The Personal Finance Podcast

Most people save for vacations one trip at a time and start over from zero every year. There is a version where you build the fund once and it keeps paying for your trips forever, and $100 a month is enough to start.

👉 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

How to build a vacation portfolio that funds your trips for life

The exact monthly number to start with, even if it's $100

Why a taxable brokerage beats a savings account for 10-plus year goals

How to use travel hacking to cover trips while your portfolio compounds

How to earmark funds inside one brokerage account without opening five new ones

Why pulling from your 401(k) to kill your mortgage is usually the wrong move

How to buy a car with cash and spot a lemon before you hand over the money

The gift card scam draining balances before the card is ever opened

The best account to set your kids up for their first home

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

Index Fund & ETF Cheatsheet https://mastermoneyresources.com/index-fund-cheatsheet

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

Episode/s Mentioned

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

He Built A BILLION DOLLAR Real Estate Portfolio (Here's How!) with Brandon Turner https://youtu.be/_960B_GIGSo

How to RETIRE BY 30! (With Cody Berman) https://youtu.be/ffKv6M69SRI

Watch Next

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

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

Roth vs. Traditional, Dividend ETFs, and Catching Up in Your 40s (Money Q&A) https://youtu.be/jtITtSd6vjI

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

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:

How much do you actually spend on vacations in a year? Post the number and see how it compares.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coast FIRE is the middle path: invest hard early, hit a specific number, then let compound interest carry the rest while your paycheck only has to cover your bills. Andrew walks through what it is, how to calculate it, and what it unlocks once you get there.

👉 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 exact formula for your Coast FIRE number, and the five inputs you need to run it

How to work backward from the lifestyle you want to the balance you need today

Three case studies at three income levels, including the one where a pension does most of the work

What actually changes once you hit the number, and what stays the same

The honest downsides, starting with the assumptions this entire strategy rests on

Five mistakes that quietly break the math, including the return rate people love to inflate

How Coast FIRE stacks up against Lean, Barista, and Fat FIRE

The one thing to do every year so your number does not drift out of date

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

Tool/s Mentioned

NerdWallet Wealth Partners Coast Fire Calculator https://www.nerdwallet.com/investing/calculators/coast-fire-calculator

WalletBurst Coast Fire Calculator https://walletburst.com/tools/coast-fire-calc/

Marriage Kids and Money Coast Fire Calculator https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/calc-widgets/coast-fire-calculator.html

Episode/s Mentioned

How To Design Your Dream Life with Andy Hill https://youtu.be/gXQGlNGvSPg

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

Why Your Healthcare Costs Keep Rising with Dr. Jordan Grumet https://youtu.be/daPVY9WCCAw

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

Watch Next

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

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

Roth vs. Traditional, Dividend ETFs, and Catching Up in Your 40s (Money Q&A) https://youtu.be/jtITtSd6vjI

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

Why Your Healthcare Costs Keep Rising with Dr. Jordan Grumet https://youtu.be/daPVY9WCCAw

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:

Run your number this week and report back. Are you already Coast FIRE? Drop it in the comments.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

67% of Americans say they want to own a business. Only 6% ever do it, and the gap is almost never a lack of money. Alex Smereczniak has data on thousands of franchises, and he breaks down the path that lets you start a business on step three instead of step one.

👉 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

What you are actually buying with a franchise fee, and what the royalty keeps paying for

How much cash you really need to start, from $5K side hustles to $5M builds

Why lenders and the SBA prefer franchises, plus the retirement rollover most people have never heard of

Which categories are quietly booming right now, and which trendy ones Alex is skeptical of

The real-estate move that let one owner sell 30 Burger Kings and still collect checks

How to structure a deal with an operating partner, and the equity threshold to stay under

The path from one location to a portfolio doing hundreds of millions in revenue

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

Tool/s Mentioned

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

Investment Calculator https://mastermoneyresources.com/investment-calculator-page

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

Watch Next

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

Roth vs. Traditional, Dividend ETFs, and Catching Up in Your 40s (Money Q&A) https://youtu.be/jtITtSd6vjI

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

Why Your Healthcare Costs Keep Rising with Dr. Jordan Grumet https://youtu.be/daPVY9WCCAw

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

Connect with Alex

Website →⁠ https://franzy.com/

Instagram →⁠ https://instagram.com/alexfromfranzy

TikTok →⁠ https://tiktok.com/alexfromfranzy

X →⁠ https://www.x.com/alexfromfranzy

Threads →⁠ https://www.threads.net/alexfromfranzy

LinkedIn →⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-smereczniak-40310329/

YouTube →⁠ https://youtube.com/@franzyinc

Spotify →⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/46Fegpnlum8YtWUuuCnoiF

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:

If you could own any franchise in your town tomorrow, which one would you pick? Drop it in the comments.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You do not have to wait until 65 to actually use your money. There is a version of retirement you can take at 35, at 40, at 45, and Andrew breaks down exactly what it costs, who should not do it, and the step-by-step plan to fund one without derailing your future.

👉 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 difference between a sabbatical and a mini retirement, and why one gives you more leverage

Four red flags that mean you are not ready to take one yet

What pausing your contributions actually costs you over 20 and 30 years

How to calculate your number, including the reentry cushion most people forget

How to solve healthcare before you leave, and the limits of COBRA

The exact way to pitch this to your boss without torching your career

Four real case studies, from a Coast FIRE engineer to a burned-out ER nurse

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 Masterclasshttps://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

Tool/s Mentioned

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

Investment Calculator https://mastermoneyresources.com/investment-calculator-page

Book/s Mentioned

Die With Zero by Bill Perkins

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss

Watch Next

Roth vs. Traditional, Dividend ETFs, and Catching Up in Your 40s (Money Q&A) https://youtu.be/jtITtSd6vjI

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

Why Your Healthcare Costs Keep Rising with Dr. Jordan Grumet https://youtu.be/daPVY9WCCAw

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

Reset Your Money Mindset, Get Out of Debt, Save for a House & Understand Credit Scores (Money Q&A) https://youtu.be/JGoKB92rddo

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 year are you targeting for your mini retirement? Put the number in the comments and make it real.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Q&A Andrew answers eight real listener questions, plus an AI privacy leak that could already have your data sitting in Google search results.

👉 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

How to pick between a Roth and traditional 401(k) when there is no employer match

Why the ETF versions of these funds let you skip the $3,000 minimum entirely

Whether dividend ETFs like SCHD actually belong in a Roth IRA

The right debt payoff order when you have cash in the bank and a car loan

How to pull income from a brokerage account and stay in the 0% capital gains bracket

What catch-up contributions look like at 50 and 60, and how to run your own catch-up math

The AI setting to turn off before your chats end up in Google search results

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

Tool/s Mentioned

The 1-3-6 Method Emergency Fund Mastery https://mastermoney.co/the-ultimate-guide-to-managing-your-emergency-fund/

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

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

Investment Calculator https://mastermoneyresources.com/investment-calculator-page

Episode/s Mentioned

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

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

How to Pay No Taxes in Early Retirement, Debunking the Mortgage Fee Fiasco,and More With Katie Gatti https://youtu.be/2JThReUdrL4

The Simple Path to Wealth (With J.L. Collins) https://youtu.be/-02BNewBfbo

Watch Next

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

Why Your Healthcare Costs Keep Rising with Dr. Jordan Grumet https://youtu.be/daPVY9WCCAw

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

Reset Your Money Mindset, Get Out of Debt, Save for a House & Understand Credit Scores (Money Q&A) https://youtu.be/JGoKB92rddo

Are Trump Accounts Worth It? (And What's Actually Better) https://youtu.be/jJKCfTvTm0Q

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 question in this episode sounded the most like your situation? Drop it in the comments.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices