kids and Money has helped you think differently about your family’s financial independence journey, this is a meaningful way to support the work and the message behind the show.

The easiest way to help is to pre-order on Amazon. Search “Own Your Time by Andy Hill” or use the link below. Pre-orders close soon, and ordering today truly makes a difference.

If you’re new here, this book is the playbook. It’s the entire philosophy of this podcast in one place for $28.

Pre-order on Amazon:
https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon

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I couldn’t sleep this morning. It’s book launch week for Own Your Time.

In this quick episode, I share why this book means so much to me and how grateful I am for the Marriage Kids and Money community. If the show has helped you think differently about money, time, or family, I’d love your support by pre-ordering a copy for yourself or someone you care about, sharing it when it arrives, and leaving a review.

Pre-order Own Your Time:

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In this episode, we sit down with Larry Hagner, founder of The Dad Edge and author of The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood. We talk about a powerful idea Larry calls “the drift”—how men can slowly lose focus in their roles as husbands and fathers without even realizing it.

Larry shares how to interrupt that drift and become more intentional at home, strengthen your marriage, and build deeper connections with your kids. We also dive into practical habits, mindset shifts, and simple actions dads can take right now to create a more fulfilling family life.

If you’re a husband or father who wants to show up better for the people who matter most, this conversation is for you.

Resources and Links 📚

The Dad Edge: https://thedadedge.com/

Larry's New Book : The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood

https://amzn.to/3Zgszx2

My new book, "Own Your Time" - https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/ownyourtimeamazon

Sponsors and Additional Resources

https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/resources

Credits

Editor: Johnny Sohl

Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson

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

There’s a lot of noise in the investing world, but building wealth doesn’t have to become a second job. In this episode, I share how to invest simply, consistently, and with your family’s future in mind, without stress or constant decision-making.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Blake Edwards from Georgia, who has built an $865,000 net worth by age 31. Blake breaks down how intentional income growth, living below their means, and staying aligned as a couple helped accelerate their wealth. He also shares a transparent look at his family’s assets, approach to generosity, and what generational wealth really means to him beyond the numbers.

I wrap up with a Money Quiz, testing my son Calvin on Stranger Things revenue, compound interest, and the gap between race prizes and investment returns.

If you want real-life inspiration and practical proof that calm, consistent investing works, even with a busy family and W-2 jobs, this episode will encourage you to stay the course and keep moving forward.

Chapters 🎧

0:00 Intro

1:19 Hannah's Question: Getting Started with Investing

11:49 Meet Blake Edwards

12:32 Blake's Motivation for Building Wealth

14:03 Partnership and Shared Values

15:54 Career Trajectory and Income Growth

18:58 Asset Breakdown: Where the Money Is

20:28 Getting Started: The Roth IRA Journey

23:48 Liabilities: The Mortgage Decision

26:14 Generational Wealth and Values

28:31 Future Goals and Dreams

30:04 The Power of Giving

31:25 Advice: Intentionality and Education

33:57 Building Quiet Wealth with W2 Jobs

35:29 Money Quiz: Calvin's Financial Education

Resources 📚

Own Your Time

https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book

Track Your Spending and Net Worth with Monarch Money

https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney

Coast FIRE Calculator

https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/

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 Groves Johnson

Editor: Johnny Sohl

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What if there was a third option between grinding it out in corporate life and chasing extreme early retirement? What if you could work less, be more present with your family, and still feel confident about your financial future?

In today’s episode, I join Paula Pant on her top-ranked podcast, Afford Anything, to talk about the middle ground between traditional employment and full FIRE. We dive into Coast FIRE, part-time work, and what it really takes to own your time while raising kids. I share how my wife and I structured our lives to both work part time, stay involved with our kids, and still build long term wealth without burning out.

This conversation is part of our Best of MKM series and was originally recorded live at FinCon in Portland. Paula and I walk through my 10-step framework for owning your time, including how to reduce financial anxiety, eliminate debt, invest with intention, and design a three-day work week that supports your family and your health. We also talk candidly about parenting, identity, lifestyle tradeoffs, and how to model a life of freedom and generosity for your kids.

If you are tired of living for the weekend and want a realistic path to more time freedom, this conversation will open your eyes to what is possible.

CHAPTERS 🎧

RESOURCES 📚

Track Your Spending and Net Worth with Monarch Money
https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney

Coast FIRE Calculator
https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/

Afford Anything Podcast
https://affordanything.com

HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER ⚠️

CREDITS 🎙️

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What if you could reach a point where your investments were doing the heavy lifting and you could finally slow down without falling behind? Would you keep pushing forward, or would you take the exit and design a life that fits right now?

In today’s episode, Anders Skagerberg shares how he and his wife reached Coast FIRE in their early thirties and made the intentional decision to downshift. Instead of continuing to save aggressively, they chose to prioritize time, flexibility, and family while letting compound growth work in the background. Anders explains what Coast FIRE really looks like in real life and how it gave his family options instead of pressure.

This episode is part of our Best of MKM series and was originally recorded in 2023. A short clip from this conversation took off on YouTube, so we decided to bring you the full story. Anders breaks down his Coast FIRE numbers, the accounts he uses, how he and his wife communicate about money, and why taking the Coast FIRE exit does not have to be permanent.

If you are Coast FIRE curious or wondering whether you can have both freedom today and security tomorrow, this conversation will help you think differently about what is possible.

CHAPTERS 🎧

RESOURCES 📚

Track Your Spending and Net Worth with Monarch Money
https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney

Coast FIRE Calculator
https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire/

HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER ⚠️

CREDITS 🎙️

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What does it really mean to be “almost a millionaire”? And is that number as important as the freedom you gain along the way?

In today’s episode, Joshua Weekley shares how he and his wife built a net worth of nearly $1 million by age 35 without extreme deprivation or risky bets. Instead of chasing shortcuts, Joshua focused on consistent habits, automation, and learning how to control his money so it could support the life he wanted with his family.

This episode is part of our Best of MKM series and was originally released last year. It quickly became one of our most popular and highly viewed interviews because of its honesty, relatability, and practical approach to wealth building. Joshua opens up about growing up around money stress, learning from what his parents did and did not do with finances, and why net worth became a powerful motivator for reclaiming his time.

He also breaks down exactly where his money is today, including home equity, retirement accounts, brokerage investments, and cash. Most importantly, he explains why wealth is built milestone by milestone, not overnight.

If you are working toward your first $1,000 emergency fund or closing in on your first million, this conversation is a powerful reminder that every step forward matters.

CHAPTERS 🎧

RESOURCES 📚

Track Your Spending and Net Worth with Monarch Money
https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney

Mortgage Free Payoff Calculator
https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/mortgage-payoff/

HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER ⚠️

CREDITS 🎙️

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What would your life look like if you woke up tomorrow and your home was completely paid off? How much freedom would that give your family? And how much more possibility would you feel if housing costs disappeared forever?

In today’s episode, Ken and Mary Okoroafor from The Humble Penny share how they became mortgage free in one of the most expensive cities in the world: London. They paid off the equivalent of nearly $475,000 in just seven years, and the ripple effects changed everything. Ken and Mary open up about the peace of mind they gained, how their work and family life transformed, what mortgage freedom made possible for their children, and why this choice unlocked a new lifestyle filled with flexibility, purpose, and joy.

This Best of MKM conversation is one of the most inspiring mortgage free stories we have ever featured. If you want to eliminate stress, design a more intentional family life, and build generational wealth with confidence, this episode will light a fire under you.

CHAPTERS 🎧

RESOURCES 📚

Track Your Spending and Net Worth with Monarch Money
https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney

Mortgage Free Payoff Calculator
https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/mortgage-payoff/

The Humble Penny
https://thehumblepenny.com

Financial Joy Book
https://amzn.to/48jWREN

The Humble Penny YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/thehumblepenny

HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER ⚠️

CREDITS 🎙️

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