Money Guy Show – Episode Summary
Episode Title: What They Don’t Tell You About FIRE with Andy Hill!
Date: January 28, 2026
Hosts: Brian Preston (B), Bo Hanson (Bo), Reby (A)
Guest: Andy Hill (C), family financial coach behind Marriage, Kids, and Money
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the realities and hidden truths of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, featuring Andy Hill—a financial coach, podcaster, and new author of "Own Your Time." The conversation explores how FIRE principles apply to families, especially parents, and discusses nuanced perspectives on financial independence, Coast FIRE, and the broader importance of balancing wealth with happiness and time. Listener questions further illuminate practical approaches to FIRE, wealth management, and family finance.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introducing Andy Hill and "Own Your Time"
[00:06 - 03:28]
- Andy Hill is introduced as a major voice in financial coaching for families, with over 10 million downloads across his platform.
- His book, Own Your Time, aims to provide parents and busy families with a step-by-step blueprint for gaining more freedom and margin in life, beyond just money.
- Andy’s main message: Building wealth should go hand-in-hand with building happiness and meaningful family connections.
“We forget to dream...we did that when we were kids all the time...So we have to dream. We have to take that time, 15 minutes, just to write down, where do I want to go? Who do I want to be?”
— Andy Hill [03:06]
2. Andy’s Journey Through FIRE and Finding Coast FIRE
[03:28 - 07:32]
- Andy recounts the emotional toll of the “messy middle”—time and money both stretched thin.
- He describes experimenting with various movements (Ramsey, Debt Free, FIRE) before settling on Coast FIRE as the best fit for his family.
- Traditional FIRE was too aggressive for Andy and his wife; it required too much sacrifice during important life years, leading them to prioritize work they enjoy on a part-time basis.
“We don’t need to stop working to be happy. We need to just find work that we actually enjoy.”
— Andy Hill [05:17]
- They reached Coast FIRE ($500,000 saved by age 40), allowing them to scale back work and focus on family, health, and joyful experiences.
3. Coast FIRE Explained
[06:09 - 07:32]
- Coast FIRE is when you’ve saved enough in investment accounts so that, with no further contributions, compounding alone can carry you to a comfortable traditional retirement.
- Andy and his wife now work part-time, having reduced expenses dramatically after becoming debt free and paying off their mortgage.
4. Real-World Myths & Rules of FIRE – “Follow It or Forget It” Game
[09:23 - 25:16]
Andy and Bo react to common FIRE “rules”:
a) Save 25x Expenses (“Rule of 25”):
- Both say “Forget It.”
- Andy: For most Americans, 25x is too aggressive—a less rigid target (20x) can suffice, and bridging strategies work, too.
"While it sounds like you're being led to a great destination, you might lose a lot of important things on that path."
— Andy Hill [11:19]
b) Eliminate Debt Before Investing:
- Nuance is key. High-interest debt: yes. But low-interest (mortgage, student loans)? Not necessarily. Take advantage of employer matches.
c) Have As Many Side Hustles As Possible:
- Both disagree. Side hustles are fine for season or specific goals, but overdoing it can hurt health and relationships.
- Bo shares an example of a client whose side hustles distracted from their main earning potential.
d) Always Maximize Tax-Advantaged Accounts First:
- Split opinion. Andy favors it for behavioral reasons (keeps savings disciplined), Bo says it depends, especially for early retirees who need liquid funds.
“Whenever we talk about investing or saving, I’m always a big proponent for—for what? Not just saving and investing because it’s smart...put a label on it.”
— Andy Hill [20:58]
e) Invest Only in Low-Cost Index Funds:
- Both largely agree, but Bo says certain asset classes or advanced portfolios may benefit from active management.
5. Listener Q&A: Applying FIRE and Family Finance
[25:16 - 59:24]
a) How to Know You’re Ready to Retire (Stan M.)
[26:16]
-
Andy’s four steps before leaving corporate:
- Test side hustle for passion and earning potential
- Build up “FU money” (at least one year’s expenses)
- Supportive spouse
- Honest self-reflection about what you want
-
Bo: Use both emotional and mathematical long-term planning. Model cash flows, stress test against market downturns, and ease into retirement (e.g., simulate monthly “paychecks” from investments).
b) Saving Tips for Parents in the Messy Middle (HTBO 1529):
- Andy: Don’t just cut, cut, cut—align spending with values and focus on creative ways to raise money (selling unused items, negotiating bills).
- Bo: Buy in bulk, focus on experiences over things, and remember that joyful family moments need not be expensive.
c) Should High Savers Cut Back Contributions? (Foo Faithful):
- Andy: If your projections are sound, use reduced savings to enjoy life now—think in terms of what you gain (joy, time, experiences) by saving less.
- Bo: Never leave free employer match on the table, but it’s okay (and sometimes advisable) to slow down aggressive saving for greater balance in life.
d) Are We Coast FIRE? Young Couple, Big Savings (Kung Fu Panda 11):
- Andy: You probably are at Coast FIRE, but don’t over-prioritize maximizing wealth at the expense of living joyfully, especially in your 20s.
- Bo: At 26, expenses and life can change rapidly—stay flexible, don’t coast too early, and reassess as major life events unfold.
e) Healthcare for Early Retiree Families (Abby Lim 4365):
- Andy: Buying family coverage on healthcare.gov worked; it’s a business/family expense that’s predictable once planned.
- Bo: Factor in both premiums and out-of-pocket costs; sometimes paying directly makes more sense than insurance (e.g., dental).
- Bo notes creative approaches: part-time work with benefits, planning for all scenarios (including “worst case”).
f) Psychological Challenges: Identity After "Retirement"
- The “FI, Next Endeavor (FINE) Movement” emphasizes planning what you’ll do after financial independence. Not doing so can lead to anxiety and depression.
"If you get to a point where you do retire and you haven’t thought about what that next venture is, that can be a point of anxiety and depression…”
— Andy Hill [53:50]
g) Should We Move for a Nicer Neighborhood (Jakester2003)?
- Both caution against exceeding the 25% housing rule; suggest exploring alternatives (adding pool to current house, joining clubs, renting extra space) instead of taking on more debt/stress.
“There are so many gray areas between staying in the house you’ve always been in and getting the house with the pool.”
— Andy Hill [56:13]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“It’s not about stopping work—it’s about finding enjoyable, meaningful work and letting your money create options.”
— Bo Hanson [05:35] -
“Just because you started the race fast doesn’t mean you can coast the whole way.”
— Bo Hanson [44:11] -
“Personal finance is personal. Create your own situation because it’s not going to be a repeat for everybody.”
— Andy Hill [52:56] -
“Don’t give up a comfortable now for a potential comfortable future.”
— Andy Hill [39:11]
Important Timestamps
- 00:06 – Intro and Andy Hill’s background
- 01:02 – “Own Your Time” and book philosophy
- 04:00 – Andy’s personal experience with FIRE movement
- 05:35 – Why Coast FIRE works for families
- 09:23 – “Follow It or Forget It” FIRE myths game
- 25:16 – Listener questions start
- 26:39 – Leaving work, how to know you’re ready (Stan M.)
- 31:45 – Saving tips for parents in the “messy middle”
- 37:49 – High savers: Scale back?
- 42:34 – Young savers: Can they coast yet?
- 48:23 – Medical/dental for FIRE families
- 53:02 – Identity and FIRE: Planning your “Next Endeavor”
- 55:09 – Moving for “more house”—balancing wants and financial safety
- 59:42 – Where to find Andy Hill and “Own Your Time”
Resources & Where to Find Andy Hill
- Own Your Time now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
- Marriage, Kids & Money: marriagekidsandmoney.com
- Marriage, Kids & Money Podcast, YouTube
Final Thoughts
This episode offers a candid, experience-based look at what pursuing FIRE really means for modern families, especially parents. Andy Hill’s practical insights highlight the importance of balancing aggressive savings with life satisfaction, being realistic about goals, and personalizing your approach to financial independence. The hosts and Andy emphasize flexibility, communication within families, and the need to plan for both the numbers and the emotional aspects of changing life stages.