077R | An second part to the conversation between ChooseFi community member Tallis, who teaches dance classes in retirement facilities, and Pop-Up Business School founder Alan Donegan, to help get Tallis’ side hustle off the ground. Precursors to this episode: Episode 30 and Episode 56 . Tallis gives an update on her side hustle to-do list. Client feedback: the questions you ask impact the results you’ll get. What is the best way to sell Tallis’ dance classes to the retirement facilities. Tallis...
Jun 01, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 77
077 | Experienced travel hacker and world traveler Marla Taner shares story of reaching financial independence, and her best tips for getting to Hawaii, Costa Rica and the Caribbean with minimal expenses, using credit cards points and air miles. ——————- Thank you for being a part of the ChooseFI community! 🙂 If you want to support us, here are some easy ways: 1) Leave an iTunes review: http://www.choosefi.com/itunes 2) Use our page to sign up for travel credit cards Note: We may receive a commi...
May 28, 2018•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 77
076R | Brad and Jonathan brainstorm ways to implement local adventure into their own lives and the lives of the ChooseFI community. Also, achat about high school reunions, local libraries, and a few clarifications about 401k contributions. Jonathan's 26-year-old sister just hit an 85% savings rate. Living at home can be super helpful to the recent college graduate, or young person entering the workforce. Getting to $100k net worth is the hardest part: after that, compounded interest starts worki...
May 25, 2018•1 hr•Ep. 76
076 | Mrs. Adventure Rich talks about making the choice to live an adventurous life, her family’s pursuit of financial independence, and finding a balance between maximizing financial opportunities and living a happy, fulfilling, high quality of life. ——————- Thank you for being a part of the ChooseFI community! 🙂 If you want to support us, here are some easy ways: 1) Leave an iTunes review: http://www.choosefi.com/itunes 2) Use our page to sign up for travel credit cards Note: We may receive a...
May 21, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 76
075R | “Personal finance is becoming financial independence.” Financial independence doesn’t necessarily mean retiring early; it means allocating your resources in the way you see fit. This is just a taste of what we discuss in this recap from Monday's interview with Brian Feroldi from The Motley Fool. Jonathan talks about blowing his budget on breakfast at the cold bar in Wegman’s, while Brad thinks that grocery shopping at Wegman’s is the same cost as Walmart. Brad talks about meeting stranger...
May 18, 2018•50 min•Ep. 75
075 | Brian Feroldi talks through the advantages and disadvantages of individual investing, the realistic expectations for performance, and his strategies for beating Wall Street. Professional money managers operate under different parameters and mindsets than an individual investor Stockbrokers must make decisions based on short-term returns What other disadvantages do professional money managers face, in contrast to individual investors? How do professional money managers truly spend their tim...
May 14, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 75
074R | An update the community on recent activities, discussion about the opportunity cost of college and potential alternatives, a ChooseFI scholarship announcement, and a few voicemails from the ChooseFI community. Brad recaps his trip to the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting in Omaha, and a visit with the ChooseFI local group in Omaha Jonathan shares how he recently cut his grocery costs by nearly $700 ...and more can be found at http://ChooseFI.com/074R ——————- Thank you for being a pa...
May 11, 2018•54 min•Ep. 74
074 | Ryan Carson’s tech-education company, Treehouse, teaches computer coding as a trade skill, giving students an opportunity to enter the work force, or change careers in nine months, at a fraction of the cost of a four-year degree. Ryan considers coding a trade skill, rather than profession that requires a four-year degree. Ryan founded Treehouse to help people avoid student debt, get a job sooner and start saving for their 401k sooner. There will be 1.4 million new jobs in tech, and only 40...
May 07, 2018•57 min•Ep. 74
073 | How do you make money online? We discuss the 7 most common ways to make money online, plus a review of Monday's interview with Jamila Souffrant from Journey To Launch. We dive deep into making money with: Membership sites Digital courses Create a product or service Advertising Sponsorships Listener/Reader supported Affiliate marketing ...and (BONUS) grow your brand and watch what opens up to you. For more information, visit the show notes at http://ChooseFI.com/073R ——————- Thank you for b...
May 04, 2018•58 min•Ep. 73
073 | Jamila Souffrant tells us about college internships, buying real estate right out of college, a few failed business ventures, and her decision to pursue FI, starting by saving $85,000 in the first year. We talk to Jamila about: How Jamila and her husband saved $85,000 in 2016 As the child of an immigrant single-mother, how did Jamila’s childhood experiences impact her college and early professional career? Jamila shares what wealth means to her now Failing Forward: the idea that progress i...
Apr 30, 2018•1 hr•Ep. 73
072R | Lively discussion about cryptocurrencies as investments, review of last week’s MidAtlantic Camp FI, and several exciting contributions and questions from the ChooseFI community. What you'll hear in today's roundup: Brad’s brother is visiting from Santiago, Chile – how is he managing his path to financial independence as an international teacher? Review of Monday’s episode discussing Bitcoin with Myles Wakeham What are drawbacks of cryptocurrency? Is Bitcoin a good investment, or is it jus...
Apr 27, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 72
072 | Bitcoin, should you Buy it? Myles Wakeham tells us how he discovered Bitcoin, how and why cryptocurrencies have to value, and gives us a nuanced perspective of where cryptocurrency might go in the future. How did Myles, a software developer, come to invest in Bitcoin? Myles spent years figuring ways to pay his Bangladeshi software developer, until mid 2011, when his contractor discovered Bitcoin as a more effective method of payment. There's much more to this story - and to learn about cry...
Apr 23, 2018•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 72
071R | Brad and Jonathan compare their college experiences to Chris Hutchins’ from the Monday episode, they discuss the importance of owning your own FI decisions, and we get updates from several members of the ChooseFI community. Brad considers starting a blog for his daughter as second-generation FI. Review of Chris Hutchins’ episode last Monday. Brad compares his experience of packing meals ahead for vacation to Chris’ grandparents growing up. What is value of cultivating relationships, and h...
Apr 20, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 71
071 | Chris Hutchins, founder/CEO of Grove, a new, optimized financial planning company based in San Francisco, talks about how a life and career of entrepreneurship led him to the FI community, and his current business venture. And, how his new company meets the needs of the average person better than a traditional financial planner. What you'll hear in this episode: Is Chris a risk taker or financial conservative? How did Chris find his way into the financial planning and optimization world? W...
Apr 16, 2018•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 71
070R | Updates from Brad and Jonathan, review of Vickie Robin’s episode, discussion of how ChooseFI aims to handle politics, and more updates from the ChooseFI community. Highlights: Brad is moving houses, making good community a priority in his family’s life CampFi MidAtlantic this weekend is Virginia this weekend, but there’s two more this year: Aug. 3-6 in Joshua Tree, Calif., Sept 7-10 in Little Rock, Ark. More info here: CampFi Jonathan started Skinny Waste, Fat Wallet. First episode is up ...
Apr 13, 2018•57 min•Ep. 70
070 | Author and FI pioneer Vicki Robin discusses the cultural development of overconsumption, how much is enough, and what else, besides good investments, contributes to successful financial independence? Vicki’s story began when she invested in long-term bonds at a young age, achieving modest financial independence very quickly Vicki and her partner, Joe Dominguez, hosted seminars about financial independence beginning in the 1980s, donating the proceeds. What is the difference between making ...
Apr 09, 2018•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 70
069R | We discuss why and how of starting a blog or website. What you’ll hear on today’s show: Review of Monday’s episode How Michelle lives her lifestyle by choice Why it’s a great idea to start a blog The key when creating content Why now is the best time to get started How affiliate marketing works The 4 things you need to start your blog The total cost of starting up Why it takes years to be successful How building this skill set opens doors iTunes and book giveaway Links from the show: Host...
Apr 06, 2018•51 min•Ep. 69
069 | Michelle has a very successful blog, Making Sense of Cents. She shares her lifestyle as a digital nomad and how she currently manages not just her blog, but her whole life living full-time in an RV. What you’ll hear on today’s show: Interview with Michelle from Making Sense of Cents Michelle’s backstory The success of her personal finance blog How long it took for her blog to take off How she got involved in the community When she first started making money and how Why she feels she attrac...
Apr 02, 2018•58 min•Ep. 69
068R | The next steps after Dave Ramsey’s Peace University, the importance of being present and food budget hacks. What you’ll hear on today’s show: Review of Monday’s episode Brad’s life improvement thanks to FI How to use Dave Ramsey’s lessons Question from Chris about Dave Ramsey What the next steps after the Peace University look like Why and how credit cards can be useful Jill talks about being nervous going back to credit cards Michelle says the episode 68 is great to send to Dave Ramsey f...
Mar 30, 2018•59 min•Ep. 68
068 | Bringing your spouse on with FI, the benefits of paying off your mortgage early and how to follow Dave Ramsey’s steps Highlights from the show include: Andy’s blog and podcast How he brought his wife on board with FI The monthly budget party Benefits of paying off a mortgage early Following Dave Ramsey’s steps ——————- Thank you for being a part of the ChooseFI community! 🙂 If you want to support us, here are some easy ways: 1) Leave an iTunes review: http://www.choosefi.com/itunes 2) Use ...
Mar 26, 2018•56 min•Ep. 68
067R | Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, hacks to save money on everyday electronics and using donor advised funds to optimize tax payments. What you’ll hear on today’s show: Jonathan optimizing his house insurance Comment from Katie on using diamonds on engagement rings Examples of velvet ropes The importance of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable Sara shares a DIY success Voicemail from Daniel about saving money on everyday electronics Jaclyn share’s her success from a sal...
Mar 23, 2018•56 min•Ep. 67
067 | David and Helene talk about consumerism, getting out of one’s comfort zone and the importance of simplicity. What you’ll hear on today’s show: Discussion with David and Helene How consumerism makes us buy more Controlling impulses How Helene constantly gets out of her comfort zone Mental hacks for self control Hedonic adaptation Complexity vs simplicity David’s thoughts after blogging for 9 years The importance of focusing on what lights you up Hotseat questions Links from the show: David’...
Mar 19, 2018•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 67
066R | Understanding emergency funds, investing in your house and some college and library hacks. What you’ll hear on today’s show: Review of Monday’s episode Different scenarios for using emergency funds Where to put your emergency fund Jennifer asks a question about needing the fund in 2-3 years The different options to optimize your emergency fund Voicemail from Paul on whether a house is an investment Voicemail from Melissa on Mrs Frugalwoods’ journey with make-up Voicemail from Captain DIY ...
Mar 16, 2018•59 min•Ep. 66
066 | Big Ern reveals his identity, explains the different risks when retiring and why a home is a good investment. Highlights from the show include: Big Ern’s identity reveal His blog on retirement The anxieties of retiring early Emergency funds The benefits of home ownership ——————- Thank you for being a part of the ChooseFI community! 🙂 If you want to support us, here are some easy ways: 1) Leave an iTunes review: http://www.choosefi.com/itunes 2) Use our page to sign up for travel credit ca...
Mar 12, 2018•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 66
065R | College hacks, a great credit card debt hack and the importance of not wasting your privileges. What you’ll hear in today’s show: Voicemail from Chris about replacing broken items Review of Monday’s episode with Mrs Frugalwoods Why you shouldn’t waste your advantages Voicemail from Steve about educational programs The student debt loan movement happening in March Voicemail from Noah about a college hack Voicemail from Millionaire Educator on another college hack Nicholas’ hack on optimizi...
Mar 09, 2018•51 min•Ep. 65
065 | Mrs Frugalwoods talks on her book and blog, frugality as a lifestyle and the great benefits of being frugal. Highlights from the show include: Mrs Frugalwoods’ book and blog Her relationship with money Changing her lifestyle to frugality The benefits of living frugal The amazing influence of frugality on her family For more information, visit the show notes at http://ChooseFI.com/065...
Mar 05, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 65
064R | Chautauqua plans, board game recommendations and a discussion on optimizing travel rewards Highlights from the show include: Warren Buffett’s Annual Letter to Shareholders takeaways Chautauqua plans Board game recommendations Travel rewards discussion Crowdsourcing geo-arbitrage ——————- For more information, visit the show notes at http://ChooseFI.com/064R
Mar 02, 2018•1 hr•Ep. 64
064 | Chautauqua organizers join us on a call to share what the event is about, the great community that attend Chautauqua , and plans for its future. Highlights from the show include: How Chautauqua got started The structure of the event and what a typical day looks like The amazing community Examples of the exceptional people who attend What the future plans look like For more information, visit the show notes at http://ChooseFI.com/064...
Feb 26, 2018•53 min•Ep. 64
063R | How to create your own luck, the glidepath to success and some life lessons from Brad. Highlights from the show include: What luck and opportunity really mean Having high expectations from life Brad’s definition of creating luck Life lessons from Brad to his daughters For more information, visit the show notes at http://ChooseFI.com/063R
Feb 23, 2018•52 min•Ep. 63
063 | An interview with Scott Trench from Bigger Pockets on the creation of good luck, his background and journey to FI and using house hacks to reach wealth. This episode covers: 1) Scott’s book and background 2) His definition of luck 3) The stages of wealth creation with real estate 4) Becoming a life long learner 5) The core message of FI and the community ——————- Thank you for being a part of the ChooseFI community! 🙂 If you want to support us, here are some easy ways: 1) Leave an iTunes r...
Feb 19, 2018•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 63
