Coast FIRE vs. Traditional Retirement: Which Path is Right for YOU?

Coast FIRE is when you've saved enough for retirement that you no longer need to contribute—just cover your current expenses and coast. But how does it really compare to traditional retirement? We'll break down the pros and cons of both so you can decide which path fits your family's lifestyle and financial goals best. Next, we’re back with our Coast FIRE Family segment. This month, we’re featuring Jason Edwards from Rhode Island. Jason and his wife Amber reached Coast FIRE with $1.2 million invested. He shares how they did it, the role adoption played in their journey, and how they're now focusing on building generational wealth. Lastly, my son Calvin joins me for another “Good Word” segment. With school wrapping up, we're talking about generosity, favorite teachers, and celebrating the good in the world—because sometimes, you just need a little positivity. Resources Mentioned: Coast FIRE Calculator Crunch your numbers and find out how close you are to achieving Coast FIRE: 👉 marriagekidsandmoney.com/calculators/coast-fire Empower Track your net worth and financial progress for free: 👉 marriagekidsandmoney.com/empower Monarch Money Budget and plan your financial goals as a couple: 👉 marriagekidsandmoney.com/monarchmoney Nectarine Financial Get fee-only, fiduciary advice with no product pitches: 👉 marriagekidsandmoney.com/nectarine (or include affiliate link if available) Podcast Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: What Retirement Means to You 01:00 – Segment 1: Coast FIRE vs. Traditional Retirement 09:00 – Planning Your Retirement: Tools and Tips 12:50 – Segment 2: Jason Edwards' Coast FIRE Journey 13:45 – Jason’s Investment Strategy & Net Worth Breakdown 20:25 – Work, Income, and Family Expenses 24:00 – Adoption and Raising a Child 25:50 – Experiences Over Excess: Jason’s Retirement Philosophy 27:30 – Generational Wealth and Legacy Goals 29:45 – Advice for Future Coast FIRE Achievers 30:59 – Segment 3: A Good Word with Calvin Hill 33:00 – A Story of Student Generosity and Apple’s Support 34:15 – Celebrating Great Teachers 35:45 – Final Thoughts and Quote of the Day HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices