Episode 471: Why He Quit His $100K Engineering Job to Work at McDonald's w/ Drew Lee

In this episode, I sit down with Drew Lee, a former engineer turned personal finance content creator, who made a bold decision to walk away from a six figure career more than once to pursue a life of flexibility and purpose.  Drew reached Coast FI, where your investments grow on their own to fund retirement, in his late 20s, and shares how that freedom changed the way he thinks about work. We talk about the realities behind quitting a stable job, navigating uncertainty, and what it really takes to pursue your passions, especially when you have a family. Drew also opens up about working hourly jobs by choice, building a content brand from scratch, and the mindset shifts that helped him stay committed even when things were not working. In This Episode Drew shares: How he reached Coast FI with a $300K net worth by age 29 Why quitting a six figure job was not a one time decision How low expenses gave him the flexibility to take risks The moment his content finally took off and became profitable + more What's New in the Paperback Edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A bonus chapter: When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty A book club and discussion guide with prompts, exercises, and action steps Updated corrections from the original hardcover Exclusive bonuses when you purchase the paperback, including: The Fire Starter Course The Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Get your paperback edition of Your Journey To Financial Freedom if you haven't already. Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story, here. Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into financial freedom with guided discussions and resources here! Join The Weekly Newsletter List to get updates, deals & more! Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review! Get The Budget Bootcamp Check out my personal website here. Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here! Connect with Drew: Instagram: @dollarswithdrew Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: @Journey To Launch Join the Private Facebook Group Join the Waitlist for My FI Course Get The Free Jumpstart Guide  

In this episode, I'm joined by Amanda Holden, who has built a powerful platform making investing feel truly accessible. She's now bringing that same approach to her new book, How to Be a Rich Old Lady. We dive into what it really takes to build wealth, why so many people get stuck before they even get started, and how investing isn't about being perfect, it's about taking action. Here's what we discuss: What financial independence really looks like beyond a number and how it gives you the freedom to choose how you live and work + more Why choosing between a 401(k) and a Roth IRA matters less than actually getting started and investing consistently How to think about investing while in debt and when to prioritize paying it off vs. building wealth The mindset shift needed to start investing even if you feel late or unsure, and why doing nothing guarantees staying stuck What's New in the Paperback Edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A bonus chapter: When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty A book club and discussion guide with prompts, exercises, and action steps Updated corrections from the original hardcover Exclusive bonuses when you purchase the paperback, including: The Fire Starter Course The Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Check out Amanda's book, How to be a Rich Old Lady Listen to Episode 280: Saving $30k To Quit Corporate America & Pivot To Teaching Women How To Invest With Amanda Holden Get your paperback edition of Your Journey To Financial Freedom if you haven't already. Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story, here. Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into financial freedom with guided discussions and resources here! Join The Weekly Newsletter List to get updates, deals & more! Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review! Get The Budget Bootcamp Check out my personal website here. Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here! Connect with Amanda: Website: amanda-holden.com Instagram: @dumpster.doggy Twitter: @dumpster.doggy Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: @Journey To Launch Join the Private Facebook Group Join the Waitlist for My FI Course Get The Free Jumpstart Guide  

In this episode, I'm excited to welcome back Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung from the Millennial Revolution. Since the last time they were on the show, they've become parents and recently released a new book called Parent Like a Millionaire (Without Being One). In this conversation, we talk about how their perspective on money and financial independence evolved after having a child and how parents can raise financially resilient kids without feeling pressure to overspend. Kristy and Bryce share how avoiding lifestyle creep helped them accelerate their path to financial independence, why financial stability can make parenting less stressful, and how families can focus on their values instead of societal expectations when it comes to spending on their kids. They also break down practical ways parents can teach children about money, responsibility, and resilience from an early age. In This Episode You'll Learn • How Kristy and Bryce were able to reach financial independence in their 30s and why avoiding lifestyle creep played a major role • How becoming parents shifted their perspective on money, time, and what financial freedom really means • Practical ways parents can reduce the cost of raising kids while still focusing on what matters most • How to help kids develop resilience, responsibility, and a healthy relationship with money What's New in the Paperback Edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A bonus chapter: When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty A book club and discussion guide with prompts, exercises, and action steps Updated corrections from the original hardcover Exclusive bonuses when you purchase the paperback, including: The Fire Starter Course The Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Check out Kristy and Bryce's book, Parent Like a Millionaire (Without Being One) Listen to Episode 105: How To Quit Like a Millionaire So You Can Stop Working & Start Living With Kristy & Bryce Listen to Episode 11: Rejecting Homeownership, Traveling the World & Retiring by 31 Years Old Get your paperback edition of Your Journey To Financial Freedom if you haven't already. Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story, here. Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into financial freedom with guided discussions and resources here! Join The Weekly Newsletter List to get updates, deals & more! Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review! Get The Budget Bootcamp Check out my personal website here. Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here! Connect with Kristy and Bryce: Website: Millennial-Revolution.com Twitter: @FIRECracker_Rev Facebook: @MillennialRevolutionBlog   Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: @Journey To Launch Join the Private Facebook Group Join the Waitlist for My FI Course Get The Free Jumpstart Guide  

Sahirenys Pierce joins the Journey to Launch Podcast to break down the money system that completely transformed her financial life: the High Five Banking Method. In this powerful conversation, Sahirenys opens up about how navigating the 2008 recession, walking away from corporate finance, becoming a mom, and preparing for her son's open-heart surgery forced her to rethink everything she thought she knew about money. What emerged wasn't just a budgeting tweak, it was a structured banking system built to create clarity, stability, and peace of mind during life's most overwhelming seasons. In this episode, we explore: Why traditional budgeting often falls apart when life gets hard How to build a simple but strategic banking structure The role emotional security plays in financial decision-making How to design a system that supports you in both calm and crisis + more. This conversation is about more than managing money, it's about creating structure with purpose, reducing financial stress, and building systems that truly hold up under pressure. Sahirenys now shares this framework more broadly in her book, The High Five Banking Method: A Money System You Can Count On. What's New in the Paperback Edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A bonus chapter: When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty A book club and discussion guide with prompts, exercises, and action steps Updated corrections from the original hardcover Exclusive bonuses when you purchase the paperback, including: The Fire Starter Course The Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Check out Sahirenys book: The High Five Banking Method: A Money System You Can Count On Listen to Episode 157- Organize & Simplify Your Money Using This Simple Method w/ Sahirenys Pierce Get your paperback edition of Your Journey To Financial Freedom if you haven't already. Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story, here. Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into financial freedom with guided discussions and resources here! Join The Weekly Newsletter List to get updates, deals & more! Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review! Get The Budget Bootcamp Check out my personal website here. Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here! Connect with Sahirenys: Website: ThePoisedLifestyle.com Instagram: @PoisedFinanceLifestyle Twitter: @Sahirenys Facebook: @PoisedFinanceLifestyle YouTube Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: @Journey To Launch Join the Private Facebook Group Join the Waitlist for My FI Course Get The Free Jumpstart Guide  

This week on the Journey to Launch Podcast, I'm joined by healthcare compliance expert and entrepreneur Keisha Wilson for a powerful conversation about career pivots, betting on yourself, caregiving, and building financial flexibility before you realize you'll need it. Keisha shares how she transitioned from corporate leadership into entrepreneurship, how that decision gave her the flexibility to care for her mother through stage four cancer and a devastating home explosion, and why preparation, advocacy, and hard financial conversations matter more than we think. This episode is about resilience, faith, and creating options that protect your peace and your family. In This Episode, Keisha Shares: How medical coding became a high-demand, lucrative career path and why skill-building creates long-term flexibility  What it really takes to leave a steady paycheck and build a consulting business from scratch  The emotional and financial realities of caregiving and why advocacy and second medical opinions matter  The importance of wills, healthcare proxies, power of attorney, and financial transparency before crisis hits  Why building freedom and flexibility now can prepare you for life's unexpected turns What's New in the Paperback Edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom A bonus chapter: When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty A book club and discussion guide with prompts, exercises, and action steps Updated corrections from the original hardcover Exclusive bonuses when you purchase the paperback, including: The Fire Starter Course The Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Get your paperback edition of Your Journey To Financial Freedom if you haven't already. Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story, here. Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into financial freedom with guided discussions and resources here! Join The Weekly Newsletter List to get updates, deals & more! Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review! Get The Budget Bootcamp Check out my personal website here. Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here! Connect with Keisha: Website: byhersidefaithfulcaregiver.com Instagram: @_FaithfulCaregiver Twitter: x.com/_faithfulcareg Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: @Journey To Launch Join the Private Facebook Group Join the Waitlist for My FI Course Get The Free Jumpstart Guide

In this episode, I chat with Lee-Ann Pinkard, who was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, and later moved to the U.S. for college at Howard University. She built a career in construction project management and, years later, purchased a beachside property in Jamaica that she now runs as a short-term rental, a property I personally had the pleasure of staying in. We explore what it really takes to buy property in Jamaica, the realities of managing an Airbnb from abroad, how she balances corporate life, motherhood and her long-term plan to retire back home. In this episode, we discuss: Lee-Ann's journey and career path – Growing up in Kingston, studying engineering at Howard University, and building a career in construction management in the U.S. Buying and financing property in Jamaica – What it really takes to purchase abroad, how mortgages and banking differ from the U.S., and the importance of local connections The real costs and challenges of owning an overseas Airbnb – Unexpected expenses, hurricane impacts, solar panel investments, and managing a short-term rental remotely Investing with purpose and planning for retirement – The emotional connection to returning home, building long-term wealth, and redefining retirement beyond simply not working What's New in the Paperback Edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A bonus chapter: When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty A book club and discussion guide with prompts, exercises, and action steps Updated corrections from the original hardcover Exclusive bonuses when you purchase the paperback, including: The Fire Starter Course The Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Listen to my episode "What My Recent Trip to Jamaica Reminded Me About Wealth, Gratitude, and Resilience" Get your paperback edition of Your Journey To Financial Freedom if you haven't already. Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story, here. Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into financial freedom with guided discussions and resources here! Join The Weekly Newsletter List to get updates, deals & more! Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review! Get The Budget Bootcamp Check out my personal website here. Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here! Connect with Lee-Ann & Learn More About Sea Miracle Jamaica: Website: SeaMiracleJamaica.com Instagram: @SeaMiracleJamaica Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: @Journey To Launch Join the Private Facebook Group Join the Waitlist for My FI Course Get The Free Jumpstart Guide  

Burnout is often treated like a personal failure but what if it's actually a signal that something deeper is out of alignment? In this episode of the Journey to Launch Podcast, I'm joined by executive coach and organizational change strategist Dr. Kerri Ann Peart for a powerful conversation about burnout, boundaries, identity, and what it really takes to grow into higher levels of financial success without sacrificing your well-being. We talk about how burnout actually shows up in high-achieving women, how perimenopause and work stress can overlap, and why earning more money isn't just about doing more, it's about becoming the person who can sustainably hold more. In This Episode, Kerriann Shares:  Burnout isn't a personal failure it's often a sign that your work, identity, or values are out of alignment You can't out-earn burnout; if you don't do the inner work, it follows you from job to job and even into entrepreneurship Financial growth requires expanding your capacity and competency, not just working harder or longer Boundaries, self-respect, and who you're being day-to-day determine how much money and responsibility you can sustainably hold   What's New in the Paperback Edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A bonus chapter: When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty A book club and discussion guide with prompts, exercises, and action steps Updated corrections from the original hardcover Exclusive bonuses when you purchase the paperback, including: The Fire Starter Course The Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Get your paperback edition of Your Journey To Financial Freedom if you haven't already. Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story, here. Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into financial freedom with guided discussions and resources here! Join The Weekly Newsletter List to get updates, deals & more! Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review! Get The Budget Bootcamp Check out my personal website here. Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here! Connect with Dr. Kerriann: Website: PeartConsulting.org Instagram: @Dr.Kerri_P Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: @Journey To Launch Join the Private Facebook Group Join the Waitlist for My FI Course Get The Free Jumpstart Guide  

In this special birthday reflection episode, I'm slowing things down and turning inward.  I'm sharing where I am in this season of life, what feels solid, what feels unclear, and what I'm intentionally leaving open. Birthdays always make me pause. They give me space to reflect, to check in with myself, and to notice how much has changed internally and externally. In this episode, I'm asking myself honest questions and inviting you to sit with them too. This journey is about so much more than money. It's about who we're becoming along the way. 🎧 What I Talk About in This Episode Why not having everything figured out doesn't mean you're behind How my definition of success has shifted over time Why flexibility, autonomy, and spaciousness feel like true wealth to me right now Reflection questions I'm asking myself as I enter a new year of life How I'm learning to stop forcing clarity and trust myself more deeply   What's New in the Paperback Edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A bonus chapter: When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty A book club and discussion guide with prompts, exercises, and action steps Updated corrections from the original hardcover Exclusive bonuses when you purchase the paperback, including: The Fire Starter Course The Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Get your paperback edition of Your Journey To Financial Freedom if you haven't already. Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story, here. Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into financial freedom with guided discussions and resources here! Join The Weekly Newsletter List to get updates, deals & more! Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review! Get The Budget Bootcamp Check out my personal website here. Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here! Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: @Journey To Launch Join the Private Facebook Group Join the Waitlist for My FI Course Get The Free Jumpstart Guide

In this solo episode, I'm getting real about something we don't talk about enough in personal finance: imperfect money habits. I'm peeling back the curtain on my own so-called "bad" money habits and explaining why perfection is not required to build wealth, feel financially secure, or move forward on your journey. I also take a moment to acknowledge the heaviness many of us are feeling in the world right now and share how I personally process current events while staying grounded.  What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why you don't need perfect money habits to build wealth or feel financially secure How your personality and stage of the financial journey affect how you manage money Why having a strong financial foundation gives you more room for mistakes How to treat money management as a skill you can strengthen when needed What's New in the Paperback Edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A bonus chapter: When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty A book club and discussion guide with prompts, exercises, and action steps Updated corrections from the original hardcover Exclusive bonuses when you purchase the paperback, including: The Fire Starter Course The Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Get your paperback edition of Your Journey To Financial Freedom if you haven't already. The Daily Podcast – a resource I use to stay informed on current events Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story, here. Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into financial freedom with guided discussions and resources here! Join The Weekly Newsletter List to get updates, deals & more! Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review! Get The Budget Bootcamp Check out my personal website here. Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here! Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: @Journey To Launch Join the Private Facebook Group Join the Waitlist for My FI Course Get The Free Jumpstart Guid  

In this episode of the Journey to Launch Podcast, I'm welcoming back Andy Hill, award-winning family finance coach and the voice behind Marriage, Kids & Money, and this conversation is all about what it truly means to own your time. Andy shares how he and his wife intentionally used money as a tool to gain flexibility, move away from the corporate grind, and design a life centered around family, health, and presence. We talk honestly about the financial moves that made this possible, the mistakes along the way, and how redefining "wealth" helped them build a life they actually enjoy living. What You'll Learn in This Episode How Andy and his wife aligned on shared values and used money to gain more time with their family Why paying off debt, reaching Coast FIRE, and lowering fixed expenses created real flexibility The emotional side of aggressive saving, marriage tension, and finding a healthier middle ground How building "FU money" made entrepreneurship and part-time work possible without panic & much more! What's New in the Paperback Edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A bonus chapter: When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty A book club and discussion guide with prompts, exercises, and action steps Updated corrections from the original hardcover Exclusive bonuses when you purchase the paperback, including: The Fire Starter Course The Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Get your copy of Andy's book, Own Your Time: 10 Financial Steps to Put Your Family First and Escape the Corporate Grind Get your paperback edition of Your Journey To Financial Freedom if you haven't already. Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story, here. Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into financial freedom with guided discussions and resources here! Join The Weekly Newsletter List to get updates, deals & more! Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review! Get The Budget Bootcamp Check out my personal website here. Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here! Connect with Andy: Website: Instagram: @MarriageKidsandMoney Facebook: @MarriageKidsandMoney Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: @Journey To Launch Join the Private Facebook Group Join the Waitlist for My FI Course Get The Free Jumpstart Guide