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.
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 just six weeks after her last day to unpack the emotional journey of leavi...
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 emotional shifts, role reversals, and lessons we’ve lear...
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 success, money trauma can create hidden obstacles that derail your ...
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 budgeting app linked to a card, transformed their finances by giving...
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 financial partnership through open and intentional communication. ...
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? That’s a ton of untapped potential just waiting to be unlo...
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 shares her personal journey, from breaking barriers in ...
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, joins us to share her wealth of knowledge and experien...
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 and Matt break down each "flavor" of FIRE, discussing their unique cha...
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 should you fill first? From building a strong emergency fund ...