Episode 175

full
Published on:

30th Jul 2025

Shifting Away from a “Save-Only” Mindset | E175 Matt & Yana - CoastFI Couple

Today, we dive into some of the biggest questions our community has about money, relationships, and raising kids on the path to financial independence.

Matt and Yana from CoastFI Couple share their honest experience with shifting from a strict save-only mindset to learning how to enjoy their money after reaching Coast FI.

We talk about how even couples who agree on big-picture goals can still face daily money disagreements — and the tools and conversations that help keep things on track.

Plus, we explore how to teach kids healthy money values without passing on anxiety or scarcity.

Whether you’re struggling to spend guilt-free or want to raise money-smart kids, this episode offers practical insights and encouragement.

If you have a question you'd like me to answer on a future episode, just shoot me an email at justin@fiminded.com.

Key Takeaways:

  • It’s totally normal to struggle with spending after years of saving.
  • Start with small upgrades to ease into enjoying your money.
  • You and your partner can be aligned overall and still clash on daily spending.
  • Using tools and talking openly can help you avoid constant money arguments.
  • You can teach your kids to be smart with money without making them anxious.
  • Modeling a balanced approach helps your kids build confidence around money.

More of Matt & Yana:

YouTube: ​​https://www.youtube.com/@CoastFICouple

Qube Money: https://qubemoney.com/ (Use code COAST for a free trial)


More of FI Minded:

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for FI Minded - Financial Independence, Early Retirement & Lifestyle Design

About the Podcast

FI Minded - Financial Independence, Early Retirement & Lifestyle Design
Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It
Pursuing financial independence, financial freedom, or early retirement often leads to the same questions: How do I become financially independent? How much should I save? What happens after I reach FI?

FI Minded helps you use money to create more freedom, without turning your entire life into a financial optimization project.

Host Justin Peters explores the decisions behind building a flexible, work-optional life, from reaching financial independence and navigating Coast FI and Slow FI to spending your money, changing careers, stepping away from work, and figuring out what comes after FI.

Each episode combines practical personal finance with conversations about early retirement, lifestyle design, work, spending, healthcare, self-employment, and life after financial independence. The goal isn't simply to reach FI as quickly as possible. It's to make progress toward financial freedom while actually enjoying your life along the way.

On FI Minded, you'll learn how to:
- Reach financial independence without burning out
- Build a flexible, work-optional lifestyle
- Navigate Coast FI, Slow FI, and other paths to FI
- Make smarter decisions about spending and saving
- Prepare financially and emotionally for early retirement
- Figure out what life can look like after financial independence
- Think through the tradeoffs behind major money and lifestyle decisions
- Make progress toward financial independence while actually living your life.

Some of our past guests include Carl Jensen (1500 Days), Jeremy Schneider (Personal Finance Club), Nick Loper (Side Hustle Show), Andrew Giancola (The Personal Finance Podcast), Jordan Grumet (Earn & Invest), Rachael Camp (Work Optional), Jillian Johnsrud (Retire Often), Sean Mullaney (FI Tax Guy), Jill Sirianni (Frugal Friends), Jackie Cummings-Koski (Catching Up to FI), Joel Larsgaard (How to Money), Cody Garrett (Measure Twice), Jesse Cramer (Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors), Jess (The Fioneers), Chris Hutchins (All The Hacks), Diania Merriam (EconoMe), Andy Hill (Marriage Kids Money), Fritz Gilbert (Retirement Manifesto), Maggie Tucker (Inside Out Money), Cody Berman (The Financial Independence Show), Joe Saul-Sehy (Stacking Benjamins), Doug Cunnington (Mile High FI), and and others helping you rethink how to approach financial independence.
Support This Show