The Personal Finance Podcast

Coast FIRE, Lean FIRE, Chubby FIRE, Fat FIRE. Five levels, five very different lifestyles, and one of them is the milestone Andrew thinks everyone should chase first.

👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform

👉 One-on-One Coaching Application Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12UHo5Zmu1AyY_G4Gmbrcx9vThIZhxqFnaJ5dIihZL24/edit

👉 Master Money Wealth Building Strategy Call https://calendly.com/irene-mastermoney/master-money-wealth-building-strategy-call?month=2026-09

What You'll Learn in This Episode

The 25x rule and the math sitting underneath every level of FIRE

All five levels explained, from the first milestone to the highest one

Why Coast FIRE should be your first target no matter which level you ultimately want

What Lean FIRE actually requires you to give up, and who it fits

How to calculate your own number using last year's bank statements

The difference between Chubby and Fat FIRE, and what the extra cushion buys you

Why the withdrawal rate deserves a second look if you retire decades early

The trap of the moving goalpost, and how to decide when enough is enough

Start Here

Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.

👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79

Partner Deals



Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance

Wayfair → Up to 60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com

Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP

Polygenius → Free life insurance quote http://policygenius.com

DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/

Resource/s

Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5

Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190

Stock Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c

Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952

Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney

Tool/s Mentioned

Coast FIRE Calculator https://visionary-raindrop-1fc22a.netlify.app/

Compound Interest Calculator https://expert-hustler-605.kit.com/aefaaad27e

Episode/s Mentioned

Why Coast FIRE May Be The Perfect Strategy for You with Andy Hill https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/why-coast-fire-may-be-the-perfect-strategy-for-you-with-andy-hill/

Hit This Number and You Can STOP SAVING! (Even When You are Young) https://youtu.be/R2ebV44XaAY

Why Barista FIRE Is the Coolest Strategy There Is (Retire Faster Than You Thought!) https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/why-barista-fire-is-the-coolest-strategy-there-is-retire-faster-than-you-thought/

How to Retire in 10 Years or Less! https://youtu.be/nStwD03vJ64

Why a Mini Retirement Can Change Your Life https://youtu.be/o5HIfbIwfjI

Watch Next

Type A vs. Type B Money Personality: Which one are you? https://youtu.be/ZoyLEwBMQdQ

The 12 Worst Money Habits (Ranked!) https://youtu.be/VEgX_BT5dA0

How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY

How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc

How to Spot Fee That's Robbing You, Insure Your Kids' Future & Retire Two Decades Early - Money Q&A https://youtu.be/2y6bjDkgbgM

Connect with Andrew

Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram

TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok

Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook

Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast

Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube

Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter

Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠

X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco

LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠

Question for you:

Which level are you targeting: Coast, Lean, traditional FI, Chubby, or Fat? Comment your answer and why.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are two money personalities. Type A or Type B? The one you decide to be changes everything in your life financially.

👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform

👉 One-on-One Coaching Application Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12UHo5Zmu1AyY_G4Gmbrcx9vThIZhxqFnaJ5dIihZL24/edit

👉 Master Money Wealth Building Strategy Call https://calendly.com/irene-mastermoney/master-money-wealth-building-strategy-call?month=2026-09

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Four quick questions that reveal which money personality you are

The superpowers each type has, and the traps each one falls into

Why the zero-based budget fits one type and the reverse budget fits the other

How Type A can over-optimize their way into worse results

The phrase that quietly costs Type B people the most money

How each personality should structure a portfolio they will actually stick with

The five areas worth optimizing, and everything that is not worth your time

How couples with opposite types can run money together without fighting about it

Start Here

Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.

👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79

Partner Deals



Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance

Wayfair → Up to 60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com

Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP

Polygenius → Free life insurance quote http://policygenius.com

DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/

Resource/s

Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5

Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190

Stock Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c

Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952

Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney

Tool/s Mentioned

Master Your Money Goals https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/classroom/f1e5f000?md=5db7fc1e56a1474fbbded14211cff084

Automate Your Money in One Weekend https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/classroom/f8353a67?md=8e65293c65b2450186fb18ac56f6be97

Episode/s Mentioned

How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY

Watch Next

The 12 Worst Money Habits (Ranked!) https://youtu.be/VEgX_BT5dA0

How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY

How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc

How to Spot Fee That's Robbing You, Insure Your Kids' Future & Retire Two Decades Early - Money Q&A https://youtu.be/2y6bjDkgbgM

4 Dead Simple Steps to Become Financially Free https://youtu.be/dM4DKC7-Y5s

Connect with Andrew

Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram

TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok

Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook

Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast

Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube

Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter

Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠

X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco

LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠

Question for you:

Type A or Type B? Comment which one you are and why.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twelve money habits, ranked from bad to absolutely devastating. Some of these you already know about

👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform

What You'll Learn in This Episode

The full ranking, from number 12 all the way down to the single worst habit on the board

Why looking wealthy and being wealthy pull in opposite directions

What a 1% fee actually removes from your ending balance over a career

The buy now, pay later stats that show most users cannot afford what they are buying

Why the monthly payment question is a sales tool, and what to ask instead

What the data says about sports betting and retirement contributions

How to let your lifestyle grow without letting it eat every raise

The fix for each habit, not just the diagnosis

Start Here

Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.

👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79

Partner Deals



Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance

Wayfair → Up to 60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com

Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP

Polygenius → Free life insurance quote http://policygenius.com

DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/

Resource/s

Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5

Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190

Stock Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c

Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952

Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney

Tool/s Mentioned

Total Cost of Ownership Calculator https://mastermoney.co/total-cost-of-ownership-calculator/

Automate Your Money in One Weekend https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/automate-your-money-challenge-live?p=2f4a172b

Episode/s Mentioned

The 1-3-6 Method For Building & Managing Your Emergency Fund https://youtu.be/rGdII_Z0hnw

The System to Pay Cash For Cars (and NEVER Have a Payment Again!) https://youtu.be/kgmjjQEN3Xs

Watch Next

How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY

How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc

How to Spot Fee That's Robbing You, Insure Your Kids' Future & Retire Two Decades Early - Money Q&A https://youtu.be/2y6bjDkgbgM

4 Dead Simple Steps to Become Financially Free https://youtu.be/dM4DKC7-Y5s

How to Build a Vacation Fund That Pays You For Life + (Money Q&A) https://youtu.be/SMDRQkqnA74

Connect with Andrew

Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram

TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok

Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook

Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast

Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube

Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter

Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠

X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco

LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠

Question for you:

What habit did Andrew leave off the list entirely? Tell him what belongs on the board.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is no such thing as saving money. You are only deferring spending, and the moment that clicks, the guilt you feel every time you touch your savings disappears. Jesse Mecham, founder of YNAB, explains why every dollar you own is meant to be spent.

👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Why treating saving and spending as opposites keeps you stuck

The question Jesse builds every money decision around

How labeling your cash removes the guilt of spending it

Why an expense you planned for stops feeling like an emergency

Where people actually find the money to pay off debt, according to 100+ interviews

Why a bigger paycheck does not fix a spending skill problem

The approach that gets a hesitant partner on board instead of defensive

What every household should have documented in case something happens to the money person

How Jesse's seven kids learn to handle their own money, starting at age eight

Start Here

Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.

👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79

Partner Deals



Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance

Wayfair → Up to 60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com

Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP

Polygenius → Free life insurance quote http://policygenius.com

DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/

Resource/s

Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5

Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190

Stock Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c

Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952

Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney

Book/s Mentioned

Never Worry About Money Again (Jesse's new book) — https://neverworryaboutmoneyagain.com

The Richest Man in Babylon

The Millionaire Next Door

The Wealthy Barber

Die With Zero

Episode/s Mentioned

The 1-3-6 Method For Building & Managing Your Emergency Fund https://youtu.be/rGdII_Z0hnw

The Bucket Method For Managing Your Savings (Master Multiple Savings Goals) https://youtu.be/WvzYOCRBxwE

The Money Plan for Couples: How to Build Wealth as a Team (Step-by-Step) https://youtu.be/AEfhdlB9mcc

Watch Next

How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc

How to Spot Fee That's Robbing You, Insure Your Kids' Future & Retire Two Decades Early - Money Q&A https://youtu.be/2y6bjDkgbgM

4 Dead Simple Steps to Become Financially Free https://youtu.be/dM4DKC7-Y5s

How to Build a Vacation Fund That Pays You For Life + (Money Q&A) https://youtu.be/SMDRQkqnA74

Hit This Number and You Can STOP SAVING! (Even When You are Young) https://youtu.be/R2ebV44XaAY

Connect with Jesse Mecham

Personal:

Email → askjesse@ynab.com

Podcast → https://youneedabudget.libsyn.com

Author Page → https://www.ynab.com/author/jesse-mecham

Business:

X → https://x.com/ynab

Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@ynabofficial

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/ynabofficial

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/ynab.official/

YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ynabofficial

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/ynab

Connect with Andrew

Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram

TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok

Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook

Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast

Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube

Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter

Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠

X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco

LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠

Question for you:

What is your money for? Answer it in one sentence in the comments.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saving six figures on a low salary sounds impossible until someone shows you the timeline. Let Andrew walks you through every one of them in order.

👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Why the first $100,000 is the hardest, and what actually does the heavy lifting to get you there

The 1-3-6 method for building your financial foundation in stages instead of all at once

What counts toward your savings rate and what does not

How to climb from 5% to 20% invested without a giant income jump

The three expense categories that eat most low-income budgets, and how to attack them

Every lever for raising your income, from certifications to overtime to job hopping

How long $250, $500, $1,000, and $1,500 a month each take to reach six figures

The mistakes that quietly reset your progress right when it starts working

Start Here

Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.

👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79

Partner Deals



Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance

Wayfair → Up to 60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com

Chime → Get more rewarding fee-free banking at https://www.chime.com/PFP

Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP

Gelt - Get 10% off your first year by mentioning “Personal Finance Pod” on the intake form; the CTA is to book a free discovery call at joingelt.com

DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/

Resource/s

Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5

Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190

Stock Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c

Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952

Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney

Tool/s Mentioned

How To Negotiate Your Salary https://mastermoney.co/get-that-raise-ebook/

The Ultimate Guide to the 1-3-6 Emergency Fund Method https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wbu4UWoWBKvFcAIYn2IND-twKACWVEE1/view

Episode/s Mentioned

5 Side-Hustles That Can Turn into a Full time Income! https://youtu.be/bEIzgYWLi1I

5 Side Hustles That Can Turn into a Full time Income! Part 2 https://youtu.be/10C4zt9w8NQ

5 Side Hustles That Can Turn into a Full Time Income! (Part 3) https://youtu.be/jEkKQZVYLSg

5 Side Hustles That Can Turn Into a Full Time Income (Part 4) https://youtu.be/DPQwY_U3lKY

The $10K, $100K, $1M Milestones That Change Everything https://youtu.be/oM7FvHv75Hw

How to Negotiate Your Salary (The Step-By-Step System!) https://youtu.be/rIDlLqDI3O0

The Stairway to Wealth 3.0! (The Step-by-Step Order For Your Money) https://youtu.be/_XSUQluC0To

How to Build Your Investment Portfolio (The Portfolio Pyramid!) https://youtu.be/Vn-NXfFWtfU

Watch Next

How to Spot Fee That's Robbing You, Insure Your Kids' Future & Retire Two Decades Early - Money Q&A https://youtu.be/2y6bjDkgbgM

4 Dead Simple Steps to Become Financially Free https://youtu.be/dM4DKC7-Y5s

How to Build a Vacation Fund That Pays You For Life + (Money Q&A) https://youtu.be/SMDRQkqnA74

Hit This Number and You Can STOP SAVING! (Even When You are Young) https://youtu.be/R2ebV44XaAY

Why Franchises Might Be the Best Kept Wealth Building Secret with Alex Smereczniak https://youtu.be/3lXtpxTwrQI

Connect with Andrew

Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram

TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok

Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook

Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast

Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube

Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter

Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠

X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco

LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠

Question for you:

What is the raise or certification you have been putting off? Name it and give yourself a deadline.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices