In an era where the pursuit of financial independence often means aggressive saving and early retirement, self-made millionaire Andy Hill is advocating a different path: one that prioritizes 'time freedom' over rushing to the finish line. At 44 years old, Hill and his wife have amassed a net worth exceeding $1 million, yet they have decided to pause additional contributions to their long-term investments. Instead, they are allowing their portfolio to grow on its own, confident it will support their retirement needs by the time they reach that stage.
Hill's approach, which he dubs 'Coast FIRE,' represents a nuanced twist on the broader Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement. Traditional FIRE enthusiasts typically aim to accumulate enough wealth to quit their jobs and live indefinitely off investment returns. But Hill, a financial coach and host of the 'Marriage Kids and Money' podcast, argues that the real value lies in gaining flexibility now, rather than solely fixating on an early exit from the workforce.
The shift in Hill's mindset came after years of intense saving that strained his marriage. In 2016, shortly after launching his podcast as a side gig, Hill pushed himself and his wife to maximize savings in pursuit of the quickest possible retirement. The resulting tensions over finances led the couple to seek therapy, an experience that reshaped their financial philosophy.
Emerging from counseling with a renewed perspective, Hill channeled his insights into a new book titled 'Own Your Time: 10 Financial Steps to Put Your Family First and Escape the Corporate Grind.' In it, and through his financial coaching business, he emphasizes that the journey to financial security should begin with shared dreams, not spreadsheets. 'Really most of the time should be spent on, what do I want out of my life? What do I desire for my dream life?' Hill says, urging couples to explore these questions together before crunching numbers.
To guide this introspection, Hill recommends posing fundamental queries to spouses, such as their deepest desires for family life, career fulfillment, and personal passions. According to Hill, aligning on these answers creates a clear financial roadmap. For example, if job loss and home foreclosure are primary fears, the couple might direct resources toward paying down their mortgage. Conversely, if the dream involves unrestricted travel, building a dedicated vacation fund could take precedence.
'It's about starting from that position of dreaming and then sharing those dreams with your spouse, asking them to do the same, so that you can come together for some cool family goals that work for both of you,' Hill explains. This collaborative process, he believes, fosters unity and prevents the resentment that can arise from mismatched priorities.
At the heart of Hill's strategy is the concept of 'Coast FIRE,' where individuals invest just enough to ensure their savings compound sufficiently for retirement without further contributions. Calculating this 'coast' number involves projections best discussed with a financial professional, Hill notes. Once achieved, the freed-up income can be redirected toward enhancing current life quality—either through increased spending on valued experiences or by reducing work hours to reclaim time.
Hill and his wife opted for the latter, leveraging their financial cushion to scale back professionally. His wife left her full-time marketing role to pursue further education and now works part-time as an esthetician. Hill himself transitioned to full-time self-employment in 2019, leaving behind a corporate position that paid around $180,000 annually for 40 to 50 hours of work each week.
Today, Hill reports paying himself $100,000 a year while working only 20 to 25 hours per week—a deliberate trade-off for greater work-life balance. 'The year I left my corporate career, I was making around $180,000 per year working 40 to 50 hours per week,' he recalls. 'This year, I'm paying myself $100,000 working 20 to 25 hours per week.'
This newfound flexibility has allowed the Hills to prioritize family and personal well-being in ways that a high-pressure career never could. Hill highlights how extra time enables couples to be more engaged parents and partners, invest in health routines, support aging relatives, and pursue hobbies. 'There's so many other things that you can do with your life besides working,' he says, underscoring the broader possibilities beyond the nine-to-five grind.
Hill's philosophy resonates with many of his coaching clients, who often grapple with the same tensions he once did. By focusing on 'time freedom,' he argues, individuals can escape the 'corporate grind' without sacrificing future security. The approach has gained traction amid growing awareness of burnout and the value of work-life integration, particularly post-pandemic.
While Coast FIRE offers a middle ground between frugality and indulgence, it requires discipline to reach the coasting threshold. Hill advises consulting professionals for personalized projections, as market volatility and life changes can impact outcomes. His book provides step-by-step guidance, starting with dream-sharing exercises and progressing to practical budgeting tools tailored for families.
Beyond personal anecdotes, Hill's story illustrates a shifting paradigm in personal finance. The FIRE movement, which surged in popularity in the 2010s through blogs and online communities, has evolved to accommodate diverse life stages. Critics of strict FIRE sometimes point to its potential for isolation or financial rigidity, but variations like Coast FIRE address these by blending security with present-day enjoyment.
As more Americans face economic uncertainties—from inflation to job market shifts—strategies like Hill's may appeal to those seeking balance. His emphasis on couple dynamics also speaks to rising divorce rates linked to money disputes, with therapy-backed advice offering a proactive solution. For Hill, the ultimate win is a life where finances serve dreams, not dictate them.
Looking ahead, Hill plans to expand his coaching services and podcast reach, helping more families implement these principles. Whether through his book or sessions, he continues to champion a financial path that values time as the true currency of a fulfilling life.