.png)
CoastFI Couple: Money, Relationships & Financial Independence
What does the journey to financial independence actually look like when you're navigating it together?
CoastFI Couple follows Matt and Yana's real-life journey toward financial independence—from working, saving, investing, and figuring out their Coast FI number to finally reaching Coast FI and asking a whole new question: Now what?
Along the way, they've shared the math, decisions, disagreements, experiments, and life changes that come with trying to build more freedom without waiting for traditional retirement.
Now that they've officially reached Coast FI, the journey isn't over. It's shifting from How much do we need? to How much can we let go? From accumulating to spending. From maximizing income to deciding when a good job is no longer worth the time it costs. And from planning for freedom someday to figuring out how to actually use it.
Expect candid conversations about Coast FI and Coast FIRE, personal finance, relationships and money, investing, intentional spending, career decisions, work optionality, and the emotional side of financial independence—with plenty of laughs and real-life detours along the way.
Whether you're just discovering the FIRE movement, working toward Coast FI yourself, or wondering what happens once you get there, come follow the journey with us.
Episodes
17 episodes
Our CoastFI Leap: Quitting a Good Job on Purpose
Yana finally did it — she quit her corporate job.But this isn't your typical "I hate my boss, I'm out" story. She actually liked her job, her team, and her manager. So why walk away?In this episode, Matt sits down with Yana...
.png)
One Year Into CoastFI: Role Reversals, Slowing Down, and Finding Joy Beyond the Numbers
It’s been one full year since we hit CoastFI—and we’re recording this episode from the woods, camping and reflecting on everything that’s happened since Matt stepped away from the 9-to-5 grind. In this candid conversation, we open up about the ...
Love, Money, and FIRE: How Money Trauma Impacts Couples on the Journey to Financial Independence
In this episode of CoastFI Couple, we explore the emotional side of financial independence and how unresolved money trauma can impact couples on their journey to FIRE. Whether it’s fear of spending, hoarding, or guilt over financial su...
How Qube Money Revolutionized Our Budgeting: A Deep Dive
Welcome back to CoastFI Couple! In today’s episode, Yana and Matt dive into the stress-free way they manage money together—without spreadsheets, end-of-month surprises, or budgeting guilt.They share how Qube Money, a revolutionary budge...
Money Matters in Marriage: Building Trust and Tackling Debt Together | Skyler and Rebecca Fleming
Welcome back to the CoastFI Couple Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Skyler and Rebecca Fleming, a married couple of four years and proud DINKWADS (dual income, no kids - with a dog!), to explore how they’ve built a strong fina...
HSA Hacks for Couples: A Game-Changer in Retirement Planning
Welcome back to CoastFI Couple! In today’s episode, we’re tackling a powerful (but often overlooked) financial tool: the Health Savings Account (HSA). Did you know that a whopping 92% of people using HSAs are leaving free money on the table? Th...
Empowering Women in Finance: First Steps, Community & Values-Aligned Investing | Janine Firpo | 10
In this episode of the CoastFI Couple Podcast, we sit down with Janine Firpo, author, Forbes 50 Over 50 Awardee, and co-founder of Invest for Better, to discuss the transformative power of financial literacy and values-aligned investing. Janine...
Raising Money-Savvy Teens: How Parents Can Prepare for College and Beyond | Colleen Salchow | 009
Welcome back to CoastFI Couple! In today’s episode, we dive deep into the complexities of teaching financial literacy to teenagers in an increasingly cashless world. Colleen Salkow, an accredited financial counselor, military spouse, and mother...
The Staircase to Financial Independence - CoastFI, BaristaFI, and Beyond to FatFI!
Welcome back to CoastFI Couple! In today's episode, Yana and Matt walk up the "Fire Staircase" — a step-by-step journey through the various stages of financial independence, from CoastFI all the way to Fat Fire. Listen in as Yana a...
The Waterfall Strategy: Which Financial Buckets to Fill First on Your FI Journey (Ep.07)
In today’s episode, Yana and Matt dive into the essential steps of financial planning, breaking down the critical "order of operations" when it comes to managing savings and investments on your path to Financial Independence. Which bucket shoul...
Let’s get serious - Panic Attacks, Burnout, and Building Balance Ep.06
We're excited to have you with us for Episode 6, "Panic Attacks, Burnout, and Building Balance". Today, we're getting personal as Matt share’s his experience with job-related burnout and the severe impact it had on his mental health, including ...
Finding your Why - seriously, where the heck is it? Ep. 5
Welcome back to CoastFi Couple! In today's episode, Yana and Matt dive deep into the essential topic of "finding your why" when it comes to financial independence. They'll share their personal journey of identifying and ...
The 4% Rule - A Monte Cristo Sandwich Ep. 4
Welcome back to the CoastFI Couple Podcast! In today’s episode, we're diving into one of the cornerstone concepts of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) community—the 4% rule. Join hosts Matt and Yana as they...
Obstacles to FIRE: Eating those Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches Ep. 3
Welcome back to CoastFI Couple, the podcast where we explore financial independence and the art of effective money communication between partners. We’re excited to dive into episode 3, overcoming “Obstacles to Financial Independence."In...
Tools to Climb: Budgeting as a Couple hits Different Ep.2
Today Yana & Matt delve into the intertwining worlds of financial independence and healthy money communication in relationships. In Episode 2, we're excited to share our insights on budgeting and financial tools that have revolutionized our...