Episode 460: The Call No Parent Wants to Get: The Day I Learned What Freedom Really Means

2026-01-07

Download

Sometimes life doesn't go as planned. In this episode, I share the story of a call from my son's school that changed my day in an instant and what it taught me about real wealth, freedom, and being present for what matters most. I reflect on what real wealth looks like, not in bank accounts or net worth, but in the freedom to stop, respond, and be present when life happens. I also talk about why I wrote Your Journey to Financial Freedom as a roadmap and guide, and how the new paperback edition includes a bonus chapter to help navigate unexpected detours, setbacks, and uncertainty. This episode is about pre...

Sometimes life doesn't go as planned. In this episode, I share the story of a call from my son's school that changed my day in an instant and what it taught me about real wealth, freedom, and being present for what matters most. I reflect on what real wealth looks like, not in bank accounts or net worth, but in the freedom to stop, respond, and be present when life happens. I also talk about why I wrote Your Journey to Financial Freedom as a roadmap and guide, and how the new paperback edition includes a bonus chapter to help navigate unexpected detours, setbacks, and uncertainty.

This episode is about presence, perspective, and the true meaning of financial freedom and it's a reminder that your journey is yours, detours and all.

In this episode I share:

Freedom isn't just financial it's the ability to make choices when life happens.
Real wealth is the flexibility to be present for what truly matters.
Your financial journey is a roadmap, not a rigid plan detours are part of the process.
Life happens. You're not failing. You're living.

What's New in the Paperback Edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom:

A bonus chapter: When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty
A book club and discussion guide with prompts, exercises, and action steps
Updated corrections from the original hardcover
Exclusive bonuses when you purchase the paperback, including:
- The Fire Starter Course
- The Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

Get your paperback edition of Your Journey To Financial Freedom if you haven't already.
Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story, here.
Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into financial freedom with guided discussions and resources here!
Join The Weekly Newsletter List to get updates, deals & more!
Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review!
Get The Budget Bootcamp
Check out my personal website here.
Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast!
YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.
What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here!