— Dec 18, 2016

Get Started On The Path to Financial Independence

What if you could get to the point where working is optional not just in your golden years but in your best years and have fun doing it.

— Dec 20, 2016

Why Failure Matters | Brad Backstory

Brad shares how he iterated out of failure to a online business success and how you can too!

— Dec 23, 2016

Let's Talk About Fees | Why Investment Fees Are Evil and How to Avoid Them

Do understand how expensive your investments are?Jonathan and Brad explore how Expense Ratios and Assets Under Management Fees Erode your Returns and Portfolio over time.

— Dec 27, 2016

Get Off The Hamster Wheel | Jonathan Backstory

Brad Interviews Jonathan to hear his story: In August 2013 Jonathan graduated from Pharmacy School with $168,000 student loan debt

— Jan 09, 2017

Why Everyone Needs Dave Ramsey and Why You Should Ignore Him

Dave Ramsey and Jonathan’s history following him. Review and evaluate Dave’s teaching philosophies Baby Step 1: Get an emergency fund of $1,000

— Jan 16, 2017

The Power Of Partnerships | ChooseFI Origin Story

The Power of Partnerships How Brad and Jonathan met Our decision to partner up on Choose FI The importance of taking action

— Jan 23, 2017

America's Food Obsession | How to Crush Your Grocery Bill

America's food obsession is leading to unhealthy lifestyles and financial strain. This episode of ChooseFI dives into dining out implications and offers actionable tips for healthier cooking at home. Hosts Jonathan and Brad share how meal planning and wise grocery shopping can lead to significant savings, improving your health while boosting your financial independence. Discover how to make meal prep simple and effective, paving the way for a healthier future.

— Jan 30, 2017

Avoid Bank Fees at All Cost

Bank fees can silently drain your finances, costing Americans billions annually. This episode dives deep into the different types of bank fees, sharing effective strategies to avoid overdraft and ATM charges. What to know about your banking services and how to seek competitive options. Discover how simple changes in your banking habits can lead to significant savings. Don't let bank fees eat away at your financial goals—take control now!

— Feb 06, 2017

Travel Rewards: How To Travel The World For Almost Free (The Easy Way)

Travel rewards can dramatically enhance your travel experience and save you money. Jonathan and Brad share the practical strategies for maximizing credit card rewards. From understanding the Chase Ultimate Rewards program to sharing personal success stories, These travel rewards tips can revolutionize the way you travel, making adventures accessible at a fraction of the price.

— Feb 13, 2017

Skinny Waist, Fat Wallet (How To Lose 30 Lbs In 3 months)

Fitness and nutrition from a financial independence mindset Jonathan’s quest to lose the weight in the 3 months leading up to his son’s birth. Be intentional about your goals. Eat to live, don't live to eat.

— Feb 20, 2017

Welcome To The Hot Seat

The ChooseFI podcast introduces its exciting new segment, the Hot Seat, designed to delve deeper into the insights and strategies of renowned personal finance figures. In this innovative approach, hosts Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett aim to move beyond typical guest backgrounds and engage listeners in meaningful discussions fueled by community involvement.

— Feb 27, 2017

Living Frugal Frugalwoods | Save 75% Of Your Take Home Pay

012 | Living Frugal is a Powerful FI Tool Liz from Frugalwoods coaches us through the ultimate guide to frugal living The benefits of minimalism and living frugal Frugalwoods family saving 70%+ of their income Their conscious decision in March 2014 to pursue financial independence

— Mar 06, 2017

The Unfair (FI) Advantage Of Teachers | 457b

013 | Our guest: Millionaire Educator shows us how to invest your money. He shows how teachers, firefighters, police officers and public employees can leverage the power of pretax savings to supercharge their retirement , and become millionaires.

— Mar 13, 2017

The Phases Of FI With 1500 Days

014 | The Phases of FI with 1500 days (Mr 1500) Our Guest: Carl from 1500 Days The Phases of Financial Independence Close-knit community at Fincon and FI generally, Its amazing how much you have in common with somebody when you share a philosophy about money

— Mar 03, 2017

Introducing the Friday Roundup

The Friday Roundup acts as a way to connect the FI community bringing in your feedback questions, and corrections. https://www.choosefi.com/Start

— Mar 10, 2017

Control Your Tax Rate R

Control your Tax Rate by understanding how our marginal brackets work and eliminating consumer debt and taking advantage of tax deferred accounts

— Mar 20, 2017

Root Of Good | 2nd Generation FIRE And College

015 | In Today’s Podcast we cover: Our guest: Justin from Root of Good Justin had access to 401k and the 457 retirement plans 457 plan is an extremely valuable took for early retirement as there is no 10% early withdrawal penalty

— Mar 27, 2017

House Hacking With Coach Carson

016 | In Today’s Podcast we cover: Real estate investing and house hacking with Chad “Coach” Carson. On the path to financial independence, how much of your own budget is going towards housing? After Chad graduated college at Clemson, he got started with real estate investing in his college town. How financial independence and real estate investing have allowed Chad to move his family to Ecuador for about 1.5 years. When they moved to Ecuador they sold most of their possessions and rented out their house for 2 years. When Chad graduated college he kept his expenses extremely low and actually moved into his business partner’s spare bedroom to help save money. This led to his concept of “house hacking” as a way to keep housing expenses down to nearly zero House hacking: buy a multi-family rental unit and live in one unit while you rent out the rest and have them essentially pay for your house payment entirely Easy to become rich saving the money you’d otherwise be paying for your house and car payments Keep it simple and pay attention to the fundamentals with your financial life How do you get started with real estate? Where do you find a multi-family unit to buy? What to look for: neighborhoods with charm, safe, public transportation nearby Avoid cookie-cutter neighborhoods on the outskirts of town with new construction Chad recommends hiring a real estate agent at the beginning. Have them run searches based on your desired neighborhoods and automatically send you new listings. It is essential to walk the neighborhoods and talk to people to gather intel. Tip: walk with your kids to seem less intimidating and go on a Saturday morning when they are out It’s important to think differently and take that extra step to find great deals. Have to reach out to people and get outside your comfort zone Real estate: The numbers crunching has to come into play at some point. Put together a profile of what makes a good deal upfront Follow the ‘1% rule’: You are looking for the monthly rent to be 1% of the purchase price ($1,000 per month rent = $100,000 house price) Chad was able to pull his equity out and invest in another deal Small investors need to avoid 5 or more unit complex in order to get the most favorable owner-occupied financing Once you have an owner-occupied financing, you can move out and keep the favorable financing rates and rent all the units How to get started finding financing if you have no money saved and no contacts? Options: FHA 203k Loan in order to remodel and do a house hack or Fannie Mae Remodeling loan Building relationships with local real estate investors and private lenders Real estate debt snowball to fully own these properties as a path to wealth and financial independence Chad’s personal strategy: 15% of his assets are currently in index funds with a goal of up to 33% and the vast majority of the rest is in real estate, cash and financing/note investing Chad and his business partner have approximately 90 rental units currently Chad is not interested in growing as large as possible – he wants to find a balance in life and keep it as simple as possible to meet his financial independence goal Hot Seat Questions Favorite life hack: Planning and actually writing it out. Weekly, monthly, yearly Biggest mistake: buying into other people’s goals and getting sloppy with purchasing a lot of properties at the height of the 2007 bubble Links from the show: CoachCarson.com Root of Good House Hacking Guide - How to "Hack" Your Housing, Live For Free, & Start Investing in Real Estate How to Retire Rich With Ugly Houses and Embarrassing Old Cars Stock Series at JLCollinsNH.com The Debt Snowball Plan - How to Get Free & Clear Rental Properties The All-Cash Plan - How to Get Free & Clear Rental Properties How Many Rentals Do I Need to Retire FHA 203k Loan information

— Apr 03, 2017

Mad Fientist an Origin Story

017 | In Today’s Podcast we cover: Today’s guest: Brandon from MadFientist.com and the origin story of the Mad Fientist How did the Mad Fientist website come about? He first stumbled on the Early Retirement Extreme website He thought there’d be investing strategies to get him to financial independence more quickly, but he realized index funds were the best way to go about it Then he stumbled upon tax optimization and tax avoidance strategies Finding Get Rich Slowly and other personal finance blogs got him interested, but he looked at it through the eyes of an early retiree and realized the standard advice didn’t necessarily apply “Early retirees are such a different breed” and optimizations can be had when looking at the problems differently for FIRE He took a core tax strategy and pivoted it to the best way to optimize for early retirees

— Mar 17, 2017

What’s the Right Way to Calculate Net Worth?

Control your Tax Rate by understanding how our marginal brackets work and eliminating consumer debt and taking advantage of tax deferred accounts

— Mar 24, 2017

The 'Joneses' Are Bankrupt

Keeping up with the Joneses' will cost you

— Apr 10, 2017

Go Curry Cracker | Capital Gains, Losses and The Roth Conversion Ladder

018 | In Today’s Podcast we cover: Our guest: Jeremey from Go Curry Cracker Jeremy and Winnie are living the geo-arbitrage life: currently in Taipei, Taiwan and then on to a four month trip to Europe They are using travel rewards points to get nearly free business class flights from Taipei to Europe. Using Alaska Airlines miles on Cathay Pacific they got nearly 20 cents per point in value! “Retiring in your 30s is simple but not necessarily easy” The biggest contributing factor is saving a high percentage of your income It’s easier to save a high percentage of your income when you have a larger income Make unconventional choices to save a high percentage 2nd Generation FIRE and how college costs can be lowered Jeremy had $40,000 in debt when he came out of college They have already opened a Roth-IRA for their son and used the income he earned from ‘modeling services’ for Go Curry Cracker He used the 80/20 rule to look at where 80% of their spending was going Sold his car and rode a bicycle Winnie made it so her cooking was the best food in town and they never wanted to go out to eat They spend approximately $2 per person per meal for delicious gourmet home cooked meals Most of their entertainment was community based with friends where they weren’t spending money How did he get started on his FI journey? He took the first 6 years to pay down his $40,000 in debt.  Didn’t take vacation, worked overtime to earn more money. On his first vacation he realized he didn’t want to work forever and started formulating his plan He set a 10 year plan and retired in 10 years plus 1 day from when he started! What was it like when he actually quit his job? The power of FU money and not needing to work plus how much more power it gives you while you are actually working How is he investing his money? 100% of his money is in 2 index funds Wait for compound interest to take hold so you can benefit over decades Unpacking his article ‘Never Pay Taxes Again’ Harvesting Capital Gains and how it enables you to get up to $90,000 in tax free income each year and increase the basis in those funds so you are never paying taxes on the gains Wash sale rules aren’t relevant to harvesting capital gains, only capital losses Harvesting capital gains actually makes it easier to harvest capital losses in the future They also do the Roth-IRA conversion ladder to effectively make their regular 401k tax free Harvesting capital losses to offset other income Avoiding the wash sale rules: Need to buy back another fund (example: Sell Total Stock Market Index fund and buy S&P 500 Index fund) Hot Seat questions Favorite blog: JLCollinsNH.com Favorite life hack: credit card rewards points Links from the show: Go Curry Cracker Frugalwoods Podcast Episode: Introduction to Maximizing Travel Rewards points Jeremy’s guest post on Budgets are Sexy Stock Series on JLCollinsNH.com Mad Fientist Never Pay Taxes Again on Go Curry Cracker Favorite articles: How to Give Like a Billionaire on JLCollinsNH.com They Will Kill You for Your Shoes! on Go Curry Cracker Favorite purchase: Iphone 7 Plus Google Project FI Go Curry Cracker on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Books Mentioned in the Show: The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day

— Apr 17, 2017

JL Collins from jlcollinsnh | The Stock Series | Part 1

019 | In Today’s Podcast JL collins from JLcollinsnh.com joins Jonathan & Brad on the podcast to bring the Stock Series to life. The Power of Index Investing is one of life's greatest secrets & JL Collins is the ultimate travel guide. This multi part series turns the stock series into an interactive audio companion and this first part is sure to compel you to stick around for each additional entry

— Mar 31, 2017

Friends of the Library

Friday Roundup #5 Recap of house hacking episode with Chad Carson from CoachCarson.com Real estate investing is one of the pillars of Financial Independence ‘Keep it super simple and try to do the fundamentals well’ quote by Chad Chad put in the extra effort to walk neighborhoods on Saturday mornings to learn about real estate House hacking is essential knowledge for someone getting started with FI The main levers to pull to get on the path to financial independence Housing is the biggest line item in most budgets and this can be a game changer House hacking for ‘2nd generation FIRE’ Brad lived at home after college graduation and saved many thousands of dollars instead of renting an apartment If you have a solid income and you aren’t saving money then you aren’t a “success” Moving forward ChooseFI will bring in other real estate mentors to help educate all of us Itunes reviews Feedback from Libertarian Investments about our appearance on Radical Personal Finance on earning more than $100,000 income and how it makes paying down debt much easier Can you earn $100,000 a year without going to college? That wasn’t what we were arguing on Radical Personal Finance Unconventional choices: Brad and his wife Laura decided to pick up their entire lives and move 400 miles south to Richmond, VA. This was a long-term play to afford the FI lifestyle on one income. Message from Ken on the benefits of libraries and the assortment of ways you can get value out of your local library. He also thought the 10 year timeline to reach FI was unrealistic We agreed and thought 10-15 years is much more realistic. And even if people take 20-25 years it is still a huge win over where they would have been otherwise Debt-free isn’t the goal – it is financial independence Comment from Tallis on how the podcast has been “life changing” for them. They already put a plan on paper for early retirement! Feedback from Isaac that the Roth IRA is the “worst” investment vehicle and we’re going to unpack this in the future Jonah said dollar cost averaging provides far below average market return. While we agree mathematically, it is still difficult psychologically for people to dump a bunch of money into the market at one time Travel rewards question from Ben on the timing of the Southwest Companion Pass Travel rewards question about hotel rewards and how to maximize Hyatt and Starwood Episode 17 coming up: Behind the scenes look at the Mad Fientist Links from the show: Podcast episode: Coach Carson Coach Carson’s website Sign up for Chad's email list Article about Chad as a Clemson Tiger football player Chad’s first house hack & house hacking guide ChooseFI podcast episode on travel rewards

— Apr 24, 2017

Entry Level Middle Class Lifestyle | Intro to Insurance

020 | The Entry Level Middle Class Lifestyle is a tool that you can use to supercharge your path to FI. Jonathan and Brad go through their expenses one line item at a time. Then they start the conversation about a FI approach to insurance, with an emphasis on life insurance

— Apr 17, 2017

The Roth IRA Conversion Ladder | A Case Study

An updated case study of the Roth IRA conversion ladder and a challenge for the community are some of the topics that Brad and Jonathan tackle today.

— Apr 14, 2017

Capital Gains Harvesting | Never Pay Taxes Again

In Today’s Podcast we cover how to harvest long term capital gains tax free. Friday Roundup 7 Review of Monday’s episode with Jeremy from Go Curry Cracker Brad and his family just visited Washington DC for the weekend and used Chase Ultimate Rewards points to stay at the Hyatt Place National Mall Brad’s trip to Walt Disney World with his family, parents and in-laws Jonathan now understands harvesting capital gains and losses after the episode with Jeremy Unconventional choices: Jeremy and Winnie haggling at the farmer’s market near the close of business. Brad going to Disney World before Molly turned 3 so they could get her park ticket for free. Jeremy taking his son on a flight the day before he turned 2 so he could be a lap child on a business class flight Quick hit takeaways from the Jeremy episode: He told his mom he had a ’60 year emergency fund’; he opened a Roth-IRA for his son for earned income on the website. The power of having money and financial independence enabled Jeremy to walk out of his job instead of doing something that he didn’t want to do. Brad’s story of when he left his job and taking the power back from corporate America Investing philosophy and the importance of taking your brain out of financial decisions His financial freedom clock started when he ‘got to broke’ and paid off his student loans Capital Gains Harvesting | Avoiding long term capital gains tax Case study: Married couple with one child. 30 years old.  $120,000 of income and maxing their 401k ($36k in total) Qualified dividends and long-term capital gains are taxed at 0% if you’re in the 10% or 15% marginal tax bracket Understanding how marginal tax rates work for income taxes The definition of FI: having 25 times your annual expenses saved up and invested The long term capital gains tax The long term capital gains tax  defined & explained How the Roth-IRA conversion ladder would work for this couple and how they can harvest long term capital gains tax free by using advanced FI techniques Itunes reviews and questions from the community Reader case study from Kevin: How to work with a spouse from an ultra-wealthy lifestyle and bring them over to the FI lifestyle Find what makes you happy in life and what you value and spend accordingly Kevin’s scenario is almost exactly like our case study on this episode Travel Rewards question: How to maximize hotel points with Hyatt and Starwood hotels What’s coming up on ChooseFI: JL Collins talks about the Stock Series, the Stapes of FI, JD Roth and Kristy from Millennial Revolution, the true cost of car ownership Links from the show: Podcast episode with Jeremy from Go Curry Cracker Hyatt Place Washington DC National Mall How to take a nearly free trip to Disney World with rewards points from Richmond Savers Personal Capital signup link – free net worth and financial tracker JL Collins’ Stock Series Podcast episode: Travel Rewards points Hyatt House Emeryville, CA Recommended Content Introduction to Free Money Part 1 of the Never Pay Taxes Again series

— Apr 21, 2017

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 in his lifetime

— May 01, 2017

The Pillars Of FI

021 | In this episode of the Choose FI Radio Podcast we focus on the essential Pillars of Financial Independence including index investing, affordable housing, the psychology of FI, tax optimization and more.

— May 08, 2017

The True Cost Of Car Ownership

022 | Do you know what your car is actually costing you each year? What about over an investing lifetime? In this episode of the ChooseFI Radio Podcast we cover the True Cost of Car Ownership and you'll be absolutely amazed at the numbers.

— Apr 28, 2017

The Friday Roundup | Introducing our First Crowd Sourced Case Study & FI plan

We introduce our first crowd sourced case study from a listener and we have a challenge to you:  Implement one life hack this week that will make your life easier and less stressful and send it to us at [email protected] (or leave a voicemail on our homepage!) and we'll read it on next week's Friday roundup. Our first Friday roundup after a non-guest episode which leaves lots of time for audience input, questions and voicemails We want the podcast to be ‘By FIRE for FIRE’ and make it truly crowdsourced Jonathan and Brad are living a normal middle class lifestyle, just smarter. We aren’t doing anything especially different – just optimizing Brad and his wife Laura had a conversation about what makes their spending different than their friends and neighbors While the fixed expenses are essential (home, cars, cell phones, cable, etc.) the discretionary expenses also make the difference between a non-FI mindset and one pursuing FI How Brad’s kids are not constantly ‘wanting’ new toys, to redecorate their rooms, etc. It wasn’t intentional on the parent’s part, so the thought is that they saw the lack of wanting modeled in the house Jonathan’s frugal win of the week: He superglued a broken lamp in his house and it is still working 1.5 years later!   Upgrading your house not only wastes money, but it wastes a ton of valuable time searching for these items and getting it “perfect” Stressed lives and an ask of the audience: Implement one life hack this week that will make your life easier and let us know about it! It’s so easy to get bogged down in the details of life, business, etc. that you miss the truly essential items that could move the needle and make a difference Brad focuses on things he can get better at over a period of many years such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu and stretching/mobility “You are going to be the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with” and discussion surrounding it Feedback from Deidra: She recommended SBLI for life insurance after hearing our Episode 20 show Brad had a conversation with a friend of his this past weekend on FI and on his plan to retire in 16 years with a pension, fully paid off rental homes and his primary residence paid off, plus 401k and 457 balances Voicemail from Harrison: Info on an alternative to Vanguard and VTSAX. He recommends SWTSX which has  a lower expense ratio and no minimum balance Voicemail from Paul: Part 1 of 3 as a live case study with his life Our questions for Paul for Part 2 of the case study Voicemail from Isaac with a question on travel rewards and how to deal with Chase’s 5/24 strategy Feedback from Nia – international perspective and info for UK listeners Itunes reviews and the 2 winners of The Simple Path to Wealth Where ChooseFI is going: Ideas from the audience and future episodes Links from the show: Todoist SBLI life insurance Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia UK Monevator Blog - How to Invest Books Mentioned in the Show: The One Thing by Gary Keller The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins

— May 29, 2017

The Wealthy Accountant

025 | In today's podcast we have Keith from The Wealthy Accountant on the show to discuss tax optimization for individuals and small businesses with plenty of tax tips for your FI tool chest.

— May 22, 2017

FI180 | Make A U-Turn And Choose FI

024 | Today we have Joel and Alexis from FI180.com on the podcast.  

— May 05, 2017

Our First Ever Crowd-Sourced Case Study | Paul

In today's episode of the Friday Roundup we review our discussion of the Pillars of Financial Independence, take questions and comments from the community and go in-depth on Paul's live case study. Review of Episode 21, the Pillars of Financial Independence What areas of financial independence did we leave out of the episode? Might have under-discussed savings rate as a pillar of FI Choose FI as one of the ‘5 people you spend the most time with’ The value of $100 savings per month after 20 years or 40 years Can Jonathan really do 50 pullups? Comment from the audience: Charlotte mentioned Geographic Arbitrage as a pillar of financial independence Comment from the audience: Mary suggests that taxes are the largest line item in your budget, not housing like we mentioned Comment from Frank: He thinks we can do an entire episode on how to educate your children on money Comment from Matt: The expense ratio on Vanguard’s VTSAX fund was just lowered to 0.04% FIRE in the News: Anti-frugal event that Isaac showed us and Financial Panther’s list of best new podcasts The value of travel rewards for people in the FI community Frugal wins of the week from the audience: Andrew starting his own Gracie Garage, Tom’s list of incredible life changes, Cassie’s reduction in car insurance, Neal maximizing gift cards that were lying around the house, Tanner saving on free and used items, Heidi cutting cable Live case study from Paul – his responses to our questions from last week’s episode Paul’s response to “how much do your expenses cost you each year” Paul’s response to the question, “do you want to quit your job?” Paul’s response to “what does your post-FI life really look like?” Brad’s thought that the pursuit of FI is not about money – it’s what you value in life and finding happiness both in the journey and post-FI Frank’s question to Paul about what they have planned for his daughter’s college education Will $43,000 of savings be enough to fully fund a four year college education? Thoughts on college education and the value of that education Question to Paul about what is psychologically holding him back Question to Paul about his plans to include Social Security into his FI plan Question to Paul about the breakdown of his investment accounts between different ‘buckets’ Paul’s plan for a Roth-IRA conversion ladder Paige’s comment about the ‘Age of 55’ rule for distributions from your 401k if you are 55 or older after your separation from service Our follow up questions for Paul based on his case study Itunes reviews and book giveaways Links from the show: Money Confident Kids article: Parents are likely to pass down good and bad financial habits to their kids Article from Isaac: Fyre Festival: When a $12,000 luxury festival in paradise turns into chaos Financial Panther article: 9 Best New Personal Finance Podcasts Seonwoo’s article about FAFSA: How a Millionaire Retiree Could Get as Much Aid for College as Someone Who’s Broke  

— May 15, 2017

Career Hacking With ESI Money

023 | ESI from ESI Money is on the podcast today talking about Career Hacking and how you can set yourself up to earn millions more over a working career with seven simple steps. In Today's Podcast We Cover: ESI from ESIMoney.com is here to discuss ways you can increase your earnings through Career Hacking ESI retired at 52 and reaching “financial independence” in his early 40s. He lives in Colorado, which is where many FI bloggers live

— May 12, 2017

Friday Roundup | Huge Announcement

We discuss the True Cost of Car Ownership, how to maximize your travel rewards points plus a big announcement on a new in-house 'expert' for ChooseFI! Episode review of our podcast Episode 22 on The True Cost of Car Ownership Your best-case scenario is buying a 5 to 10 year old gas sipping car Even a low cost car is going to cost you at least $2,000 per year Your fixed structural expenses move the needle significantly on your path to FI, and the car is the easiest one to change.

— May 19, 2017

Friday Roundup | Paul Case Study Part 3

We discuss career hacking with ESI Money, Big ERN's analysis of Paul's case study, plus hear our answers to an interesting question posed by audience member Jason about the value of frugality.

— May 26, 2017

The Friday Roundup | How to Hack Your ESPP

We discuss Episode 24 with Joel and Alexis from FI180 as well as some expert voicemails from Chad Carson about real estate plus Ken talking about ESPP options. Friday Roundup after Episode 24 with Joel and Alexis from FI 180 Camp Mustache tickets for January 2018 are available for sale, so come and join us! The letter Joel wrote to his younger self and the emotional value of it The sacrifice for living an opulent lifestyle is too great in our opinion as you have finite resources and have to make the best choices Joel and Alexis had a true choice and inflection point where they chose Financial Independence They looked at FI as a game and had fun trying to gain a quicker path to FI. It made them happier and brought them closer together The 72 hour no buying rule that Liz from Frugalwoods informed us about Brad’s new favorite card game: Monopoly Deal Feedback from the audience: Austin’s email about his path to FI with a career that didn’t require a Bachelor’s Degree. He is now earning 6-figures at 25 years of age Itunes review from Derek who is teaching his 5th grade students how to look at money, index fund investing and much more. Geri’s question about reinvesting dividends when you invest in mutual funds. You generally want to reinvest the dividends Question from John about investing in VTSAX in a “taxable” investment and what bucket to put it in? Our advice is to open a standard brokerage account and invest in VTSAX Index fund investing is the most tax efficient investing since there is low turnover and thus lower capital gains that would be taxed in the current year Email from Matt describing how he’s thinking more deeply by listening to our show and reading FI blogs ChooseFI mentions on other blogs FI hack from Ken on ESPPs and Jonathan’s response since he can benefit from it at his job and purchase his company stock at a 10% discount Follow up from our in-house expert on real estate: Chad Carson who gives us a background on how to evaluate the financials behind a rental real estate purchase Travel rewards question about how to review flight and alliance award options. Our  thought is to look at traveling differently and build in flexibility and find saver award availability Travel rewards question about combining Chase Ultimate Rewards points Hot Seat intro music update Itunes reviews and The Simple Path to Wealth book giveaway Links from the show: FI 180 Monopoly Deal card game Winning Williams The Green Swan article: Never Pay Taxes Again Done by Forty article:  Spending is Arbitrary Ken’s blog: TheOptionToSell.com Chad Carson’s articles: How to Run the Numbers for Rental Properties How to Travel & Invest in Real Estate - 10 Essential Tools of the Trade Award Hacker

— Jun 05, 2017

Physician On FIRE | FI For Medical Professionals | Financial Freedom Vs Financial Independence

026 | Today we welcome the Physician on FIRE to the podcast to talk about his path to FI as well as tips and hacks for other high income and medical professionals to get on the path to Financial Independence.

— Jun 12, 2017

Slowly Sipping Coffee | FI vs Risk Tolerance

027 | Today we welcome Jay from Slowly Sipping Coffee to the podcast to talk about his reluctant path to FI, the amazing Mrs. SSC and a Fully Funded Lifestyle Change. In Today’s Podcast we cover: Our interview with Jay from Slowly Sipping Coffee How they came up with the name of their blog and how they’d enjoy ‘slowly sipping coffee’ in a more relaxed and free Friday morning

— Jun 02, 2017

Friday Roundup | Paul Case Study Part 4

We discuss Episode 25 with Keith from the Wealthy Accountant, Part 4 of the case study with Paul including a look at his line-by-line expenses, plus questions and feedback from the audience. Friday Roundup after Episode 25 with Keith from The Wealthy Accountant The firehose of information that Keith unleashed was incredible! Feedback from the audience about Keith’s episode The value of an S-corp election for small businesses How to find a top tier accountant with passion for helping you When should you form an LLC when starting a side business and are there any benefits of doing so? Danielle’s feedback about our working of “taxable savings.” She used “post-tax savings” which we really like Dominic’s feedback about reinvesting dividends Careers that help you get to FI: Nursing and feedback from the audience on why this is such a positive career on the path to Financial Independence Announcing the ChooseFI private facebook group! Discussion of Camp Mustache Brad’s FI conversation in real life with his friend Justin about $2 per person per meal for dinners How to portion out dinners to save money Laura is going to share her recipes in the new private Facebook group Frugal wins of the week from Jake and Brad Mark Resnick from Student Loan Freedom: Voicemail with a hack on saving money on student loans Discussion of Mark’s voicemail and our request to get one audience member to work with Mark on student loan forgiveness programs Voicemail from Bryce on hacking college How Brad and Jonathan wish they had the knowledge Bryce passed along when they went to college How to start planning early to apply for these scholarships Case study update: Going through Paul’s expenses and analyzing them. What does his post-FI expenses look like? Paul’s expenses drop significantly in his post-FI life $23,000 of his $73,000 annual expenses were on vacations and this can drop significantly in a post-FI life by using travel rewards points and pursuing slow travel Looking at Paul’s actual expenses and what else is “fluff” on top Our update on future case studies: We can’t do these once per month.  More likely 3-5 per year. Jason from Winning Williams is putting together a ‘crowdsourced FI plan’ excel sheet Travel rewards question on how to save on cruises. You can use a ‘fixed value’ card to offset cruise expense Itunes reviews of the week and book giveaway Links from the show: Wealthy Accountant Aubrey’s blog: moneyenergyfreedomlife.com Dominic’s link from Bogleheads on reinvesting dividends Emiko: Beetsandlilacs.com ChooseFI.com/Facebook to get access to our private Facebook group Winning Williams Money Metagame Seonwoo’s site: FIby40.com FI180 Popup Business School Dash Go Rapid Egg Cooker Student Loan Freedom

— Jun 09, 2017

The Friday Roundup | Paul Case Study - Part 5 | Final

We discuss our takeaways from Episode 26 with Physician on FIRE plus some exciting developments in the Financial Independence world as well as feedback, questions and comments from the ChooseFI community. The Friday Roundup after the Physician on FIRE interview from Episode 26 Information for the high income professionals and how it’s important to give details for that aspect of our audience Does the perfect answer exist for high income professionals pursuing FI? It might not be possible to defer enough money to get them out of that high marginal tax rate “A dollar saved is two dollars earned in the 50% tax bracket.” A brilliant quote from Physician on FIRE Everything comes down to living a frugal lifestyle “Doesn’t your spouse deserve a really great lifestyle?” asked the White Coat Investor. “Well yes, and she’ll have one, but she deserves my time.” Responds PoF. The fundamental flaw in the ‘retirement calculators’ that are published online for “normal people.” Your current income is not relevant when considering your retirement number. It is all about your expenses. For new physicians, you need to avoid the blowup in spending on cars and expensive homes when you get that first big paycheck You need to keep your fixed expenses down to a manageable level and you can splurge at the margins on other things Don’t fall into peer pressure to live an expensive lifestyle. Maybe move to a smaller town and practice geographic arbitrage in the US Brad’s own geographic arbitrage in his life moving from Long Island to Richmond, VA Optimized charitable giving with a ‘donor advised fund’ Discussion of the ‘backdoor Roth’ that Physician on Fire mentioned on the episode and the applicability for high income earners A new Camp Mustache event was announced for January 2018 and the tickets are available The ChooseFI private Facebook group is running and extremely vibrant and we’d love for you to join us Scott Rieckens contacted us about a documentary on the FI community that he is embarking on The FI community is on the verge of a breakthrough in the US Brad’s mom is listening to the podcast and had a frugal win of the week Feedback from PastorFI: College hack for student housing Discussing the call from Mark from Student Loan Freedom from Episode 25R about permanent life insurance Feedback from about Ken’s prior call about the ESPP from Olaf. He clarified the tax treatment on the purchase through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan Don’t let paying taxes get in the way of making a smart financial decision Noah from Money Metagame’s call about how to remove escrow to potentially save hundreds of dollars per year Part 5 of the case study with Paul including Paul’s feedback on his daughter’s college plans plus Paul’s summary of the case study Frugal Wins of the Week from the ChooseFI Community Itunes Reviews of the Week and Book Winners Links from the show: Physician on Fire Frugalwoods article on Donor Advised Funds Camp Mustache tickets Join our private Facebook group Scott Rieckens website Mr. Money Mustache on the Tim Ferriss podcast Student Loan Freedom KeepThrifty.com Money Metagame Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia ToDoIst Early Retirement Now Google Docs from Big Ern at Early Retirement Now: Google Doc master file for Safe Withdrawal Rates Big Ern's explanation on how to use this file Doc with Paul's case study numbers with Social Security Doc with Paul's case study numbers without Social Security Fiery Millennials

— Jun 19, 2017

Order of Operations | The Buckets | The Roth IRA

028 | In today's podcast we discuss the four different "buckets" available to savers plus an in-depth look at the Roth IRA and the 'Backdoor Roth.' In Today’s Podcast we cover: The order of operations for how you should approach the different “buckets” available to you both for retirement accounts and for your taxable savings Four basic ways for your retirement and investment funds to be taxed Best case is an account similar to the HSA which is not taxed when you put the money in nor when you pull it out

— Jun 16, 2017

The Friday Roundup | Debunking the Value of the Mortgage Deduction

We highlight our takeaways from Episode 27 with Jay from Slowly Sipping Coffee, plus we discuss the 'Mount Rushmore' of FI and help debunk a lot of the misinformation surrounding the value of the mortgage interest deduction.

— Jun 23, 2017

The Friday Roundup

We discuss tax-deferred accounts, the Roth IRA conversion ladder, frugal wins of the week, an 'expert answer' from the Millionaire Educator as well as the Hot Seat with community member Chad!

— Jun 26, 2017

The Aspiring Minimalist vs the Reluctant Frugalist

029 | In today's podcast we go through a discussion of the mindset differences between a 'reluctant frugalist' like Jonathan and an aspiring minimalist like Brad. In Today’s Podcast we cover: The reluctant frugalist (Jonathan) vs. the mindset of the aspiring minimalist (Brad)

— Jul 03, 2017

The Side Hustle | The Unspoken Lever of FI

030 | In Today’s Podcast we cover: How Alan Donegan of PopUp Business School has turned starting businesses on its head similar to how FI has turned personal finance on its head and caused us to think differently

— Jun 30, 2017

The Friday Roundup

We discuss our key takeaways from Episode 29: The Reluctant Frugalist vs. the Aspiring Minimalist, plus feedback from the audience as well as two of our in-house experts.

— Jul 07, 2017

The Side Hustle "Unpacked" | Friday Roundup

We have the biggest announcement in the history of ChooseFI thanks to Alan from PopUp Business School, so be sure to listen and get your responses in ASAP.

— Jul 10, 2017

Travel Rewards What Comes After Chase | Travel To Disney World For Nearly Free

031 | In today's podcast we discuss Part 2 of our Travel Rewards series including what to do after you've focused on Chase credit cards plus whether you should focus on one trip or a general strategy.

— Jul 14, 2017

The Friday Roundup

We discuss travel rewards, flipping holidays upside down, buying presents, the upcoming FI Documentary and much more.

— Jul 17, 2017

The Milestones Of FI

032 | In today's podcast we discuss the Milestones of FI with Joel from FI 180; this is a new look at the path to FI and the milestones along the way. In Today’s Podcast we cover: The ‘Milestones of FI’ with Joel from FI 180 We welcome Joel as our first repeat guest on Choose FI The Milestones of FI as a ‘master’s degree’ journey after Dave Ramsey’s baby steps Joel plans to be fully FI in January 2018 Joel is completely debt free and is shooting for $25,000 per year in other spending FI creates a “magic money making machine” that spits out yearly ‘checks’ (the 4% rule) FI is the ultimate luxury purchase to save for this ‘magic money making machine’ The Dave Ramsey Baby Steps explained To get started on the Milestones of FI: Debt Free and/or $1 of positive net worth First FI Milestone: $100,000 net worth when you first start getting calls from Personal Capital to setup a phone consultation 2nd FI Milestone: ‘FU Money’ set; 2-3 years of yearly expenses saved up 1st and 2nd milestone can be similar depending on your yearly spending The 3rd milestone is ‘Half FI’ which puts you halfway to FI in total spending, but actually more than that in terms of time on your FI path The path to FI is not linear and Joel explains Milestone #4 is ‘Lean FI’ which means you have enough money to stop working forever if you cut out the discretionary aspects of your budget (about 30% of Joel’s budget) Lean FI is an ‘emergency fund that would last forever’ as it covers your housing, food and other essentials Lean FI is perfect for people with a side hustle to do it with no risk The ‘crossover point’ could be another Milestone of FI. This is where your portfolio increase is more than the income you’re earning from your job The next milestone is ‘Flex FI’: This is a ‘5% rule’ or 20x your annual spending in your total net worth Flex FI is only viable for people who can build flexibility into their lives from year to year depending on the market returns, etc. FI is not one milestone but a smooth continuum towards this goal Flex FI has an 82% chance of success according to the Trinity Study (75% stocks, 25% bonds) Financial Independence is the 7th 25x your annual spending. All the work you do after you reach FI is completely optional. Now you can do what you want with your time. When you reach FI you can pick and choose what you want to do at work and in life The 8th milestone is ‘Fat FI’: This is 30x your annual spending which is the “closest thing to a sure thing” you can get in life Where is Brad in milestone continuum? Where is Jonathan? What does Alexis and Joel’s milestone celebration look like? Links from the show: The Milestones of FI at FI180.com Mad Fientist’s FI Laboratory cFireSim Early Retirement Now Fiery Millennials Personal Capital (affiliate link) Slowly Sipping Coffee

— Jul 21, 2017

The Friday Roundup

We discuss Episode 32 with Joel from FI 180 on the 'Milestones of FI', plus a life hack voicemail from Noah and Frugal Wins of the Week from our Facebook community.

— Jul 24, 2017

Design Your Future | Dominick Quartuccio

033 | In today's podcast we speak with Dominick Quartuccio from DominickQ.com and the author of the book Design Your Life about disrupting your behaviors and 'creating a future you can't wait to live into.'

— Jul 28, 2017

The Friday Roundup

Unpacking Episode 33 with Dominick Quartuccio and our takeaways from the episode

— Jul 31, 2017

The Stock Series Part 2 | JL Collins

034 | This podcast is Part 2 of the Stock Series discussion with JL Collins, author of The Simple Path to Wealth and the website JLCollinsNH; we discuss the Great Depression and the mindset you need to be a successful long-term investor, plus how to allocate between equities and bonds.

— Aug 07, 2017

Sequence of Return Risk | Early Retirement Now

035 | In today's conversation with Big Ern from Early Retirement Now we discuss safe withdrawal rates, sequence of returns risk and much more.

— Aug 04, 2017

What's Your Risk Tolerance | The Friday Roundup

We discuss our thoughts on Part 2 of the Stock Series conversation with JL Collins, risk tolerance, doomsday scenarios and rebalancing.

— Aug 14, 2017

Community, Chautauqua, And AMA With JL Collins

036 | In today's podcast with Jim Collins from The Simple Path to Wealth and JL Collins NH, we discuss the Chautauquas, in-person events plus an 'Ask Me Anything' series of questions from our ChooseFI community. In Today’s Podcast we cover: Part 3 with JL Collins from JLCollinsNH, the Simple Path to Wealth and Stock Series fame Jim’s discussion of Alan from PopUp Business School and how the UK Chautauqua came to be The value of in-person events like Camp Mustache and the Chautauquas Ask Me Anything segment with Jim with questions from our audience and private Facebook group Question from Amber from our Facebook group about the value of annuities, reverse mortgages and fixed income items Jim only recommends investing in stocks and bonds. The goals that Jonathan spoke of in the question can be balanced by allocating different percentages to stocks and bonds Jim believes annuities and reverse mortgages are laden with fees that make them poor investment vehicles Annuities pay a guaranteed income which appeals to many people, but since you are buying them from an insurance company you are buying this contract and you will never see your principal ever again. That is the annuity contract The insurance company is betting on your death essentially based on actuarial tables for the annuity

— Aug 28, 2017

The Why Of FI

038 | In today's podcast we discuss one of our most important topics: The Why of FI. Why we pursue this path, why we think it's a life 'superpower' and how it can help you escape the hamster wheel of life decades earlier than most people could ever dream.

— Aug 11, 2017

The 4% Rule | Friday Roundup

Sequence of returns risk can make or break your early retirement plans. In this episode, hosts Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett discuss how the timing of market returns can influence your success. With insights from financial expert Big ERN, this episode unpacks mathematical strategies for safe withdrawal rates and emphasizes the critical first few years of retirement. Engage with our community and learn how to navigate these challenges effectively.

— Aug 18, 2017

The Friday Roundup

Discussion of the community aspect of Episode 36 with JL Collins There is a yearning and desire for community meetups with other members of the Financial Independence community

— Aug 21, 2017

Playing With FIRE | Documentary | Scott Rieckens

037 | In today's podcast we speak with Scott Rieckens, the creative force behind the upcoming FI documentary called 'Playing With Fire' and we learn about his FI journey and this exciting project. In Today’s Podcast we cover:

— Aug 25, 2017

The Friday Roundup

Episode 37 with Scott Rieckens, the filmmaker behind the FI documentary Playing with FIRE, plus emails and voicemails from the community and a discussion of reaching FI in a high cost of living area.

— Sep 01, 2017

Firewalker

We discuss Episode 38 The Why of FI plus we announce three of the finalists for the business building competition with Alan Donegan of PopUp Business School and a voicemail from community member Geoff. Discussion of Episode 38 on the Why of FI Jonathan’s Frugal Win of the Week at Costco by saving on protein bars Jonathan’s nutrition goals and the underlying concepts of simplicity and removing decision fatigue How unusual it is that the FI community is outside the mainstream by saving money whereas the norm is spending every dollar you have The elevator pitch for Financial Independence Brad believes the psychology behind the Why of FI is more important than the actual numbers Numbers will always be a focus as is saving money, but the psychology is essential How has Jonathan’s focus changed since the beginning of his FI journey and since the beginning of ChooseFI Jonathan has latched onto the ideas of simplicity and happiness The new concept of the FireWalker, as coined by our community member Cody Has Jonathan shifted from being a spender fundamentally? How has the journey impacted Brad? Brad’s thought about community and connection matter more than he even thought The connections that are made possible due to the ChooseFI community Local community meetups and our request for community leaders throughout the country and world Everything is connected with FI as a life optimization strategy Voicemail from Geoff about sequence of return risk and working towards a minimalist lifestyle and how to optimize life What do you have control over? Focus on that Cutting expenses and getting your lifestyle creep under control The 4% rule explained Geoff’s plans for different scenarios and his budgets Geographic arbitrage for moving to low cost of living area Think in advance for different situations you may face in the future Competition with Alan Donegan from PopUp Business School: We play 3 of the finalists that were picked by our panel Giveaway winner for the free Camp ticket in Florida in January Book giveaways Vote for the Plutus Awards to support the many bloggers who are active members of our community Links from the show: Impact Theory Quest Nutrition Retirement Manifesto JL Collins Stock Series The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirement Alan PopUp Business School FI 180 Vote for the Plutus Awards

— Sep 04, 2017

Millennial Path To FI | Fiery Millennial

039 | In today's podcast we have a conversation with Gwen from Fiery Millennials about her millennial path to FI plus some hacks that she used to save on college and increase her savings rate. In Today’s Podcast we cover: Our guest on Episode 39 is Gwen from Fiery Millennials Was Gwen from the generation that grew up with electronics from day 1? A background on Gwen’s story saving money when she was younger.

— Sep 08, 2017

Cruise Control

We discuss Episode 39 with Gwen from Fiery Millennials, plus a 'Cruise Control Path to FI' case study example and voicemails from our community members. The Friday Roundup after Episode 39 with Gwen from Fiery Millennials A whole new FI world for Brad and Laura after their youngest daughter went to kindergarten They have the opportunity to live more of a FI lifestyle and have to now figure out what that looks like Second Generation FI and examples of Brad’s kids exhibiting their behaviors ChooseFI is an opportunity for Brad and Jonathan to share these stories with their kids and also document their FI paths Gwen’s lightbulb moment she had during college and how that changed her trajectory How intelligent Gwen was with her college decision and pursuing a full scholarship Brad should have focused his own college search on places where he could have gotten a full merit scholarship The concept of the ‘cruise control path to FI’ Second Generation FI Case study example of how savings would work maxing out their 401k from 22 to 32 The value of compounding over decades The importance of starting to save early and the concept of time as a Pillar of FI The ability to put money into your kid’s Roth IRAs even if they are under 18. We need to do more research on this to document what’s allowed Example of putting $5,500 into a Roth IRA for a five year stretch from 13 to 18 and what it would be worth at age 60 Jonathan’s example of contributing to a 401k from 32 to 60 You have to get started and take action today, even if you’ve made the “wrong” decisions in the past Gwen’s desire to build up the FI community is incredibly impressive Announcement of the last three finalists for the PopUp Business School competition with Alan Donegan Voicemails from the three finalists Voicemail from Justin about the career path of an air traffic controller as a path to FI making significant money without a college degree Itunes book giveaways Links from the show: Fiery Millennials Go Curry Cracker The Wealthy Accountant PopUp Business School USAJobs.gov

— Sep 11, 2017

Take A Gap Year | Money Metagame

040 | Today we have Noah and Becky from Money Metagame on the podcast to discuss their story, their upcoming 'Gap Year' of travel plus an incredible college hack they used to get full-tuition scholarships. In Today’s Podcast we cover: A discussion with Noah and Becky from Money Metagame Noah and Becky’s history behind their path to FI Travel Rewards was what initially got them into the world of Financial Independence How Noah introduced this idea to Becky originally Becky was originally hesitant but after seeing some stress in their lives became more open to it How the personal finance and financial independence sub-Reddits became Noah’s go-to sources for information The story behind the name Money Metagame How Noah and Becky both got full-tuition scholarships to Purdue University through the Evans Scholars program How they found out about this program to get these college scholarships The background on how others can benefit from this scholarship opportunity What was the thought process behind them buying a house in Seattle upon moving there? The mortgage on their house was actually less than what they were paying in rent What was the process behind them getting rid of PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) on their home? After they found the concept of FI they started maxing out their 401ks, HSAs and Roth-IRAs, plus regular brokerage accounts Their savings rate went from 6% in 2014 to 58% in 2015 after finding FI. It has since gone up from there

— Sep 15, 2017

The Power of the Reset Button

We discuss our takeaways from Episode 40 with Noah and Becky from Money Metagame, plus voicemails from the ChooseFI community and our in-house expert Keith from the Wealthy Accountant. Discussion of Episode 40 with Noah and Becky from Money Metagame about the Gap Year Jonathan took action and followed Geoff’s advice to start culling his closet and decluttering his life Jonathan is struggling with how to categorize and track his donations For tax purposes you definitely do want to track your noncash donations It’s always easier to track things along the way as opposed to doing it all at the end of the year How is Jonathan mentally approaching the process of decluttering his life? How Brad would approach cleaning out closets by making a game out of it Noah and Becky found FI at a young age and incredibly have not made any major financial mistakes in their lives You have more and more power in your life as you go along your FI path and reach your Milestones of FI. It isn’t an all or nothing thing. Becky realized she was getting burned out and was able to make a decision to leave her job based on a position of strength Becky and Noah have no fear moving forward and that is incredibly inspiring You don’t have to maximize every dollar but can focus on what brings you happiness How a ChooseFI app would add value to the community and an ask whether this would provide people value Announcement of the two finalists for the Startup Business Competition with Alan Donegan: Rachael and Tallis Discussion of the phrase ‘Side Hustle’ and how Brad hasn’t liked that phrase Voicemail from Alex with a question for Keith from the Wealth Accountant on retirement plans available to self-employed individuals Response voicemail from Keith from the Wealthy Accountant Life hack from Noah from Money Metagame on how to save on movie tickets Voicemail from Nicholas about the positive changes he’s made in his life in the last 5+ weeks since he found ChooseFI Discussion about the value you receive from cards on an ongoing basis Itunes review for the winner of the book drawing Links from the show: Money Metagame Sell My Comic Books website ESI Money Frugal Professor PopUp Business School The Wealthy Accountant Advance Screenings for movie tickets The Points Guy: How Closing a Credit Card Impacts Your FICO Score

— Sep 18, 2017

The High Cost Of Living Path To FI

041 | In today's podcast we discuss the High Cost of Living Path to FI with ChooseFI community members Paige and Sam who live in Los Angeles and have been pursuing FI in a HCOL with sub-$50,000 per year jobs. I

— Sep 22, 2017

Extreme Ownership

We discuss Episode 41 with Paige and Sam on extreme frugality, radical insourcing and the high cost of living path to FI plus a voicemail from Big Ern and members of our community. The discussion of Episode 41 with Paige and Sam about reaching early retirement through extreme frugality and radical insourcing in a high cost of living city like Los Angeles Jonathan’s story about visiting his childhood library and trying to find old computer games Book recommendations from the ChooseFI Facebook group The list of obstacles that could have stopped Paige from reaching financial independence, but she overcame anyway It’s easy to make excuses, but your journey almost invariably will be easier than Paige’s The aspects of high cost of living that would be universal to other people: Defraying the costs of housing by sharing an apartment “The alley will provide” as a perfect quote for ChooseFI and a way to think about not buying new items Making a fun game out of buying “new” items (new to you) at a garage sale The important of collecting skills instead of stuff plus a list of random skills you can pick up Don’t be complacent with the knowledge and skills you have. Always look to learn. There are so many free ways to get entertainment in a big city A big takeaway was that Sam’s parents cut the friction and helped him get started investing The hardest part is to take action, so helping other family members can help their lives dramatically. Jonathan thinks about this with his siblings Don’t let the perceived complexity of task overwhelm you and cause you to not take action. Just break it down into steps and take action. Andrew shared how he and his wife break down the ChooseFI podcast every Monday where they discuss with their kids in a fun way How Brad setup a Vanguard investment account for his kids in 2017 Are there tax implications for investing for your children? Discussion of Paige and Sam’s housing situation Paige’s “mistake” that was right for her You have many levers to potentially pull and not everyone needs to make the same choices, but you need to not make excuses Cutting expenses is the low hanging fruit of the path to FI. Changing your income is not as immediate Buying used takes the mental anguish out of purchasing and perfection Jonathan’s life hack for purchasing at Amazon: Camel Camel Camel Case study for how to use Camel Camel Camel Don’s call that he officially reached financial independence! Call from our in-house expert Big Ern about how to mitigate sequence of returns risk Winner of the side-hustle competition: Tallis who is providing dance classes to those with Parkinson’s Disease Call from Dave about the business he created Itunes review book winner Links from the show: Classic Reload video games Freecycle Frugalwoods Camel Camel Camel Early Retirement Now Case Study in Part 11 of the Safe Withdrawal Series The Stock Series at JL Collins NH PopUp Business School Books Mentioned in the Show: The Lies of Locke Lamora Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss

— Sep 25, 2017

The Green Swan | Why Start A Business, When You Can Buy One?

042 | In Episode 42 we have a wide ranging discussion with JW from The Green Swan about his FI path, going into business with family, buying an existing business and much more.

— Oct 01, 2017

Drawdown Strategy | The Retirement Manifesto

043 | In this podcast we have a far-ranging conversation with Fritz from the Retirement Manifesto about retirement drawdown strategies, his 'buckets' system, and his upcoming retirement.

— Sep 29, 2017

Perfect Utilization

We discuss Episode 42 with JW from The Green Swan, plus various discussions about community and feedback from the audience. A discussion of Episode 42 with JW from The Green Swan Scott Rieckens and his crew from the documentary Playing With FIRE were in Richmond this week filming our podcast, lives and a Richmond FI get together The importance of community in the Financial Independence world and the volunteers we’ve received to be ‘community leaders’ for Choose FI meetups How we’re going to setup Slack for the Choose FI community and we need someone to help organize it The future Choose FI Vault that will be a digital locker for useful files for the community The decision JW made to buy a business with his brothers and how unconventional that is How you need to consider all possibilities when going into business with anyone Brad and Jonathan didn’t have the discussion of all future possibilities and didn’t put together an operating agreement, but are now going to do so thanks to JW’s advice Feedback from Lucas on the Green Swan episode about not relating to a high dollar value acquisition A question from Lucas on how this differs from buying an individual stock and if they had an unfair advantage by being CPAs and MBAs We all have a unique path to FI You need to see how different investment and business opportunities fit into your life and with your own risk profile Calculation based on getting a return of 8% versus 16% over a 15-year period How hustle can be as or more important than any skills or certifications you have How putting skills from various areas together will help you succeed dramatically in life Different ways to improve a business from Jonathan if you’re a lifelong learner Announcement of the next Camp FI in Williamsburg, Virginia in April 2018 “Collect skills not stuff” motto from Jonathan and how he wants to explore a “Maker space” for a community of learners The sharing possibilities of having pooled resources with neighbors or communities The new Mr. Money Mustache World Headquarters for people with the FI and entrepreneurial mindset Buy Nothing Project and how it relates to “the alley will provide” Travel Rewards update on changes to card opening options Itunes reviews of the week Links from the show: The Green Swan Playing With FIRE Slack ChooseFI Vault Camp FI mid-Atlantic in Williamsburg, VA from April 13-April 16 2018 Mr. Money Mustache Buy Nothing Project

— Oct 06, 2017

Mega Backdoor Roth | Should I Ever Consider Using the Roth?

We discuss our takeaways from Episode 43 with Fritz from the Retirement Manifesto plus an in-depth discussion of the Roth IRA conversion and Mega Backdoor Roth, and taxable income scenarios for retirement contributions.   Our big takeaways from Episode 43 with Fritz from Retirement Manifesto Brad as a ‘Mystery Reader’ for his daughter’s class plus their trip to Natural Bridge State Park and a FI lesson for his daughters How to tackle drawdown strategies and how that opened our eyes The concept of balance that Fritz brought up in Episode 43 How we each have a different path to Financial Independence and we have to find what we each value and how much safety we require How important the math is, but also how the personal side is an important part of the equation Jonathan’s decision to pay off his student loans early and how this may not have been optimal mathematically, but was the “right” decision for him Feedback from the audience on the episode, but specific points from Danny Questions surrounding inflation on your safe withdrawal rate and early retirement Feedback from the audience about delaying social security The distinction between the Roth IRA conversion and the Mega Backdoor Roth IRA The tax issues surrounding the Roth IRA conversion   Practical Application of the Mega Backdoor Roth Vishal and Brad share the nuances of trying to navigate the Mega Backdoor Roth: They need to allow for after-tax contributions and in-service distributions/withdrawals Explanation of the Mega Backdoor Roth Email from Zac about the value of using pre-tax or post-tax retirement contributions when you’re already in a low tax bracket Where is the line where we’d consider putting into a pre-tax or post-tax retirement account? A scenario of someone with a $25,000 income and where they’d fall in the tax brackets and how to lower that A scenario of an individual with a $60,000 gross income and what they should consider with their retirement contributions How would Brad and Jonathan choose if they were in this situation? Itunes reviews and book giveaways The Vault is live Click Here for Access Links from the show: Retirement Manifesto FI by 40 Millionaire Educator Mega Backdoor Roth article by the Mad Fientist Post from Vishal from Everything about Education about Mega Backdoor Roth The Wealthy Accountant Books Mentioned in the Show: Hiking to Waterfalls in Virginia

— Oct 09, 2017

Brandon Pearce | Into The Wind

044 | Today we discuss how Brandon Pearce went from a call center job to being a full time entrepreneur, traveling the world with his wife and children and how he started the Family Adventure Summit. In Today’s Podcast we cover: Episode 44 with Brandon Pearce, who was recommended to us by Andrew from the ChooseFI community

— Oct 16, 2017

JD Roth | Get Rich Slowly | Breaking News | Full Circle

045 | Today we discuss JD Roth's backstory behind his financial journey, Get Rich Slowly and Money Boss, plus JD's philosophy AND a very special announcement...

— Oct 20, 2017

The Journal

We discuss our takeaways from Episode 45 with JD Roth of Get Rich Slowly, including the big news that he just purchased GRS back, as well as our frugal wins of the week and the elegance of simplicity. A review of Episode 45 with JD Roth from Get Rich Slowly and Money Boss Jonathan’s frugal win of the week on purchasing a new stove/oven What is the utility of Jonathan’s new oven over a standard oven? Jonathan’s insourcing to install the oven himself Brad’s frugal win of the week: Laura stained the deck on the back of the house JD’s big news of buying back Get Rich Slowly How JD’s story helped change the world for so many people and how much impact he has had on potentially millions of people JD’s impact on Brad’s life with travel rewards What a unique point in time to be able to start a blog for so little money and the positive impacts you can experience The power of the blog is in the story of the blogger and that individual’s personality JD’s concept of the internal locus of control and how you can direct your life Don’t complain about the forces that are impacting your life – take control JD’s concept of having to do the work and that there are no shortcuts How strategy and cost-benefit analysis factors into your actions and goals What’s not worth putting the work in for? This is as important strategy-wise as picking what you do want to spend your time on Investment strategies of VTSAX versus other options, and Brad’s thoughts on the cost-benefit analysis of spending time trying to beat the market Part of the strategy is determining where to put your time and effort in life and investing It’s all about taking action in investing and life and how it separates successful vs. unsuccessful people The elegance of simplicity in getting people to take action A future roundtable with people of different opinions on investing Voicemail from Melissa on how she “channeled her inner Laura” in saving time and money on cooking Laura’s tips on how to cook more efficiently Jonathan’s experiment with his first vegetarian meal Itunes reviews and book giveaway Links from the show: Get Rich Slowly Money Boss DIYtoFI.blog Early Retirement Now FI180 Sign up for CampFI tickets Budget Bytes recipe: Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Lentils Books Mentioned in the Show: The One Thing Tools of Titans

— Oct 23, 2017

Our Next Life | The Reveal | Are you Ready For Early Retirement?

046 | In today's podcast we have a wide-ranging conversation with Ms. ONL from Our Next Life on her decision to stop being anonymous on the blog to what their journey looked like to FI plus what they expect life to be like after FI and much more. In Today’s Podcast we cover: A financial independence discussion with Ms. ONL from Our Next Life The big reveal: Their names are Tanja and Mark What does it feel like for them to come out behind the veil of anonymity? Why have they been so strict about remaining anonymous?

— Oct 27, 2017

Selectively Hardcore

We discuss our takeaways from Episode 46 with Ms. ONL from Our Next Life plus community feedback and voicemails and a discussion of travel rewards. A recap of Episode 46 with Tanja from Our Next Life Brad and Jonathan are on their way to Fincon – the annual financial bloggers conference Jonathan’s upcoming trip to South Africa with his family using travel rewards points Tanja’s reveal of her identity after being anonymous for the entirety of the blog’s life What do you want out of life and how are you going to approach that question in the leadup to FI? The ‘internet retirement police’ and people making money in early retirement ‘We are some of the luckiest people in human history’ as Tanja described The safety Mr. and Mrs. ONL have built into their FI plan The different stories and plans our various guests have and how there is no ‘one size fits all’ plan for Financial Independence How they are selectively hardcore about certain things like their heating bill Corrections and feedback from episodes 43 and 43R Updates on Mega Backdoor Roth options including feedback from William Brad’s feedback on Keith from The Wealthy Accountant’s thoughts on the Mega Backdoor Roth and the Roth IRA conversion ladder going away Discussion of Roth versus traditional IRA and marginal tax brackets plus info on the Earned Income Tax Credit Email from Giselle from our ChooseFI community and her question about spending now versus the future and frugality versus enjoyment Brad and Jonathan’s response to Giselle about how we view the path to FI as a positive and gives us more control over our lives Giselle’s question about using travel rewards points for a 2 week trip to Europe and when to get started and how to avoid issues with mileage expiration Voicemail from community member Joel listing all the incredible changes he has made since finding the ChooseFI podcast Itunes review and book giveaway Links from the show: Our Next Life Get Rich Slowly The Wealthy Accountant The Frugal Professor Frugalwoods

— Oct 30, 2017

The Cult of Home Ownership & Crushing Geoarbitrage | Millennial Revolution

047 | Today we have Kristy and Bryce from Millennial Revolution on the podcast to discuss home ownership, international geographic arbitrage and much more... In Today’s Podcast we cover: A discussion with Kristy and Bryce from Millennial Revolution They initially were contemplating buying a house and were shocked by the process This is what led them to finding the Financial Independence community Home ownership seemed like a “cult” to them What did their financial life look like before finding financial independence and how did they save so much money previously? Who might be naturally included to FI and how everyone can be open to it FI opens up creativity that you otherwise wouldn’t have the time for Voicemail from David from Canada How difficult it is societally to not purchase a house You need to do the math behind home ownership and don’t succumb to the ‘fear of missing out’ All the other costs that are involved in home ownership that eat into your paper gains A house is not an investment, it’s a place to live The power of compounding and the Rule of 72 How would someone do the math to compare renting versus buying? The 1% rule Introducing leverage into the scenario of buying a home What do they invest in? Low-cost index funds How often they rebalance their portfolio and how they came up with their 60/40 split It is less expensive for them to travel the world than live in Toronto Their annual spending their first year of travel was $40,000 but they were able to cut that to roughly $30,000 in year 2 How they believe everyone could live the same lifestyle if they were willing to break their mental block with owning a home How would they recommend people get started with international travel and geo arbitrage? Budget airlines and bus companies help them travel throughout Europe for a fraction of the expected costs What do they do with lodging when first visiting a city? The ‘secret’ location they’ve found in London to stay for a fraction of the cost How nobody else in the world worries about health costs like Americans do How much could you reasonably spend for a year of living in Thailand The little enclaves of expats that exist throughout the world where they’ve found to live for less Their summarized advice for David from Canada Hot Seat Questions They actually have a financial advisor, but they don’t outsource their knowledge to someone else Links from the show: Millennial Revolution JL Collins NH Mr. Money Mustache Would We Be Richer if We Had Bought a House at Millennial Revolution Afford Anything Airbnb Why Your House is a Terrible Investment at JL Collins NH

— Nov 03, 2017

The Rule of 72

We recap Episode 47 with Bryce and Kristy from Millennial Revolution including talk of home ownership and world travel, but a reader case study and voicemail. A recap of our main takeaways from Episode 47 with Kristy and Bryce from Millennial Revolution How Brad explained the concept of compound interest to his daughter Anna and it was a lightbulb moment How Brad’s daughter immediately took action and invested her money in Vanguard index funds Brad’s moment where he found the concept of compound interest as a 19 year old Calling for tips on how other parents have introduced financial skills to their kids How your house is not a great investment and for people in the FI community it isn’t “your biggest investment” Your home may be a terrible investment but it doesn’t mean it’s a terrible decision Home appreciation seems “magical” to people but it actually represents well below the 8% return benchmark we use as a guide Brad’s example of a $300,000 house and the expected future value How Bryce and Kristy have these amazing hacks to travel for little money Their entire lives cost $30,000 for a full year Time averaging in low and high cost of living areas A reader case study that was sent in to Bryce and Kristy on the rental property they have that’s underwater and how they should move forward Voicemail from ChooseFI community member Jack on finding FI and making amazing changes up to a 58% savings rate How everyone can pursue FI and it isn’t limited to certain incomes, professions, etc. Itunes review and book giveaways Links from the show: Millennial Revolution Why Your House is a Terrible Investment Friday Reader Case Study: My Mortgage is Underwater.  Am I Screwed?

— Nov 06, 2017

The Happy Philosopher | The Happiest Man In The Room

048 | Jeff from The Happy Philosopher joins us on the show to discuss the pursuit of happiness including how he reached a burn out point in his job as a radiologist and how his focus on happiness helped him find a path forward. In Today’s Podcast we cover: A discussion with Jeff from The Happy Philosopher An introduction to Jeff’s background story Jeff found himself burned out about four years into his full-time profession and he was stressed out and anxious and just not happy He reached a breaking point where he discussed with his wife his plan for five more years of work He had shortened his “prison sentence” but hadn’t made his “cell any more comfortable” (we discussed suicide in the episode and Jeff asked that we include a phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) He couldn’t wait five years to be happy – he had to experiment now to find that happiness Was there something about his job that led him to this breaking point or was it that he hadn’t found what made him happy? Early Retirement Extreme was mind-blowing for him intellectually and led him to FI How medical professionals can feel “trapped” in their job because of sunk costs Did Jeff experience lifestyle inflation once he became a full-time physician? What did Jeff’s path out of burnout look like? How Jeff’s consumption of news led to much of his stress What else has Jeff cut out of his life? Happiness through subtraction Decluttering and getting rid of the negatives in your life Cutting down on commitments that aren’t necessary in our jobs and lives How Jeff pursued a job sharing part-time work during his peak earning years The Marginal Utility of Money and how your spending impacts your happiness The concept of trading your time for money How does Jeff approach how to spend money in his own life? The concept of utility versus value The importance of gratitude and how happiness is a skill Make a conscious decision to place a space between stimulus and response Hot Seat Questions Jeff suggests you experiment with cutting out alcohol entirely from your life for a set period of time as an experiment (Jeff also wanted us to mention:  "Anyone who is a heavy drinker should probably consult with a doctor or someone familiar with alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal before quitting cold turkey.") Links from the show: The Happy Philosopher Early Retirement Extreme Mr. Money Mustache Happiness Through Subtraction at Mad Fientist Alligators and Kittens at The Happy Philosopher The Power of No at The Happy Philosopher How Understanding the Marginal Utility of Money Will Make Your Happier at The Happy Philosopher How to Be The Happiest Person in the Room at 1500 Days 7 Ways to Be Insufferable on Facebook at Wait But Why Books Mentioned in the Show: 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo Your Money or Your Life

— Nov 13, 2017

Alan Donegan & The Escape Artist | The Aggregation of Marginal Gains

049| We discuss The UK Path to FI with Barney of The Escape Artist and Alan Donegan of PopUp Business School, plus much more in the way of life optimization hacks from both Alan and Barney.    In Today’s Podcast we cover: An interview with Barney from The Escape Artist and Alan Donegan from PopUp Business School Voicemail from Sarah from the UK with questions about reaching FI outside the US Barney started the website after he put his notice in at work once he reached FI How Barney found the financial independence community Barney’s story on what his financial upbringing was like and how his parents had financial issues because of a large mortgage payment How the ‘keeping up with the Jones’s’ is alive and well in the UK Alan’s family doesn’t understand why they don’t spend more money and why they don’t work in the traditional sense Is there a FI community in the UK? There is a London Facebook group, but not a thriving community in the UK The different options of choosing a job you love versus one that pays a lot of money and you don’t necessary enjoy Creativity and how Barney “underestimated what was possible” for him when he had the time It’s a lot easier to be creative both when you have a “safety harness” but also if you “burn the boats” Debt is a form of handcuffs that keeps you in your current life The differences between the US and the UK: Starting with housing Property ownership is a significant part of the culture in the UK Barney’s thoughts on what he would have done differently with real estate had he started today Seeing a business opportunity in Barney’s idea to live in someone else’s home Health care in the UK and how it is more favorable for those pursuing FI Investing options in the UK and how it differs from the US Discussion of taxation on retirement funds and marginal tax brackets Differences in the cultural understanding of pursuing personal freedom through financial independence The program on FI on tv in the UK that Barney appeared on and the negative reaction and press Alan and Barney’s advice for those pursuing FI in the UK [skipto time=1:05:00]skip to[/skipto] Hot Seat Questions How incremental improvements can make a big difference in life, sports and financial independence Reading books as Barney’s favorite life hack Focus on self-improvement and doing something different and tackling fears Links from the show: The Escape Artist PopUp Business School Alan on Twitter Monevator blog in the UK Mr. Money Mustache JL Collins NH Halifax (for your ISA in the UK) The Share Centre (ISA in the UK) James Altucher An Interview With The Man on The Escape Artist Are Diamonds Really a Girl’s Best Friend on The Escape Artist The Aggregation of Marginal Gains on The Escape Artist This Coach Improved Every Tiny Thing by 1 Percent and Here’s What Happened Life Changing Books List on The Escape Artist FITV: The Top 10 TV Shows of Financial Independence Financial Independence and the Zombie Apocalypse Books Mentioned in the Show: Your Money or Your Life The Millionaire Next Door Invest in Yourself Walden

— Nov 10, 2017

The Roadmap to FI

We recap Episode 48 with Jeff from The Happy Philosopher plus a life hack update from Brad and a question on how to present the FI concept to others. Recap of Episode 48 with Jeff from The Happy Philosopher Jonathan and Brad’s recap of the Fincon conference How Brad and Jonathan brainstormed the future of ChooseFI at Fincon How the FI community is growing significantly at Fincon and how people were coming up to us saying they were listening How much value we can get from FI-centric events going forward, such as Camp FI How taking action is essential with the pursuit of happiness Happiness through subtraction and the process and mindset necessary Removing news and television from your life as well as sports How Jeff cultivated happiness in his life by “adding kittens” Finding the little moments that add value to your life How important gratitude is in life and how Jeff introduced that to us Decluttering and how it impacts Brad psychologically Jonathan’s experiment with his three closets of clothes and how little he actually wears Karen’s feedback on how to document your donations for clothing and such How essential it is keep organized and how you should do it along the way Brad’s life hack using unroll.me to organize all his subscription emails Email from Paul who is facing a challenge to introduce FI to his children Jonathan’s thoughts on how to present FI to someone else The information we have available in our ChooseFI Vault on how to present FI to others Email from Jennifer on a Bloomberg article that shows how even if you invested at the worst time in 2007 that your money would have doubled since then Itunes review and book giveaway Links from the show: The Happy Philosopher Fincon Conference JK Wedding Dance on Youtube How to Be The Happiest Person in the Room Camel Camel Camel Unroll.me The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirement How to Go From Middle Class to Kickass Bloomberg article: You Just Doubled Your Money If You Invested at the 2007 Market Peak

— Oct 13, 2017

The One Way Ticket

Our takeaways from Episode 44 with Brandon Pearce from Pearce on Earth plus feedback from the community and our thoughts on international travel with our families. A discussion of Episode 44 with Brandon Pearce from Pearce on Earth Jonathan’s frugal win of the week by having a potluck dinner and a movie in the backyard for his friends and neighbors Jonathan is on a 3-day fast and his explanation The importance of mentally anchoring when undertaking something difficult Jonathan wanted to prove to himself that he could do it and to help with his impulse control Brandon realized early that you don’t have security as a 9-5 employee The power in your life shifts when you start saving money and that margin increases with each paycheck The concept of ‘burn the boats’ in motivating you to success Jonathan’s thoughts on safety vs. burn the boats How your business can take over your life if you let it, so you need a work-life balance Where are the pain points in your life and how can you make them better? Brandon’s lightbulb moment when you have that first sale They knew there was more to life that they could experience outside their ‘bubble of life’ by travelling the world Jonathan’s story of visiting an international food store in Richmond Looking for areas of fear and discomfort in life and leaning into them Finding community both abroad and here in the United States Brad’s thoughts on taking an international trip with his own family and what is potentially holding them back Brad tracking his time and will report back with his progress next week The value of telling other people about goals you intend to hit and how it keeps you motivated Also, the value of telling a ‘story about yourself’ and how that will keep you motivated to do what fits that story Voicemail from Vicky about getting out of their 9-5 lives and pursuing slow travel with their two kids plus how they used 120,000 miles to get 4 one-way tickets to Europe for only $20 The “one way journey” of life Feedback from Andrew on the episodes Different types of learning opportunities for your children Voicemail from Kevin how he explained FI to the HR department at his company and how motivated it made him to keep going down this path Itunes review of the week and book giveaway Links from the show: Pearce on Earth Music Teacher’s Helper You Need a Budget Money Metagame Impact Theory Nomad Together Podcast Books Mentioned in the Show: Tools of Titans

— Nov 17, 2017

FI Festival

We discuss our big takeaway from Episode 49: The Aggregation of Marginal Gains. Plus, upcoming plans for the ChooseFI website, a FI Festival and local meetups. A review of Episode 49 with Alan Donegan and Barney from The Escape Artist The growth of the FI community throughout the US and now the world Jonathan just returned from his 2 week trip to South Africa with his family How did Jonathan fare with his use of electronics on his trip? Jonathan used travel rewards points to book his flights for free and he stayed with family so his entire trip was free Brad’s upcoming travel for summer 2018 to Europe where he used travel rewards points and then his trip to Santiago, Chile for 2019 The power of the Aggregation of Marginal Gains and how important it is for the FI journey How small examples can make a huge difference over time We were voted the #1 most popular Personal Finance Podcast at Rockstar Finance The benefits of fasting and why Jonathan does multi-day fasts The spreading of the FI message throughout the UK and how we’ve seen a significant number of people in our ChooseFI community The important of local groups and how we’re going to do everything we can to facilitate local ChooseFI groups throughout the US How we can all benefit from local meetup groups of like-minded people How the FIRE really is spreading and how we want to help grow the community A future FI Festival as a large-scale FI meetup event The Hall of FI idea that Jonathan wants to see as a featured component of a FI Festival People connect with stories and that’s what makes a successful blog and podcast We are looking for writers to tell their stories at the ChooseFI website as full contributors to the site Announcement: Joel from FI 180 is our first ChooseFI blogger Voicemail from Joel announcing that he left his job! Upcoming episodes on ChooseFI Itunes reviews and book giveaways Links from the show: PopUp Business School The Escape Artist The Aggregation of Marginal Gains Rockstar Finance: The Most Popular Financial Podcasts Winning Personal Finance Local ChooseFI Facebook groups Playing With FIRE documentary

— Nov 20, 2017

Domestic GeoArbitrage | Freedom is Groovy

050 | In this podcast we discuss domestic geographic arbitrage with Mr. Groovy from Freedom is Groovy. In Today’s Podcast we cover: A conversation with Mr. Groovy from Freedom is Groovy to discuss domestic geographic arbitrage How Brad made a similar decision to Mr. Groovy to move from Long Island to a lower cost of living area How Mr. Groovy was a “financial moron” until he was in his 40s until Mrs. Groovy found Dave Ramsey What did their financial lives look like before finding Dave Ramsey and the concept of an emergency fund How creating a budget and putting it on paper was a game changer for them

— Nov 24, 2017

Impact | The Stealth Wealth Community

The Impact of FI, A New FI Curriculum being piloted in a university, and holiday hacks just in time for Christmas. In today’s Friday Roundup we talk a bit about Thanksgiving and how to work on being thankful for all we have (yes it’s about your family). We also look back on our previous episode with Mr Groovy about moving out of an expensive living area to reach FI faster and the value of a local FI community (the FIRE really is spreading).  We received some really inspiring messages which we share on today’s episode to show you the power FI has to transform an entire life. And of course, we finished off with some great Christmas hacks for the holidays! What we cover: 1. The Importance of Community There are ChooseFI communities all over the world now (62 and counting!) and it’s an enormous network. This means more and more people have communities with similar mindsets and goals just at their doorsteps. Imagine the opportunities when visiting another city and making contact with those other FI communities? The huge amount of knowledge shared? Our goal is to have these communities in every single city, so we can all help each other out to reach FI. If you feel there isn’t enough of a community in your own city, reach out to us on Facebook to become an admin of the Facebook page. There is a team in each area to help you out and we share the best practices to support the local groups 2. Circle Back to the Ongoing Buy vs Rent Debate Through the feedback voicemail from Charles we revisit the episode on buying vs renting and the fact that it doesn’t cover many of the aspects of home ownership. It was a good episode, but there was no counterpoint. Whether you want to buy or rent a house really depends on your situation and takes into account many different lifestyle factors. The most important is to look at it from an objective point of view: don’t just buy a house because that’s what you’ve been told all your life, buy it because it works for your situation. Do the math and analyze the situation. In honor of this huge and important debate, we pledge to do another proper episode where we have a proper sit down, do the math and have an in depth discussion. 3. The Impact of FI Thanks to everyone for sending those inspiring and in-depth voicemails in. Wendy, our first voicemailer, explains that FI is also about removing the parts that make you unhappy, removing the alligators and working towards what will improve your life and your future. Cassandra shares her goal to pay off $260,000 in debt and reach FI! This journey has changed her outlook and perspective on finance and entrepreneurship Phil rediscovered a zest for life by grabbing hold of Financial Independence he shares his 9 year plan to reach FI and what he plans on doing after FI Laurie shares her lightbulb moment, and how this podcast lifted the mental fog that kept her from appreciating the soundness of her husband's financial plan This truly goes to show the HUGE impact reaching Financial Independence can have over your life. We need to spread this message and we need to take action now. Start small. Start this week. And in 10 years you will have reached a state of independence you did not know was possible. This episode will inspire you to keep working towards FI and to build a community of like-minded individuals. One of our stated goals is to see a FI curriculum at the K-12 and collegiate level and Zack is piloting the first ever college level course at the University of Iowa Links Episode 50: Domestic GeoArbitrage Facebook Group: ChooseFI ChooseFI: Local Groups Episode 16: House Hacking with Coach Carson Episode 48: The Happy Philosopher Episode 9: Travel Hacks

— Nov 27, 2017

Mad Money Monster | A Roller Coaster Path To FI

051 | In today's podcast we discuss the Roller Coaster Path to FI with Lisa from Mad Money Monster, including a new term she coined: F.I.O.R

— Dec 01, 2017

Be Coachable

We do a recap of episode 51 with Mrs Money Monster discussing the importance of getting past limiting beliefs as well as how to use the community to your benefit and take action in pursuing FI. Recap of Monday’s episode with Mrs Money Monster. The importance of getting past those limiting beliefs Why we should learn to embrace the growth mindset, to always be willing to learn The value of having mentors Why FI is acknowledging that I am more than the sum of my stuff Having more control over your finances means making retirement optional Choose FI local groups are growing, making the Camp FI and FI Festival possible Voicemail from Lori about educational IRAs answered by Ed Mills from the Millionaire Educator Voicemail from Michelle about her journey to FI. All about taking action and keep working towards your goals. Matthew’s post from the Facebook Choose FI group: how one person changed his life by introducing him to FI Voicemail from Haidi about her preparing for retirement. By choosing to be half retired she will always continue learning. How to work out the wonderful problem of having so much choice when it comes to financial freedom. Voicemail from Lance after attending Alan’s Popup Business School and who wants to give back to the community. Teaser of Monday’s episode: Challenging our beliefs iTunes review and Book Giveaway Links from the show: The Choose FI T-shirts Our Facebook Group All our Choose FI groups About the FI Festival Ed Mills from The Millionaire Educator Radical Personal Finance Episode 106: A Comprehensive Guide to the Ultimate Education Account House Hacking with Coach Carson Bright Future Scholarship Episode 30 with Alan: Starting a business without going into debt Contribute to our show by sending us an email

— Dec 04, 2017

FIRE State Of The Union | Todd Tresidder | Risk Management

052 | Todd Tresidder from Financial Mentor comes on the show to share his perspective on the traditional way FI is taught ( FIRE State of the Union)  and where it could be improved. We discuss the unique characteristics of all three asset classes and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Create a framework for your wealth plan and understand the importance of risk management.

— Dec 08, 2017

Bring It | We Are Just Getting Started

We review Monday’s episode featuring Todd Tresidder discussing the different ways to reach FI through different asset classes, goals for 2018 and how to invest in yourself to create a happier life. What we cover: Recap of Monday’s episode with Todd: our most commented podcast How Todd makes us rethink FI and the way his mind works Why things are not as simple as the FI community make it out to be What other assets there are apart from index funds The 2 ways of getting into the entrepreneur game How FI is not a lottery ticket, the work to be put in. Why starting a business does not mean reaching FI How to choose which asset class is your path to FI How Brad’s bad experience in real estate makes him nervous about starting again 2018 goals: taking the next step with real estate The importance of not being dogmatic and broadening horizons Feedback from Trent on real estate, stocks and bonds How real estate can be a good plan for retirement Big Ern’s thoughts on Monday’s episode Active asset allocation: can it work for FI? Why investing in yourself will always make you win Christian’s voicemail on his 2018 goals The 80/20 analysis: why reaching level 2 understanding doesn’t have to be necessary How we’re now learning more about FI with our audience, not just teaching A voicemail from Jason about his big change: FIPE (Financial Independence Partial Retirement) iTunes review and book giveaway   Links from the show:   Monday’s episode: FIRE State of the Union Coach Carson’s episode: House Hacking Guide Mr Money Mustache Millennial Money Man Coach Carson’s new investing course: Real Estate Start School Sign up to our email list to send feedback Big Ern’s website: Early Retirement Now The Choose FI t-shirts Subscribe on iTunes ------------------- 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 commission if you are approved for cards on this page 3) Most importantly, find your friends, coworkers, and family members who may be open to this message and tell them about the podcast! (Episode 21 is a great starting place) As Jonathan would say, "The FIRE is spreading my friends!"

— Dec 11, 2017

Millennial Money Man | Do you want to be rich?

053 | This episode was an interview with Bobby from Millennial Money Man on attacking debt, becoming a full-time blogger, methods to teach finance in schools and how to scale side hustles.  

— Dec 15, 2017

End of Year Checklist

We discuss the importance of building trust and creating a tribe as well as how to use your talent stack for business. In today’s episode we cover: Another side hustle: narrating books Review of Monday’s episode with Bobby from Millennial Money Man How blogging is a way to give back to the community Why you just need true fans to be successful Having a good audience starts with adding value and building trust How the key to making money blogging is solving your audience’s problem Why having a tribe is essential for success How Brad’s limiting belief affected him Jonathan will write an article on Chipotle as an example to solving a problem How using your talent stack will help you online as well as offline How travel rewards are a pillar of FI Feedback from Mindy with the idea of an end of year checklist Facebook thread on ways to optimize tax payments and planning Voicemail from Chris about small life hacks for post FI people Voicemail from Lindsay about generating a second income stream J & A ask a question about distributing savings between real estate and retirement accounts and Coach Carson weighs in. iTunes review and book giveaway Links from the show: Monday’s episode: Do You Want to be Rich? A Thousand True fans with Kevin Kelly Tax Caster: Income tax calculator SmartAsset: Calculating taxes in each state How to avoid Underpayment Penalties SkillShare: Online classes Facebook post on End of Year To-do List Bigger Pockets Podcast Coach Carson’s Real Estate Course

— Dec 18, 2017

Fully Funded Lifestyle Change

054 | Jonathan has a BIG announcement. We also discuss the power dynamics behind FI and the financial transition of quitting a job. This episode covers: Jonathan announces quitting his job Why Jonathan is in a good situation to make this decision The position of power in being FI The financial steps of transitioning out of a job Why you should deal with FU money responsibly

— Dec 22, 2017

And the Guest Host is...

Fritz from The Retirement Manifesto joins Jonathan to cover the topic of risk tolerance and capacity, Jonathan taking action to make ChooseFI happen, voicemails about college hacking, and ESI Money taking over Rockstar Finance.

— Dec 25, 2017

Live From Fincon 2017 Dallas TX

055 | Live from Fincon 2017 in Dallas Texas, it's ChooseFI!

— Dec 29, 2017

End of Year 2017 Review

A review of ChooseFI’s 2017 on the great progress of the community, several voicemails on FI successes and plans for 2018

— Jan 01, 2018

Popup Business Part 1 | Alan Donegan

056 | A slightly different episode as it consists of a coaching call between Alan Donegan from the PopUp Business school and Tallis, who wishes to grow her business and make it profitable.

— Jan 05, 2018

Choose FI Nation

We review Monday’s "Side Hustle Coaching Series Part 1" with some talk on the workings behind ChooseFI, as well as several voicemails on travel and career hacking.

— Jan 08, 2018

The Golden Albatross | How to Value Your Pension

057 | Grumpus Maximus shares his military background, his blog about understanding pensions, and his path to FI.

— Jan 12, 2018

CampFI Roundtable 2018

A roundtable discussion at CampFI including talks on the military, the flexibility of the FI plan and reaching FI before your partner.

— Jan 15, 2018

Annual CFP Roundtable 2017 | Kyle Mast and Danny Kenny

058 | A roundtable discussion with two CFPs, Kyle Mast and Danny Kenny, on what financial planning looks like in practice, the importance of talking to a CFP and managing different types of risk.

— Jan 19, 2018

Dark Side of Value

A review of the CampFI episode as well as a discussion on pensions and some thoughts on the value of CFPs.

— Jan 22, 2018

Freelance To Freedom With Vincent Pugliese

059 | Vincent Pugliese shares his journey to reaching FI after changing his mindset towards life and starting a business.

— Jan 29, 2018

Medical Tourism | Myles Wakeham

060 | Myles Wakeham shares the little-known advantages of medical tourism, how he covers his medical bills and his personal journey to FI.

— Jan 26, 2018

Challenge Yourself | Leverage the Power of the Hive Mind

A review of Vincent Pugliese's interview, the satisfaction of DIY projects, and voicemails about financial coaching and international teaching.

— Feb 05, 2018

Mindfulness And FI | Cory Muscara

061 | Mindfulness Coach Cory Muscara shares his background as a monk, how mindfulness links with FI and the process of meditation.

— Feb 02, 2018

HealthCare Vs Health Insurance

We roundup Monday’s episode about medical tourism with a discussion on more hacks, having more power over your job and the importance of the talent stack.

— Feb 12, 2018

Manifest Destiny Of FI | Travis Shakespeare

062 | Travis Shakespeare is creating the Playing with FIRE documentary.

— Feb 09, 2018

Bandwidth

We recap Monday’s episode with Cory Mascara about mindfulness with FI, a voicemail about a medical tourism hack and a method to teach your kids money management at a young age.

— Feb 19, 2018

Scott Trench | Set For Life

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.

— Feb 16, 2018

Change the World

We review Monday’s episode with Travis on the Playing with FIRE documentary, a voicemail about the new tax law and a discussion about tracking business expenses.

— Feb 26, 2018

Discovering Community at Chautauqua: Secrets to Financial Independence

Chautauqua provides an immersive experience that brings together individuals on the path to financial independence. Attendees from various backgrounds share their insights, creating a vibrant community where genuine friendships flourish. This episode dives into the roots of Chautauqua, exploring how it began as a simple idea and evolved into a celebrated event that has changed lives, enriched experiences, and inspired a quest for shared knowledge and happiness.

— Feb 23, 2018

Create Your Own Luck

How to create your own luck, the glidepath to success and some life lessons from Brad.

— Mar 05, 2018

Meet the Frugalwoods | Achieving FI Through Simple Living

065 | Mrs Frugalwoods talks on her book and blog, frugality as a lifestyle and the great benefits of being frugal.

— Mar 02, 2018

Board Games

Chautauqua plans, board game recommendations and a discussion on optimizing travel rewards

— Mar 12, 2018

The Emergency Fund...Is it a Bad Idea? | Big ERN The Reveal

066 | Big Ern reveals his identity, explains the different risks when retiring and why a home is a good investment.

— Mar 09, 2018

Don't Waste It

College hacks, a great credit card debt hack and the importance of not wasting your privileges.

— Mar 19, 2018

Raptitude And Free To Pursue

067 | David and Helene talk about consumerism, getting out of one’s comfort zone and the importance of simplicity.

— Mar 16, 2018

Letting Go of the Emergency Fund

Understanding emergency funds, investing in your house and some college and library hacks.

— Apr 02, 2018

Making Sense of Cents

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.

— Mar 23, 2018

Finding Your Superpower

Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, hacks to save money on everyday electronics and using donor advised funds to optimize tax payments.

— Mar 26, 2018

Financial Peace Graduates | What Next? | Andy Hill

068 | Bringing your spouse on with FI, the benefits of paying off your mortgage early and how to follow Dave Ramsey’s steps

— Apr 09, 2018

Your Money Or Your Life | Vicki Robin

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?

— Mar 30, 2018

2 Worlds Collide

The next steps after Dave Ramsey’s Peace University, the importance of being present and food budget hacks.

— Apr 16, 2018

Silicon Valley FI | Chris Hutchins | Grove

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.

— Apr 06, 2018

How to Start a Blog

We discuss why and how of starting a blog or website.

— Apr 23, 2018

Should I Buy Bitcoin | Myles Wakeham

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.

— Apr 13, 2018

Left Behind

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.

— Apr 30, 2018

Jamila Souffrant | Fail Forward | Journey to Launch

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.

— Apr 20, 2018

The Value of Soft Skills

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.

— Apr 27, 2018

The Five Most Important Financial Conversations You Need To Have With Your Child

Lively discussion about cryptocurrencies as investments, review of last week’s MidAtlantic Camp FI, and several exciting contributions and questions from the ChooseFI community.

— May 07, 2018

Ryan Carson | Learn To Code

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.

— May 04, 2018

How to Make Money Online

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.

— May 14, 2018

The Unfair Advantages Of The Individual Investor | Brian Feroldi

075 | Brian Feroldi talks through the advantages and disadvantages of individual investing, the realistic expectations for performance, and his strategies for beating Wall Street.

— May 11, 2018

ChooseFI Scholarship

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.

— May 21, 2018

Planned Spontaneity | Mrs. Adventure Rich

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.

— May 18, 2018

Mainstream Adoption

“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.

— May 25, 2018

Race or Journey

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.

— May 28, 2018

Travel Rewards | Marla Taner

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.

— Jun 01, 2018

Side Hustle Coaching Series Part 2 | Alan & Tallis R

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.

— Jun 04, 2018

Student Loan Debt Repayment | Travis Hornsby

078 | Travis Hornsby, founder of StudentLoanPlanner.com, talks early retirement, traveling Europe, and developing a passion for helping people crawl out of student loan debt.

— Jun 08, 2018

College Hacking Toolbox

Lots going on in this episode with a recap of Episode 78 with Travis Hornsby about Student Loan Debt Repayment Options.

— Jun 11, 2018

Embracing Retirement | Amy And Tim Rutherford

079 | Tim & Amy Rutherford talk about early retirement, living with lower expenses and a busier schedule of fun, free activities, and what life changes they made to get there.  

— Jun 18, 2018

FI Is An Amazing Race | AlabaMalaysia | Reverse Geo-Arbitrage

080 | Khai Shing, a former contestant on The Amazing Race, and blogger at ALABA+MA+LAYSIA, talks about balancing her pursuit of FI while finding ways to travel, worldwide, at discount prices.

— Jun 15, 2018

Personal Brand

Highlights of Monday’s episode with Tim & Amy Rutherford, discussion about healthcare, additional podcast recommendations, and voicemails from the ChooseFI community.

— Jun 25, 2018

The Year of Less | Cait Flanders

081 | Cait Flanders, author of “The Year of Less”, talks about building $30k of consumer debt, challenging herself to go two years without shopping, and learning how to be comfortable in her own skin without the distractions of consumerism.

— Jun 22, 2018

A Case For Survivor, Compost, And 2nd Generation FI

Conversation about teaching your children to save and invest, healthcare options, and an argument in favor of home gardening and composting.

— Jun 29, 2018

The Fear of Letting Go

Strategies for decluttering and living with less (reflecting on Cait Flander's interview with us on Monday), life hacks from the community, and a winner for the free ticket to CampFI in Joshua Tree!

— Jul 02, 2018

A Wife's Perspective | Laura And Dani

082 | Brad and Jonathan’s wives, Laura and Dani (respectively), talk about their introduction to FI, combining finances, budgeting with children, and maintaining balance.

— Jul 09, 2018

A Second Generation FI Case Study | Cody Berman FlytoFI

083 | 22-year-old recent college graduate and second generation FI, Cody Berman, talks about embracing frugality, saving and investing in his youth, optimizing a path through college, and getting his Disc Golf business off the ground.

— Jul 06, 2018

The Paradox of Choice

Discussion of Brad and Jonathan’s purchasing habits, messages from the ChooseFI community, benefits and drawbacks of roboadviors, and a summary of capital gains harvesting.

— Jul 13, 2018

The Hobby Checkbox

A checklist to optimize your hobbies, a highlight on the San Diego local group, and messages from the ChooseFI community: All of this while we recap Monday's episode with Cody Berman.

— Jul 16, 2018

Montana Money Adventures and Life Simplification

084 | Jillian, from Montana Money Adventures, talks about simplifying her life while raising five children, valuing grit and resilience, taking risk, and the value of financial independence.

— Jul 20, 2018

Mindset of FI

The essential steps to a FI mindset, travel rewards updates from Brad, voicemails from the community, and highlights from Monday’s episode with Jillian with Montana Money Matters.

— Jul 23, 2018

From Passion to Profit | M.K. Williams

085 | Science-fiction author M.K. Williams talks about her journey toward financial independence, the decisions she’s made along the way, and self-publishing her first three novels.

— Jul 27, 2018

Sidehustle Coaching Series 3 | Learn to Pitch and Lean into the Uncomfortable Pause

Catch up with Alan and Tallis as they zero in on the key elements of a successful pitch, and the importance of uncomfortable silence, as well as a home improvement update from Jonathan and review of Monday’s episode with author M.K. Williams.

— Jul 30, 2018

A Live Case Study With Physician On FIRE And Allison Goddard

086 | Allison Goddard, a dermatologist from Chattanooga, Tenn., chats with ChooseFI and Physician on FIRE to review her journey through medical school and receive advice to clarify the next steps in her path toward financial independence.

— Aug 03, 2018

Pretirement | Roger Whitney

A live-recorded conversation with Roger Whitney, the Retirement Answer Man, from Podcast Movement, questions for a potential accountant, and takeaways from Monday’s live case study with Allison Goddard.

— Aug 06, 2018

Education Through Innovation | Don Wettrick

087 | Don Wettrick, CEO and co-founder of StartEdUp Innovation program, and a current high school teach, talks about the cultivating innovation and creativity in the classroom, harnessing a learner’s internal motivation, and giving students opportunities to solve problems they’re passionate about.

— Aug 13, 2018

Career Hacking The Tech Industry | Millennial Boss

088 | Millennial Boss and FIRE Drill podcaster, J talks about becoming a creator, career hacking, and salary negotiation, alongside of pursuing FI, side hustles, and a growing podcast.

— Aug 10, 2018

Autonomy Mastery Purpose

How to teach children lessons that set them up for success, discussion about using duel-enrollment and university co-ops to optimize college, and a strategy for cash flow balance transferring.

— Aug 17, 2018

What Have You Built?

Cities that are the best for pursuing financial independence, how to hack your career, ideas for building a side hustle and how to assess the return on your college investment.

— Aug 20, 2018

Retail Path To FI With College Investor

089 | Robert, from The College Investor, talks about his lucrative job as a Target store manager, building his blog into a highly profitable side hustle, his relationship with frugality, and the keys to success in a retail interview.

— Aug 27, 2018

Vegan Path To FI

090 | James and Steven pull back the curtain on veganism, talking about the health, lifestyle and financial benefits of veganism, alongside the practical details of how to actually make it work.

— Aug 24, 2018

Let Me Check With My Accountant

An introduction to the Family Bank and what ChooseFI’s accountant-on-call thinks about it, as well as how to navigate rental car insurance, and what soft skills are crucial to a career in retail?

— Sep 03, 2018

Rich Carey Real Estate | Building a Rental Real Estate Snowball Machine without Debt

091 | Rich Carey, officer in the U.S. Air Force, talks about learning to live frugally, buying his first townhouse, and building his real estate empire from one to 20 houses in Montgomery, AL.

— Aug 31, 2018

Longest Vacation Ever

Brad gets back from vacation, Jonathan talks about bringing vegetarianism into his diet, and voicemails from the community highlighting CLEP tests and a 401k win.

— Sep 10, 2018

Will Boland | CarLotz |Entrepreneurship Case Study

092 | CarLotz co-founder Will Boland talks about making the leap from investment banking to entrepreneurship, the challenges and benefits of leading a growing company, and what it means to build a life resume.

— Sep 07, 2018

Real Estate Inside an IRA

An overview of how to own a house with an IRA, Jonathan attempts to optimize his recipes and shopping list, a list of the top 5 ChooseFI episodes and a travel rewards win.

— Sep 17, 2018

Look At The Problem Differently | The RideShare Guy

093 | Harry Campbell, The Rideshare Guy, talks about what it takes to be a successful Lyft and Uber driver, the strategies he used to start his blog, and how he transitioned from aerospace engineering to full-time blogging.

— Sep 14, 2018

It's Not The Idea, It's The Process

Plans for ChooseFI to support education, the value of a life resume, travel rewards tips for active duty military, and hurricane preparation. 

— Sep 24, 2018

Solo 401K vs SEP with Waffles on Wednesday

094 | Mr. and Mrs. Waffles on Wednesday (WoW) talk about winning on a TV game show, starting their own business, learning the tax code to maximize 401K contributions, and volunteering internationally.

— Sep 21, 2018

Other Mountains To Climb

Brad, Jonathan and Joe Saul-Sehy, from Stacking Benjamins, talk about what is rewarding to your soul, give feedback to a ChooseFI community member who’s considering selling his business, and recap Harry, the Ride Share Guy’s strategies for become the center of a niche.

— Sep 28, 2018

Transitioning To Entrepreneurship | A Case Study In Estimated Taxes

The logistics of estimating and paying taxes as an entrepreneur, Brad’s frugal win of the week, and emails from the ChooseFI community.

— Oct 01, 2018

A Military Path To FI | Military Dollar

095 | The author of the Military Dollar joins Brad and Jonathan to discuss the various ways that service members can optimize their finances and choose financial independence, including retirement plans, financial planning, health care benefits and the GI Bill.

— Oct 05, 2018

Call To Action

Brad and Jonathan get an update about the “Playing with FIRE” documentary, they recap FinCon 2018, and review feedback from the community about Monday’s episode with the Military Dollar.

— Oct 08, 2018

Drift | Dominick Q

096 | Dominick Quartuccio defines life ‘drift’, advises Brad & Jonathan on how to take inventory of their habits, and evaluates the role technology plays in helping or hindering progress toward our goals.

— Oct 12, 2018

The Money Matriarch of the World & the Godfather of FI | Suze Orman & JLCollinsNH

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.

— Oct 15, 2018

The White Coat Investor | Origin Story

097 | Dr. James Dahle, founder of The White Coat Investor, talks about getting his start as a doctor and a blogger, setting up inheritance funds for his children, thinking through his investing strategies, and the motivation that keeps him working on the White Coat Investor.

— Oct 19, 2018

The Good Dad Project

A conversation with Larry Hagner from The Good Dad Project updating Brad on the recent financial changes he’s made in pursuit of more financial independence and his family’s budgeting strategies, as well as highlight’s from Monday’s episode from The White Coat Investor.

— Oct 22, 2018

HyperDebt | The Debtist

098 | Samantha Keith, author of The Debtist blog, explains what it means to have more than half a million dollars of student debt, and how she plans to pay it off in less than 10 years.

— Oct 26, 2018

A Cautionary Tale In HyperDebt

An exciting conversation with Jared about his path to FI as a traveling physical therapist and his current 5-month trip abroad, as well as a voicemail about healthcare planning and a review of Monday’s episode.

— Oct 29, 2018

Generous Giving On The Path To FI | Michael Peterson

099 | Michael Peterson, owner of a bacon-themed concession stand in California, talks about downsizing his family expenses, spending 8 months of the year managing a non-profit in El Salvador, and why generous giving is important to him.

— Nov 02, 2018

Market Fluctuations | Stick to Your Plan

Brad and Jonathan review Monday’s episode about generous giving and resource stewardship, then catch up on voicemails and updates from the community about dental school, fall activity ideas, and the recent dip in the stock market.  

— Nov 05, 2018

Welcome To The FI Community

100 | Brad and Jonathan look back at the ChooseFI’s growth during the past 100 episodes and hit the highlights of financial independence for new community members and recap their own financial independence journeys.

— Nov 09, 2018

Know the Rules

Brad and Jonathan explain how simply knowing the rules can save you thousands on taxes and college financing, Brad talks through the IRA Conversion Ladder and Capital Gains Harvesting, and a few updates from the community.

— Nov 12, 2018

Finding your Side Hustle Idea | Nick Loper

101 | Nick Loper, founder of Side Hustle Nation, talks about the benefits of developing a side hustle, and methods to actually develop a good side hustle idea.

— Nov 19, 2018

From 90K of Debt to 6-figure Side Hustle | Timika

102 | Blogger and podcaster Tamika Downes reveals how she went from $94K of debt to owning a six-figure income-earning side hustle while continuing her job as a school nurse and raising three children.

— Nov 16, 2018

Side Hustle Coaching Series Part 4

Brad and Jonathan talk about their experiences with W2 jobs and building side hustles, Jose shares his own side hustle tip, and Alan and Tallis wrap up the 4-part Side Hustle Coaching Series.

— Nov 26, 2018

The Trades Path To FI – Captain DIY

103 | Tinian Crawford, blogger at DIY2FI and licensed electrician, talks about his path to licensure, the advantages of trade jobs and his transition to pursuing financial independence.  

— Nov 23, 2018

The Triple Tax Savings of Health Savings Account

Brad and Jonathan explain the long-term tax benefits of using a Health Savings Account to pay for medical expenses, discuss the benefits of new index fund investing options, review Monday’s episode with Timika Downes.

— Dec 03, 2018

Advice to My Younger Self | DiverseFI

104 | Doc G, writer at DiverseFI.com, shares his experience and mindset as he considers stepping away from his career as a doctor, and highlights the value of building purpose, identity and connection.

— Nov 30, 2018

The Apprentice

Captain DIY returns to recommend some accessible projects for the beginning DIYer, Jonathan highlights two recipe and meal organization apps, and several messages from the ChooseFI community.

— Dec 10, 2018

You can Afford Anything but not Everything | Paula Pant

105 | Paula Pant, creator of Afford Anything podcast and blog, dives into her love for travel, her rejection of the traditional 9-5, and how she built an income to match her lifestyle.

— Dec 07, 2018

Travel Rewards | End of Year Planning

An update from Marla Taner on 2018’s best travel reward options, a hack for keeping your bills low, a review of Monday’s episode with Doc G.

— Dec 14, 2018

Solar Panel Cost Analysis

Brian Feroldi joins the show to talk about the costs and benefits of installing solar panels and answers questions about his investment strategies, and Brad and Jonathan recap Monday’s episode with Paula Pant before announcing a new ChooseFI project on the horizon.

— Dec 17, 2018

From Addiction To FI | Ms. Fiology

106 | Deanna, blogger at msfiology.com, shares her journey from drug and alcohol addiction to recovery, paying off six-figures of personal debt, and getting started on her path toward financial independence.

— Dec 21, 2018

Agency

A series of suggestions and questions from the ChooseFI community, including HSA funds, capital gains distributions, and Traditional versus Roth IRAs, and follow up from Monday’s episode with Deanna.

— Dec 24, 2018

Entrepreneur Case Study | Craig Attkinson | GreenSide Up Landscaping

107 | Craig Attkinson, owner and founder of Green Side Up, a landscaping company in Richmond, Va., explains how he started his business in his mid-20s, what it took to grow and optimize the business, and how he’s optimized other aspects of his life as well.

— Dec 28, 2018

The One Thing 2018 | End Of Year Episode

A year-end episode featuring voicemails and messages from the ChooseFI community sharing successes, progress, exciting discoveries, and hopes for next year of our journey toward financial independence.

— Dec 31, 2018

Setting up a Special Needs Trust

108 | William McVey, ChooseFI’s Chief Technology Officer, walks through investment options available to meet the financial demands of special needs children, and the strategies he’s used to prepare for his children’s future. 

— Jan 04, 2019

How to Calculate Your Savings Rate

Brad and Jonathan talk through the various methods of calculating a yearly savings rate and the numbers necessary to do so, and review Monday’s episode about setting up special needs accounts.

— Jan 07, 2019

Exploring International Teaching Opportunities | Scott & Rob

109 | Scott, a math teacher in Santiago, Chile, and Rob, a blogger at Getting Canned, share their experiences teaching abroad, including the financial and lifestyle benefits, and the how-to for making it happen.

— Jan 14, 2019

A Millionaire Next Door Case Study | Rocky Lalvani

110 | Rocky Lalvani, blogger at Richer Soul, shares his story of growing up as an immigrant’s child, learning how to save money in his early years, and how he’s teaching his own children about finances now.

— Jan 11, 2019

“Bear” Perspective

Big ERN from Early Retirement Now joins the show to talk about the current market climate: How is it impacting investors, who could benefit, and what markers he uses to evaluate its actual condition? We also share a voicemail from Abby, who provides a few more helpful hints for teaching abroad. Highlights from the show:

— Jan 28, 2019

Naseema Financially Intentional | How I paid Off 1 Million In Debt

112 | Naseema McElroy, a registered and practicing nurse and blogger at Financially Intentional, explains how to accumulate $1 million in debt, and how she earned her freedom through financial independence.

— Jan 21, 2019

Make the Impossible Possible

111 | Billy B., a writer, entrepreneur and blogger at Wealth Well Done, shares his story of finding freedom in prison, starting over in his 30s and pursuing financial independence despite the setbacks.

— Feb 04, 2019

Swing for the Fences | Grant Sabatier

113 | Grant Sabatier from Millennial Money and author of Financial Freedom, shares his story of unemployment and entrepreneurship, and his strategies for increasing your income and optimizing your finances.

— Feb 01, 2019

Planned Obsolescence

An evaluation of the long-term savings that result from driving old cars, a review of how Naseema McElroy has optimized her finances and reversed lifestyle creep, and a series of voicemails and messages from the ChooseFI community.

— Feb 11, 2019

Demystify College Scholarships | Brian Eufinger | Edison Prep

114 | Brian Eufinger, co-founder of Edison Prep, dives deep into the college admissions process and explains how a student should approach grades and test scores to give themselves the best college options, and how to pay for college without collecting a huge student loan debt.

— Feb 08, 2019

Making your Retirement Plan Bullet Proof | Tanja Hester

Tanja Hester retired early 15 months ago and joins the show to share her experience of being work optional, Brad makes a decision about solar panels, and a review of Monday’s episode with Grant Sabatier.

— Feb 18, 2019

Poverty, Divorce and FI by 43 | Bonnie Truax

115 | Bonnie Truax, a blogger and early retiree, shares her story of growing up below the poverty line, scraping her way out of inherited debt, reaching financial independence without knowing what it was, and understanding how to talk about money with your spouse.

— Feb 15, 2019

Fine Tuning the College Equation | PSAT and National Merit Scholarship

Brian Eufinger returns to fill the gaps and address questions from the community about PSATs and National Merit Scholars, Brad and Jonathan discuss the benefits of creating a college-hacking strategy early, and the ChooseFI community responds to Monday’s episode.

— Feb 22, 2019

How to Get Out of Debt

A how-to conversation about strategies for tackling consumer debt, a review of Monday’s episode with Bonnie Traux, and a few updates about the ChooseFI community.  

— Feb 25, 2019

Adoption, FFLC & the House of FI | Wendy Mays

116 | Wendy Mays, from House of FI, tells the story of growing her family from 4 to 8 through adoption all while moving states and changing careers, and ultimately kickstarting her family’s pursuit of financial independence.

— Mar 11, 2019

From Financial Infidelity To His & Her Money

118 | Talaat McNeely from His and Her Money talks about how his money mistakes led to financial infidelity.

— Mar 01, 2019

Escape

Karen Hoxmeier joins the show to share how and why she built a coupon-sharing website, Brad and Jonathan talk about optimizing food, taxes and home insurance, and a review of Monday’s episode with Wendy Mays.  

— Mar 04, 2019

Creating Your Dream Job

Bradley Rice has successfully reclaimed the hours in his day by transitioning to part-time work.

— Mar 18, 2019

Everything Is Negotiable

Mr. Refined from Refined by Fire has overcome a staggering amount of debt that accumulated from student loans and medical bills.

— Mar 15, 2019

What Is Socially Responsible Investing

Talent stacking, becoming a renaissance man, and financial infidelity: We recap Monday's show and highlight some listener comments.

— Mar 25, 2019

Your Money And Your Relationships With Jean Chatzky

Jean Chatzky is a well-respected figure in the personal finance community.

— Apr 01, 2019

Tread Lightly On The Path To FI

Angela from Tread Lightly Retire Early has been an active member of the ChooseFI community for around two years. She has built a life that combines FIRE with sustainability.

— Apr 08, 2019

Intro To Dividend Investing

Dividend investing has been a hotly debated topic in the FI community.

— Apr 15, 2019

Rich And Regular

Kiersten and Julien from Rich and Regular talk about the specific challenges that the black community faces on their journey to FI.

— Mar 22, 2019

Position Of Strength

Jonathan and Brad discuss their favorite books from 2018, negotiating from a position of power, career hacking, and what they would do differently if they were recording episode 1 today.

— Mar 29, 2019

Finding The Range

Jonathan and Brad discuss wielding the flexibility of money, how to move to the upper end of your salary range, and hunting with eagles in Mongolia.

— Apr 05, 2019

How To Get Any Job

Brad and Jonathan sleep habits, energy efficiency, and the best ways to land a job with Chris Hutchins from Grove.

— Apr 22, 2019

Dirtbag Millionaire With Chris Mamula

Chris Mamula, the "Dirtbag Millionaire," describes the mistakes he made on the way to FIRE, the challenges he facing in his early retirement, and the origin story of a book that will outline a Blueprint to financial independence based on the information shared by members of the ChooseFI community.

— Apr 12, 2019

Learn More About Dividend Investing

Brad and Jonathan are joined by Brian Feroldi and Karsten from Early Retirement Now.

— Apr 19, 2019

Hail Mary FI

Brad and Jonathan give us an update about the "Playing with FIRE" documentary, hail mary FI and how to build an escape route from the corporate hierarchy that doesn't make room for you.

— Apr 29, 2019

The Family Emergency Binder

Chelsea Brennan from Smart Money Mamas and creator of the Family Emergency Binder is here to talk about her unconventional choices that led to a happier life.

— May 20, 2019

Building Your Suit Of Armor On The Path To FI With Alan Donegan

Alan Donegan joins us to discuss leveraging the power of FI to pursue your dreams with the ability to be free to fail.

— Apr 26, 2019

Your Blueprint To Financial Independence

Brad and Jonathan discuss the release date of a ChooseFI book, finding the best auto insurance rates, and Lynn Frair's path to FI.

— May 06, 2019

Estate Planning With Estate Lawyer Mark Moss

Last week, Brad and Jonathan talked to Chelsea Brennan about her Family Emergency Binder.

— May 13, 2019

How To Optimize Your Health With Dr. Scott Sherr

Brad and Jonathan discuss health optimization strategies with Dr. Scott Sherr.

— May 27, 2019

Breaking The Glass Ceiling With Liz

Liz from Chief Mom Officer.org talks about working moms building careers from the ground up.

— May 03, 2019

Optimize Your Online Grocery Shopping

Ways to optimize your grocery shopping, the family emergency binder, and sharing stories from the community.

— May 10, 2019

What Is An Annuity

Brad and Jonathan tackle a listener question about annuities and discuss some updates to the travel rewards landscape.

— May 17, 2019

Cutting Through The Noise Of Dieting And Debt

Gina Pogel joins us to discuss different types of debt and how to tackle them.

— Jun 03, 2019

Paul Merriman Introduces The Ultimate Buy And Hold Portfolio

Today we talk to Paul Merriman. The goal is to contrast the "Simple Path to Wealth Approach" with the "Ultimate Buy and Hold Portfolio."

— May 24, 2019

Expand Your Zone Of Awareness

Multi-level marketing, side hustles, energy audits, and expanding your "Zone of Awareness" -- all ! For more information, visit the show notes at https://choosefi.com/128r

— Jun 10, 2019

Community Building With Mr. Money Mustache And Mr. 1500

Mr. Money Mustache and Mr. 1500 discuss community building and second generation FI.

— Jun 17, 2019

Downsizing Your Life And Financial Coaching With Lisa Duke

— Jun 24, 2019

How To Get Started Making Money With Airbnb with Zeona McIntyre

Zeona McIntyre built a successful AirBNB business and shares her best strategies, including

— May 31, 2019

Focused Work Ethic

Earlier this week, Liz from Chief Mom Officer explained how she leveraged her work ethic and will to succeed into a successful six-figure career. Today we dig deeper into the work ethic topic with John, a 24 year old currently making 6-figures.

— Jul 01, 2019

Early Retirement Case Study With Route To Retire

Jim from Route To Retire talks about about life after retirement and geo-arbitrage. His path to FI didn’t start with a community, it began when he was testing for Y2K bugs with Quicken.

— Jun 07, 2019

Simplifying The Ultimate Buy And Hold Strategy With M1 Finance

Brad and Jonathan just returned from the world premiere of Playing with FIRE in San Diego.

— Jun 14, 2019

Building a Brick in Your Wall

A recap of our conversation with Mr. Money Mustache and Mr. 1500. Plus, Jonathan and Brad answer listener questions about compounding and drawdowns during retirement.

— Jun 21, 2019

Insurance, A Framework

Find out what kinds of insurance you actually need and where to find them.

— Jun 28, 2019

Should You Invest Or Pay Off Your Mortgage?

Possibly the most burning questions of FI:

— Jul 08, 2019

How To Leverage A Modest Income With Joel From How To Money

Joel from How to Money talks about how he has pursued FI on a relatively low income, how he is reaching FI with five rental properties, and working on the Clark Howard Show.

— Jul 05, 2019

Quit Like A Millionaire

Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung talk about their new book, Quit Like a Millionaire. Plus, Brad and Jonathan give updates on solar panels and YNAB.

— Jul 15, 2019

How To Fund Your Child's Roth IRA And Other Tax Optimizations With The FI Tax Guy

A dive into taxes with Sean Mullaney, the FI Tax Guy, who talks about FI tax-efficient strategies and career paths in accounting.

— Jul 12, 2019

The Plot Thickens

Another look at whether you should pay off your mortgage or invest, plus:

— Jul 22, 2019

Rebuilding A Life You Love With Christine

Christine and her husband, Jack, rebuilt a life that they love after an 85% reduction in pay 6 weeks into their marriage.

— Jul 29, 2019

How To Get Paid To Go To College With Anthony Gary

Anthony talks about the strategy he used to go to college for profit in his senior year.

— Aug 05, 2019

Reaching FI With Real Estate With Sunny Burns

Sunny and his wife are 88.92% of their way to FI at only age 28 while living just 15 minutes outside of New York City.

— Aug 12, 2019

FI Lifestyle Before FI Number With Nick True

Nick True from Mapped Out Money talks about designing an FI lifestyle before reaching an FI number.

— Jul 19, 2019

Silver Spoon Or Skills

Jonathan and Brad discuss a case study on funding a child's Roth IRA and listen to feedback from the community.

— Aug 19, 2019

Reset: An Unconventional Guide For Getting Unstuck With David Sawyer

David Sawyer released his book, Reset. 

— Aug 26, 2019

Real Estate Investing Strategies With Paula Pant

Paula Pant discusses real estate as a path to FI as Brad shares his biggest financial mistake of his life - a speculative property in North Carolina.

— Jul 26, 2019

An Evening Of Financial Independence

Brad and Jonathan discuss the Richmond Screening Of Playing With FIRE, FI 101, and how to be a storyteller.

— Aug 02, 2019

My Daughter's Mindset

Brad and Jonathan talk about Brad’s daughter's mindset, plus a review of Monday's episode with Anthony.

— Aug 09, 2019

Time Is On Your Side

Last week, Jonathan ended up at the DMV on a Friday afternoon with a crazy wait time. What should have been a quick trip turned into an ordeal worth avoiding.

— Aug 16, 2019

The Real Cost Of A Financial Advisor

Diving into the costs of a financial advisor and Nick from Mapped Out Money returns to discuss college hacking.

— Sep 02, 2019

Beyond Financial Independence With Edmund Tee

Edmund Tee talks about reaching FI and the goals of teaching more people worldwide about Financial Independence.

— Sep 09, 2019

Junior Achievement: 100 Years Of Financial Education With Crystal Law And Laura Goodman

Crystal Law, Director of Financial Literacy Experiences, and Laura Goodman, VP of Volunteer Engagement join us to discuss Junior Achievement.

— Sep 16, 2019

Turn Key Real Estate Investing And How To Build A Team With Paula Pant

Paula Pant of Afford Anything returns to dive deeper into real estate investing. In this second conversation, Paula covers turnkey, deal syndication, and building a team.

— Aug 23, 2019

Translating FI For The UK

David Sawyer comes back on to discuss the UK path to FI, and Jonathan makes a big personal announcement.

— Aug 30, 2019

Envelope Overwhelm

How to simplify personal finance and discussing Paula Pant’s take on real estate from Monday’s show.

— Oct 14, 2019

On Trajectory With Tyson Koska

Tyson Koska shares his On Trajectory tool and what led him to his own path of Financial Independence.

— Sep 06, 2019

Is This The Top?

As most have probably seen, the news is calling for a recession soon. Specifically, Peter Schiff, a prominent economist, is warning of an impending financial disaster. However, this market volatility is nothing new.

— Sep 13, 2019

Guard Rails and Dumpster Fires

A recap from Jonathan and Brad's visit to FinCon, FI Military, YNAB, and "what if my finances are like a dumpster fire?".

— Sep 23, 2019

Embrace The Suck With Shannyn Allan

Shannyn Allan joins us to discuss "embracing the suck"--when life just doesn't go as planned.

— Sep 30, 2019

Negotiate Your Salary With Tori Dunlap

Tori Dunlap's wealth of experience at a young age illustrates the impact of financial literacy. Discover her emphasis on time, negotiation tactics, and the true power of understanding one's worth, and how these skills can alter your financial landscape.

— Sep 20, 2019

Stuck

A discussion of what to do with a windfall, a review of turnkey real estate investing, and a meditation for stock market investors when the market is falling.

— Sep 27, 2019

Fork In The Road

This week’s Friday Roundup includes a discussion with Chuck Jaffe about why he can’t be part of the FIRE movement because he has no plans to retire.

— Oct 07, 2019

Struggle | The Psychology Of Poverty With Andréa Motenko

Andréa has committed her life to social studies and taking FI information to people experiencing poverty. She grew up in a similar situation.

— Oct 04, 2019

Contributions, Corrections And Criticisms

Compounding vs total return, envelopes vs simplifying your finances, and the potential value you could get from working with a “assets under management” financial advisor.

— Oct 21, 2019

Accountability | Diania Merriam

Diania Merriam discusses accountability, shifting perspectives, and community.

— Oct 11, 2019

FI 101| Expense Ratios and House Hacking

Craig Curelop, author of The House Hacking Strategy: How to Use Your Home to Achieve Financial Freedom, shares his house hacking strategies.

— Oct 18, 2019

Whole Life Insurance

How to break Old Navy and cockamamie life insurance schemes are just two of the topics Brad and Jonathan cover in today's episode.

— Nov 18, 2019

Hacking The FAFSA | Brian Eufinger & Seonwoo Lee

Graduating from college debt-free can accelerate the path to FI dramatically. Brian Eufinger and Seonwoo Lee share their best tips on hacking the FAFSA on today's episode.

— Oct 28, 2019

Unstoppable Decision Making | Creating A Framework For Decision Making With David Hauser

As a successful start-up founder, David Hauser felt mercilessly driven to create success through extreme measures.

— Oct 25, 2019

Goals vs Systems

Building your blueprint to FI starts with the basics. A simple thing like tracking your spending can set you on a path that will change your life forever.

— Nov 04, 2019

Is It Too Late? | Becky Heptig

Becky Heptig shares her personal story to show that FI is an attainable goal at any age.

— Nov 11, 2019

RIP Medical Debt | An Inside Look At Debt Collection And Forgiveness

Medical debt has the power to seriously hurt your financial future. Many Americans are faced with unavoidable medical debt that has crippled their financial situation.

— Nov 01, 2019

Fit Waist Fat Wallet

Using David Hauser’s framework from last week of decision making through split testing, Brad and Jonathan look at their sleep, fitness, and diet.

— Nov 25, 2019

FI For Single Parents| Leslie Tayne

Leslie Tayne opens up about her journey as a single parent, financial problems in her first marriage, and how to move forward from debt.

— Dec 09, 2019

Atomic Habits | James Clear

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits , shares his story. The conversation dives into the difference between systems and goals.

— Dec 16, 2019

Real Hourly Wage | The Frugal Engineers

Kim from The Frugal Engineers shares her journey and the importance of determining your real hourly wage.

— Nov 08, 2019

Can I Retire Yet?

Big ERN comes on the show today to break down the numbers of Becky’s retirement plan.

— Nov 15, 2019

Navigating Health Insurance

On today’s Friday Roundup, Jonathan's shares his experience with health coverage after his wife welcomed a new baby into their family. We also discuss Healthshare plans and Healthcare After FI.

— Dec 02, 2019

Retire Before Mom And Dad | Rob Berger

Rob Berger, founder of Dough Roller and Retire Before Mom and Dad, talks about the simple math of early retirement and more essential FI lessons that are important to talk about. 

— Dec 23, 2019

Eventual Millionaire | Jaime Masters

Jamie Masters' inspiring story showcases her journey from being $70,000 in debt to establishing herself as a successful business coach and podcast host. By leveraging lessons learned from interviewing millionaires, she shares essential strategies for financial independence, highlighting the importance of mentorship and personal development. Through her experience, Jamie emphasizes how understanding one's strengths and hiring the right team are vital for achieving business and financial goals.

— Nov 22, 2019

Inception

Tim and Amy from Go With Less join Brad and Jonathan to discuss their unique travel strategy. Plus, tips on how to design your dream life.

— Jan 06, 2020

Money Letters To My Daughter with Jackie Cummings Koski

Jackie Cummings Koski’s journey from a childhood in poverty to financial independence is a testament to resilience and determination. As a single mother, she defied the odds to build a six-figure Health Savings Account (HSA) while emphasizing the importance of financial literacy. In this episode, Jackie shares her insights on money management and the necessity of diverse voices within the financial independence movement, offering hope and practical advice for those on their own journeys to financial freedom.

— Jan 20, 2020

Finding FI And Getting A Reluctant Spouse On Board | Liz And Braden

Liz and Brayden's incredible financial journey showcases their transformation from contrasting financial backgrounds to achieving independence together. Their story emphasizes the importance of teamwork, budgeting, and making intentional life choices that lead to financial success. With over $100,000 in scholarships, Liz shares her strategies and tips that can help others navigate the complex world of financial aid for education. As they dive deeper into their story, listeners will gain valuable insights into how embracing simplicity and shared goals can fuel happiness and financial independence.

— Nov 29, 2019

Year End Tax Planning With Sean Mullaney

Sean Mullaney joins the show to discuss year-end tax planning.

— Dec 06, 2019

Coming Back From A Gap Year

A gap year might seem unthinkable for some but Noah and Becky share exactly how they navigated their gap year. Plus, Brad and Jonathan discuss emergency funds and your risk tolerance.

— Dec 13, 2019

The Compound Interest Of Self Improvement

After learning more about habits with James Clear this week, Brad and Jonathan discuss the compounding interest of self improvement and turning intention into action.

— Dec 20, 2019

Your Real Hourly Wage and Savings Rate Calculation

Learn how to calculate your real hourly wage and savings rate. We discuss Kim’s story shared on Monday’s episode, meal planning, and more.

— Dec 27, 2019

From Solopreneur To Entrepreneur

Unlock the secrets to financial independence by adopting a long-term mindset. Many individuals overestimate short-term achievements while underestimating their potential for change over a decade. This episode delves into the transformative power of gradual habit building and sustainable goal setting. Discover how creating a supportive community environment can amplify your desire for financial success and empower your journey toward wealth.

— Dec 30, 2019

End of Year Wins 2019

This episode highlights the incredible financial victories within the ChooseFI community, showcasing how listeners are transforming their lives. From maximizing savings rates to paying off significant debts, these personal stories reinforce that financial independence is achievable through education and community support. The narratives emphasize collective progress, offering encouragement for others to embark on their own financial journeys and motivating action towards a financially secure future.

— Jan 13, 2020

The Four Tendencies And FI With Gretchen Rubin

Effective financial communication can be significantly enhanced by understanding the Four Tendencies. This episode delves into how recognizing personality types can improve discussions about financial independence with loved ones. By tailoring communication strategies to fit Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels, listeners can foster productive conversations around their financial goals.

— Jan 03, 2020

Everyday Courage

Everyday Courage is a new podcast designed to inspire listeners to harness their financial independence for a more meaningful life. Host Jillian Johnsworth recounts her personal journey, highlighting the struggles many face with identity and fulfillment, especially women. As she explores the importance of self-reflection and knowing one's values, she invites the audience to craft intentional plans that align with their life goals.

— Jan 27, 2020

Our Rich Journey

Amana and Christina have carved out a path to financial independence while raising their two daughters. After realizing their desire for freedom and control over their lives, this family crafted a unique strategy that included living rent and mortgage-free, leveraging rental income through real estate, and utilizing travel rewards. Their story serves as an inspiring guide for families seeking similar paths of financial freedom and intentional living.

— Feb 03, 2020

Do You Need A Budget? | YNAB

Budgeting is essential for financial independence and reducing stress. Join Jesse Mecham, founder of YNAB, as he reveals common budgeting misconceptions and shares practical strategies to manage your finances effectively. Learn how to identify your non-negotiables, align spending with personal values, and embrace creativity in financial decision-making.

— Feb 10, 2020

Modern FImily With Court

Court and her wife Nick have mastered the art of living well on $25,000 a year, showcasing that financial independence is within reach. By focusing on what truly brings them joy, they've eliminated consumerism from their lives and strategically managed their finances to break free from nearly six figures of student loan debt. Their story not only highlights practical budgeting, but it emphasizes the powerful mindset needed to achieve your financial goals.

— Jan 10, 2020

Reignite

The launch of FI 101 marks a pivotal moment in financial literacy, aimed at empowering underserved communities with crucial financial knowledge. This free course is designed not only to give individuals the tools they need to take control of their financial destinies, but also to create a ripple effect of education and empowerment throughout communities. The episode highlights real stories of transformation, emphasizing the importance of financial education in breaking the cycle of poverty and developing long-term financial independence.

— Jan 17, 2020

There's Water In The Cup

Health challenges can trigger significant financial stress, highlighting the importance of financial preparedness. Brad and Jonathan share personal stories that underline the necessity of being ahead of the curve by managing health expenses wisely, suggesting tools like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to alleviate the burden of medical bills. Their insights offer not just a path to recovery from unexpected expenses, but a proactive approach to financial health.

— Jan 24, 2020

Roth IRA Conversion Ladder Case Study

N updated case study of the Roth IRA conversion ladder and a challenge for the community

— Feb 17, 2020

Learn Hustle Grow

Rob and Rayshawn share their inspiring journey from financial struggles to achieving independence together. Growing up in poor households, they faced significant obstacles, including student loans and debt. However, their commitment to open communication and financial education enabled them to work towards shared financial goals. Their story emphasizes the power of teamwork in navigating finances as a couple and includes practical strategies for building wealth, such as leveraging travel rewards and real estate investments.

— Jan 31, 2020

What Are The 5 Love Languages?

Understanding the five love languages can revolutionize how you express love and appreciation. This episode dives deep into each language, revealing how they can enhance your relationships and communication, particularly as Valentine's Day approaches. By recognizing what's meaningful to your partner, you can move beyond traditional gifts and instead focus on thoughtful gestures that resonate on a deeper level, ensuring your bond strengthens over time.

— Feb 24, 2020

Make Time

Unlock your productivity with key insights from the groundbreaking book 'Make Time' by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky. This episode dives into actionable strategies to help you reclaim your day and focus on what truly matters. Discover how defining your daily highlight can enhance your focus and lead to meaningful accomplishments. Jonathan and Brad share personal anecdotes on their transformative journeys, emphasizing the profound impact of intentional living and self-reflection on financial independence and overall well-being.

— Feb 07, 2020

Do You Realize What You Are Doing?

Market volatility can be daunting, yet it's essential to maintain a long-term perspective for true financial independence. The hosts dive into strategies that empower investors to thrive despite market fluctuations. A significant takeaway highlights the importance of low-cost index funds, which can shield investors from unnecessary fees, thereby maximizing returns over time. By emphasizing the need for an investor policy statement, listeners are encouraged to prepare in advance for emotional market reactions. This episode not only promotes educated investing but also inspires active participation in one’s financial journey.

— Mar 02, 2020

A Purple Life | Early Retiree Case Study

A Purple Life showcases how she plans to achieve financial independence by 30, focusing on radical transparency and detailed budgeting. By documenting every expense and salary negotiation, she not only holds herself accountable but inspires others in the ChooseFI community. Her journey moves from an initial net worth of $50,000 to aiming for $500,000, illustrating the power of informed financial decisions and lifestyle changes.

— Feb 14, 2020

It's A Small World After All

The latest episode dives into the $1,000 challenge where hosts Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett challenge their community to explore unconventional methods of earning money. From selling plasma to taking surveys, hear what works and what doesn't. Learn effective budgeting strategies and how to negotiate medical bills, paving the way toward true financial independence.

— Jun 15, 2020

Help Fix My 403(b)

Nancy Bacchetti shares her remarkable transformation from financial struggle to independence, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing 403B plans. She discovered the hidden fees within her plan and became an advocate for teachers seeking financial literacy and better retirement options. Her commitment to educating herself on investment strategies helped her and her family achieve financial independence by leveraging resources like the 457 plan and tackling common financial misconceptions among educators.

— Feb 21, 2020

Should I Refinance My Mortgage? R

Refinancing your home can produce significant savings, making it a vital step toward financial independence. In this episode, we explore strategies such as understanding interest rate reductions, the importance of calculating your breakeven point, and the impact of fees. Brad and Jonathan guide listeners through actionable steps to enhance their savings while emphasizing the psychological aspects of financial decision-making. Whether you’re new to refinancing or looking to maximize your options, this episode is packed with valuable insights for your financial journey.

— May 25, 2020

How to Negotiate Your Salary Without Burning Bridges | Financial Mechanic

This episode features Jessica, the Financial Mechanic, who reveals how she successfully navigated her career from a mechanical engineer to a software engineer, doubling her salary in the process. Her insights on salary negotiation are invaluable for anyone looking to enhance their financial independence. Learn the key strategies that enabled her to understand her market value, set clear expectations, and leverage outside offers to negotiate better compensation. With Jessica's actionable tips, you'll gain the confidence to negotiate your next raise effectively.

— Feb 28, 2020

Prioritizing Your Priorities

Prioritizing your commitments is crucial for a more fulfilled life. Inspired by 'Make Time', hosts Brad and Jonathan share actionable insights to evaluate how you spend your time. They discuss setting boundaries with technology to reduce distractions, ensuring you focus on what matters most—family, learning, and personal growth. Make thoughtful, intentional choices about your daily activities and unlock your true potential for productivity.

— Mar 09, 2020

The Simple Startup

Rob Phelan shares his mission to bring financial literacy and entrepreneurship into high school education. His innovative curriculum, piloted in schools including those in Dubai, is designed to equip students with vital financial skills. By emphasizing real-world applications, Rob aims to inspire future entrepreneurs through hands-on learning and project-based activities. The upcoming Simple Startup workbook serves as both a guide for teachers and a resource for parents keen on fostering entrepreneurial skills in their children.

— Mar 06, 2020

Prepared, Not Scared

Market downturns can stir anxiety, especially for those pursuing financial independence. This episode delves into how to navigate these challenges effectively, emphasizing preparation over panic. With insights drawn from a real-life case study, hosts Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett discuss strategies for managing your financial plans and maintaining composure during market drops. They advocate for a mindset that views downturns as investment opportunities rather than setbacks, helping listeners frame their approach to financial independence positively.

— Mar 23, 2020

Flexible Spending Rules For Early Retirees

Flexibility in retirement spending can significantly enhance financial strategies, as explored by Michael Kitsis. This episode delves into adaptive spending rules designed for early retirees, emphasizing the importance of adjusting financial plans based on personal circumstances and market conditions. Discover how to navigate your financial independence journey more effectively, making informed decisions without fear.

— Mar 13, 2020

A Capital Gains Case Study For 2020

Capital gains tax strategies can significantly impact your journey to financial independence. This episode dives into the nuances of capital gains tax harvesting, allowing individuals and families to take action and optimize their financial plans. Understand how to navigate different tax brackets and implement strategies that allow you to realize gains without incurring hefty federal taxes. By effectively managing your income and capital gains, you can maximize your wealth while minimizing your tax liabilities.

— Mar 16, 2020

Financial Resilience - New Daily Special Episodes

Enhancing financial resilience is crucial in today's unpredictable world. This episode delivers practical strategies to cultivate a positive mindset, embrace family time, and prepare for future uncertainties. The hosts share their insights on how to navigate through crises while ensuring that you remain focused on your financial goals. Expect a blend of encouragement and actionable tips aimed at fostering community support and promoting financial autonomy.

— Mar 17, 2020

Financial Resilience in a Bear Market

The world has changed dramatically, and it’s essential to navigate financial independence amidst market volatility. This episode breaks down strategies for maintaining perspective and building resilience in uncertain economic times.

— Mar 18, 2020

Emergency Fund and Financial Resilience

In light of current events, We are temporarily switching to a daily show to support the community. Is your Emergency Fund in place?

— Mar 19, 2020

Look Out For Your Community During This Uncertain Time

Financial resilience is crucial in today's challenging economic landscape. Discover how individuals on the path to financial independence can take proactive steps to support their local communities. By purchasing gift cards or prepaying for services, you not only help businesses but invest in their future. Learn how we can collectively elevate our communities through acts of generosity, fostering a spirit of support during tough times.

— Mar 20, 2020

Social Distancing With Style

Social distancing presents a unique opportunity for creativity and connection. Families are encouraged to engage in meaningful activities while managing financial constraints. Hosts Brad and Jonathan share personal experiences of staying active and maintaining relationships virtually, emphasizing the importance of creating a routine that fosters emotional and physical well-being.

— Mar 30, 2020

The Creative Penn

Joanna Penn's journey illustrates the resilience within the financial independence movement. After leaving her corporate job, she faced challenges and fears, yet transformed her passion for writing into a successful career. This episode delves into how she navigated the world of self-publishing, built multiple income streams, and the importance of community and support in achieving one's dreams. Penn's insights are a beacon for aspiring authors and those seeking financial freedom, emphasizing that creativity and financial independence can go hand in hand.

— Mar 24, 2020

This Is Not A Drill

The current economic landscape demands a reassessment of our financial priorities. This episode highlights the importance of the 'art of the pivot' to navigate the unexpected challenges we face. Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies to improve their budgets and evaluate essential versus discretionary spending, emphasizing resilience in financial planning.

— Mar 25, 2020

Important Tax Update

Discover innovative strategies for achieving financial independence, from searching for coupon codes to seizing opportunities presented by recent tax deadline extensions. Maximize your savings and transform your financial approach during challenging times. David Goggins’ inspiring philosophy invites you to embrace mental and physical challenges that lead to personal growth and resilience.

— Mar 26, 2020

Accidental Homeschooler

Vincent Puglisi sheds light on the transformative approach to homeschooling, emphasizing that education can seamlessly integrate into daily life. His insights offer practical tips for parents feeling overwhelmed by the sudden leap into homeschooling, urging them to adopt an interest-led learning model that fosters curiosity and minimizes stress. By highlighting the unique opportunities this situation presents, he empowers parents to embrace a more engaging and flexible learning environment for their children.

— Mar 27, 2020

The Art Of The Pivot

Strategies for financial resilience have never been more critical. This episode dives into actionable steps to optimize expenses and adapt to changing circumstances. The hosts discuss innovative approaches to managing finances, emphasizing community input and shared experiences. Such insights are vital as listeners navigate through these turbulent times, empowering them to innovate and pivot effectively.

— Mar 31, 2020

Escape From Wall Street

Rick Ferry's journey from Wall Street to index fund advocacy is a powerful testament to the potential for financial transformation. After years of witnessing the inefficacy of active investing, Rick had his 'aha' moment while exploring Jack Bogle's philosophies, leading to a commitment to low-cost, passive investing to empower individual investors.

— Apr 06, 2020

Multiple Generations Under One Roof With Financial Tortoise

Tay from FinancialTortoise.com shares his journey as a member of the sandwich generation, where he balances supporting his children and aging parents. He details overcoming over $105,000 in student loan debt through strong financial habits and a commitment to budgeting, emphasizing the importance of open family discussions about finances.

— May 18, 2020

There Is No Failing With FI

Bianca de Valerio's journey to financial independence is nothing short of inspiring. Through relentless hard work and unwavering perseverance, she navigated significant personal and financial hurdles, including three short sales and a challenging divorce. Despite the odds, she proved that financial freedom is achievable without a college degree, transforming her life as a flight attendant into a platform for economic stability.

— Apr 01, 2020

Is The FIRE Movement Over?

Joanna Penn's journey exemplifies how adversity can fuel financial empowerment. By embracing an entrepreneurial mindset, she transformed her career from creativity to profitable business ventures. This episode encourages listeners to break their limiting beliefs and explore multiple income streams, emphasizing their importance in achieving financial freedom, especially during uncertain economic times.

— Apr 02, 2020

Stimulus Package Breakdown

The CARES Act has reshaped the landscape of financial independence, providing $1,200 rebates and enhanced tax provisions. Discover critical insights tailored for those on the path to wealth building and early retirement. Explore how these provisions affect self-employed individuals and families, emphasizing the importance of maintaining payroll through the Paycheck Protection Program. Join hosts Speaker and Brad Barrett as they discuss the emotional resilience shown by teachers and communities during these unprecedented times.

— Apr 03, 2020

Adapting To The New Normal

Anxiety is a common response during unprecedented times, but it can be managed effectively. This episode guides listeners through practical strategies for navigating feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. Co-hosts Brad and Jonathan Mendonsa emphasize the need to acknowledge one's emotions, create healthy routines, and limit information overload. With insights drawn from personal experiences, they equip listeners with tools to foster resilience and mental well-being amidst life’s disruptions.

— Apr 07, 2020

Distance Education

Distance education has become essential in today's teaching landscape, presenting new challenges and opportunities for educators. This episode dives into the specific adaptations teachers are implementing, focusing on core subjects and essential support activities, such as meal distribution for families in need. With insights from Mandy, a dedicated educator, discover how flexible teaching methods and open communication can meet diverse student needs in an online environment.

— Apr 08, 2020

Stay The Course

Learn how asset allocation can drastically impact your investment success through the captivating cake analogy discussed by Rick Ferry. This episode explores the three layers of a successful portfolio: stocks, bonds, and cash. Understanding how to balance these layers while considering your emotional resilience will set you on a path to financial independence.

— Apr 09, 2020

Investor Policy Statement

An investor policy statement is crucial for anyone aiming for financial independence. It clarifies your investment goals, manages emotional responses, and guides financial decisions, especially in turbulent times. This episode provides insights into creating your own policy statement, with a focus on case studies, including Brad's journey from debt to financial freedom. Brad's practical approach includes understanding your expenses, building a robust emergency fund, and maintaining flexibility in investments. Listeners will be empowered to develop a clear financial roadmap.

— Apr 10, 2020

The Sandwich Generation

The sandwich generation faces unique challenges in caring for aging parents while also supporting their children. This episode dives into practical strategies for initiating difficult conversations with parents about their financial and health situations. Learn how to employ the 40-70 rule as a framework for these discussions, ensuring that vital topics are addressed proactively and effectively. By opening lines of communication, families can navigate this balancing act with greater ease and understanding.

— Apr 13, 2020

K-12 Financial Literacy Curriculum

The new K-12 financial literacy curriculum offers an innovative approach to education, promoting financial independence from an early age. This comprehensive program is designed to seamlessly integrate essential financial concepts into existing subjects, ensuring teachers can manage their lessons without added burden. With the launch of FI 101 and free resources available to all educators, the initiative aims to reach a wider community and enhance financial literacy across the nation.

— Apr 14, 2020

Freelancers And The Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has significant implications for independent contractors. In this episode, Brad Barrett and guest Travis Hornsby examine the challenges that 1099 contractors face in securing financial support amid the COVID-19 crisis. With millions of contractors at risk, understanding the nuances of the PPP application process is essential for freelancers navigating this complex landscape. Valuable insights on maintaining financial health and ensuring proper documentation are shared, giving listeners a roadmap to success.

— Apr 15, 2020

The Market Always Goes Up

Investing with a long-term perspective is crucial, especially during turbulent market times. Emotional responses to fluctuations can undermine solid financial planning. This episode emphasizes choosing an investment strategy that aligns with a long-term mindset and ignoring daily market noise to maintain confidence in your financial future.

— Apr 16, 2020

The Role Of Bonds In A Portfolio

Bonds play a vital role in creating a resilient investment portfolio. They offer stability, income, and diversification, making them essential during market volatility. This episode explores how to select and manage bonds effectively, ensuring your investments remain robust in uncertain times.

— Apr 17, 2020

Rebel Entrepreneur With Alan Donegan

Alan Donegan's experience with Pop-Up Business School reveals crucial insights into navigating financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. In our conversation, he emphasizes the importance of disaster planning and holding a cash reserve to weather economic downturns. Join us as we uncover the strategies that can transform loss into opportunity, empowering entrepreneurs to adapt and thrive.

— Apr 20, 2020

Have We Seen The Bottom?

Big Earn joins the discussion to shed light on the conflicting signals between the economy and stock market. With strong stock performance despite poor economic data, understanding these discrepancies is crucial for investors. Learn to navigate these uncertain times effectively.

— Apr 27, 2020

Making Portfolio Adjustments With Big ERN

Adjusting retirement strategies is crucial in volatile markets. This episode dives into the impact of unprecedented economic changes and how to adapt your portfolio accordingly. Learn from expert Karsten about the significance of understanding sequence of return risk to safeguard your retirement savings.

— Apr 22, 2020

Introducing Casual Wednesdays

Online grocery delivery has transformed budgeting by reducing impulse purchases significantly. As more individuals adapt to services like Instacart, insights reveal potential savings and enjoyment in meal planning. Embracing these changes can be a game-changer for financial independence.

— Apr 24, 2020

Living Your Story

This mailbag episode addresses pressing listener questions, focusing on actionable strategies towards financial independence. Hosts Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett discuss mortgage repayment approaches and emphasize the importance of investing wisely. With insights from community members, listeners gain practical tips on managing finances, saving, and maximizing investments. Prepare to elevate your financial strategies as the hosts provide valuable perspectives backed by real-life experiences.

— May 04, 2020

Student Loan Planner with Travis Hornsby

Discover essential strategies to maximize your student loan forgiveness. This episode reveals how the recent CARES Act can work in your favor to save thousands and efficiently navigate the intricacies of federal student loans.

— Apr 29, 2020

Stock Fundamentals With Brian Feroldi

Stocks represent more than just transactions; they symbolize ownership in companies and their profits. This episode dissects how stock prices reflect the underlying profit generation that companies deliver. Understand the difference between stock price and valuation metrics, and learn how index funds leverage profit growth for long-term success. Insights from Brian Faraldi provide a foundational perspective on why investing in stocks goes beyond the numbers, highlighting the vital interplay between profits and market performance.

— May 01, 2020

The Rule Of 55

The Rule of 55 is a game-changer for those facing unexpected job changes, allowing you to withdraw from your 401(k) penalty-free starting at age 55. This episode dives into personal finance stories that highlight the importance of mindset and actionable steps. Listeners will discover how ordinary individuals have achieved financial independence through perseverance and community support.

— May 06, 2020

Real Estate Investing During a Recession Or Financial Crisis With Coach Carson

Strong tenant relationships can make all the difference during economic downturns. This episode dives into strategies for managing these vital connections, stressing the importance of open communication and empathy as landlords navigate uncertainties. The ability to understand tenant needs and provide support not only fosters loyalty but can also ensure rent is collected even during challenging situations. Tune in to learn how to build and maintain these crucial relationships.

— May 08, 2020

Join The Rebellion

Cooking gourmet meals at home does not have to be an expensive endeavor. Brad and Jonathan share their insights on meal planning strategies that enable delicious, healthy meals for just $2 per person. Embracing this approach allows listeners to enjoy fine dining experiences without breaking the bank. Combining budgeting with efficiency, this episode highlights the importance of wise grocery shopping and minimal food waste, leading to sustainable financial habits.

— May 11, 2020

Tax Loss Harvesting and Other Money Moves to Make During a Financial Crisis

Financial crises demand strategic thinking and clarity. This episode delves into five essential money moves that can safeguard your financial future, focusing on long-term planning and tax-efficient strategies. Tax loss harvesting stands out as a prime tactic for leveraging market downturns while maintaining financial objectives, alongside the security that Roth IRAs can provide in emergencies. Empower yourself with knowledge that ensures not just survival but strategic advantage in fluctuating markets.

— May 13, 2020

What Happens When The Paycheck Stops? - Keys To A Successful Retirement With Fritz Gilbert (Part 1)

The journey to a successful retirement is more than just financial stability; it's about the mental and emotional preparations that lay the foundation for fulfillment. Fritz Gilbert shares key insights on how to transition smoothly, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's identity beyond the paycheck. As he explores challenges like boredom, loss of identity, and depression, Gilbert encourages retirees to engage in community service and creative pursuits to enhance their sense of purpose and joy in this new phase of life.

— May 15, 2020

2020 Health Challenge

Transformative fitness journeys often illuminate broader life lessons about perseverance and resilience. This episode dives deep into how failures in mastering skills, like double unders in CrossFit, serve as a powerful metaphor for growth in personal and financial aspects of life. Through candid stories, co-hosts Brad Barrett and Jonathan Mendonsa emphasize the importance of setting incremental goals and celebrating small victories, encouraging listeners to embrace challenges with a growth mindset.

— May 20, 2020

What To Do When The Paycheck Stops With Fritz Gilbert Part 2

Fritz Gilbert shares invaluable strategies for managing retirement income, emphasizing the importance of the bucket strategy. This method divides assets to minimize sequence of return risk, ensuring retirees maintain financial stability amid market volatility. Key insights include anticipating unexpected expenses, maintaining a cash cushion, and effectively transitioning from accumulation to withdrawal phases.

— May 22, 2020

Little Known Roth Hacks

Bianca's journey to financial independence during a crisis showcases resilience and strength. While market disruptions challenge financial plans, core principles of saving and living below one's means remain intact. Her story serves as a beacon of hope for those feeling disheartened about their financial paths in these turbulent times.

— May 27, 2020

Kicking off our FI Case Study Series | Kashia Palmer

Kesha Palmer's transformation from nearly $20,000 in debt to financial independence serves as a beacon of hope. In this episode, she shares her meticulous budgeting strategy that allowed her family to live on a tight grocery budget of $350 for four while eliminating their debt within just one year. This journey emphasizes the vital connection between financial choices and personal values.

— May 29, 2020

Is The Retirement Saver's Credit Worth It In 2020?

The retirement savers credit is a powerful incentive for low to moderate-income individuals, providing up to 50% back on eligible retirement contributions. This dollar-for-dollar reduction in your tax liability can lead to significant savings, making retirement planning more accessible than ever. Understanding the income thresholds and maximizing your contributions are critical steps that can put thousands of dollars back in your pocket.

— Jun 01, 2020

How To Rock A Blog Without the Painful Learning Curve

Ashley Barnett shares her incredible journey from facing economic uncertainty during the 2008 recession to successfully establishing a thriving temp agency. Her proactive approach and resilience transformed potential layoffs into a lucrative opportunity, demonstrating the power of adapting to challenges. Listeners will discover actionable strategies for pivoting in their own lives, highlighting the importance of mindset in achieving financial independence.

— Jun 03, 2020

Your Self-Worth is Not Your Net Worth | Audrey Bellis

Audrey's story is a compelling narrative of resilience as a single mother striving for financial independence. Despite the many hurdles she has faced, including a high cost of living and the challenges of self-employment, she demonstrates the importance of self-worth in building a successful financial future. Her inspiring journey reveals how recognizing one's value can lead to actionable steps towards improving financial circumstances. Through her work with community resources for women of color, Audrey has embodied the spirit of perseverance and empowerment, serving as an inspiration to many.

— Jun 08, 2020

How to save thousands in Taxes using Geo-arbitrage

Financial independence is an attainable goal for expats. In this episode, David Mckeegan shares transformative strategies for maximizing savings while living abroad, focusing on key elements like the foreign tax credit and capital gains harvesting. Understanding these concepts can open up new pathways for wealth-building, enabling expats to navigate complex international tax laws with confidence and clarity.

— Jun 05, 2020

How to Make FI More Inclusive | With Chris Browning of Popcorn Finance

In this enlightening episode, hosts Chris Browning and Brad Barrett engage with Chris Browning to discuss the profound intersection of race and financial independence. Chris shares personal insights into the systemic barriers that have historically hindered the Black community's wealth-building efforts, emphasizing the importance of active advocacy and inclusivity within the financial space.

— Jun 10, 2020

Covid Budget awakening | brandi Sellers

Financial resilience is vital in uncertain times, as exemplified by doula Brandy Sellers. She navigates income fluctuations while supporting families through pregnancy, sharing strategies for budgeting and reducing expenses amidst challenges. Listeners will gain insights into maintaining strong client connections and adapting business models to foster stability.

— Jun 12, 2020

I'm laid off...now what?

Job loss can feel devastating, yet it often presents an unparalleled opportunity for growth and reinvention. In this episode, we empower listeners to shift their mindset, emphasizing the significance of adaptability and the value of developing a diverse skillset. By creating a talent stack and applying the principles of financial independence, individuals can navigate the job market with confidence and secure their future.

— Jun 17, 2020

Introducing Our Households of FI!! Part 1

This episode features the compelling stories of five households at the beginning of their financial independence journeys. Listeners hear from Troy and Lindsey, a couple recently debt-free but uncertain about their next steps, and Matthew and Megan, who navigate the complexities of being a geographically separated military couple. Additionally, single mom Vivian faces her own struggles while raising a toddler and dealing with health challenges. Each story is a testament to perseverance and planning, making this a must-listen for anyone on the financial independence path.

— Jun 19, 2020

The Mid-life Crisis

This episode examines the intersection of financial independence and personal fulfillment, especially during midlife transitions. Hosts Brad and Jonathan dive deep into the value of introspection, helping listeners define what truly matters in their lives, thus avoiding the pitfalls of a midlife crisis. They explore real-life stories of community members who have successfully navigated these waters, emphasizing that financial freedom isn't just about accumulation—it's about living intentionally and focusing on personal values.

— Jun 22, 2020

Slow Traveling the World The FI Way With Nomad Numbers

Mr. and Mrs. Nomad share their incredible journey from conventional jobs to a fulfilling digital nomadic lifestyle. They delve into the practicalities of budgeting for travel and the power of travel rewards, which drastically reduce costs. By embracing financial independence, they have crafted a life of exploration that not only enhances their adventures but also provides a meaningful community.

— Jun 24, 2020

Introducing Our FI Households!! Part 2

This episode dives deep into the journeys of eight households at different stages of pursuing financial independence. Discover their unique paths and the challenges they face. With community support and determination, these individuals are not only redefining their financial futures but also inspiring others to take action towards their aspirations. Insightful takeaways abound, emphasizing that achieving financial independence is a personalized journey shaped by goals, backgrounds, and strategies.

— Jun 29, 2020

Trip of a Lifestyle to All US National Parks

Steven and Lauren, both teachers, revolutionized their approach to finances, saving over $100,000 in just two years. By embracing a frugal lifestyle and side hustles, they defied the norms often associated with teacher salaries. Their story highlights the power of dedication, tracking net worth, and making intentional choices in the pursuit of financial independence, proving that significant savings can be achieved even on modest incomes.

— Jun 26, 2020

The Power of The Staycation

Staycations are more than just a trend; they are a powerful tool for achieving financial independence. By engaging with local communities and utilizing travel rewards points for hotel stays, you can create memorable experiences without the stress of long-distance travel. This episode emphasizes the significance of smart budgeting and community support in these challenging times.

— Jul 01, 2020

The Golden Albatross | Grumpus Maximus

Grumpus Maximus, a pension expert and author, shares critical insights on navigating pension planning and evaluating the promise behind your pension. Learn about key variables that can affect your financial independence journey, and how factors like cost of living adjustments and healthcare options can sway your decisions. Grumpus emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying value of your pension before facing potential career changes.

— Jul 03, 2020

Overcoming the Debilitating Fear of Public Speaking

Overcoming the fear of public speaking is essential for personal and professional growth. Brad reveals his transformative journey, where he moved from debilitating anxiety to confidently addressing audiences of thousands. This episode explores practical strategies like storytelling and consistent practice, helping listeners to manage their anxiety effectively.

— Jul 06, 2020

Managing Stress by Leveraging FI | The Fioneers

Embracing Coast FI and Slow FI offers a fresh perspective on financial independence, allowing individuals to enjoy life's journey without the stress of deprivation. This episode features Jessica and Corey from The Fioneers, who share their inspiring stories and insights on how incremental freedom can lead to a more fulfilling life. They emphasize the significance of aligning your spending with your values rather than succumbing to societal pressures.

— Jul 08, 2020

College Hacks from the ChooseFI Community

Graduating debt-free is possible with the right strategies in place. This episode dives deep into proven methods to reduce college costs, focusing on community contributions and crowd-sourced tips that can change your financial future. Discover techniques such as tuition reimbursement programs, scholarships, and CLEP testing to keep student debt at bay. Unlock the potential to graduate with minimal financial burden by leveraging these essential hacks.

— Jul 10, 2020

Are You Too Good For Casserole?

Transform your approach to savings by creatively using leftovers in cooking. This episode dives deep into the art of casserole making, demonstrating how leveraging pantry items can save money while reducing food waste. Creative cooking isn't just about delicious meals; it's about establishing financial discipline that ties directly to achieving financial independence.

— Jul 13, 2020

Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence

Teaching children about financial independence from a young age is crucial for their future success. This episode delivers valuable insights from Doug Nordman and Carol Pittner, focusing on innovative strategies such as the Kid 401k. By instilling financial literacy and encouraging responsible money management, parents can help their children navigate the financial world with confidence.

— Jul 15, 2020

Networking with Jordan Harbinger

Jordan Harbinger shares his tips and techiques for managing and expanding your network

— Jul 17, 2020

What is in the Index, and Q&A with JL Collins

The Barrett family has turned Lego building into a rich educational experience for their children, showcasing the integration of fun and financial learning. As they navigate the eBay marketplace, the kids discover valuable lessons about pricing strategies and market dynamics, illustrating how these challenges can lead to significant life skills and entrepreneurial insights. Their journey emphasizes that failure is merely a stepping stone towards future success, not only for children but also for adults pursuing financial independence.

— Jul 20, 2020

Building an Online Course with Jacques Hopkins

Creating a digital course can drastically change your financial future. In this episode, Jacques Hopkins shares his remarkable journey from electrical engineer to generating over $1.7 million from his online piano course. He highlights essential strategies for course creation, effective marketing, and the importance of market feedback.

— Jul 22, 2020

The Intersection of Fitness and Financial Independence

Diving deep into the intersection of fitness and financial independence reveals fascinating insights about self-improvement. Both require discipline, long-term commitment, and intentional habit changes. This episode unpacks how small adjustments in daily routines can create significant transformations in both physical health and financial wealth, encouraging listeners to embrace their journeys towards a healthier, wealthier future.

— Jul 24, 2020

Build Your Talent Stack

Building a talent stack is essential for those looking to achieve financial independence and personal growth. In this episode, the hosts delve into the importance of diversifying your skill set rather than mastering a single area. By sharing personal experiences, they illustrate how understanding your unique combination of skills can lead to enhanced opportunities in life and financial success. Listeners are encouraged to identify their skills and consider how to leverage them effectively.

— Jul 27, 2020

How To Test Out of College While You're Still In High School | Millionaire Educator

Jerry Born redefines the college experience by sharing how he completed two years of coursework in just 59 days for a staggering total of $30. By leveraging innovative online platforms and CLEP testing, Born’s approach is not just about speed but optimizing the educational pathway to minimize debt. His strategies are a game-changer for students and parents facing rising college costs, emphasizing resourcefulness and proactivity in achieving educational goals.

— Jul 31, 2020

The Gatekeepers Are Gone

Future-proofing your career is essential in today's uncertain economy. This episode emphasizes the importance of skills over traditional degrees, showcasing how to harness online learning opportunities to thrive in the job market. The discussion features personal stories from the ChooseFI community, illustrating transformative journeys toward financial independence and the empowerment that comes with learning without permission from traditional gatekeepers.

— Aug 03, 2020

From Financial Imperfection to America's Favorite Budget Expert | Tiffany Aliche

Tiffany Aliche, founder of The Budgetnista, transformed her challenging financial journey into a powerful movement, helping others reclaim their financial independence. From making risky investments that led her into debt to rebuilding her life with budgeting and community support, Tiffany emphasizes the importance of empathy in financial education. Her innovative tools, like the Live Richer Challenge, empower individuals to achieve financial literacy and make informed decisions, ultimately fostering a community aimed at growth and resilience.

— Aug 07, 2020

Households of FI-Troy & Lindsay and Brad Calculate Their FI Number

Troy and Lindsey share their inspiring journey toward financial independence, revealing how they eliminated an astounding $88,000 in debt through diligent budgeting. Their experience emphasizes the need to track expenses and make informed financial decisions. By focusing on meaningful spending and cutting unnecessary costs, they learned to enjoy life while saving for the future. Their story is a testament to the importance of adaptability and planning on the path to achieving financial independence.

— Aug 10, 2020

The Financial Gym | Shannon McLay

Dive into the inspiring world of financial fitness with Shannon McClay, founder of the Financial Gym. This episode reveals how a personalized approach to finance parallels the journey of physical fitness. Discover how clients set realistic goals, evolve over time, and break the emotional barriers that often hinder financial success. Whether you're struggling with debt or seeking to optimize your financial health, Shannon offers practical insights that will empower your journey toward financial independence.

— Aug 17, 2020

Mentorz: A Second Generation FI Success Story | Ava wettrick

Ava and Don Wettrick share their transformational journey with the Start Ed Up Foundation, aiming to redefine education through an entrepreneurial lens. This episode highlights the vital role of mentorship and how young people can chart their own paths in a rapidly changing world. Their conversations touch on the significance of intentional learning and the importance of evaluating college choices based on personal goals and market realities.

— Aug 21, 2020

Households of FI-Matt & Megan Get International Tax Tips From Dave McKeegan

This episode dives into essential tax strategies tailored for U.S. citizens living abroad, focusing on dual military families. Discover the financial implications of obtaining a green card and the consequences of capital gains tax on overseas property sales. Understand the complexities of FATCA and how it influences tax compliance for expats. Gain actionable insights on utilizing Roth IRAs as emergency funds, equipping you with the knowledge to effectively navigate your financial independence journey while living internationally.

— Aug 24, 2020

Overcoming And Battling Financial Abuse

Financial abuse is often insidious, leaving victims in a place of control and helplessness. Rachael Partleton bravely shares her journey of recognizing the signs of financial abuse, navigating the psychological challenges, and ultimately becoming an advocate for change. Her experience sheds light on the systemic issues victims face and emphasizes the importance of awareness and empowerment.

— Aug 28, 2020

Households of FI-Zach and Marilyn Talk Real Estate Investing With Paula Pant

Zach and Marilyn are transforming their financial future through real estate. After overcoming debt and living below the poverty line, they are eager to share their journey of leveraging live-in flips and applying the 1% rule to succeed in real estate investments. Their experiences are rich with insights on community support and strategies for success, perfect for anyone looking to embark on a similar path to financial independence.

— Aug 31, 2020

You Are More Than Your Financial Capital | Laura Oldanie

Transform your understanding of wealth by exploring the eight forms of capital beyond financial assets. This episode delves into how diverse and interconnected forms such as social, experiential, and intellectual capital can lead to a more fulfilling life. By engaging in community asset mapping, listeners will discover strategies to leverage their environment and networks, creating resilient systems that prioritize sustainability and well-being over mere financial accumulation.

— Sep 04, 2020

Households of FI - Carol Connects With Roger Whitney

In this compelling episode, Carol opens up about her struggles with financial literacy and her desire for change. Guided by financial planner Roger Whitney, she learns critical steps to improve her situation, including debt repayment strategies and the importance of establishing an emergency fund. This episode shines a light on the community aspect of financial growth and reinforces the idea that it's never too late to gain control over your finances.

— Sep 07, 2020

Money Lessons From My Grandparents

Anne Zanka shares her inspiring journey of financial independence as a third-generation FI individual. Growing up in a family that overcame the hardships of the Great Depression, Anne inherited not just wealth but invaluable financial lessons from her grandparents. This episode highlights how she actively passes these teachings to her own children, fostering a legacy of financial literacy and investment skills that can break the cycle of wealth loss across generations.

— Jan 18, 2019

Change The Input

Voicemails from the ChooseFI community about saving on grocery bills, making life changes to optimize your circumstances, and a travel suggestion, as well as a review of Monday’s episode and updates from Brad and Jonathan about bills, travel, solar panels and more.

— Jan 21, 2019

The Lost Decade | From Prison to FI | Wealth Well Done

Billy B., a writer, entrepreneur and blogger at Wealth Well Done, shares his story of finding freedom in prison, starting over in his 30s and pursuing financial independence despite the setbacks.

— Mar 04, 2019

Making The Case For Part Time With Bradley Rice

Bradley Rice has successfully reclaimed the hours in his day by transitioning to part-time work.

— Sep 11, 2020

Brad connects with Martin and Ayesha

Paying off the mortgage can significantly impact your financial independence journey. Martin and Asia explore this essential question, reflecting on their own experiences as natural savers pursuing their financial goals. They share valuable insights into budgeting strategies and how family discussions during quarantine provided clarity on what truly matters in life, ultimately redefining their approach to financial security and peace of mind.

— Sep 14, 2020

Life rebuilt with Julia

Julia Harder's remarkable story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Following a tumultuous divorce, she embarked on a journey of financial rediscovery that reshaped her life. As a natural saver taught by her parents, Julia faced the reality of living with an irresponsible spender. Facing rock-bottom conditions, she took her financial future into her own hands, employing strategies like using travel rewards and taking financial classes. Her story illustrates how pivotal life experiences can lead to newfound clarity and the power of trusting one’s gut instincts amidst financial challenges.

— Sep 18, 2020

Back to basics

This episode highlights the importance of community in the journey towards financial independence. Join Brad and Jonathan as they explore foundational concepts and practical strategies that support both new and seasoned listeners alike. From engaging stories to actionable advice, the focus on house hacking and optimizing structural expenses sets the stage for an enlightening discussion about making financial choices that align with personal goals.

— Sep 21, 2020

Indie Entrepreneur | Create A Lifestyle Not A Job With Corbett Barr

Corbett Farr shares his inspiring transformation from a corporate consultant to a thriving indie entrepreneur. He emphasizes the importance of building an audience first and leveraging it to create sustainable products. During this episode, listeners gain insights into the profound lessons learned from his journey, including the significant role of failure in shaping entrepreneurial success.

— Sep 25, 2020

If People Can Do It I Can Do It Too | Vivian Connects With Leslie Tayne | Households Of Fi

Vivian's journey toward financial independence is a testament to resilience and determination. She was initially daunted by the concept but found inspiration through the ChooseFI podcast. Her story reflects a relatable struggle to save amidst substantial debt and prioritizing family responsibilities. With expert insights from financial attorney Leslie Tain, this episode uncovers practical advice tailored for single parents looking to manage their finances while pursuing goals.

— Sep 28, 2020

Double Your Income By Flipping The Second-Hand Market With Flea Market Flippers

Dive into the world of flea market flipping and discover how to turn undervalued items into significant profits. Rob and Melissa Steffensen, the 'Flea Market Flippers', share their expertise in identifying lucrative finds and scaling a successful reselling business. This episode is filled with actionable strategies that pave the way to financial independence through smart arbitrage. Whether you’re looking to start small or scale your business, their insights offer invaluable guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs.

— Oct 02, 2020

Back To Basics: Getting Started With FI

Explore how mastering your Health Savings Account (HSA) can significantly impact your financial independence journey. This episode delves into actionable strategies for effective HSA management, emphasizing the importance of understanding the withdrawal process and maintaining meticulous records. Join Brad and Jonathan as they offer essential tips for maximizing the benefits of your HSA and planning for future health expenses, ensuring that your HSA serves as a powerful tool in your financial arsenal.

— Oct 05, 2020

Back To Basics Part 2: The Income Side Of The Equation

Financial independence isn't just a dream; it's a reachable goal through actionable steps. This episode outlines essential tactics to identify your financial numbers, strategize your expenses, and steadily work towards achieving your FI number using the 4% rule. The discussion emphasizes how even minor adjustments in spending can yield long-term benefits, guiding listeners toward a mindset of abundance rather than deprivation. Join us as we delve into the nuanced world of budgeting and financial planning, equipping you with the tools for a secure financial future.

— Oct 09, 2020

Kristi & Big Ern

Christie's financial independence journey reflects the transformative power of strategic investing and smart financial decisions. By switching her 401k contributions to a traditional plan and choosing an S&P 500 index fund over a target date fund, she illustrates actionable tactics anyone can implement. This episode explores significant insights such as the value of expense ratios, the advantages of tax-efficient strategies like Roth conversions, and the importance of understanding employee stock purchase plans (ESP).

— Oct 12, 2020

What’s Your Survival Number With Jully-Alma Taveras

Julie Alma Tavares shares her transformative journey from struggling with consumer debt to achieving financial independence. A Dominican immigrant, she emphasizes the need for financial discussions within immigrant families and the importance of creating supportive communities to foster financial literacy.

— Oct 16, 2020

“Nothing Gold Can Stay” | Brad’s Carvana Experience | What Is A Heloc

This episode delves into personal finance lessons learned through the story of Brad's long-time companion, his Honda Civic, affectionately named 'Golden Boy'. The conversation highlights the emotional and psychological effects of car ownership, while transitioning into the benefits of Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) as a strategic financial tool. Brad and Jonathan emphasize that understanding both financial numbers and psychological aspects are crucial for achieving true financial independence.

— Oct 19, 2020

How To Decide With Annie Duke

Annie Duke, renowned for her expertise in decision-making, reveals essential strategies from her latest work. Join her as she discusses how to refine your approach to decisions by understanding the crucial distinctions between luck and skill. This episode explores practical frameworks like pre-mortems and backcasting, equipping listeners with the tools to navigate life’s uncertainties confidently. Empower your journey towards better decision-making with insights that promise to enhance both personal and financial growth.

— Oct 23, 2020

Pick Your Five: Accountability And Decision-Making

Accountability and intentional decision-making are vital for achieving financial independence. Brad shares his personal journey of losing weight and emphasizes how small, empowered choices can lead to significant improvements in health and finance. This episode underscores the importance of community support in maintaining discipline and achieving long-term goals.

— Oct 25, 2020

Recognizing Scarcity And Uncertainty | Leisa Peterson

Childhood experiences carry a deeper significance than often realized, affecting our financial decisions throughout adulthood. This episode delves into the connection between adverse childhood experiences and lifelong financial behaviors, revealing critical insights for personal growth. Lisa Peterson highlights how self-awareness and understanding one's history with money can empower individuals to break free from damaging cycles and adopt healthier financial habits.

— Nov 02, 2020

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

Yanelli, known as Miss Be Helpful, shares her remarkable journey from crippling credit card debt to achieving financial independence. Growing up in a low-income household, she faced numerous challenges that fueled her determination to master money management. She emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and breaking the cycle of generational poverty, knowing firsthand how societal pressures can lead to poor financial choices. Through her work with NextGen Personal Finance, Yanelli advocates for integrating personal finance education in schools, aiming to empower future generations with the knowledge and skills to thrive financially.

— Nov 06, 2020

Alligators, Kittens, and Market Timing Around the Election

Transform your approach to financial independence by adopting the alligators and kittens metaphor. This episode explores how to identify and eliminate negative influences in your life—those alligators—that prevent you from embracing positivity and growth. The discussion highlights the importance of controlling your surroundings, especially in challenging times, and emphasizes long-term investing strategies for sustainable financial wellness.

— Nov 27, 2020

What's an Emergency?

As always, the discussion is general and educational in nature and does not constitute tax, investment, legal, or financial advice with respect to any particular taxpayer. Please consult your own advisors regarding your own unique situation. 

— Nov 30, 2020

Tax Planning 2020

As always, the discussion is general and educational in nature and does not constitute tax, investment, legal, or financial advice with respect to any particular taxpayer. Please consult your own advisors regarding your own unique situation. 

— Dec 04, 2020

Board Games and War Games

 

— Jan 04, 2021

What is The Simple Path to Wealth? | JL Collins

Join Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett as they delve into the influential philosophies of Jl Collins, author of The Simple Path to Wealth. Discover how his work has transformed the financial independence community, advocating for simplicity and accessibility in investing. Learn why sticking to low-cost index funds can yield superior long-term results, despite market fluctuations.

— Jan 29, 2021

If I Could Turn Back Time

In this episode, hosts Brad and Jonathan delve into the valuable lessons they've learned over four years of podcasting about financial independence. They emphasize the importance of avoiding fees, diversifying investments, and making incremental improvements. By starting early and saving consistently, listeners can leverage the power of compounding to transform their financial futures. The conversation also highlights the significance of entrepreneurship and discusses pivotal decisions in financial planning—offering listeners actionable strategies for achieving wealth and independence.

— Feb 15, 2021

Transition Planning from a Military Career on the Path to FI

Transitioning from military service can be daunting, especially when it comes to financial planning. This episode dives into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by dual military couples on the path to financial independence. With expert insights and real-life examples, listeners will learn how to navigate their journey and secure a stable financial future.

— Feb 26, 2021

What's Stopping You from Reaching FI?

Join us in this interactive episode as we explore the roadblocks to financial independence. Discover what often holds people back and how understanding your financial goals can transform your perspective. Participants will be able to submit questions live as we delve into actionable steps towards achieving your financial dreams and unlocking the possibility that working becomes optional. During the discussion, we break down misconceptions about financial independence and share empowering strategies for creating a personalized finance plan. Practical examples help demystify investing, saving, and preparing for a financially secure future, all while engaging directly with our audience.

— Mar 05, 2021

Money and Relationships | Part 2

Financial independence is not just an individual journey but also a partnership challenge. Explore how couples can navigate their financial dynamics while maintaining autonomy. This episode dives into crucial insights on communicating boundaries, setting financial goals together, and understanding the implications of parental support on independence. Take actionable steps towards a financially sound partnership.

— Mar 08, 2021

Navigating a Multigenerational Household | The Financial Tortoise

Explore the financial challenges faced by the sandwich generation in this episode, where we discuss the unique responsibilities and financial implications of caring for aging parents while raising children. Gain insights into estate planning, healthcare costs, and the importance of having proactive discussions about financial responsibilities with family members. This episode is filled with actionable strategies for achieving financial independence while managing familial obligations.

— Mar 12, 2021

Structuring Your Emergency Fund | Stereo Live Q&A

In the journey to financial independence, understanding your emergency fund is crucial. This episode highlights actionable strategies for managing it, especially in low-interest rate environments. Hosts Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett discuss the concept of aggregation of marginal gains, demonstrating how small, consistent changes can yield monumental results over time. By emphasizing the balance between personal wellbeing and financial strategies, they encourage listeners to proactively engage with their finances to achieve their defined financial goals.

— Mar 15, 2021

Mapping Out Your FI Number | Households of FI with Corinne

Corrine's journey towards financial independence showcases the pivotal role of intentional budgeting. By revisiting discussions with Brad, she reveals the significance of action items like setting reminders and focusing on habits that align with her financial goals. The episode emphasizes the power of understanding and reshaping financial practices to pave the way towards autonomy and flexibility in life decisions.

— Mar 19, 2021

Finding Your Locus of Control | Stereo Live Q&A

Financial independence starts with effective management of your debts and savings. This episode provides listeners with actionable insights on cutting unnecessary expenses, particularly focusing on recurring charges that could drain your finances. By prioritizing a higher savings rate and shifting towards travel rewards, individuals can enhance their financial health while working towards their long-term goals.

— Mar 22, 2021

Myths and Misconceptions | Diania Merriam

Diana Merriam joins the hosts to dismantle common myths about the financial independence movement. With a focus on accessibility and inclusivity, she emphasizes that financial independence is not solely for high-income earners. This enlightening discussion reveals how anyone can take control of their financial future through informed decisions and community support, empowering listeners to pursue their unique paths to financial independence.

— Mar 26, 2021

How to Factor My Mortgage into My FI Number | Live Stereo Q&A

Unlock the full potential of your travel rewards by exploring the exceptional offer from the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. With an incredible 80,000 points bonus available, this episode guides listeners through maximizing their travel experiences. Discover how to effectively plan trips using rewards points while learning the ins and outs of travel rewards strategies. The hosts emphasize the importance of staying informed and adapting to new offers that can enhance travel experiences—making your next vacation not just a dream but a reality.

— Mar 29, 2021

102 Business Ideas for Kids | Simple Startup with Arianna and Sheila

Discover 102 unique business ideas tailored for kids aged 10-18, encouraging them to transform their hobbies into profitable ventures. This episode emphasizes the key role of problem-solving and highlights the importance of building lasting customer relationships. Parents are guided on facilitating conversations that empower their children to explore entrepreneurship. With insights from Rob Thielen's The Simple Startup, this resource serves as a starting point for nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in young minds.

— Apr 02, 2021

College Hacking: The Comprehensive Guide | Stereo Live Q&A

The discussion centers around whether a college education is truly worth its escalating cost. With student loan debt at all-time highs and stagnant earning potential, it’s essential to consider alternatives that can provide a high ROI without breaking the bank. We examine options such as online courses and community colleges, emphasizing the importance of focusing on skills rather than degrees to secure today’s in-demand jobs.

— Apr 12, 2021

First-Time Home Buyer | BiggerPockets

Purchasing your first home is often viewed as a pivotal financial milestone, but is it truly a sound investment? Join our hosts, Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett, as they explore insights from Scott and Mindy of BiggerPockets. This episode dives deep into the myth of home ownership as the 'American Dream' and sheds light on how seeing your home as an expense can reshape your financial strategy.

— Apr 16, 2021

Are You as Diversified as You Think You Are? With Frank Vasquez

Gain insights into risk parity as a crucial strategy for building a diversified investment portfolio. This approach emphasizes uncorrelated assets to mitigate risk while maximizing potential returns. Understanding these concepts can significantly impact your journey toward financial independence and help you make informed decisions about asset allocation.

— Apr 19, 2021

Is My Company's Stock Overpriced | P/E Ratio Explained

Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs) present a unique opportunity for employees to invest in their own companies at a discount. This episode dives deep into the mechanics of ESPPs, discussing how to maximize tax benefits while managing risks associated with tying your financial future to your employer. With insights from seasoned investors and personal stories from participants, listeners gain a comprehensive overview that empowers them to make informed decisions regarding their investments.

— Apr 23, 2021

Is This the Golden Age of Investing?

In today's podcast episode, we explore the concept of the golden age of investing. With traditional barriers removed, understanding investing is easier than ever. From low-cost index funds to the control over investment fees and taxes, we review the critical strategies you need to maximize wealth accumulation and achieve financial independence. Don't miss out on why now is the best time to make your money work for you and embrace the tools available to savvy investors today.

— Apr 26, 2021

Is Your Pension Healthy?

Grumpus Maximus shares vital insights into understanding pensions and the significance of cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). This episode emphasizes the importance of being proactive in financial planning, particularly in navigating pension systems like the Virginia Retirement System. With guests Troy and Lindsay, they explore essential factors impacting retirement decisions, from monetary aspects to emotional considerations, ensuring listeners can align their career choices with their long-term financial goals.

— Apr 30, 2021

All The Hacks | Chris Hutchins

Elevate your life with essential strategies aimed at achieving financial independence and personal fulfillment. This episode dives deep into effective life hacks that transform daily routines, optimize budgeting, and leverage travel rewards to maximize life experiences. Co-hosts Brad Barrett and Chris Hutchins, along with guest Chris Hutchins, discuss actionable insights that allow listeners to embrace simplicity while enhancing productivity. Discover how minor adjustments can lead to significant improvements in your financial and personal life, ultimately guiding you towards freedom and fulfillment.

— May 03, 2021

100 Ways to Get 1% Better

Unlock the door to financial independence with 100 actionable strategies designed to help you get 1% better every day. This episode delves into the aggregation of marginal gains, where small, incremental improvements in your financial habits yield compounding benefits over time. From learning new skills to effective budgeting tips and leveraging digital resources, each suggestion is tailored to enhance your financial journey. Don't miss out on personal anecdotes and expert recommendations that make financial savvy accessible and achievable for everyone.

— May 07, 2021

Make Your Kid a Millionaire

In today’s episode, the focus is on empowering children with the essential skills for financial independence. By teaching them early about wealth accumulation and the importance of investing, parents can help their kids become millionaires. Discover how using Roth IRAs for kids can unlock tax-free growth and cultivate a mindset geared towards financial independence rather than just retirement.

— May 10, 2021

How Many Days a Month Do You Experience Stress Related to Work?

Reclaiming your time is essential for true financial independence. This episode dives deep into how shifting perceptions of work can help us prioritize what truly matters: time with loved ones, personal fulfillment, and mental well-being. The conversation centers around the importance of balancing our professional obligations with our personal desires and the concept of 'Red X Month'—setting aside time to prioritize leisure and personal pursuits. Reflecting on a thought-provoking story of a Mexican fisherman highlights that true success isn't about accumulating wealth but about valuing time spent with family and community.

— May 17, 2021

Financially Bulletproof in a Pandemic

Dennison's journey to financial independence showcases the power of adaptability and perseverance. From his roots in a frugal immigrant family to navigating career challenges brought on by the pandemic, Dennison embodies the spirit of continuous learning. He shares how he embraced change, transitioned from engineering to Salesforce, and the vital role of community support in achieving his financial goals. This episode highlights essential strategies for listeners who aspire to take control of their financial destinies.

— May 21, 2021

Pump and Dump

This episode delves into the intricate dynamics of cryptocurrency trading, focusing on avoiding pump and dump schemes. Hosts Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett analyze the emotional psychology behind investing and how speculation can lead to significant financial risks. The conversation reinforces the importance of understanding the fundamentals of cryptocurrency rather than falling prey to trends and market hype.

— May 24, 2021

The Stages and Checkpoints of FI

Unlocking financial independence requires understanding its stages and checkpoints. This episode dives into the gamification of financial independence, offering actionable insights that make this journey less daunting and more engaging. Learn how to identify your current status, whether in a hair-on-fire scenario or drifting through life, and take steps to establish a solid foundation for financial awareness and growth.

— May 28, 2021

Credibility and Boundaries for Winning at Life

Creating lasting memories with your family is more significant than any material possession. This episode dives into the importance of shared experiences and how simple moments can create unforgettable memories for your children.

— Jun 04, 2021

Where does Entrepreneurship fit on your path to FI? with Alan Donegan

Entrepreneurship can be a powerful vehicle for achieving financial independence. This episode explores how to leverage your skills and seize opportunities, even in challenging times. With insights from expert Alan Donnigan, you'll learn about geo-arbitrage and how to enhance your financial situation by recognizing the value of your skills.

— Jun 07, 2021

Watch the Business Not the Stock with Brian Feroldi

Market volatility often creates disparities between stock prices and the actual health of businesses. In this insightful episode, we examine the significant lessons learned from high-profile funds like ARK. Guest expert Brian Faraldi sheds light on why understanding business fundamentals is crucial for investors aiming to achieve financial independence. Don't miss the deep dive into strategies that help navigate investment choices, particularly in a tumultuous market environment.

— Jun 14, 2021

The Investing Horse Race

In the pursuit of financial independence, understanding diverse investment strategies is crucial. This episode compares popular portfolios within the FI community, highlighting the performances of various methods endorsed by seasoned experts. With contributions from notable figures like JL Collins and Paul Merriman, listeners will gain valuable insights into making informed investment decisions that align with their financial goals.

— Jun 21, 2021

Is There a Housing Market Bubble with Paula Pant

The episode features Paula Pant discussing the current housing crisis, emphasizing that many buyers are feeling anxious as they face competitive markets with multiple offers. Expert insights reveal how high asking prices can mislead buyers, urging them to focus on true market values instead. Paula offers crucial strategies for navigating home purchases today, even as demand skyrockets in regions traditionally not considered hot markets.

— Jun 28, 2021

What Does Inflation Mean for Investors? With Big ERN

Inflation is a critical concern for investors today, significantly impacting financial strategies across the board. Understanding the nuances of how inflation rates affect different asset classes—like equities, bonds, and real estate—is essential for preserving purchasing power. In this episode, we explore the current inflation landscape, discussing historical benchmarks and offering expert advice on maintaining a robust investment portfolio amidst changing economic conditions. As an investor, being proactive and informed will ensure you are better equipped to handle inflationary pressures on your financial independence journey.

— Jul 05, 2021

Transform Your Tax Return Into a Springboard for Financial Planning

Your tax return can be a powerful financial tool, revealing insights that can lead to significant wealth growth. This episode guides you through ways to capitalize on your refund, discussing strategies for tax efficiency and smart investments. Learn from tax expert Sean Mullaney as he shares valuable tips on making your financial planning more effective, ensuring that you aren’t leaving money on the table.

— Jul 12, 2021

Unlocking Your First Mini-Retirement with Jillian Johnsrud

Many retirements empower individuals to take breaks throughout their lives instead of waiting for a traditional retirement. This episode unpacks the concept and its benefits, encouraging listeners to embrace personal growth, adventure, and a deeper exploration of life. By challenging societal norms, we learn how prioritizing experiences can lead to greater fulfillment. Join us as we discuss actionable insights that encourage reclaiming your time and creating a life filled with intention and creativity.

— Jul 19, 2021

Experiments in FI: Inflation, Gardening, and Revocable Living Trusts

Gardening can be more than a hobby; it serves as a powerful experiment leading to significant financial insights. As hosts Brad and Jonathan reflect on their personal experiences with gardening, they discuss the cost versus benefit of growing zucchini, and how these lessons translate into larger financial themes such as inflation and estate planning. Listeners are encouraged to navigate their financial journeys by learning from these experiments while taking charge of their financial futures.

— Jul 26, 2021

In a world where you can do anything, why do we always do the same thing?

Many individuals unconsciously follow a societal script, rarely questioning its validity. This episode calls for listeners to reflect on their life choices and make intentional decisions aligned with their true desires. Co-hosts Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett encourage breaking free from conventional paths and embracing financial independence as a means to reclaim the best years of life. By sharing personal insights, they tap into the power of self-reflection, exploring how we can create a fulfilling life outside of societal expectations.

— Aug 02, 2021

$1K 100 Ways with Nick Loper

Nick Loper reveals innovative strategies for making your first $1,000 through various side hustles. By addressing community pain points and leveraging existing skills, he demonstrates how to turn creative ideas into profitable ventures. Emphasizing the importance of an emergency fund, Loper inspires listeners to take action to build a financial cushion and work towards greater goals. With a blend of traditional and unique business models, he encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to find what resonates with them personally, ultimately driving the point that every journey starts with that first step.

— Aug 09, 2021

Ordinary Sherpa with Heidi Dusek

Transform ordinary family moments into extraordinary adventures by redefining what adventure means. Heidi Dusik shares her insights on cultivating curiosity and connection in our daily lives, emphasizing that adventure doesn't always require grand plans. Through simple adventures, families can bond and create lasting memories that enrich their lives.

— Aug 16, 2021

10 Ways to Increase Your Income With Alan Donegan

Take control of your financial future with ten powerful strategies designed to increase your income. From negotiating raises to building side hustles, this episode dives deep into effective techniques for financial growth. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and understanding your worth in the workplace, encouraging listeners to take proactive steps in increasing their earnings while enjoying life along the way.

— Aug 23, 2021

Close the Loop

Engage with inspiring transformation stories from the ChooseFI community! This episode dives into remarkable DIY experiences and financial success tales, illustrating how strategic approaches can lead to robust financial independence. Listeners will learn about the significance of community feedback, thoughtful budgeting, and the importance of prioritizing time for personal growth and family.

— Aug 30, 2021

Diamonds in the Rough

The world of collectibles presents unique opportunities for financial growth. In this episode, hosts Brad and Jonathan delve into personal experiences with baseball cards and comic books, examining how grading and scarcity can influence value. They discuss the vital intersection between collecting and intentional spending, shedding light on how these items can enhance your quality of life while staying on the path to financial independence.

— Sep 06, 2021

Worthwhile Splurges

This episode unveils the importance of embracing worthwhile splurges to enhance family experiences. Discover how intentional spending can lead to deeper joy and satisfaction in daily life. With personal anecdotes, hosts Brad and Jonathan discuss shifting from a scarcity to an abundance mindset, prompting listeners to reassess their spending habits for maximum happiness.

— Sep 13, 2021

Don't Let Good Be the Enemy of Great

Settling for 'good' can be the greatest hindrance to achieving greatness in life. Many find themselves trapped in comfort zones, failing to confront the brutal truths of their realities. This episode explores how personal development and financial independence intersect, encouraging listeners to re-evaluate their priorities and aspirations. By taking consistent, small steps towards greatness and resisting the urge to remain complacent, individuals can transform their life trajectories from good to great.

— Sep 20, 2021

Firing the Haters with Jillian Johnsrud

Imposter syndrome is not just a hurdle; it's a signal that you are stepping outside your comfort zone. Jillian John's Rude dives deep into how this common feeling affects many, especially those embarking on new journeys. By recognizing that feeling uncertain is part of growth, listeners are empowered to embrace their fears and act despite them. This episode provides actionable strategies to combat procrastination through focusing on small, iterative steps rather than striving for perfection before starting.

— Sep 27, 2021

Risk Avoidance and Deworsification

Risk avoidance can have serious repercussions on wealth accumulation. This episode discusses the concept of opportunity costs, revealing how prioritizing safety in cash savings may undermine potential investment growth. The hosts emphasize long-term effects like inflation and the importance of making money work for you instead of allowing it to stagnate.

— Oct 04, 2021

The Art Of The Career Pivot

Unlocking new opportunities through career pivots is essential for personal growth. This episode delves into the mechanics behind making successful changes in your professional life, highlighting the importance of personal branding and exploring non-traditional ways to secure job offers. An inspiring listener success story illustrates the transformative potential of becoming a notary loan signing agent, detailing impressive earning capabilities and work flexibility. The conversation emphasizes community and mentorship as critical support systems during these transitions, urging individuals to recognize their self-worth beyond their immediate income.

— Oct 11, 2021

How Do I Figure Out the Taxes on This?

Maximizing tax efficiency is crucial for achieving financial independence. This episode uncovers effective strategies for managing taxes on various retirement accounts, including tax-deferred and Roth accounts. Understanding the different tax treatments of your investments can significantly influence your overall tax strategy, allowing you to capitalize on tax rules to optimize withdrawals and minimize liabilities. Explore the best approaches to align your financial goals with smart tax planning to build wealth intelligently.

— Oct 18, 2021

How Did You Calculate That Return?

Unravel the complexities surrounding return percentages in investing, particularly the often misunderstood concept of a 200% return. This insightful discussion breaks down how returns are calculated and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the limits of average returns. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting, understanding this concept is crucial for your financial planning.

— Oct 25, 2021

The Rules of the Game

Master the essential rules for achieving financial independence through effective income optimization and tax strategies. This episode delves into maximizing employer benefits, utilizing health savings accounts, and implementing travel rewards as tax-free income. Understand the fundamentals of the tax code to ensure progressive gains and avoid costly mistakes in financial planning. Discover how minor adjustments can lead to incremental but significant overall wealth-building strategies.

— Nov 01, 2021

Paper Returns Vs. Real Returns

In a world increasingly filled with financial jargon, acronyms like NGMI (Not Gonna Make It) and HFSP (Have Fun Staying Poor) can leave many feeling bewildered. This episode breaks down these terms and their significance in the context of investing, especially in rapidly changing markets like those involving cryptocurrencies. Understanding such acronyms is the first step towards becoming a more informed and confident investor.

— Nov 08, 2021

Runaway Winners and the Balanced Portfolio with Brian Feroldi

When investments like Tesla or cryptocurrencies significantly rise, they can dominate your portfolio, necessitating a reevaluation of your strategy. This episode dives deep into effective management of runaway winners, emphasizing the importance of risk assessment and emotional stability during market fluctuations. Brian Feroldi shares insights on determining exposure limits and implementing an investor policy statement to guide decision-making, ensuring you leave no stone unturned in managing volatile assets.

— Nov 15, 2021

Year End Tax Planning 2021

This episode dives deep into actionable tax strategies to optimize your finances before the end of 2021. Focusing on crucial concepts like the backdoor Roth IRA and managing your Modified Adjusted Gross Income, listeners will learn how to navigate potential legislative changes and enhance their financial independence journey through informed decision-making.

— Nov 22, 2021

The DIY Financial Plan

Cody Garrett, a leading figure in the financial independence community, emphasizes the necessity of personalized financial planning strategies that align with individual values. His advice-only model removes conflicts of interest commonly found in traditional advisory relationships, ensuring clients receive unbiased guidance and education tailored to their unique financial journeys. This episode uncovers practical strategies such as the Roth conversion ladder and early withdrawal tactics that can empower listeners to take control of their financial futures. Don't miss out on this essential discussion for anyone seeking to truly understand and navigate their financial landscape.

— Nov 29, 2021

Families Fly Free

Travel rewards are a game changer for families looking to vacation without hefty expenses. Join Lynn from Families Fly Free as she shares actionable strategies for leveraging programs like the Southwest Companion Pass. By focusing on efficient point redemption and the right credit card bonuses, families can enjoy multiple trips a year, all while maintaining financial responsibility.

— Dec 06, 2021

Navigating the Possible Vs. Probable of Personal Finance

Unlock the secrets to financial independence as the hosts explore essential strategies for building wealth. This episode emphasizes the importance of planning for uncertainties and understanding the relationship between risk and volatility in investing. Brad and Jonathan guide listeners on how to navigate personal finance with confidence, providing actionable advice crucial for a prosperous financial life.

— Dec 13, 2021

Making Bold Moves with Dominick Quartuccio

Unlock the transformative power of bold moves in 2023. This episode delves into how stepping beyond your comfort zone can lead to significant personal growth. With insights from Dominick Quartuccio's book, 'Design Your Future', learn to identify the bold moves that resonate deeply with your aspirations, facilitating a fulfilling life design journey.

— Dec 20, 2021

2021 Year End Wins | Part 1

Community members share their remarkable financial transformations as 2021 comes to a close, showcasing the power of consistent action towards financial independence. Greg Johnson's journey reflects a nearly doubled income since his first appearance in 2017, while Allison and Hillary detail significant improvements in their financial lives. This episode reinforces that financial independence is a gain derived from collective experience and consistent choices, showing listeners that their aspirations are within reach.

— Dec 27, 2021

2021 Year End Wins | Part 2

Dive into compelling year-end wins shared by the ChooseFI community that showcase the journey towards financial independence. From increased retirement contributions to judicious use of travel rewards, these success stories highlight actionable strategies to enhance your financial well-being. Listeners discuss their impressive transformations, emphasizing the power of community support and financial education in achieving their goals. Get inspired as we explore how intention and wise financial choices pave the way for a brighter future.

— Jan 03, 2022

Getting Started Audit

Embark on your journey to financial independence in 2022 by conducting a financial audit. This episode underscores the importance of assessing your income, expenses, and net worth to understand your financial health and craft actionable strategies for future success.

— Jan 10, 2022

SWOT Analysis for Financial Independence

A SWOT analysis is crucial for understanding your financial health and taking actionable steps towards independence. Identify your strengths, such as high income or low living costs, while addressing weaknesses that may hinder savings. By recognizing opportunities like salary negotiation and upskilling, you can transform your financial outlook. This episode offers insights on how to turn threats, like market fluctuations, into opportunities for growth—paving your way towards financial freedom.

— Jan 17, 2022

A Primer for Success

Seasonal changes can greatly influence both our health and financial behaviors. As winter prompts many to hibernate indoors, the hosts discuss how getting outside can boost vitamin D levels and improve overall well-being. The conversation also highlights the importance of managing electronic device usage to enhance sleep quality, which in turn can contribute to better financial choices. By embracing the outdoors and understanding how our habits shape our finances, we can live healthier and wealthier lives.

— Jan 31, 2022

Blockchain, Smart Contracts, and NFT's Part 2

Explore how cryptocurrency and blockchain technology can pave your path to financial independence. This episode delves into the evolution of decentralized finance (DeFi), focussing on investment strategies such as airdrops, liquidity provision, and yield farming. Discover the dynamics of smart contracts and how they facilitate collective investing, enabling you to collaborate on income-producing assets. Join hosts Brad and Jonathan as they break down the complexities and opportunities presented by the crypto landscape.

— Feb 07, 2022

First to a Million with Dan Sheeks

In this episode, we speak with Dan Sheeks, author of 'First to a Million,' as he shares critical lessons on achieving early financial independence. Dan emphasizes the importance of self-education, discussing how teenagers can make informed decisions about jobs, college, and finances to avoid crushing debt. Embracing a long-term mindset and understanding real versus false assets are pivotal for young listeners looking to secure their financial futures.

— Feb 14, 2022

What's All The Hoopla About?

Financial resilience is essential for navigating life's unexpected challenges, as illustrated by Brad’s harrowing experience with ransomware. This episode provides clear insights on strengthening cybersecurity and highlights the importance of regular data backups. Listeners will learn practical steps to enhance their online safety and protect against potential cyber threats.

— Feb 21, 2022

What If You Didn't Need to Escape?

Building a life that inspires joy rather than the need to escape is achievable through intentional choices and community engagement. This episode highlights how reflections on Super Bowl ads open a broader conversation about living authentically and purposefully. By engaging more deeply with our environments and embracing nature, we position ourselves closer to financial independence, creating spaces that nurture mental health and sustainability.

— Feb 28, 2022

Day 0 Self

Transitioning to financial independence requires recognizing your 'day zero' moment. This pivotal realization can redefine your journey, steering you away from societal pressures toward personal fulfillment. By exploring the reasons behind your financial decisions and implementing supportive systems, you can cultivate meaningful and intentional financial habits that align with your long-term aspirations.

— Mar 07, 2022

FI Number Adjustments

Calculating your fine number is a crucial step in achieving financial independence. This episode focuses on breaking down your actual living expenses, including taxes, utilities, and discretionary spending, to give you clarity on your financial goals. Learn why traditional retirement calculators often begin with current income, which can be misleading, and how understanding your finances can accelerate your journey toward early retirement.

— Mar 14, 2022

Declutter, De-Noise, & De-stress: Clarity and Goal Setting Part 1

Delve into the powerful connection between decluttering and achieving financial independence. Hosts Brad and Jonathan Mendonsa discuss actionable steps and personal anecdotes that highlight the value of long-term thinking and delayed gratification. From gardening metaphors to practical tools like Todoist, this episode offers insight into managing both the physical and emotional clutter in your life, paving the way for a clearer, more focused path toward your financial goals.

— Mar 21, 2022

The Unstoppable Force VS The Immovable Object: Clarity and Goal Setting Part 2

Achieving financial independence begins with clarity in your goals. Embrace the mindset that every obstacle is an opportunity waiting to be seized. By fostering an environment of support and clear intention, you become the unstoppable force capable of overcoming challenges. In this episode, discover transformative insights that will empower you to take actionable steps towards financial freedom, reminding you that the journey is as important as the destination.

— Mar 28, 2022

Timeline Your Goals | Stacked With Joe Saul-Sehy

In this engaging episode, Joe Saul-Sehy shares invaluable strategies for setting and achieving your financial goals. He emphasizes the importance of visualizing goals against a timeline to identify priorities and prevent conflicts between aspirations. By examining deeper personal values and how they inform financial decisions, listeners can gain clarity on what truly matters in their pursuit of financial independence. This insightful discussion is packed with actionable advice that can transform your approach to goal setting and financial planning.

— Apr 04, 2022

Why Does the Stock Market Go Up? | Brian Feroldi

Brian Feraldi reveals critical insights into the stock market's dynamics, explaining why prices rise and fall. With a focus on the importance of understanding individual companies behind the indices, he encourages a long-term perspective that aligns with effective investing strategies. By dissecting key concepts, this episode highlights how focusing on fundamentals can empower investors to make informed decisions.

— Apr 11, 2022

Can I Get An Extension, Please?

With tax deadlines approaching, implementing effective strategies is vital to managing your financial independence. This episode highlights critical filing strategies and offers insights into the nuances of the tax code. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting, understanding how to navigate the complexities of capital gains and losses can save you significant amounts come April 18th.

— Apr 18, 2022

Natural Remedies, Startup Economics, and Financial Literacy A to Z

Financial literacy is crucial in today’s economy, serving as a foundation for a secure future. This episode dives deep into natural remedies, along with practical budgeting strategies that everyone can implement. From teaching kids about finances to optimizing your spending, our hosts share insights that will empower listeners to take control of their financial lives. Join us as we break down the importance of understanding income statements, and demystify the essentials of managing expenses for long-term wealth creation.

— Apr 25, 2022

Tools to Simplify Budgeting and Tracking Finances

Failures often present the best opportunities for learning, whether in gardening or finance. This episode dives into how the experiences of a gardening mishap led to valuable financial insights, especially during tax season. Hosts Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett emphasize the importance of retrospectively assessing one's financial year to alleviate stress and foster better decision-making in the future. By creating open dialogues and aligning budgeting strategies with personal goals, listeners can construct a roadmap to long-term financial security and independence.

— May 02, 2022

How To Calculate Your Savings Rate… And Why It’s Important

Understanding your savings rate is a vital step toward achieving financial independence. This episode delves into the significance of calculating your savings rate accurately, emphasizing its impact on your financial journey. With clear examples, the hosts guide you through the nuances of gross vs. net income, the role of 401(k) contributions, and how consistent tracking can inform your financial decisions. Take actionable steps towards optimizing your savings rate and enhance your financial planning effectively.

— May 09, 2022

The Four Backstops to the Four Percent Rule | Sean Mullaney

The 4% rule serves as a foundational guideline for retirement withdrawals, suggesting that retirees can withdraw 4% of their investment portfolio annually without depleting their resources. This episode delves into four critical backstops to the 4% rule that provide additional security for early retirees. These backstops emphasise flexibility in spending and the natural adjustments that happen in expenditures as we age, ensuring financial planning remains tailored to personal circumstances while enhancing security.

— May 16, 2022

Glide Path to Retirement During Uncertainty

Explore effective glide paths to financial independence in an era of inflation and financial uncertainty. This episode discusses practical strategies, including optimizing savings rates while understanding mortgage management and utilizing I Bonds to secure your investment returns. Listeners will learn how to navigate the complexities of investment and savings amidst rising costs and inflation.

— May 23, 2022

Earning Power: The Best Protection Against Inflation

Maximizing your earnings power is crucial in today's economy, where inflation continually erodes purchasing power. This episode delves into practical strategies for increasing your income through networking, skill enhancement, and negotiation skills. You'll discover key insights from Warren Buffett on how investing in yourself can provide substantial returns, protecting your finances against inflation's impact.

— May 30, 2022

The Hidden Job Market

In today's episode, we delve into the powerful insights shared by Bradley and Anita from the Salesforce for Everyone podcast. They discuss the importance of soft skills and how these skills, often overlooked, play a crucial role in securing job opportunities in the modern job market. As they share their personal stories of transformation, listeners will gain valuable strategies for navigating career transitions and achieving financial independence through effective upskilling and community engagement.

— Jun 06, 2022

Optionality: Making Choices with Finite Resources

Embrace the mindset of optionality in finance, allowing for better decision-making with your resources. This episode explores the importance of taking a pause, as demonstrated by the 72-hour rule, which helps minimize buyer's remorse and encourages thoughtful purchases. By incorporating these strategies, you can align your financial choices with your long-term goals, preserving flexibility and enhancing the likelihood of positive outcomes.

— Jun 13, 2022

Common Sense Spending Guidelines | Housing

This episode explores common sense spending guidelines for housing, emphasizing that individuals should ideally keep their housing costs between 25-35% of their after-tax income. By understanding these parameters, listeners can navigate fluctuating interest rates and housing costs while moving closer to financial independence. The hosts, Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett, share practical strategies and discuss how to avoid excessive debt, ensuring that housing choices align with personal financial goals.

— Jun 20, 2022

Name Your Fear, Control Your Risk

In today's volatile financial environment, effectively managing risks is more crucial than ever. This episode delves into the importance of understanding housing affordability and recognizing the impacts of market fluctuations, particularly within the crypto landscape. The hosts emphasize actionable strategies that empower listeners to control their financial destinies and build resilience amidst uncertainty.

— Jun 27, 2022

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

Embark on a journey of self-discovery as you explore what financial independence truly means. The episode delves into personal values, the concept of Coast FI, and the power of aligning your career with your passions. By understanding what you truly desire, you can pivot away from societal expectations and design a lifestyle that resonates with authenticity, giving you the freedom to experiment and discover what genuinely fulfills you.

— Jul 04, 2022

Functionality with Numbers

Numeracy forms the cornerstone of sound financial decision-making, influencing everything from budgeting to investments. By mastering basic math concepts, individuals can gain a clearer understanding of their financial futures and make informed decisions. This episode dives into practical applications of numeracy in everyday life, enhancing overall financial literacy and empowering listeners to take control of their financial journeys.

— Aug 14, 2020

Households of FI-Corinne and Jillian Johnsrud

Unlock your potential with coaching strategies focused on financial independence. Jillian Johnsrud guides listeners through actionable steps, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing time and creating realistic goals for achieving financial security. Learn how small changes in daily habits can lead to quantum leaps in personal finance as you embrace mindfulness and community support in your journey towards success.

— Oct 30, 2020

Talent Stacker

Unlock the keys to financial independence by mastering the art of talent stacking. This episode explores how aligning personal passions with professional pursuits can redefine career success. With engaging anecdotes and actionable insights, discover how to break free from traditional employment mindsets, maximizing your potential beyond monetary metrics. Talent stacking is not just a buzzword; it’s a life-changing strategy that can lead you toward autonomy, mastery, and fulfillment.

— Nov 09, 2020

We Want Guac | Financial Independence for Gen Z

Amy achieved a remarkable net worth of $150,000 by age 26, pivoting from a $30,000 starting salary to a $93,000 salary through strategic networking and skilled self-marketing. Her journey from feeling overwhelmed by financial insecurity to embracing financial independence serves as an inspiring model for young adults aiming to optimize their financial lives. Discover her insights on budgeting, the importance of managing spending, and her actionable tips on leveraging LinkedIn for career advancement.

— Nov 13, 2020

Let's Make Lemonade With A Twist

Personal growth often emerges from unexpected challenges. This episode encourages listeners to embrace change and focus on becoming 1% better each day. Brad shares his transformative journey during the pandemic and emphasizes questioning limiting beliefs about health and finances. The insights discussed in this episode not only provide tools for personal development but also highlight the supportive role of community as we strive for financial independence.

— Nov 16, 2020

Designing Your Year For 2021 | Dominick Quartuccio

2020 offered an unprecedented opportunity for personal reflection and growth. In this episode, we dive deep into standout moments, showcasing how challenges have shaped our resilience. Join us as we explore actionable insights to help you embrace a fulfilling future in 2021. Discover how understanding past experiences can illuminate your path toward personal development and mental well-being.

— Nov 20, 2020

Future Proof

— Nov 23, 2020

Understanding Compound Interest and Investing for Beginners

— Dec 07, 2020

How to Set Up Your Financial Life | Investing for Beginners

Setting up your financial life is crucial for achieving financial independence. This episode walks you through the foundational steps, including banking basics, fee avoidance, and budgeting strategies. Learn how to start investing wisely and automate your finances to minimize stress and maximize savings.

— Dec 11, 2020

Gauging the Weight of Your Portfolio

Updating your investor policy statement is crucial for achieving long-term financial goals. This episode delves deep into equal weighting within index funds and the implementation of incremental changes to drive significant outcomes. Brad and Jonathan discuss how these small adjustments can align with your personal health and financial aspirations, offering listeners actionable insights and inspiring stories.

— Dec 14, 2020

Retire Early...For You

Amy Blacklock's journey to financial independence is a powerful testament to resilience and the potential for change at any age. After realizing that living beyond her means was unsustainable, she confronted the cycle of consumerism and embraced a more frugal lifestyle. Through open communication with her husband and a commitment to financial education, Amy transformed her money habits and achieved her financial goals. This episode highlights key strategies for anyone looking to change their financial trajectory, showing that it's never too late to start taking control of your life.

— Dec 18, 2020

Be Wise, Your Financial Future is at Stake | Dan Otter

Teachers face significant challenges with 403(b) plans that often come with high fees and poor investment options. This episode sheds light on the importance of financial advocacy and education. By understanding the costs associated with their plans, educators can make informed decisions that positively impact their financial futures. Join Dan Otter from 403 B Wise as he discusses practical steps to advocate for better retirement choices and highlights the critical need for schools to provide low-cost investment options.

— Dec 21, 2020

The Debt Free Guys

The Debt Lasso Method is reshaping how individuals tackle credit card debt, blending commitment with enhanced financial awareness. This method not only prioritizes low-interest repayments but also emphasizes the power of community during financial transformation. With actionable strategies and insights shared by hosts Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett, listeners are encouraged to create a sustainable financial future that aligns with their true desires and values.

— Dec 25, 2020

End of Year Wins | Part 1

Tune in to our ChooseFI Christmas edition as we kick off the Win Series, where community members share their remarkable financial achievements. From refinancing mortgages and paying off debts to maximizing retirement contributions, these inspiring stories will motivate you to take control of your financial future. With actionable advice from community members like Valerie and Michelle, discover how others have navigated challenges and emerged victorious on their path to financial independence.

— Dec 28, 2020

End Of Year Wins | Part 2

The ChooseFI community had an exceptional year in 2020, sharing inspiring stories of triumph over adversity. Members like Eric and Jason highlight their journeys through debt elimination and achieving financial independence during challenging times. Discover the strategies and mindset that fueled their successes and how community support played a crucial role in their journeys. This episode reveals that even in difficult circumstances, opportunity and growth are possible.

— Jan 01, 2021

End Of Year Wins | Part 3

This episode showcases the incredible journeys of community members who have achieved transformative financial wins. By implementing small yet impactful changes, they've reclaimed not only financial security but also their time and well-being. Experience the power of community support and personal growth through these inspiring stories that reinforce the belief that incremental changes lead to lasting success.

— Jan 08, 2021

Beginning of a New Era

Small, intentional changes can yield significant results in your journey to financial independence. This episode shares the stories of community members who have transformed their financial landscapes through incremental adjustments. Emphasizing the power of simplicity in investing, Brad and Jonathan discuss practical steps like optimizing retirement contributions and reevaluating regular expenses that can lead to a more secure financial future.

— Jan 11, 2021

I Like to Dabble

Daniela's inspiring journey illustrates the power of resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. After experiencing multiple layoffs, she leveraged her skills to create multiple streams of income, ultimately leading her towards financial independence. This episode emphasizes the critical role of side hustles and networking in achieving financial goals, encouraging listeners to take actionable steps in building their own financial future.

— Jan 15, 2021

The Examined Life

Transform your approach to goal setting by embracing the examined life. This episode dives deep into the power of self-reflection and its impact on health, wellness, and personal growth. Learn how focusing on systems rather than rigid goals can lead to sustainable habits that align with your values, allowing you to fully engage with your life.

— Jan 18, 2021

Mad Fientist

Achieving financial independence is about more than just accumulating wealth; it’s about mastering the intricate relationship between time, money, and happiness. This episode dives deep into how listeners can shift their focus from setting finite goals to embracing a lifelong journey of mastery. By cultivating this mindset, individuals can find true fulfillment as they navigate the complexities of post-FI life.

— Jan 22, 2021

The Roth 401K and Meal Planning Made Easy

Unlock the full potential of your retirement planning by delving into the advantages of Roth 401ks. Sean Mulaney, the Five Tax Guy, clarifies the intricate mechanics of Roth contributions and how they can serve as a strategic tool for tax planning. With practical advice tailored for both young professionals and seasoned investors, this episode equips listeners with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about retirement savings.

— Jan 25, 2021

Paul Merriman

Paul Merriman presents a compelling case for simplifying investment strategies to achieve financial independence. In his new book, 'We're Talking Millions,' he elaborates on the importance of small-cap and value investing. By adjusting your portfolio to include even a modest allocation to these asset classes, you could enhance your retirement funds significantly. Merriman's insights, supported by historical data, guide you toward a clearer and more effective investment philosophy, helping you maneuver through market uncertainties with confidence.

— Feb 01, 2021

The Complexity in Simplicity at M1 | Brian Barnes

Brian Barnes, founder of M1 Finance, shares insights on transforming investing through automation and user-friendly management tools. The conversation highlights M1's focus on enabling long-term investing strategies over day trading, illustrating the platform's features like fractional shares and dynamic portfolio management. Discover how M1 Finance helps users minimize costs and simplify their investment processes, setting the stage for achieving financial independence.

— Feb 05, 2021

GameStop: Squeezed to the Max | Brian Feroldi

The GameStop phenomenon has captivated investors and the public alike, revealing the inherent complexities of short selling and market psychology. This episode dives deep into the mechanics behind the massive short squeeze that propelled GameStop shares to unprecedented heights, largely driven by coordinated actions from the WallStreetBets community. Experts dissect the implications of such events on personal investing strategies and emphasize the importance of understanding the psychological aspects of trading that can lead to market volatility. Those seeking financial independence must recognize the fundamental differences between investing and gambling, particularly in high-stakes scenarios like this.

— Feb 08, 2021

From Corporate Muzzle to Invested Development | Amanda Holden The Dumpster Doggy

— Feb 12, 2021

Emergency Fund for the Zombie Apocalypse

The concept of an emergency fund is evolving, with personal finance experts rethinking its necessity and structure. This episode dives deep into effective strategies for managing your emergency savings while paving your way to financial independence. Learn how to align your emergency fund with your overall investment strategy to maximize growth and liquidity.

— Feb 19, 2021

From Pandemic Layoff to $100k+ | A Salesforce Success Story |EP 297c

Anita’s inspiring journey from a furloughed hospitality worker to a successful Salesforce professional showcases the transformative power of community and proactive learning. Facing uncertainty during the pandemic, Anita sought to enhance her skill set and discovered the Talent Stacker program. With the right resources and support, she managed to change her career trajectory, landing a six-figure job in just a few months. This episode highlights how online learning and community can facilitate significant life changes amidst challenging circumstances.

— Feb 22, 2021

Habits for Wealth Building | Rich and Regular

Join us in this enlightening episode as we explore the powerful habits and strategies that foster financial independence. With insights from Martin and Asha alongside Julian and Kirsten from Rich and Regular, listeners will gain valuable tools for managing expenses and making intentional financial decisions. This dynamic conversation emphasizes the need for discipline and the importance of a supportive community in the wealth-building journey, encouraging listeners to rethink their spending habits for a more simplified life.

— Jan 23, 2022

Blockchain, Smart Contracts, and NFT's | Part 1

Discover effective strategies for reducing living expenses and unlocking the potential of blockchain technology. This episode dives into cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, and NFTs, providing you with insights to navigate the evolving financial landscape. Equip yourself with knowledge to make informed investment decisions while embarking on your journey toward financial independence.

— May 29, 2019

12 Ways To Save Money On Groceries

Grocery shopping can easily become two things–a hassle and a large expense. After housing and insurance, your food budget can be one of the largest recurring expenses you face every month. Though you’ll still be saving a boatload over eating takeout or in restaurants, you can still eat up (pun intended!) far too much of your spending money on impulse purchases and food that goes to waste. Here are our best tips on how to save money at the grocery store.