Childfree Wealth: How Do We Plan a Rich Life Without the Life Script? | Emily Paulsen & Bri Conn
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the way we plan. The way we save, set goals, and build toward a future we hope will feel good—but often haven’t fully defined.
For those of us who are childfree, that future can feel even more uncertain. Without traditional milestones like college savings or generational wealth planning, the question becomes a little harder to answer: What am I actually working toward?
That’s exactly what I explored in this week’s episode of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman with Bri Conn, a Certified Financial Planner with Childfree Wealth. Bri helps people rethink money through the lens of purpose and alignment, not just accumulation.
Together, we unpacked how life-first planning can help us clarify what we want—not just in the distant future, but right now. From redefining retirement to spending without guilt to planning for care as we age, this conversation gave me a much clearer path forward—and a lot to think about.
Start with Life Planning, Not Just Financial Planning
One of the biggest takeaways from Bri was the idea that traditional financial advice skips the most important step: asking what you want your life to actually look like.
So many of us go through the motions—save, invest, max out contributions—without pausing to ask if those steps are building toward something that feels meaningful. Especially for those of us living childfree, the goals can feel vague. Retirement? Sure. But then what?
Bri shared how her work always begins with life planning: getting curious about what fulfillment looks like, what freedom means to you, and what you're building—not what the world told you to want.
From there, the financial strategy becomes a support system, not a checklist.
Rethinking FIRE, Embracing FILE
You might have heard of FIRE: Financial Independence, Retire Early. It's a movement built around the idea of saving aggressively now to stop working as soon as possible.
But Bri offered an alternative that felt so much more aligned for me: FILE—Financial Independence, Live Early.
FILE isn’t about quitting everything to sit on a beach for the next 40 years. It’s about using your financial freedom to shift into work that feels lighter, more joyful, more spacious. It’s about scaling back your hours, taking longer breaks, or exploring new paths—without waiting for permission or a traditional retirement age.
That shift in mindset changes everything. It brings your future into your present—and invites you to live more fully, not just plan more efficiently.
Plan for the End, Without Fear
This part of the conversation felt uncomfortable to me, but it is so necessary.
We talked about long-term care, end-of-life support, and what it means to age without adult children in the picture—not from a place of panic, but preparation.
Bri broke down how we can approach long-term care proactively, whether through insurance, self-funding, or other options. And why it matters to have those conversations now, while we’re still healthy and clear-headed—not years down the line when urgency takes over.
We also touched on legacy. Not the kind that’s about names on buildings or massive estates, but the kind that says: I want to make an impact now. Whether that’s helping a family member, donating to causes you care about, or putting your name on a park bench that brings someone else joy.
Curious About Planning for the Future—Without Waiting for "Someday"?
Here are a few questions Bri and I explored that might be helpful if you’re rethinking what wealth, freedom, and purpose look like in your own life:
What does a “rich” life look like to you? Not just financially, but emotionally, relationally, and energetically.
Are you saving out of clarity—or out of habit?
What would it look like to make your work optional?
How would your life shift if you gave yourself permission to spend on joy, ease, or time?
What legacy, big or small, would you love to leave now—not later?
And if you're in a place where you’re not sure how to answer any of those questions… that’s okay too. Sometimes, sitting in the question is the most powerful thing you can do.
Let’s Stay Curious Together
This episode isn’t just about finances—it’s about designing a life that feels honest, intentional, and entirely your own. And how clarity doesn’t always come from having all the answers, but from asking better questions.
If you’re in a season of pausing, shifting, or simply craving more alignment, this conversation will meet you there. Join me on Instagram at @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman for more reflections and stories that invite you to explore what freedom and fulfillment look like for you.
You don’t need a traditional plan. You just need your own plan.
