#34 - Zero-Based Budgeting: How We Started Living Below Our Means and Learned to Allocate Money

Nick and Kayla discuss her recent job change and how important job satisfaction is, what it's been like teaching during COVID, and an update on how they like living in Texas compared to Washington after relocating their family across the country. Read our book: FIRE The Family: The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Financial Independence With a Family

Nick and Kayla discuss their perception on work and retirement. In short, work should be enjoyable and if it doesn't meet your expectations, find something else to do. Retirement is more of a state of mind than it is a status. We're living the life we will probably be living once we are retired. The only difference is our reliance upon our jobs for income. The idea that FIRE enthusiasts want to quit the workforce is simply not true. The truth is that work is simply providing value to society in return for money.  For the show notes please visit: www.firethefamily.com/podcast-episodes/38 Read our book: FIRE The Family: The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Financial Independence With a Family

Nick and Kayla discuss how they have earned 5 college degrees without student loan debt. By utilizing every option available to them, they were able to cashflow their Master's degrees before the age of 30. Not only did we accomplish our educational goals, but we did so while having and raising 3 kids and working.  For the show notes please visit: www.firethefamily.com/podcast-episodes/37

Nick and Kayla discuss how they furnished their new home on a budget. By planning, saving ahead, and sticking to the plan, they were able to furnish their 3,400 sq ft home without breaking the bank, payment plans, or credit cards. They share strategies and tips they use to save up cash for big purchases and how they decide what big-ticket items to buy. For the show notes please visit: www.firethefamily.com/podcast-episodes/36

Nick and Kayla discuss sending their kids back to daycare during COVID-19, Kayla going back to teaching (virtually), and quite a bit more. This episode marks Season 4 of the podcast and will likely remain the episode format for the foreseeable future. We want this show to be relaxed, non-scripted and to discuss the real-life workings of our family as we pursue the financial independence retire early (FIRE) journey.  For the show notes please visit: https://www.firethefamily.com/podcast-episodes/35

Nick and Kayla discuss adding a lawncare service during the hot summer months or adding a monthly cleaning service. Nick wants one, Kayla the other. We have a real-time discussion about this and it ties in really well to our episode on budgeting. Learn all about how we have implemented a Zero-Based Budget and what it has done for our marriage, family, and finances.  For the show notes please visit: https://www.firethefamily.com/podcast-episodes/34

We're so excited to be back. As many of you know, we took some time off to relocate our family (geoarbitrage) across the country. We moved from Washington to Texas and this episode is all about the move! Joined by my amazing wife Kayla, we discuss the good, the bad, and some funny stories during our big move. There are some hidden tips if you're considering relocating your family.  We have some big updates launching the coming weeks/months. We're turning half my office into a recording studio and will be video recording each episode and posting it to YouTube. We're looking at an August launch and will mark a new season of the FIRE The Family Podcast. We're so excited to move the podcast in this direction and believe we have a lot of value to give as a happily married couple making intentional decisions with their family, money, and future! Episode Sponsor: Savology - Get your financial report card in just 5-minutes (totally free). Click Here. Please follow us on Instagram: @FIREtheFamily and at firethefamily.com

I'm so pumped about this episode. I proposed the idea to my lovely wife Kayla to be my new permanent co-host on the FIRE the Family Podcast. She has so graciously agreed and now we're forging a new podcast path together! She has a voice fit for radio by the way! I have so many ideas on where this could go and I want to thank you for sticking with the podcast through a few recent weeks without content. I assure you, we have every intention of creating as much audio content as possible.  We're in the middle of arbitraging from Washington to Texas. That means, selling our home, buying a new home, packing and working and raising the kids and visiting family. We've been so busy that the podcast went onto the back burner for a short time.  In this episode, we talk about moving, selling our house, buying our new house, what we're most excited about and what is difficult about moving away. Please follow us on Instagram: @FIREtheFamily and at firethefamily.com

I hope you enjoy listening to this episode with Melanieof Money Savvy Mamma. She's located in Australia and was gracious enough to join me for a conversation about parenting, budgeting, investing, side-hustles and more. This episode is packed full of goodies and actions you can take as a parent to be a little more frugal, minimal and a great partner and parent.  You can find Melanie on Instagram @Money_Savvy_Mamma you can follow me on Instagram @FIREtheFamily and if you're interested in improving your blogging/SEO check out firethefamily.com/create

I can't thank Mr. Inspire to FIRE enough for being the first guest on the FIRE the Family Podcast. We cover a lot of ground in this episode. From the current COVID-19 epidemic to his own experience on the financial independence journey. Mr. Inspire to FIRE provides us insight into his pharmacy career and thoughts about his own future if/when he becomes financially independent.  Learn more about Mr. Inspire to FIRE at www.inspiretofire.com Follow him on Instagram and Twitter I finally launched my Instagram, so be sure to follow me there as well! I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed speaking with Mr. Inspire to FIRE! Inspire to Fire Resources: FI Number? Roth Conversion Ladder and Investment Order