Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Support the Show:

• Join my Patreon membership (bonus content coming in 2026!!)
• Buy me a coffee
• Sign up to be on the show here

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:

• Mr. Money Mustache
• The White Coat Investor

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Support the Show:

• Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo (premium content coming in 2026!!)
• Buy me a coffee
• Sign up to be on the show here

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:
  • Episode 48
  • Episode 49
• EverydayFI episode 25 with Anonymous ("J") on life after divorce
• Julie's blog post: "Truth Bombs I'm Dropping after the Implosion of My Most Recent Serious Relationship"
• Julie's blog post: "The Hardest Lesson I've Ever Learned: A Breakup Post-Mortem and the Cost of Ignoring My Intuition"
• Want to travel with Julie on a mini sabbatical? Go here!

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Support the Show:

• Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo (bonus content coming in 2026!!)
• Buy me a coffee
• Sign up to be on the show here

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:
  • YouTube Channel
  • Website
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
• EverydayFI episode 45 with David Robinson
• ChooseFI
• FI Service Corps
• Friends on FIRE

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Support the Show:

• Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo (bonus content coming in 2026!!)
• Buy me a coffee
• Sign up to be on the show here

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:
  • YouTube Channel
  • Website
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
• Motley Fool
• Econome Conference

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Support the Show:

• Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo
• Buy me a coffee
• Sign up to be on the show here

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:

• EverydayFI episode 61: Mitch Interviews Meg
• HerMoney
• Diabolical Lies
• Maintenance Phase
• Dr. Karan Explores
• Money With Katie
• Science Vs
• Sound Investing
• Money for Couples with Ramit Sethi
• ChooseFI
• Afford Anything
• Mad FIentist music

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Support the Show:

• Join my Patreon membership for $5/mo (premium content coming in 2026!!)
• Buy me a coffee
• Sign up to be on the show here

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 www.988lifeline.org.

Take care of yourself, and please listen at your own pace.

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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:

• EverydayFI Episode 45: Silent Struggle - Mental Health Challenges in Military Service, Part 1 with David Robinson
• A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel
• Catching Up To FI podcast
• ChooseFI
• The Stacking Benjamins Show
• Afford Anything
• Monarch Money
• Empower

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Support the Show:

• Join my Patreon membership (bonus content coming in 2026!)
• Buy me a coffee
• Sign up to be on the show here

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:

• This link 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

Subscribe on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Support the Show:

• Join my Patreon membership (premium content coming in 2026!!)
• Buy me a coffee
• Sign up to be on the show here

  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:

• cfp.net
• Catching Up To FI podcast
• ChooseFI
• Ryan's website: Thinking Cap Financial