In this episode: the wonderful ChooseFI community shares advice by taking the hot seat through listener voicemails. Ginger joins the podcast this week for a special “Hot Seat” episode to listen to some voicemails set in from our listeners, in which our community answered questions that we typically ask our guests when they take the Hot Seat! From discussing favorite books and podcasts, to learning some new tricks and takeaways that have helped you on your FI Journey, it’s incredible to hear the ...
Feb 19, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep 477•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: what follows tragedy, the importance of wills and beneficiaries, intestate succession, and probate. This week we are joined by Amy to discuss her personal account and experience with estate planning in the event of an unexpected passing, and what this can look like when plans aren’t in place. While death can be an uncomfortable topic to think about, it’s important to take time to garner a plan in place so that your loved ones are both prepared and not overwhelmed in the event of...
Feb 12, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 476•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: taxable accounts, the 72(T), inherited retirement accounts, 457B's, roth conversion ladders, and the rule of 55. This week we are joined by the “FI Tax Guy” Sean Mullaney to walk through examples and discuss some strategies you could use when accessing your retirement funds early. No matter where you are on your FI journey, there can come a time where retiring early becomes a feasible option, but there can be many stipulations and tax implications that come with withdrawing your...
Feb 05, 2024•58 min•Ep 475•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: social security, disability, calculating social security, claiming social security, and due diligence. This week we are joined by listener and owner of Financial Security Advocates Dennis Shapiro, to talk thru some of the insights and misconceptions surrounding Social Security Benefits, and what factors and resources you should consider while approaching retirement. The beauty of FI is that it opens up opportunities for you to retire early, but oftentimes we don’t consider how r...
Jan 29, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep 474•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: calculating when you retire, tracking expenses, health insurance, the importance of planning, and health spanning. This week we are rejoined by Teresa as well as Fritz Gilbert of The Retirement Manifesto to walk us through a case study of how to approach retirement while on your FI journey. It’s a common question to ask when you can retire or when you can stop working? Luckily there are plans of action and resources available covered in today's episode that will leave you feelin...
Jan 22, 2024•50 min•Ep 473•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: the boring middle, lifestyle design, flow states, moving towards purpose, experiments, and experiences. This week we are rejoined by friend of the podcast Jessica from The Fioneers to the discuss the point of your FI journey known as the “Boring Middle,” and how through actionable steps and lifestyle design you can turn what feels like a stagnant stage in your FI journey, into one filled with growth and change! When you are well on your path towards reaching your FI goal, it is ...
Jan 15, 2024•54 min•Ep 472•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: inflation, coast FI, early retirement planning, future tax liability, IRA's and 401k's, and diversification. This week we are rejoined by founder of Measure Twice Money Cody Garrett for another installment of the Mail Bag, where we will be talking through questions from our listeners covering topics ranging from inflation and its implications on your FI number, ACA subsidies and early retirement, as well as the similarities and differences with Roth accounts and future retiremen...
Jan 08, 2024•46 min•Ep 471•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: FI versus FIRE, coast FI, lean FI, tools for FI, the skill of spending, dying with zero, and prioritizing health. This week we are joined by our friend and host of the “All the Hacks” podcast, Chris Hutchins to discuss the “spectrum” of FI, and all that falls in between. From the evolution of FI over the years, to the changes we’ve made on our respective journeys, and even differentiating terms such as FI versus FIRE and Coast FI, we cover it all! We also found some time to shar...
Jan 01, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep 470•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: real estate, upskilling, taking action, tracking your expenses, setting goals, getting on the same page, and the hot seat. This week we are joined by listener Navish Bahl to discuss his journey on the path to FI, the actionable steps he’s taken in order to maximize his life, answer some questions in the HotSeat, and navigating your FI journey while your significant other or family may not be on board. There are many avenues you can utilize in order to achieve FI, and while it ma...
Dec 25, 2023•56 min•Ep 469•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: checking boxes, supplementing income, life by design, taking action, the value of time, and year end wins! This week we are re-joined by Johnathan for our 7th annual year-end-wins episode! Together we tune into voicemails sent by you the listener and celebrate your victories from 2023! From confidently investing in your future, to finding new friends and support systems within the FI community, we are proud to be a part of your journey towards reclaiming your freedom and your ti...
Dec 18, 2023•48 min•Ep 468•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: community, structuring FI events, unstructured time, the energy in the room, and vulnerability. We all know that the online FI community can help you along the journey in a variety of ways, but the abundance and ease of access to that community can lead to us forgetting the impact live FI events can have on your life. Our Guests Stephen, Amy, and Diania from CampFI, FI Freedom Retreats, and The EconoMe Conference respectively can attest to the power of in-person communities as t...
Dec 11, 2023•54 min•Ep 467•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: finding a sustainable path to FI, adjusting your lifestyle, guac levels, mindset, and finding what you want. Jamila Souffrant makes her long awaited return to the podcast to discuss building a sustainable path to FI, the importance of readjusting, financial freedom versus financial independence, as well as other topics detailed in her new book "Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Wealth and Happiness." While you may begin your FI journey with a s...
Dec 04, 2023•42 min•Ep 466•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: lessons from failure, curiosity, mastering the small things, skilling up, and the value of time. The return of Johnathan! Yes Jonathan is returning to the show to catch up on the work he’s been doing behind the scenes over the last year and a half, the value of freeing up your time, skill spending, and the importance of focusing on the little things while keeping the bigger picture in mind. Whether it’s when you’re just starting your FI journey or if it’s in other areas of your ...
Nov 27, 2023•1 hr•Ep 465•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: the make whole mindset, budgeting, grace and space, automation, and splitting it before you get it. This week we are re-joined by Tiffany Aliche better known as "The Budgetnista” to discuss her new book "Made Whole: The Practical Guide to Reaching Your Financial Goals" which details her 10 step system towards financial wholeness, the ease of automating payments, the importance of accountability partners, as well as designing separate accounts to reflect your needs. It can be int...
Nov 20, 2023•55 min•Ep 464•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: frugality, value based spending, honoring your season, identity, budgets, financial goals, and minimalism. When you think of the word frugal what comes to mind? To some it can mean spending on what you absolutely need and leaving little wiggle room for anything else, but to others frugality is not just a restrictive budget but a superpower! This week we are joined by Jen and Jill of the Frugal Friends podcast to discuss the intersectionality of frugality and the FI journey, as w...
Nov 13, 2023•56 min•Ep 463•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: the power of pursuit, FU money, index investing, investing the difference, and the simple path to wealth. This week we are joined by the godfather of the FI movement himself JL Collins to discuss the themes of his new book "Pathfinders: Extraordinary Stories of People Like You on the Quest for Financial Independence―And How to Join Them." While there is no perfect blueprint to mastering your money, there can be confidence and motivation to be found in the stories of others who h...
Nov 06, 2023•58 min•Ep 462•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: community, building fun into your life, college planning, fear, following threads, and travel rewards. This week we are rejoined by Ginger for another installment of the Round-Up, where we catch up and discuss our favorite takeaways from this past month’s episodes. From learning how to best prepare your child for the college application process, to the importance of introspection to pinpoint and work with your fears, and finally to re-framing your fearing relationship with money...
Oct 30, 2023•58 min•Ep 461•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: financial aid, college planning, standardized tests, tests optional, need meeting, and preparation. This week we are re-joined by Brian Eufinger to discuss ways to best prepare your children for college admissions, navigating the new changes to FAFSA and the CSS profile, and how you can maximize when prepping for your child’s higher education. While college prep can be stressful for students, from maintaining their GPA to taking multiple standardized tests, it can be just as str...
Oct 23, 2023•59 min•Ep 460•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: spiritual bypassing, curiosity, fear, wellbeing, inflection points, and what the body stores. This we are re-joined by Cory Muscara to discuss the benefits of practicing mindfulness while embarking on the FI journey, the concept of spiritual bypassing, and the positive benefits that come from being present. An important part of the FI journey is learning to take actionable steps to better your life, and a large part of this requires introspection and honest reflection of where y...
Oct 16, 2023•50 min•Ep 459•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: fear, anxiety, FOMO, talking about money, endings, self development, exposure, and the fear of loneliness. This week we are joined by Farnoosh Tarabi where we will be discussing the topic of fear and anxiety, reinterpreting FOMO, and how to recognize and use your fears and anxieties to work with you in order to reach your financial goals. While we can sometimes interpret our own fear as a weakness, many times these fears and anxieties can be a secret weapon, ones that motivate u...
Oct 09, 2023•51 min•Ep 458•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: the 4% rule, second generation FI, retirement saving, 529's, 401k's, and is it too late for FI? This week we joined by Rachael Camp of Camp Wealth for another installment of Mail Bag, where we will be answering some questions sent in by our listeners. Together, we cover topics surrounding the 4 percent rule, starting the FI journey “late”, the importance of tax diversity in your retirement accounts, and the potential benefits and drawbacks to 529 plans. On the path to FI, the co...
Oct 02, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep 457•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: the importance of starting, everything is negotiable, talentstacking, building your flywheel, and Ginger! As September comes to a close, it’s once again time for another Roundup episode! This week we are rejoined by Ginger, where we will be revisiting the topics of our September episodes and discussing our favorite takeaways and the talking points that stood out to us. From the importance of perseverance on your path to FI and embracing the community this journey brings, and neg...
Sep 25, 2023•46 min•Ep 456•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: it's not easy it's simple, the flywheel, being consistent, skilling up, the gift of time, and what money can provide. This week we are joined by founder and creator of ConvertKit, Nathan Barry to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and how the fundamentals of FI helped drive him to create and build a successful business. We often discuss the importance of skill stacking when on the journey to FI, but we sometimes forget to touch on the trial and error that comes with learning an...
Sep 18, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep 455•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: salary negotiation, knowing your worth, doing your own research, anchoring, and facing job offers. We often talk about the importance of shifting out of a scarcity mindset towards an abundant one, and this can mean leaving a job for a new one, or even asking for a higher wage. But how do you overcome the guilty feelings that can arise when wanting to level up? This week we are re-joined by the Financial Mechanic to discuss the art and steps to successful salary negotiating, from...
Sep 11, 2023•55 min•Ep 454•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: the importance of community, finding financial literacy, pulling the levers of FI, and the hot seat. We’ve heard incredible stories of FI from many of our listeners, but this week we are lucky to hear from someone who overcame so much in order to achieve the life she always wanted. This week we are joined by one of our listeners Teresa, where we discuss her incredible story of navigating and overcoming debt as a single mother to building a strong foundation of financial literacy...
Sep 04, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep 453•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: spending for value, mastering your finances, what nourishes you, limiting beliefs, and getting the best out of yourself. The end of August is rapidly approaching which means it is time for another round-up episode. To close out the month this time we are joined by Katie Gatti from "Money with Katie" to discuss all the lessons we picked up from the last month of ChooseFI! Whether it's planning a mini-retirement, designing what your want your life to look like, or forming your ide...
Aug 28, 2023•56 min•Ep 452•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: mini-retirements, building fun into your life, structuring and planning mini-retirements, negotiating, and gaining momentum. When pursuing your FI goal, it can feel like you are on a set trajectory, and picking up new habits or hobbies can seem overwhelming because you don’t have the time to focus on them. However, you should never feel held back from starting something new! This week we are joined by Jillian Johnsrud to define and discuss the mini-retirement strategy, and how t...
Aug 21, 2023•52 min•Ep 451•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: changing your mindset, starting FI at 50, the pros and cons of starting late, and facing your faults. We always say on this show that FI is for everyone, but our guests Becky Heptig and Bill Yount really embody this message. As hosts of the "Catching Up to FI" podcast, Becky and Bill are a fantastic resource for those who have found FI later in life and still would like to give it a go despite the delayed start! While FI looks different for everyone and can be influenced by when...
Aug 14, 2023•49 min•Ep 450•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode: determining your FI goals, real estate investing, land investing, liquidity, and proof of concept. Whether you are new to FI or have achieved it, you have probably noticed a big change not only in how you live your life, but how you perceive yourself. You may be more intentional and strive to make changes in all areas of your life, not just financial ones. This week we are joined by our friend JT Olmstead to discuss the ins and outs of land investing, as well as talk about the i...
Aug 07, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep 449•Transcript available on Metacast As this month comes to a close, we think it’s only fitting to reflect on what July’s incredible guests have had to say, and what new knowledge and perspectives they’ve brought to the table. This week we are back with Ginger and introducing a more structured Round-Up, where we will be revisiting topics from this past month's episodes and discussing our favorite moments and takeaways. While the subjects of this month's episodes have varied from spending for happiness to understanding Roth conversi...
Jul 31, 2023•56 min•Ep 448•Transcript available on Metacast 
