Childfree Wealth®

Ever feel like the traditional "work for 40 years, then retire" plan just isn't cutting it anymore? You're not alone! This week we're flipping the script with Jillian Johnsrud, author of Retire Often. We dive deep into the concept of "mini-retirements" – intentional breaks from your primary profession that are a month or longer and focused on something meaningful to you.

Jillian shares how these st...

Are you tired of the traditional work-and-retire-at-65 plan? This episode is for you. We're diving into the concepts of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and FILE (Financial Independence, Live Early), and exploring how you can break free from the traditional script. Dr. Jay and Bri challenge the idea that retirement is an "on/off switch" and introduce the "dimmer switch" approach of FILE, which al...

As the year comes to a close, it’s time to pause, review, and make sure your finances are in shape for what’s next. In this episode, Dr. Jay and Childfree Wealth Specialist® Scott Barnes walk through their 2025 Year-End Financial Checklist - covering everything from tax strategies and RMDs to Medicare IRMA surcharges, spending analysis, and estate planning for Childfree individuals.

They discuss what’s changed this year, w...

Ever fantasized about moving abroad or traveling the world while working? This episode is your permission slip to start! Join us as we talk with two incredible women living their best expat and digital nomad lives.

First, we chat with Maggie Dickens, founder of Unapologetically Childfree, who shares her inspiring journey as a therapist and business owner in Lisbon, Portugal. She gives us the real scoop on what it's like to tran...

Join us for a transparent and insightful Childfree Wealth® Checkup with Casey and Garrett, a couple who are preparing to trade in the corporate grind for time abroad. We dive deep into the unique financial fears and planning complexities of a childfree couple in their late 20s and early 30s with a solid net worth.

🔹0:15 What Casey and Garrett want to make sure they talk about in their financial checkup

🔹2:30 Why chasing a child-fre...

Is 2025 the year you’re finally considering a move outside the US? Dr. Jay and Bri dive into the increasingly popular topic of becoming an expat, an idea more and more people are considering. They get into the weeds of what it really takes to make moving abroad work, from the financial realities of moving pets (it's not cheap!) to the complex world of tax treaties and international law.

Whether you're looking for a permane...

Ever feel like you don't have enough to make a real difference? Or maybe you're just overwhelmed by all the options for giving? You're not alone. This week, we're joined by Allison Patterson of Patterson Philanthropic Advisors, who acts as a "giving coach" to help everyday people create a strategy for their generosity.

Listen in to learn how to make an impact that's meaningful to you, no matter wha...

This episode takes a departure from the usual financial advice to get an unfiltered look at Dr. Jay’s journey to the TEDx stage. Listeners will hear about the months of intense preparation, the fear of stepping on stage, and the unexpected challenges that arose along the way, including a moment where he completely forgot his script. The episode explores how he, a self-described "hardcore introvert," believes this terrifyi...

Ever feel like your employee benefits package is a mystery? You're not alone! In this episode, Bri sits down with benefits expert Christy Smith from The Horton Group, a Marsh & McLennan Agency, to demystify the world of workplace perks. Christy, who has extensive experience in HR and as an employee benefits broker, shares insights on everything from health, dental, and vision insurance to the often-overlooked benefits like...

Join us for a truly inspiring conversation with Jennifer, who's redefining retirement on her own terms! We dive deep into her desire to retire sooner rather than later, ideally without a mortgage still in play, and how she's navigating the unpredictable market with confidence. Jennifer shares her vision for a leisure-filled life, complete with travel, daily exercise, home-cooked meals, and plenty of reading. You'll h...

Ever feel like your passion is actually… burning you out? This week, we're diving deep into the often-unseen downsides of passion-driven work with licensed mental health therapist and entrepreneurial wellness specialist, Jennifer Gray. We explore how that fiery drive can unknowingly fuel overwork, blur your personal identity, and even make you blind to burnout.

Jennifer, who started her career in finance before realizing her tr...

Ever dreamed of quitting your job but wondered, "How the heck do I actually do it?" This episode is for you! In the final episode of our “I’ll Make You Quit Your Job” series, we’re diving deep into the mechanics, finances, and structure needed to make that leap when you've decided it's time for a change. Bri and Dr. Jay discuss how much money you need to save before jumping ship, emphasizing the importance of an...

Ever wondered what it's like to quit a big tech job without a Plan B and actually thrive? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Stephanie Ramos, who went from "LinkedIn famous" to living her best childfree life! Stephanie shares her candid experience leaving Amazon, and how having "F.U. money" allowed her to prioritize her well-being over a paycheck. We dive into her unique financial journey, from star...

What if the biggest thing standing between you and a better life… is your job?

In this episode, Bri and Dr. Jay get real about why so many Childfree people stay in jobs they hate—and what it would take to finally walk away. From financial fears to cultural expectations to the ever-persistent voice in your head saying, “but it’s good money,” we unpack the emotional and practical sides of career change.

You don’t have to be stuck. And ...

What happens when your financial planner keeps telling clients to quit their jobs? Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® and Bri Conn, CFP® unpack the now-infamous tagline: "I'll Make You Quit Your Job." From sabbaticals to soul-searching, this conversation is full of real talk, tough love, and a refreshing challenge to the status quo—especially for the Childfree crowd.

 🔹 00:30 – Why Bri says Dr. Jay's tagline should be “I’ll...

What if aging didn’t have to feel like a downgrade?

In this episode, Jay and Bri explore what long-term care can look like when you’ve got the financial resources to design it your way. From high-end independent living communities to cruise ships and even Golden Girls-style co-living, this conversation is packed with creative (and practical!) ways to age with intention, dignity, and—yes—luxury.

Whether you're planning for your o...

Long-term care is one of the most complicated and overlooked parts of financial planning, especially when you're Childfree. Without kids to step in, who actually takes care of you when you can’t? In this episode, Dr. Jay sits down with Scott Barnes, CFP® and CLTC®, to explore what care really costs, what insurance does (and doesn’t) cover, and how to start building a plan you can trust.

We'll cover:

[1:21] Talking to y...

In this episode,  Dr. Jay sits down with Pete Krull, a pioneer in sustainable investing, to unpack what it really means to align your money with your values. They explore how ESG has become politicized, what the media gets wrong about ethical investing, and why ‘green hushing’ might be the most honest thing happening in finance right now.

Whether you’re new to ESG or skeptical of it, this episode offers a grounded, practic...

What does it really take to leave everything behind and start a new life abroad?

In this episode, Dr. Jay reconnects with Andy and Libbi to talk about their move from Hawaii to the French countryside—and how financial independence made it possible. From navigating long-stay visas and currency conversions to learning a new pace of life, they share the unfiltered reality of becoming expats.

They open up about the emotional si...