Most people spend their entire lives reacting to cues they never consciously chose. James Clear's Atomic Habits argues that every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become — and understanding this identity-level shift is the key to lasting change. James shares how habits function as the compound interest of self-improvement, where small, consistent actions layer over time to yield significant results. Rather than fixating on outcome-based goals, he advocates for buildin...
Dec 08, 2019•48 min•Ep. 157
Would you really trade your next decade for a $70,000 golf club membership — or is that just the life script you've been handed? Brad and Jonathan challenge the default choices of the "normal" American financial path, using that exact question from a listener to unpack how most people drift into expensive lifestyles without ever asking what they actually want. This episode covers listener voicemails and mailbag questions on topics ranging from managing risk tolerance to rethinking expensive memb...
Dec 06, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 156
Most people think they need to be completely debt-free before they can even dream of financial independence. A former law partner who built a personal finance empire says that's backwards. Rob Berger left his legal career to focus on financial freedom, and his approach challenges conventional wisdom at nearly every turn. Rather than obsessing over zero balances, he committed to no new debt while simultaneously investing — a strategy that mathematically accelerates the path to FI. His book Retire...
Dec 02, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 156
Most of your holiday debt happens when retailers convince you waiting in line at 4 AM for a 10% discount is a sound financial decision. Brad and Jonathan unpack the Black Friday madness, then shift gears into listener questions spanning everything from escaping financial abuse to last-minute tax moves before year-end. Key Topics and Timestamps [00:01:04] Black Friday Shopping Insights The stress and absurdity of Black Friday shopping Personal stories about avoiding crowds and focusing on strateg...
Nov 29, 2019•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 155
What if the financial habits you learned as a child—watching your parents manage money—secretly programmed you to repeat the same patterns in your own relationships? Leslie Tain grew up in a household where her father handled all the finances. She went on to marry someone who also took complete control of the money, leaving her unaware that they were accumulating significant debt. As a financial attorney with over 20 years of experience and author of "Life and Debt," Leslie now helps others avoi...
Nov 25, 2019•58 min•Ep. 155
Most families leave thousands in financial aid on the table simply because they don't understand how the system scores them. Brian Eufinger and Sunwoo Lee break down how Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Cost of Attendance (COA) determine eligibility, why asset structure matters more than you think, and which schools practice "gapping"—offering less aid than you actually need. Early planning and knowing the rules can transform college from a financial burden into a manageable investment. Un...
Nov 18, 2019•54 min•Ep. 154
Medical debt doesn't just drain bank accounts—it devours peace of mind. One unexpected hospital visit can unravel years of careful planning, leaving families paralyzed by bills they don't understand and can't afford. This episode examines the mechanics behind medical debt through real stories, including Dominick Quartuccio's experience navigating thousands in charges after his child's birth. Jonathan Mendonsa and Dominick break down practical strategies for negotiating bills, understanding insur...
Nov 14, 2019•53 min•Ep. 153
After years of meticulous saving, the real challenge begins: pulling money out without the panic. Becky and Steven have built a solid nest egg, but Becky admits that withdrawing funds feels like "stabbing herself in the heart." This episode tackles that exact psychological hurdle with Big Earn (Karsten) from Early Retirement Now, who brings his comprehensive sequence of return analysis to their real-world case study. Brad and Jonathan walk through Becky and Steven's drawdown plan, covering the c...
Nov 08, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 152
Starting from zero at age 50 sounds like a financial death sentence — but Becky Heptig proved that wrong, reaching financial independence in just 13 years. Becky and her husband spent the first 25 years of their marriage making poor financial decisions, living paycheck to paycheck despite good salaries. At 50, they faced crushing debt and saw no way out. Then a combination of Dave Ramsey's budgeting principles, ChooseFI strategies, and resources like the Retirement Manifesto transformed their tr...
Nov 04, 2019•57 min•Ep. 152
Most people assume their first attempt will be close to perfect—whether it's a workout plan, a diet, or even a website layout. The truth? You're almost certainly wrong. Brad Barrett learned this the hard way in online marketing: tiny tweaks to wording or design could double conversion rates overnight. Now he and Jonathan Mendonsa are applying that same split testing mindset to something far more personal—your health, fitness, and nutrition habits. In this episode, Jonathan, Brad, and guest MK ex...
Nov 01, 2019•56 min•Ep. 151
Most people drift through their finances paycheck to paycheck, aware something's off but never stopping to diagnose the problem. Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett break down the unsexy but essential first step: tracking where your money actually goes. Beyond spreadsheets and apps, they explore how identity statements and systems—not willpower—reshape your relationship with money. The episode balances tactical advice (building a net worth statement, evaluating purchases) with mindset shifts that...
Oct 25, 2019•58 min•Ep. 150
What if your dream of becoming the world's highest-paid female CEO turned out to be someone else's dream entirely? Diana Merriam shares her journey from $30,000 in debt and corporate ambition to discovering what wealth actually means. After finding the FIRE movement, she rebuilt her financial life through accountability groups, particularly the Reputable Women's Development Club, where members supported each other's goals. A pilgrimage on the Camino reshaped her understanding of identity beyond ...
Oct 21, 2019•47 min•Ep. 150
Laura's 80-cent shopping spree—turning $133 worth of clothing into pocket change—proves that mastering discount stacking isn't just theory. Jonathan Mendonsa and Dominick Quartuccio break down her strategy and then pivot to exposing why whole life insurance rarely serves your best interests, comparing it to the straightforward value of term policies. The conversation covers strategic shopping tactics, insurance product complexity, and paths to self-insurance through financial independence. Key T...
Oct 17, 2019•56 min•Ep. 149
A single percentage point in fees doesn't sound like much — until you realize it could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime of investing. Brad and Jonathan break down why expense ratios matter more than most investors think, covering everything from low-cost index funds to house hacking strategies. This mashup episode tackles listener questions on investing fundamentals, real estate wealth-building, and the role of education in breaking cycles of poverty. Timestamps & Ke...
Oct 11, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 148
Women who don't negotiate their salaries could forfeit a million dollars over their careers—but Drea Harris-Matenko argues the real cost of poverty isn't just money lost, it's the resilience you never knew you had. A social policy expert who grew up navigating food and housing insecurity in urban Boston, Drea reframes struggle not as a deficit but as a hidden strength. She joined Brad and Jonathan to discuss the 'psychology of poverty,' how curiosity opens doors that credentials can't, and why t...
Oct 07, 2019•47 min•Ep. 148
Most people underestimate what saying "yes" to a lowball job offer really costs them. Tori Dunlap reached $100,000 by age 25 through strategic salary negotiation and early investing. Brad and Jonathan explore her approach to advocating for higher pay, the mechanics of compounding wealth, and why financial conversations need to start younger than most parents think. Key Insights: Advocating for Your Worth: "Negotiation is pushing back on that, being grateful, of course, but also saying I'm worthy...
Oct 04, 2019•56 min•Ep. 147
Women who negotiate earn, on average, a million dollars more over their careers than those who don't. Tori Dunlap from Her First 100K shares her journey of reaching $100K by age 25 and her mission to help women close the wage gap through better negotiation skills. Brad and Jonathan explore why women often hesitate to negotiate, how to research salary data effectively, and practical strategies like the "gratitude sandwich" approach. Tori's background running a vending machine business as a young ...
Sep 29, 2019•59 min•Ep. 147
Most people think building a diverse skill set is about padding a resume — but what if your random collection of abilities is actually your most valuable asset? Brad and Jonathan tackle listener questions on talent stacking, choosing skill development over traditional degrees, and spotting financial scams. They also sit down with financial journalist Chuck Jaffe to discuss what the FI movement gets right (and wrong) about true financial autonomy, plus preview their upcoming book release. Chapter...
Sep 27, 2019•59 min•Ep. 146
A Guided Meditation for When the Stock Market Is Dropping With JL Collins, author of The Simple Path to Wealth. Support the Show We work hard to keep ChooseFI ad-free for a clean listening experience. The easiest way to support us is to use our Top Recommended Cards page when signing up for your next travel rewards credit card.
Sep 25, 2019•13 min
Most people believe passive income means money for nothing. But what if it's actually about working harder now to work less later? This episode covers multiple listener questions and hot topics, including actionable strategies for deploying windfalls, turnkey real estate due diligence, and managing market volatility. Brad and Jonathan also introduce a guided meditation by JL Collins designed to help investors stay calm during market downturns. The core theme: financial independence is about gain...
Sep 20, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 145
Most rental property investors skip the spreadsheet and chase appreciation—Paula Pant explains why the opposite approach built her path to financial independence. Paula Pant returns to break down real estate investing as a numbers-first business, not a speculative bet. Rather than hoping for property value increases, she reveals how to build reliable income streams through careful analysis, strategic team building, and rigorous due diligence. Key Topics: Real Estate as a Business: View propertie...
Sep 16, 2019•43 min•Ep. 145
One listener's simple question to their employer eliminated a two-hour daily commute and saved thousands in childcare costs. At FinCon this year, Brad and Jonathan watched the FI community grow from a dozen early adopters to over 500 people swapping stories about how they redesigned their lives around what matters most. This Friday Roundup spans multiple listener wins and tactical advice. The core theme: negotiation changes everything. One story details a successful remote work request that tran...
Sep 13, 2019•54 min•Ep. 144
Andrew Luck walked away from a $58 million contract at age 29 — what does that say about prioritizing health over money? Jonathan and Brad unpack the NFL quarterback's stunning retirement decision, connecting it to broader questions about values and financial independence. They also tackle investment strategies during market swings, the real-world benefits of college co-op programs, and listener wins that include negotiating rent and building wealth through simple habits. [00:02:10] Community Ev...
Sep 06, 2019•52 min•Ep. 143
Real estate looks easiest when you're not doing it — and scariest when you finally run the numbers. Brad and Jonathan tackle listener questions on cap rates, property decisions, and automating personal finances to the point where money management takes minutes, not hours. Key Topics: Understanding Real Estate Investment [00:01:00] Real estate as an investment vehicle, not speculation The math behind cap rates and how it informs rent vs. sell decisions Personal Finance on Autopilot [00:03:30] Str...
Aug 30, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 142
Brad Barrett lost close to $100,000 on a speculative real estate deal — a mistake that kept him away from property investing for years. Paula Pant, who built her real estate portfolio through hands-on experience, returns to help Brad (and listeners) understand where speculation ends and informed investing begins. [00:00:41] Introduction of Paula Pant Paula returns to discuss real estate investing fundamentals. [00:04:11] Brad's Real Estate Mistakes Brad shares his experience of losing close to $...
Aug 26, 2019•57 min•Ep. 142
Most middle-class families can't imagine taking a three-week vacation — yet Brad just pulled it off while running a business. This week's roundup explores that exact trip to Maui, dissects actionable concepts from David Sawyer's book 'Reset,' and celebrates listener wins in the financial independence community. Timestamps and Key Topics [00:02:20] Brad's Maui Experience : Brad shares his three-week family vacation in Maui, emphasizing the learning experience and experimentation with travel style...
Aug 23, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 141
One student applied for scholarships even after landing a full ride — and banked thousands extra. Brad and Jonathan unpack that surprising strategy alongside a broader conversation about how financial independence is reshaping traditional personal finance advice. They reflect on Nick True's episode from Mapped Out Money, where topics ranged from designing a life on your own terms to the shifting role of financial planners in a FI-aware world. This mashup also covers smart ways to fund education ...
Aug 16, 2019•45 min•Ep. 140
Most people wait until they hit their magic FI number to start living life on their own terms. Nick True didn't. He and his wife graduated college debt-free, moved into a 2007 Airstream trailer, and built a remote lifestyle that gives them the freedom FI promises — without waiting 15 years to get there. Nick and his wife live full-time in their Airstream, working remotely and traveling while staying connected to family. They both graduated without student loans by stacking scholarships, working ...
Aug 11, 2019•55 min•Ep. 140
By 28, Sonny Burns owns over a million dollars in real estate, generates six figures in annual rent, and is months away from quitting his engineering job for good. Most of his peers are still paying off student loans. Burns, a project engineer who writes at famvestor.com, didn't inherit money or get lucky with crypto — he made a series of calculated decisions that compounded into financial freedom before age 30. He graduated college with a positive net worth by strategically using the Department...
Aug 04, 2019•57 min•Ep. 139
What if a Friday night swim meet could teach you more about achieving financial independence than a semester of economics? Brad's daughter Anna slashed six seconds off her personal record through one simple mental trick — and the same principle could transform how you approach your money goals. This mashup episode covers multiple listener questions and stories, from Anthony's blueprint for graduating college debt-free to claiming your share of the Equifax settlement. Brad and Jonathan also explo...
Aug 02, 2019•45 min•Ep. 138
