Episode 461: How to Stay on Your Financial Journey When Life Changes

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

Even the best financial plans need room to breathe. Life changes. Priorities shift. Unexpected things happen. And none of that means you've failed. In today's episode, I walk you through how to normalize detours, reassess your financial foundation, and realign your plan with the season of life you're actually in, not the one you thought you'd be in. I also share personal updates about seeing my book "in the wild" from airport bookstores to international editions and why I'll never stop being grateful for that moment. In this episode, I talk about: Why detours and setbacks don't erase your progress and how to reframe them as recalibrations How to reassess your financial foundation when life changes, including your numbers and emotional bandwidth When it can make sense to pause aggressive debt payoff or investing and use automation to stay afloat How core values can guide you as you rebuild your plan without abandoning your long-term commitment + 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 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  

Sometimes life doesn't go as planned. In this episode, I share the story of a call from my son's school that changed my day in an instant and what it taught me about real wealth, freedom, and being present for what matters most.  I reflect on what real wealth looks like, not in bank accounts or net worth, but in the freedom to stop, respond, and be present when life happens. I also talk about why I wrote Your Journey to Financial Freedom as a roadmap and guide, and how the new paperback edition includes a bonus chapter to help navigate unexpected detours, setbacks, and uncertainty.   This episode is about presence, perspective, and the true meaning of financial freedom and it's a reminder that your journey is yours, detours and all.   In this episode I share: Freedom isn't just financial it's the ability to make choices when life happens. Real wealth is the flexibility to be present for what truly matters. Your financial journey is a roadmap, not a rigid plan detours are part of the process. Life happens. You're not failing. You're living. 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

The paperback edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom is officially out today 1/6/26! Go to yourjourneytofinancialfreedom.com to grab your copy (and bonuses) In this short solo episode, I share why releasing the paperback felt important, what's new in this edition, and how it reflects the reality that life doesn't always follow a straight financial path. The paperback includes a new bonus chapter, When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty, as well as a book club guide to help spark deeper conversations around money. I also share how to get the paperback and receive two special bonuses: the FIRE Starter Course and the Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet. Go to yourjourneytofinancialfreedom.com to grab your copy and bonuses! Get it directly from Amazon here and find the other places to buy at yourjourneytofinancialfreedom.com

In this episode, I walk you through five simple money moves designed to help you feel more grounded and in control of your finances. These are not drastic changes or big resolutions, but intentional steps that create clarity, ease, and forward momentum no matter where you are starting from. This conversation is about meeting yourself where you are, understanding your current season, and making progress without pressure. Financial freedom is built through alignment, awareness, and compassion, not perfection. Whether you are looking for a fresh start, a mid-year check-in, or a gentle reset with your money, these small shifts can help you move forward with more confidence and intention. In This Episode, I Discuss: Why naming the season of life you're currently in is the foundation for setting realistic financial expectations How identifying your Journeyer Stage helps you focus on the right financial priorities Why checking your numbers without shame or judgment is essential for moving forward One small financial action you can take today to reduce mental load and stress 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

As we celebrate the holidays and the year comes to a close, I reflect on the journey behind my book, Your Journey to Financial Freedom, and share why the upcoming paperback edition feels especially meaningful. I also open up about what financial freedom looks like beyond hitting a specific number, why flexibility and choice matter more than perfection, and how having a framework not a rigid plan has helped me adjust as life has changed. This episode is both a behind-the-scenes look at the book and a reminder that meaningful progress starts by simply beginning. In this episode, I discuss: Why I wrote Your Journey to Financial Freedom and the gap I wanted it to fill beyond the podcast How my life and mindset have shifted since the hardcover release and why pivots are a natural part of the journey What's new in the paperback edition, including updated numbers, a bonus chapter, and a built-in book club guide Why planning for uncertainty is just as important as planning for growth How financial independence is really about having choices, not just reaching a FIRE number 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 reflect on a deeply personal trip back to my home island of Jamaica following a devastating hurricane. What began as a planned celebration for my younger sister's 30th birthday became a powerful homecoming filled with mixed emotions, difficult decisions, and meaningful moments of family, service, and reflection. I share the internal debate I faced about whether to still travel after the storm, how I ultimately decided to go, and what the experience revealed to me about community, resilience, gratitude, and wealth beyond money. From being reunited with all my siblings in one place, to giving back through supplies and local spending, to leaning on my village back home as a mother of three, this episode is a reminder that financial freedom is meant to support a full, connected life. In this episode, I discuss: How leaning on my village at home made it possible for me to travel as a working mother What visiting my father and grandfather's gravesite stirred emotionally and spiritually Why supporting Jamaican-owned businesses felt especially important during recovery How giving back without performing it publicly shifted my perspective on service + more Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Get your copy 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 week's solo episode, I'm diving into something many of us feel, but don't always say out loud holiday money anxiety. This season can be full of joy, nostalgia, and family connection, but it can also bring up guilt, pressure, overspending, and emotional triggers that hit our wallets hard. So today, I'm sharing honest reflections on the expectations we carry, the emotional weight of holiday giving, and how I personally navigate the overwhelm of gifting, family obligations, and wanting to "do enough" without draining my finances or my energy. I walk you through practical strategies for shifting your mindset, breaking old patterns, and giving yourself permission to rethink how you show up this season.  In this episode, I discuss: Guilt-free gifting: How to focus on intention instead of price tags, and ways to simplify gifts especially for kids who may value the moment more than the item itself. Setting family & personal boundaries: What to say when you want to keep things simple, stick to a budget, or opt out without shame. Overspending triggers: Why boredom, stress, nostalgia, and scarcity mindset push us to buy more and how to create friction to avoid impulse purchases. Reframing the season: How to shift from "stuff" to connection, small rituals, meaning, and presence. Planning ahead for next year: Using what you spent this season to set realistic expectations and savings goals for the future. Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Get your copy 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 week's solo episode, I open up about the reflections, questions, and inner shifts I've been navigating as I enter a new season of life. With the three-year anniversary of Your Journey to Financial Freedom, I'm sharing candid thoughts on growth, purpose, motherhood, and the constant evolution that comes with designing a life of freedom. I talk about the tension between feeling grateful for the life I intentionally built and the uncertainty of what comes next. I also invite you to think deeply about your own season of life; what to keep, what to release, and how to cultivate fulfillment beyond productivity and "shoulds." In this episode, I discuss: The three-year anniversary of my book and why time feels so different now What it feels like to reach the goals I once dreamed of and still wonder, "What's next?" How financial freedom is deeply connected to inner freedom Why you can start over or choose differently any day, not just at the new year + more Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Get your copy 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 week's solo episode, I reflect on the biggest patterns, mindset shifts, and lessons I've learned from helping hundreds of people start (and restart) their financial independence journeys. I walk through the three most common struggles people think are unique to them, the life transitions that often spark the desire for FI, and the deeper motivations that truly drive long-term change. I also share the emotional and practical mistakes I see people make again and again from trying to do it all alone to waiting for the "perfect" plan and why clarity and community matter more than tactics. I also break down what consistently works for people who actually build momentum: personalized roadmaps, accountability, small wins, and the mindset and grace needed to stay the course.  In this episode, I discuss: Why so many people feel "behind" and why their struggles are actually normal How life transitions career changes, burnout, debt, and parenthood often trigger the FI awakening The deeper "why" behind pursuing FI, including freedom, safety, options, and control The common mistakes people make, like going it alone or waiting for the perfect moment What truly moves people forward: community, clarity, flexible plans, mindset shifts, and celebrating small wins Enrollment for the Map Your Path to FI Course is now open! This experience is designed to help you build a clear, step-by-step roadmap to financial independence, without the overwhelm, confusion, or guesswork. Inside the course, you'll learn how to: Understand your numbers and take control of your finances Build a values-driven spending plan you actually enjoy using Strengthen your money mindset and rewrite old stories Increase your income and accelerate your savings rate Start investing with clarity (not fear) Create a personalized FI timeline And confidently make financial decisions that support the life you truly want Choose the level of support that fits your goals and your schedule: ​Option 1: Self-Paced Course- Go at your own pace with the full Map Your Path to FI curriculum, accessible anytime. ​Option 2: FI Accelerator (SOLD OUT)- Get the full course plus a live 90-minute group coaching session with me, where you can submit questions in advance and join hot-seat coaching.  ​Option 3: FI VIP- Work with me privately through two 1:1 strategy sessions, receive a fully personalized FI plan, and get weekly check-ins to help you stay accountable between sessions. Find out more here before enrollment closes on December 1, 2025! Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Get your copy 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