Coast FIRE w/ $730k by 36 | Marko Zlatic of Whiteboard Finance (BEST OF MKM)

Coast FIRE w/ $730k by 36 | Marko Zlatic of Whiteboard Finance (BEST OF MKM)

Author: Andy Hill December 3, 2025 Duration: 22:58
Have you ever wondered what would change in your life if you finally reached the point where your investments could grow on autopilot even if you stopped contributing? What kind of freedom would that give your family? And what possibilities might open up if you did not have to hustle at 110 percent forever? In today’s episode, Marko Zlatic from Whiteboard Finance shares how he and his wife reached Coast FIRE in their mid-thirties with over $730,000 invested. Marco breaks down the exact moves that got them there, from early investing habits to their simple index fund strategy to building a life that blends ambition with balance. He also opens up about parenting, marriage, culture, and why he believes Coast Fire is the most realistic financial independence path for families. This Best of MKM episode earned more than 40,000 YouTube views when it first aired, and for good reason. It is transparent, motivating, and packed with actionable takeaways for anyone aiming to build wealth while still enjoying life today. CHAPTERS 🎧 0:00 Intro 0:35 Meet Marko Zlatic of Whiteboard Finance 2:09 Coast Fire Five 3:30 Retirement projections 3:58 Current expenses 4:15 How Marko started investing 5:11 When he shifted to index funds 6:20 Money dynamics in marriage 7:52 What is inside Marko’s portfolio 8:31 Pre tax, taxable and Roth strategy 9:42 529s and kids plans 11:35 His take on bonds 12:45 How Coast Fire changed his mindset 14:03 Why Coast Fire is perfect for parents 15:51 Balancing FIRE with living well 17:37 What excites Marko about the next 15 years 19:20 A life philosophy rooted in purpose 20:25 Where to find Marko online RESOURCES 📚 Own Your Timehttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book Track Your Net Worth with Empowerhttps://marriagekidsandmoney.com/empower Whiteboard Finance YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/whiteboardfinance Whiteboard Finance Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/whiteboardfinance HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER ⚠️ This show may contain affiliate links or links from our sponsors where we earn a commission, direct payment, or products at no extra cost to you. Opinions are our own. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a licensed financial professional for your specific situation. Marriage Kids and Money (https://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 linking to Amazon.com. CREDITS 🎙️ Podcast Artwork: Kayli Johnson Editor: Johnny Sohl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Hill brings a refreshingly honest and practical voice to the often stressful conversation about money within a family. In Marriage Kids and Money: Personal Finance for Families, Andy, an award-winning Family Finance Coach, moves beyond generic budgeting advice to tackle the real financial questions that parents and couples face every day. This isn't just about spreadsheets and interest rates; it's about aligning your finances with the life you actually want to live. You'll hear specific strategies for paying off debt, saving for college, investing for the future, and having those crucial money talks with your partner. The goal is to transform financial anxiety into purposeful action, creating not just stability but genuine freedom. Each episode of the podcast feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend who understands that financial decisions are deeply personal and intertwined with family goals. Whether you're just starting out or well on your journey, the discussions here provide a roadmap for building security today and considering the legacy you might leave tomorrow. Tune in for relatable stories, actionable tips, and the encouragement needed to make meaningful progress with your money, all with your family's unique vision at the center.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Marriage Kids and Money: Personal Finance for Families
Podcast Episodes
I've Reached Coast FIRE ... Now What Do I Do For Work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:28
What happens after you reach Coast FIRE? For years, you save aggressively, maximize retirement accounts, and build wealth with one goal in mind: hitting your investment goal. But once you arrive at Coast FIRE—Coast to Fi…
Mortgage Free in New Jersey on a $750k Home | Bobby Richardson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:23
What would it feel like to never make a mortgage payment again? In this episode, we talk with Bobby Richardson from New Jersey about how he and his wife Alexandra paid off their $242,000 mortgage in just 10 years and bec…
$1.8 Million Net Worth at 34 in Illinois | Ben Johnson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:06
Ben Johnson grew his family’s net worth to $1.8 million by age 34 through high income skills, consistent investing, and disciplined saving. In this episode, we discuss how Ben and his wife paid off $80,000 of debt in jus…
I Know I’m Coast FIRE… So Why Can’t I Slow Down? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:16
Have you reached Coast FIRE (Coast to Financial Independence and Relax Early)… but still can’t bring yourself to slow down? Today’s listener, Chris, is in that exact spot. At 36 years old with $860,000 invested, two youn…
$1.3 Million Net Worth at 38 in Florida | Abhi Jain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:59
Abhi Jain has built a $1.3 million net worth by age 38 through a combination of career growth, side hustles, and real estate investing. In this episode, Abhi shares how he went from a traditional employee mindset to acce…
Coast FIRE with $1M by 35 in Ontario | Liz Enriquez [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:52
What does it take to reach Coast FIRE by your mid-30s and actually enjoy the freedom that comes with it? In this episode, we sit down with personal finance educator Liz Enriquez from Ambitious Adulting to discuss how she…
When Work Hijacks Your Life: Here’s How to Break Free  | Guy Winch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:48
When work starts to take over your life, it can impact more than just your schedule. It can affect your health, relationships, and overall happiness. In this episode, we interview psychologist and bestselling author Guy…
Should You Have a Third Child? How to Think Through the Decision [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:00
Should you have a third child? And how can you help your kids graduate college debt-free? In this episode, we explore one of life’s most personal decisions: whether to grow your family. We walk through a thoughtful 7-ste…