Join the ChooseFI community

Connect with people pursuing financial independence, get practical advice, and find local groups on the path to freedom.

Welcome back

Sign in to continue where you left off.

or continue with email
or sign in with email
or
Check your email for a 6-digit code.
Login code

Didn't get it?

·

Already a member?

By continuing, you agree to ChooseFI's Terms of Service and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

ChooseFI community — Save, Invest, Freedom
Login
Financial Independence

Savings rate, FI number, and the path to freedom.

Retirement Strategies

Withdrawal plans, Roth ladders, and early access.

Investing

Index funds, asset allocation, and real estate.

Tax Strategies

Roth conversions, capital gains, and FI tax planning.

Earning More

Career growth, side hustles, and entrepreneurship.

Money Mindset

Beliefs, purpose, and financial psychology.

Health & Fitness

Exercise, nutrition, and mental wellness.

Index Investing | How to buy VTSAX

Podcast

Ep. 019R Index Investing | How to buy VTSAX

Index investing is one of the main ‘pillars of Financial Independence’ and Jim’s Stock Series changed the trajectory of Brad’s investing life and will benefit him to the tune of millions of dollars i...

Brad Barrett, Jonathan Mendonsa · · 73,887 plays
52m 8s
  1. Introduction and Personal Updates
  2. Jim Collins and Index Investing
  3. The Importance of Financial Education for Children
  4. Key Insights from Jim Collins
  5. Exploring Investment Strategies
  6. Audience Questions and Practical Advice

Choose FI has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Choose FI and CardRatings may earn compensation from card issuers when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

What if everything you thought you knew about building wealth was holding you back from taking the simplest, most effective action? Jonathan and Brad dissect Jim Collins' stock series—the blueprint that reshaped how the FI community approaches index investing. Fresh off the birth of his child, Jonathan confronts the urgency of setting up financial plans that will outlast him, while Brad brings clarity to strategies that turn passive investing into generational wealth.

Introduction and Personal Updates

  • Jonathan's new baby and the urgency for family financial planning

Jim Collins and Index Investing

  • Jim Collins' stock series and its impact on investing philosophy within the FI community

The Importance of Financial Education for Children

  • Teaching kids about finances to empower future generations
  • Strategies for setting up educational savings accounts like 529 plans

Key Insights from Jim Collins

  • Focus on low-cost index funds
  • Avoid market timing; staying invested helps mitigate risks

Exploring Investment Strategies

  • Benefits of passive investing and compounding over time
  • Misconceptions surrounding market crashes and investing longevity

Find your hidden savings

Free calculators and tools to optimize every dollar on your path to FI.

Audience Questions and Practical Advice

  • Best practices for investing and preparing for early retirement
  • Choosing retirement accounts and utilizing tax-advantaged vehicles

Action Items:

  • Set up a 529 account for future educational expenses
  • Read Jim Collins' stock series

Key Quotes:

  • "Market timing is a losing game; stay invested and avoid the chaos."
  • "Starting your financial journey early can lead to incredible opportunities."
  • "Investing passively can lead to significant wealth over time."
  • "Instilling financial values can make inheritance discussions irrelevant."
  • "Long-term market trends show consistent growth."

Related Resources:

  • The Simple Path to Wealth by Jim Collins: https://www.jlcollinsnh.com/the-simple-path-to-wealth/

What are the benefits of index investing? Low-cost, diversified investing with historically strong returns. Emphasizes long-term growth over short-term speculation.

How can parents teach their children about finances? Begin discussing financial principles and set up savings or investment accounts.

What should I do if my job doesn't offer a 401k? Consider maximizing a traditional IRA or Roth IRA, and explore investment options in low-cost index funds to build retirement savings.

How Fast Could You Reach FI?

Your savings rate is the single biggest factor. Find out exactly where you stand — free, in 60 seconds.

Savings Rate → Years to FI

10%
51 yrs
25%
32 yrs
50%
17 yrs
65%
10.5 yrs

Every 5% increase in savings rate can shave years off your timeline

Free forever — no credit card required

Read Transcript

Comments

Your comment will be posted after signing in
Join the Conversation

Create an account or sign in to post a comment.

Get This in Your Inbox Every Week

One actionable FI strategy each week — no fluff, no spam. Join 87,000+ readers on the path to financial independence.

  • One actionable strategy per week — optimized for real life
  • Curated links, tools, and community wins
  • Join 87,000+ subscribers — unsubscribe anytime

Free forever — no credit card required

Find Your FI Number

Calculate how much you need — takes 60 seconds.

See How Close You Are to FI

What could $500/month become in 30 years?

$566,764 — see your number with our free calculator.

Join ChooseFI

Start your financial independence journey
or

No password needed — we'll email you a verification link.

Already have an account?

Don't have an account?

Your data is
secure & private
Join a supportive
FI community
Resources to help
you reach FI

By creating an account, you agree to ChooseFI's Terms of Service and acknowledge our Privacy Policy, including the assumption of risk for in-person events.

ChooseFI community — Save, Invest, Freedom
Try searching for

⌘K to open anytime

Your FI Journey

1/3

Step 1 of 3

How familiar are you with Financial Independence?