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This Year Everything Changes
FI Fundamentals
Ep. 580 · · 58m 44s

This Year Everything Changes

Everything changes in 2026 — new community app, crowd-sourced approach, and why marginal gains beat dramatic overhauls

Hosted by Brad Barrett & Jonathan Mendonsa
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Slashing $100 from your monthly budget shrinks your FI target by $30,000. Brad and Jonathan explore how small financial wins compound into life-changing freedom, and why 2026 marks a shift toward deeper community connection.

The hosts kick off the year by introducing a new community app designed to help listeners share goals, celebrate frugal victories, and learn from each other's financial experiments. They walk through the math behind financial independence numbers, the power of incremental gains, and why frugality isn't about sacrifice—it's about clarity on what you truly value.

Key Topics & Timestamps:

  • Introduction (00:00:00)

    • Welcome to 2026 and the new community focus.
  • 2026 Goals (00:00:51)

    • Brad and Jonathan reflect on changes in their lives and the FI community.
  • Frugal Wins of The Week (00:20:31)

    • Tips for celebrating small financial victories.

How Close Are You to Financial Independence?

Free calculators, a personalized FI roadmap, and a community of 25K+ on the same journey.

Understanding Your Financial Independence Number (00:25:38)

  • How to calculate your FI number based on annual expenses.
  • Community Engagement and Tools (00:30:12)

    • Introduction of the new community app and its features.
  • Closing Remarks (00:58:17)

    • A call to action for listeners to get involved and share their journeys.
  • Actionable Takeaways:

    • Conduct a net worth statement for 2025 (00:36:54).
    • Join the community app to connect with fellow FI enthusiasts (00:49:35).
    • Participate in an expense audit to gain insights into your spending habits (00:56:20).

    Key Insights:

    • Community Development: A supportive network is essential for financial growth (00:08:06).
    • Frugality Defined: Frugality is about valuing what truly matters, not deprivation (00:40:47).
    • Impact of Budgeting: Cutting just $100 from your budget can reduce your FI target by $30,000 (00:42:10).

    Quotes:

    • "While everything changes, some truths remain constant." (00:12:16)
    • "Building a thriving ecosystem for financial independence together." (00:14:13)
    • "True frugality means valuing what truly matters to you." (00:40:47)

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    Comments (11)

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    aspiringadult 8 months ago

    I'm excited to participate in the crowd sourcing by responding to podcast questions or calling in with a life hack / frugal win of the week.... BUT I cannot find on the website where to do that! I keep clicking on all the pages but I cannot find a place that says 'click here to leave us a voicenote'. Where is this located?

    Asjobeck 9 months ago

    I was so excited to hear you two together again! I yelled to my husband, Jonathans back!!!!! As if Jonathan is a close friend😂

    1
    koshea 9 months ago

    SOOO great to have the team back! I am more of a "Brad" than a "Jonathan," and I admittedly used to think I would prefer a show with just Brad hosting. Be careful what you ask for. The last few years have been great, but it did sometimes feel like I was listening to someone who shared my perspective a little too much. Jonathan brings a balance that I now realize I really value. Love both of you guys and all you have done to improve my family's life in the last 8 +/- years! "Magical," indeed. ❤️🪄✨

    2
    Jonathan Mendonsa 9 months ago

    Those are really kind words. I appreciate you sharing. :)

    ATreth 9 months ago

    Thank you guys for all you do! I just retired 4 months ago at age 58, not super early, but still pretty damn cool! I might not have had the courage to retire without all the information I've gotten from ChooseFI. And LORDY I gotta tell you retirement is just as great as I thought it would be -- x 1000! Looking forward to engaging more with ChooseFI in 2026. This is a nice happy place for me (at a time when opening your computer or looking at your phone often just reveals today's fresh news horror).

    The optionality and freedom created by FI is fan-FUCKING-tastic! But I've found (now that I'm retired) that having financial security and not having the stress/burden of a job makes all other challenges in life that much easier to cope with. Silly little example, I just got over a cold. My first cold since I retired. And guess what, I 100% rested, ate oranges, had hot tea, and watched British murder mysteries. No worrying about work, checking email, going back in the office before I should, etc. It was the best cold ever! lol

    5
    Heather Carr 9 months ago

    I listened yesterday. Great episode! and thanks for the LMNT recipe 😎

    1
    GBell 9 months ago

    Does anyone have links to the LMNT ingredients? This is definitely a line item in our families budget and I was mind-blown in this episode when Brad discussed that it can be made similarly for pennies. Couldn't wait to tell my wife. When I search on Amazon, Im not finding powder form. Looking for guidance...thanks!

    pavdlu 9 months ago

    Welcome back Jonathan Mendonsa@Jonathan Mendonsa 🫡 After 15+ years I deleted Facebook + Instagram this Dec [had to wait 30 days for the full purge… absurd] and honestly one of the reasons why I held onto Facebook was to have access to groups, especially the ChooseFI one. As a Trust & Safety professional (www.dlugosz.xyz

    ) I feel very at peace that I don’t have to be part of that predatory social media environment.

    4
    Carinlynn15 9 months ago

    I am BRAND NEW to FI and this was my first podcast episode -- I am very excited to start learning about this, even if it's later in life. Husband and I are both turning 50 this year and what I'm hoping for is a supportive community that isn't going to judge us for just learning about this now, haha, and instead be a source of encouragement as we dive headfirst into this! Excited about the community aspect of this movement, and the app amplifies this opportunity exponentially. Well done, guys!

    9
    Westie 9 months ago

    You know what they say about the best time to plant a tree. Welcome to the community! Like Brad always says, while the "retirement" payoff of this mindset shift might be 10-20 years away for most people, you still start accruing benefits day one. I'm glad you've found your way here.

    YamZ93 9 months ago

    This was a fun surprise to kick off 2026, I can't wait for the upcoming episodes :)

    Also, loving the new option to take action through the app!

    4
    benjilo 9 months ago

    I’m new here and I’m re watching all episodes from 2017. It’s amazing how even these old episodes still applies to today. A lot of gems. Glad to have you back Jonathan.

    2
    oldmanmcfoo 9 months ago

    Listener for several years now, and happily RE this March. Love the show and even own a ChooseFI hoodie that I wear proudly, and looking forward to engaging where I can. That being said y’all are pushing a bit too hard on the new site & app, both in number of times mentioned and the language used (“I need you to”). If people are interested and it’s easy to use - people will use it. I love the shout out for crowdsourced community engagement - but let us choose how we want to give you that content and feedback, not forcing it through one channel. Some of use are choosing FI for freedom, not to be told there’s new expectations for us.

    1
    Jonathan Mendonsa 9 months ago

    Welcome glad you’re here. Excited to hear about the hoodie.

    I think the feedback is very fair. I’ll take that.

    In the short term list, let’s chalk it up to enthusiasm, and excitement to roll out a new approach to how we want to build the podcast episodes going ‘forward

    Not the fi journey itself

    I have a feeling in the next couple episodes we will also be guilty of this over-enthusiasm (me more than Brad) but if you can hang in there another 30 days I think we’ll find the balance

    5
    UncleFrank 9 months ago

    Knick-knack Paddy-whack! The Mac Daddy's BACK! 😎

    8
    roberto - 9 months ago

    I listened to this episode very early this morning (maybe 2 or 3 hours after it posted to YouTube; I was on the road) and it does sound like there are some exciting developments. I fondly recall the days of the single digit episodes with the classic intro and outro. And Jonathan always brings a unique energy to the show.

    4
    Jonathan Mendonsa 9 months ago

    Thanks sir excited to be back!!

    4
    Brad Barrett 9 months ago

    haha yes! We just recorded 2 more episodes today and we are FLYING -- it's genuinely amazing!

    12
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