I sat down with financial advisor Rick Luchini to talk real financial freedom, not the grindy misery version.

We get into living within your means without living small, beating lifestyle creep, and the simplest budget that actually works, pay yourself first with separate accounts, then spend the rest guilt free. We talk return on life over return on investment, building experiences with your family, and how to stack income streams you actually enjoy. If you are 25 to 45 and stuck between TikTok hot takes and advice for millionaires, this is your middle lane.

We break down starting a side business while keeping your 9 to 5, using your five to nine to build optionality, investing in yourself, and turning skills into cash flow. Clean mindset, less flex, more freedom.