Most people cling to careers they've outgrown because they fear what comes next — but what if you could test-drive your dream life without burning everything down? Jessica, who previously appeared on episode 229, has spent the past two years doing exactly that. She quit her job to launch a coaching business, and now she and her husband Corey are planning a three-week road trip through Maritime Canada while working remotely. Their story challenges the rigid either/or thinking around financial ind...
Jun 27, 2022•48 min•Ep. 383
Most financial advice assumes the best-case scenario — stable income, predictable markets, life going according to plan. In 2022, as inflation spiked, interest rates doubled, and crypto platforms imploded, Brad and Jonathan ask a different question: What if you planned for the worst instead? Brad and Jonathan dissect what it means to truly afford a house when rates and job security can shift overnight, and why the crypto crash exposed a fundamental misunderstanding about ownership. The conversat...
Jun 20, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 382
ChooseFI Podcast Show Notes: Common Sense Spending Guidelines for Housing in Uncertain Times Episode Summary: In this episode, Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett discuss effective strategies for managing housing costs while pursuing financial independence. The conversation emphasizes practical advice on mortgage payments, understanding interest rates, and avoiding unnecessary fees. The hosts share personal anecdotes, highlight the 28% rule for mortgage spending, and introduce a flexible guidelin...
Jun 12, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 381
Every financial decision you make is either opening doors or closing them—and most people don't realize which until it's too late. Brad and Jonathan break down optionality as the core principle behind better money choices, from everyday purchases to protecting yourself against scams. The episode starts with a simple truth: wait 72 hours before buying something you suddenly want, and watch half those purchases disappear from your mental shopping cart. Timestamps & Topics [00:00:00] Introducti...
Jun 06, 2022•55 min•Ep. 380
Bradley and Anita both doubled their salaries by breaking into Salesforce—an industry neither had prior experience in. Their stories reveal how financial independence principles create the breathing room to make bold career pivots, and why soft skills matter more than credentials when you're starting from scratch. Whether you're stuck in a career you've outgrown or wondering how to capitalize on your earning potential without going back to school, this episode maps out the unconventional path. C...
May 29, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 379
Most people think their savings rate determines their financial future. But Warren Buffett argues something entirely different: your ability to earn more is the real weapon against inflation. When Brad and Jonathan dig into why your career trajectory matters more than your investment returns in the early years, they reveal a simple truth most people ignore—you can't cut your way to wealth, but you can earn your way there. Earning potential stands out as the foremost defense against inflation, wi...
May 23, 2022•59 min•Ep. 378
A 50% savings rate might solve most financial challenges, but what happens when inflation erodes your purchasing power faster than you can save? Brad and Jonathan tackle the reality of planning for financial independence when both stocks and bonds are down, exploring how to maintain progress when traditional strategies feel uncertain. The conversation centers on glide paths—adjusting your financial strategy based on market conditions and life stage—particularly crucial during inflationary period...
May 15, 2022•54 min•Ep. 377
Most people accept the 4% rule as gospel—withdraw 4% of your retirement portfolio each year and your money will last. But what happens when markets crash, healthcare costs spike, or you live longer than expected? Sean Mullaney reveals four hidden safety nets that make the 4% rule far more resilient than you think. The 4% rule suggests accumulating 25 times your annual expenses, then withdrawing 4% annually. While this guideline has guided countless early retirees, it assumes uniform spending thr...
May 08, 2022•51 min•Ep. 376
Your current income doesn't determine whether you can retire—your savings rate does. If you're spending every dollar you earn, retirement is impossible no matter how much you make. Brad and Jonathan break down the single most important metric on the path to financial independence: how to calculate it, why it matters more than your salary, and how to adjust it for taxes, employer matches, and debt. Key Concepts: Savings rate formula: Savings ÷ Earnings [00:08:05] Why it matters: When you can fund...
May 02, 2022•49 min•Ep. 375
Most people think budgeting means restricting their spending — Brad and Jonathan flip that idea entirely. Budgeting isn't about limitation; it's about creating freedom to pursue your goals faster. Budgeting and tracking finances can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools and mindset, it becomes straightforward. The key is understanding your true take-home pay — not your gross income — especially during tax season. Look at actual earnings after deductions and simplify your tracking process. ...
Apr 25, 2022•53 min•Ep. 374
Why do WeWork, brain freeze, and your kid's financial future have anything in common? More than you'd think. Brad and Jonathan tackle an eclectic mix of listener questions—from quirky natural remedies to the cautionary tale of a startup hemorrhaging $2.1 million daily. But the real story here is the foundation it builds toward: teaching the next generation to earn, spend, save, borrow, and protect their money before the stakes get real. Whether you're hunting for a high savings rate strategy or ...
Apr 18, 2022•55 min•Ep. 373
Most people think losses from last year can erase this year's tax bill — they can't. Tax years are hermetically sealed. If you sold a huge winner in 2016 and then watched your portfolio tank in 2017, those losses won't rewind the clock on what you owe. Brad and Jonathan break down this costly misconception and walk through the essential mechanics of capital gains, quarterly estimated payments, and filing extensions — especially critical if you're self-employed or running a small business. Key To...
Apr 10, 2022•40 min•Ep. 372
Most investors never ask why Tesla trades at a higher valuation than Ford despite selling far fewer cars. Understanding that puzzle is the first step to making smarter investment decisions. Brian Quartuccio (Feraldi) joins Jonathan and Brad to break down stock market fundamentals from his book Why Does the Stock Market Go Up? . The conversation covers how major indexes like the Dow Jones and S&P 500 actually work, what market capitalization really means, and why time is the most powerful too...
Apr 03, 2022•46 min•Ep. 371
Most people think they need bigger savings goals, but what if you're chasing the wrong finish line entirely? Joe Saul-Sehy, host of Stacking Benjamins, challenges the default financial playbook by revealing how goal setting goes wrong. Instead of accepting conventional wisdom about retirement and college funds, he makes a case for visualizing your goals on a timeline—a simple shift that prevents resources from competing against each other. The deeper issue isn't about having goals; it's about kn...
Mar 28, 2022•55 min•Ep. 370
Walking into your backyard only to discover the biggest stump you've ever seen blocking your garden project—sound familiar? That moment when an obstacle feels immovable mirrors every financial roadblock we've ever faced. But what if the problem isn't the obstacle itself, but how we choose to see it? This conversation explores how clarity transforms our approach to financial independence. Rather than fixating on distant targets like a specific net worth number, the hosts examine what happens when...
Mar 21, 2022•47 min•Ep. 369
Most people assume "decluttering" means throwing out old clothes. Brad Barrett and Jonathan Mendonsa argue it's actually your ticket to financial independence — and the first step has nothing to do with your closet. Clarity and goal setting are essential for achieving financial independence. The episode explores decluttering, de-noising, and de-stressing to foster a clearer mindset. Brad and Jonathan discuss the importance of long-term thinking through various metaphors, notably planting trees f...
Mar 14, 2022•43 min•Ep. 368
Most retirement calculators are lying to you—they base your FI number on income, not on what you actually spend. Brad and Jonathan break down why this matters and how to fix it. If you spend $40,000 annually, you need $1 million to retire comfortably using the 4% withdrawal rule. That's your real FI number—not some inflated figure based on replacing your current salary. The hosts walk through the math, expose common calculator flaws, and explain why understanding your actual expenses (including ...
Mar 07, 2022•44 min•Ep. 367
Most people think of financial independence as an escape plan—but what if you're running toward nothing once you break free? Brad and Jonathan examine a less-discussed vulnerability in the FI journey: the concept of "day zero," the moment you first recognize your desire for financial independence and set clear intentions. Rather than defaulting to the standard corporate ladder mentality, they advocate for a personalized approach where listeners define their own paths toward financial independenc...
Feb 28, 2022•44 min•Ep. 366
Why does every Super Bowl commercial seem designed to make you feel like your life isn't enough? Jonathan and Brad dissect this year's big game ads—from Coinbase's minimalist QR code to Matthew McConaughey's latest pitch—and uncover a troubling pattern: brands selling escapism to people who've been conditioned to hate their daily reality. The conversation pivots from advertising critique to a more fundamental question: what if you built a life you didn't need to escape from? Instead of accepting...
Feb 21, 2022•42 min•Ep. 365
Most people don't realize how exposed their digital life is until it's too late. Brad experienced a ransomware attack firsthand, and his story offers crucial lessons on protecting yourself from similar threats. Financial resilience involves preparing for unexpected events like medical emergencies and cyberattacks. Brad shares his recent experience with a ransomware attack, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity and backup systems for protecting data. Both Jonathan and Brad discuss innovativ...
Feb 14, 2022•52 min•Ep. 364
Most teenagers make the exact same financial mistakes their parents made — and nobody's showing them a better path. Dan Sheeks, author of First to a Million: A Teenager's Guide to Achieving Early Financial Independence , built a roadmap that meets young people where they are, helping them navigate student loans, college choices, and early career decisions before those choices define the next two decades of their lives. Key Topics Discussed Introduction to Early Financial Independence [00:00:00] ...
Feb 07, 2022•59 min•Ep. 363
Your spouse says they're "fine" with money, but you're drowning in spreadsheets while they max out credit cards. That tension? It's not about the numbers. Jillian Johnsrud, a couples' financial communication expert, reveals why money talk fails — and how to fix it before resentment takes over. She explains that money ranks among the top three hardest topics to discuss (alongside sex and work), largely because most people never witnessed healthy financial conversations growing up. The societal ta...
Feb 05, 2022•44 min•Ep. 300
Zach and Marilyn sold their old home, moved into a new property, and now use rental income to completely cover their mortgage—all within two months of talking with Paula Pant. Their rapid transformation from financial paralysis to action shows what's possible when you stop letting mental barriers dictate what deals you can pursue. After receiving guidance from Paula Pant, Zach and Marilyn implemented house hacking by renting out their basement. The rental income not only covers their mortgage bu...
Feb 05, 2022•58 min•Ep. 321
Most blockchain profits don't come from trading coins—they come from building the infrastructure. Brad and Jonathan explore the "picks and shovels" approach to cryptocurrency, explaining how to earn income through smart contracts, airdrops, and DeFi platforms without speculating on price movements. Key Topics and Timestamps [00:00:00] Introduction to Blockchain Strategies : Jonathan revisits the pick and shovel approach to cryptocurrency investments, setting the stage for strategies beyond specu...
Jan 30, 2022•52 min•Ep. 362
Most cryptocurrencies will fail—but blockchain technology might reshape how we own everything from art to real estate. Brad Barrett and Dominick Quartuccio unpack blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs, sharing their personal learning journeys while drawing a crucial line between education and speculation. The hosts openly discuss the volatile nature of crypto markets and why they've approached this space as students rather than investors. Rather than offering financial advice, they focus on bui...
Jan 22, 2022•58 min•Ep. 361
Most people think credit cards are either good or bad. Brad and Jonathan show young adults why that's the wrong question — it's about what you do with them. This episode tackles the financial lessons 17-year-olds need before they start adulting: how credit cards can build your future or bury you in debt, why compound interest matters more than your starting salary, and when student loans stop being an investment and start being a trap. Key Topics: Understanding Credit [00:12:24] Credit scores an...
Jan 17, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 360
Your financial independence plan isn't failing — you just haven't run the right diagnostic yet. Brad and Jonathan apply a SWOT analysis framework to personal finance, pushing listeners to gather hard data on income, expenses, and net worth before making any changes. The conversation centers on systematic self-assessment: identifying genuine financial strengths (high savings rates, diversified income), confronting weaknesses (structural overspending, inadequate emergency funds), recognizing oppor...
Jan 10, 2022•50 min•Ep. 359
Most people never truly know what their life costs—which is why they can't design the life they actually want. Starting fresh in 2022, Brad and Jonathan make the case that a proper financial audit isn't just bookkeeping—it's the difference between drifting and steering. By documenting take-home pay, categorizing real expenses, and calculating net worth, listeners can move from reactive money stress to proactive wealth building. Key Takeaways Conduct a financial audit to establish a solid foundat...
Jan 03, 2022•48 min•Ep. 358
You've already built wealth through steady gains—but what if this year demands something bigger than optimization? Dominick Quartuccio returns to challenge the incremental mindset: when comfort becomes a ceiling rather than a foundation, bold moves become necessary. He outlines a practical framework for identifying which domain of life is ready for a leap, mining past successes for clues, and turning vague ambitions into concrete action—without abandoning the compounding habits that got you here...
Dec 12, 2021•50 min•Ep. 355
Most people think they're hedging against risk by obsessing over every market dip—but they're confusing volatility with actual danger. Brad and Jonathan tackle the critical distinction between market fluctuations and genuine financial risk, then expand into a holistic framework covering online security vulnerabilities most people ignore, tax optimization as your single biggest wealth lever, and practical strategies to increase income when traditional advice falls short. The episode challenges th...
Dec 06, 2021•58 min•Ep. 354
