95: Coasting to Financial Independence

In this episode of Money Feels, Alyssa and Bridget explore the emotional, psychological, and financial reality of Coast FIRE, and why this middle ground might actually be the version of financial freedom more people are craving.We unpack what it means to “coast” financially, to build enough early on that your future is taken care of, without sacrificing your entire present to get there. We talk about the tension between security and freedom, the pressure to optimize your money, and why stepping off the gas can feel both relieving… and deeply uncomfortable.In today’s episode, we discuss:What Coast FIRE actually is (and how it’s different from traditional FIRE)Who Coast FIRE is for — and who it might not work forWhat counts as an “asset” when you’re calculating your Coast FIRE numberHow to actually do Coast FIRE (without becoming obsessed with the math)What it means for you financially once you hit that “coast” pointThe emotional shift from accumulation to maintenanceThe freedom Coast FIRE can offer — and why it can feel scary to trust itWhy this might be the most realistic first step on your journey to FIREThanks for listening to another episode! If you want bonus episodes and more, you can join our Patreon! Until then, follow us on Instagram @mixedupmoney, @bridgiecasey and @moneyfeelspodcast, and we’ll see you next time!