The 5% Rule: Why Retirees Can Safely Spend More Than The 4% Rule Allows

Family finances get a full refresh in this week’s episode of Marriage Kids and Money! First, we count down the Top 5 Best Budget Apps for Families and Couples, including ⁠Monarch Money⁠, our number one pick for building a shared budget that actually works. Discover how these apps make money tracking simple and family friendly, with features like shared dashboards, digital envelopes, and kids’ debit cards. Then, we talk with ⁠Blair Hickman⁠ and ⁠Mariah Hudler⁠ about how they hit Coast FIRE in California with $2 million invested, a pension, and a part-time lifestyle that lets them focus on family, health, and adventure. They explain how decades of consistency turned into financial freedom and how being “optionaires” gives them time to live fully today. Finally, we close with The Good Word, a heartwarming story about compassion and community that reminds us to be there for one another during difficult times. Sponsors, Deals, and Partners that Support the Show 👉 Sponsors, Deals & Partners – See all current offers in one place. 🎥 Good News Movement: Mia’s Story – Watch the uplifting video shared in The Good Word. (These are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you decide to sign up. There’s no extra cost to you and it helps support the show.) 💰 Monarch Money – Our top pick for couples and families. Try it free for 7 days and get 50% off your first year with this link. 📊 YNAB (You Need A Budget) – Proactive budgeting system with a 34-day free trial. 📱 Simplifi by Quicken – Clean, easy-to-use design for busy families. Includes a 30-day free trial. 🏦 Crew – Family banking and kids’ debit cards with high-yield checking. Free to use. 💳 EveryDollar – Simple zero-based budgeting from Ramsey Solutions. Premium plan includes a 14-day free trial. 📘 Own Your Time – Pre-order our first book today. 🎯 MKM Coaching – Get 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey. 🔥 Coast FIRE Calculator – Find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. 🏠 Mortgage Payoff Calculator – See how fast you can become mortgage free. ▶️ YouTube – Subscribe for free to watch videos of episodes and interviews. 💰 Monarch Money – Best budget app for families and couples. 📊 Empower – Free portfolio tracker. 🏦 Crew – HYSA banking built for families (Get an extra 0.5% APY with our partner link). ❤️ Ethos – Affordable term life insurance. 📝 Trust & Will – Convenient estate planning made easy. 🌐 Mariah Hudler 🌐 My Financially Flexible Life 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 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 linking to Amazon.com. CREDITS Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Andy Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices