The Time Freedom Podcast

Andy Hill Wrote the (Other) Book on Owning Your Time

Episode Summary

Like most, Andy Hill's extreme push to save 50% of his income for early retirement didn't work out. But instead of giving up, he and his wife Nicole found a more achievable path. In the Financial Independence/Retire Early (FIRE) world, the path is called Coast FI--a version of time freedom. In 2021, the couple had $550,000 invested and stopped contributing to their retirement savings. Five years later, their portfolio had grown to a million dollars. On today's podcast, Brian and Kirby talk with Andy, host of the "Marriage, Kids and Money" podcast and author of the book "Own Your Time," about how Coast FI and time freedom are similar and different.

Episode Notes

➡️ Buy TIME FREEDOM, the Book: https://timefreedom.life/book
➡️ Listen to Marriage, Kids and Money: https://pod.link/1175746628

In this episode... Andy explains FIRE and Coast FI by comparing two extremes: traditional retirement at 65 and saving half your income to retire at 40. He shares how the second extreme strained his marriage, and why he and his wife settled on a middle path. He walks through the numbers behind it: The couple went from $50,000 in debt to a $1 million net worth in ten years, paid off a home mortgage early, and then both moved to part-time work. Andy also shares his four levels for getting more time freedom without becoming an entrepreneur, and how he protects a three-day work week. The conversation covers karaoke, right and left socks, and why you don't need to become a YouTuber to find time freedom.

Top 5 Takeaways:

Coast FI and time freedom are similar. The FIRE community started with two extremes, working until 65 or saving half your income to quit at 40. Coast FI evolved toward the middle: work you like, on your terms, with time to live a fuller life now.
Andy's story is the Time Freedom Formula in action. Time freedom happens when your investment income plus your flexible work covers your expenses, and Andy is using all three levers. He has no mortgage and no debt, his investments grew from $550K to $1M without new contributions, and he runs a business he works three days a week. You don't need all three at full strength, but the more levers you pull, the faster you get there.
Lowering expenses is the fastest lever. Paying off a 3% mortgage looks wrong on paper, but it worked for Andy. With no mortgage, Andy's family could live on about $100,000 instead of $180,000, and both spouses could go part-time.
Flexible work doesn't require becoming a YouTuber. Andy's four levels are a roadmap to the flexible work lever. Start by asking your employer for four days at 80% pay. Then look at a competitor who will offer that, or take your skills out as a consultant or freelancer. Starting something from scratch is the last step, not the first.
Time freedom isn't about quitting work, it's about choosing it. Andy and Brian both keep working, because meaningful work gives you purpose and keeps your skills sharp as a safety valve if the stock market drops. The goal isn't sitting on your butt. It's having the space to decide what a great life looks like for you.

Chapters

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Andy Hill and his journey to time freedom
01:00 Andy shares a fun fact about his karaoke hobby
03:00 Discussion of the concept of FIRE and Coast FIRE
08:06 How Coast FIRE is a middle ground between traditional FIRE and aggressive saving
11:51 Andy’s personal story of transitioning from corporate job to Coast FIRE
16:03 Different levels of work reduction and lifestyle design
19:57 Managing distractions and creating buffer in work and life
22:59 The importance of financial and emotional buffers
27:03 The role of purpose and ongoing work in a fulfilling life
36:00 Final thoughts on balancing work, purpose, and time freedom