Most people who retire early either hate their jobs or plan to pivot to something easier. At 51, associate professor Laura is walking away from a career defining genetic research — and wrestling with who she'll be when the lab coat comes off. Laura shares her experiences balancing the relentless pressure of grant-funded academia with raising two sons, detail ... Show More
Sep 28
619 | The Student Loan Rulebook Was Rewritten | Travis Hornsby
The federal government just split student loan borrowers into two groups: those who borrowed before July 2026 keep access to income-driven repayment and forgiveness strategies, while everyone after gets strict caps, fewer options, and tax bills on forgiven debt. If you're on the ... Show More
1 h
Sep 21
618 | You Learned How to Save. Now Learn How to Spend | Jesse Mecham
Every dollar you save is just money you're planning to spend later—so why does no one talk about the skill of spending well? Jesse Mecham, founder of YNAB, couldn't justify buying a fifty-cent donut despite being objectively "good at money," and that moment of extreme frugality s ... Show More
50m 46s
Sep 2025
226. “She’s chasing FIRE. I want to enjoy life now.”
Laura (34) and Cameron (38) earn over $200,000 a year and save thousands each month, yet every decision feels like a crisis. Laura, a first-generation Mexican American, grew up in financial chaos and now enforces strict rules, from tracking every purchase in YNAB to keeping Camer ... Show More
1h 35m
Mar 2021
175: Staying Flexible in Early Retirement with A Purple Life
Last time we talked to Purple from A Purple Life, she told us about her plan to retire at the end of 2020. If you haven’t listened to that interview, you can listen to it here to get the full scoop on Purple’s journey from a $5,000 net worth to hundreds of thousands within only a ... Show More
51m 36s
Jun 2024
MONEY DIARIES: She's Got The F.I.R.E
At 28 and after ten years of travel, fun, work and a bunch of health issues today's Money Diarist decided to change careers. She was broke starting over and owned nothing! And now at 38, she's kicked off a 12 year plan to retire at 50! How exactly is she going to achieve this? Tu ... Show More
41m 27s