Podcast Episode
From Corporate to Barista FI w/ Meghan Combs (Everyday FI Podcast) | Ep.103
Freedom Before FI | Life Design, Purpose, Sabbaticals, Coast FI & Financial Independence (FIRE)·Greg, a Life Design and FI Enthusiast·6 June 2026·1h 24m

About this episode
Meghan quit her high paying corporate tech job and downshifted to Barista FI and now works part time as an actual Barista in a coffee shop. She now has a less stressful job and has time to explore other hobbies like book writing and spending more time with her hubby. Meghan is the host of the awesome Everyday FI Podcast where she explores the lives of everyday people on their financial independence journey and she's based out in North Carolina, US.
Things you’ll learn:
About her part time Barista job
Her FI Progress and Investing Strategy
Household income with husband
Savings rate after transitioning to Barista FI
Net worth and portfolio split
How she’s enjoying the journey now before getting to FI
Where she heard about FIRE
Career pivot from art historian to tech
Art historian salary v her tech salary
How she went from 55k to 150k in salary
Being a couple on the FI journey
How therapy was one of the best decisions for her
Why and how she quit her high paying tech job
Dealing with toxic bosses
Writing a post on Linkedin about quitting
Getting depressed after not working
What she does now outside of part time work
Perks of working in a coffee shop as a barista
Quick-fire round questions at the end:
Something she wished she done 10 years ago
Her daily habits that helped her in life
Her most important lesson in life
Her podcast recommendations
1-2 small things listeners can do this week to get started
Meghan Combs (Links):
Website: https://everyday-fi.com/
Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everydayfi/id1747124228
Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0FihxuhxKG9j4xBChlsLtj?si=dd017fcee8bb412c
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EverydayFIpodcast
Freedom Before FI Links:
Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/
Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.com
Email: If you want to connect, send me a note at greg@freedombeforefi.com
Instagram: or send a DM at Instagram Link
Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi
Related Episodes:
Ep. 88: Test Driving Retirement by Slow Travel (w/ Not Your Ordinary Plan) Link
Ep. 77: The 5 Tools For Designing Your Life (If You’re Feeling Stuck) - Link
Ep. 74: Crafting Your Best Life Now Before FI w/ Justin Peters of the FI Minded Podcast - Link
Listen to FBF on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/freedom-before-fi-life-design-purpose-sabbaticals-coast/id1740083285
Listen to FBF on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0XxPgEeuGayTqaEwUE19mk?si=cc8639ad8c28474e
Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice