Episode description

096R | An in-depth conversation with JL Collins about a recent controversial interview given by Suze Orman, and clarification of what concepts are truly at the heart of the financial independence movement.

• Frugal wins of the week from Brad & Jonathan: garbage pickup and cell phone batteries.
• What questions did Dominick Q, from Monday’s episode, ask that were most impactful for Jonathan?
• Jonathan explains how he uses a planner at night to set himself up for success the next day.
• • What three things does he want to accomplish tomorrow?
• Shutting off notifications on his phone allows Brad to step away from him phone more effectively.
• One of Dominick’s strategies for breaking the tie to various technology is a ‘digital detox’.
• Leaving his phone at home during a family walk each morning helps Jonathan give quality, undivided attention to his family.
• JL Collins, a.k.a., the Godfather of FI, talks about two recent interviews on the “Afford Anything” podcast with Suze Orman (personal finance expert and former CNBC talk show host).
• Although Suze opposes the overall idea of FIRE, she advocates for many similar personal finance concepts and principles.
• Brad and Jonathan wonder whether anyone would ever be able to retire based on the FI numbers that Suze suggested.
• JL suggests that fear of what might happen in the future informs Suze’s mindset more than necessary.
• Continuing to work doesn’t mitigate uncertainty about the future.
• The only truly non-renewable resource is wasting decades of your life.
• Is the FI community more prepared than most for bad things that might happen in the future?
• Jonathan and JL wonder if Suze’s wealth has been accumulated through sound investing, or from a variety of businesses and her work as a TV personality.
• It’s easy to sell books and products based on fear.
• Was Suze’s interview actually good for the FI community?
• The amount of money someone actually needs to retire is entirely dependent on the lifestyle that someone chooses to live.
• Does the “FIRE” acronym add some concern and confusion about the FI community?
• Being financially independent just means that you can do whatever you want.
• Trying to pick individual stocks is a loser’s game.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://ChooseFI.com/096R