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 just six weeks after her last day to unpack the emotional journey of leaving a good job behind for Coast FI. They talk about the anxiety and second-guessing leading up to her two weeks' notice, strategically timing the exit around PTO and healthcare benefits, and the unexpected challenge of adjusting to life without a 9-to-5.
Yana opens up about burnout, while Matt shares the guilt he felt enjoying greater time freedom while his partner was still grinding — and why decompression after leaving work takes longer than you might expect.
They also dig into the financial side: transitioning from accumulation to decumulation, how budgeting with Qube Money gives them confidence to actually spend, and how Yana's New Year's resolution to pet 100 cats somehow turned into "Cat FI" — her post-corporate side gig pet-sitting cats exclusively.
Whether you're approaching Coast FI yourself or just starting the journey, this is a candid look at what it actually feels like to trade a steady paycheck for more time, freedom... and apparently a whole lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Enjoyed this conversation? Follow CoastFI Couple wherever you listen, and share this episode with someone who's wondering what life beyond the 9-to-5 could look like.
TOOLS WE LOVE & USE
Budgeting: Qube Money
Net Worth Tracking: Empower Personal Dashboard
Coast FIRE Calculator: BackofNapkin.co
HSA Expense Tracking: HSA Expense Tracker
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