Lifestyle Design

Fancy New Tools

With all these new tools floating around, I wanted to learn from other’s experiences to help limit the options. I currently am using Copilot Money on a two month trial basis. It’s nice, but it’s limited on future planning and goals related to anything but savings. What products have you used that you would recommend? Monarch? Origin? Etc. I have a full daily cash flow spreadsheet and net worth tracker, but I’d like to automate some of these models. Thanks all!

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spickarski

1 week ago 13 Share

Books worth Reading

What book has influenced you the most in either FI money management, life style design or mental philosophy? Bonus points: share one idea that stuck with you.

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JoeQ17

1 week ago 32 Share

Early retirement benefit #3

1. Morning workouts are no longer rushed. In fact, I can add natural exercise throughout my day. For example, I walk on the treadmill anytime I want to use my computer. I still do an intensive workout early, but being active is now a lifestyle after 27 years of a desk job.

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Bethany

1 week ago 0 Share

Early retirement benefit #2

1. I rarely use an alarm clock. I sleep on a regular schedule and my body wakes up on its own usually between 5 and 6:30.

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Bethany

1 week ago 0 Share

Early retirement benefit #1

I retired last year. I am going to try to start sharing the everyday benefits of this early retirement lifestyle. \#1. Freedom to spend snow days with my kids. I can’t get these days back.

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Bethany

1 week ago 1 Share

Early retirement benefit #4

1. Bad weather? I’m staying home if I want to. I decide where to go when. This week, that means I haven’t left the house since our weekend snowstorm. If I had to earn a paycheck to pay the bills, the decision isn’t mine anymore.

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Bethany

1 week ago 2 Share

Any tips or hacks on reaching FI with school-aged kids...

...or is everyone just waiting it out? Has anyone reached FI with school-aged kids, or adult kids still living at home? Or does everyone just wait until after they have moved out of the house? 😬 Other than an having an emergency fund, what are some things you're doing now to support/ensure their eventual self-sufficiency?

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BonnieLook

1 week ago 19 Share

Reached FI - Retire or not?

The question is, how do we feel fulfilled in FI? How do we change our identify from our careers to being financially independent? We look at the numbers, and it is completely doable for us to retire now, but it almost seems unreal and that it is not so. We always intended on retiring early when my husband is 50 and I'm 49; however, we have reached (surpassed, actually) our FI number. We are 39 and 40, and we are both still working and saving/investing as usual. We have a 10 year old. He has a ha...

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MichelleS

1 week ago 9 Share

Early retirement benefit #6

When family and friends need help, I’m available!

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Bethany

1 week ago 1 Share

Should we come back stateside?

Good morning all, I need your advice. My wife and I have been considering moving our family of 2 young boys (3.5 years old and 6 months old) to the US to be closer to my family. We currently live pretty well in Colombia given the exchange rate difference and overall cost of living being significantly cheaper. Since I haven't lived stateside in about 10 years (other than normal trips back and forth) my compass as to how much things cost is not calibrated at all.😆 I know healthcare costs are expe...

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Justin Grabenbauer

1 week ago 18 Share

Early retirement benefit #7

I love Mondays! (And I’m not grumpy on Sunday night.)

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Bethany

1 week ago 1 Share

Give Now or Give Later?

I’m currently navigating the 'Give Now vs. Give Later' debate. I plan to eventually donate 100% of my wealth to effective charities (no kids, so that makes it simpler!), but I’m struggling with the timing. Some argue that solving a problem today (like global health) has "compounding returns" for society that can actually beat the 7-10% return of the S&P 500. I think I believe that. However, I value the security of a robust safety net for my own retirement. My current strategy is donate 10% o...

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espamer

1 week ago 8 Share

Community Events

I’ve been enjoying a new FI-adjacent podcast, *The Reframe*. The “Local Love Days” episode (#90, 2/23/26) — about creating a walkable, neighborhood-based day supporting local businesses — struck me as a fantastic FI event idea. She suggests designing a day that includes physical activities, creative experiences, local shopping, dining, and arts/entertainment. People can join for part or all of it and deep dive into one specific part of town — promoting local businesses while building connection....

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Tera

1 week ago 1 Share

I did it -> last full time day is March 13

Hey everyone! Just sharing something exciting, I put in my notice at my w2 job and my last day will be next Friday. My side hustle has been taking off, and I cant wait to spend more time on that. My husband is still working his W2, which will cover our expenses. Savings rate will drop to his 401k match + HSA. We're about 68% to our Fi#, and past coastfi. It doesn't feel real yet, but I am so excited for the next chapter.

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Heatherrrr

1 week ago 8 Share

Female-focused podcasts?

I have finally binged my way through all of Money with Katie and there is a podcast-shaped hole in my heart. I'm a man, but I really enjoyed a more female perspective on all things money - it's not radically different from what I hear male podcasters in the personal finance sphere say, but it is *just* different enough to give me a new perspective on things. I know Katie is still out there doing things but she's moved on to more big-picture, systems level problems and I'd like to have a perspect...

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Westie

1 week ago 25 Share

Extraordinary Life with the Donegans (collected links)

I had made this collection for my local groups after attending the Design Your Extraordinary Life event with the LA Choose FI group and Alan and Katie Donegan. Some of my local group hadn't the pleasure of hearing of the Donegans before and since they are some of my favorite guests on Choose FI, I figured I would share the direct links. Alan and Katie are fabulous human beings and hope you get inspired to be pretty fab yourselves. If you are beginning to go down the path of FI their work with th...

So

SomeSunnyDay

1 week ago 1 Share

The checklist to do the 3-6 months before you retire early.

There is good analysis on getting the number we need (25x expenses). Also how to access money early (taxable accounts and Roth contribution amounts if necessary). Also ACA is likely the path for health insurance. However, what/how do you actually do you actually make that launch? For ACA, is there a best time to enroll (likely open enrollment but also if you separate from service, maybe can do whenever?). How do you fill that likely month or two insurance gap? (COBRA?) How do you make sure your...

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Pard03

1 month ago 2 Share

Retiring early LinkedIn

Question for the group: What do you post on LinkedIn status for retiring early? Context: I am planning on retiring within the next 6-9 months (age 50), but I don't think it's the end of my career, more like a break for about a year. Then after a year off, I'm guessing I'll do some part time work. But I don't know what I'm doing on my break or exactly what my part time work will be, yet. I really want to take a year or two to figure it out. Does anyone have any examples of what they post as their...

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Anonymous

1 month ago 9 Share

Untitled Thread

Hello, I am at or near my FI number, but really afraid to let go of my daily grind. After a few years of a lot of personal turmoil, I am both grateful to have a steady gig, but also resentful that it takes up all my time and energy. There are so many other things I want to do. Feeling that life is short. We are all getting older. The longer I wait to jump, the harder it will be to chase these other creative dreams. For context, my job is dull, but I have a good amount of freedom. But the overall...

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Anonymous

1 month ago 7 Share

Untitled Thread

With the market's continued ups I hit another of my FI milestones. How do you all celebrate your FIRE wins? What did you do when you: paid off your house, paid off all your debt, hit $100k, $500k, $1 million, etc... How do you celebrate when you know those around you are either struggling, don't care, or just living life "normally". Feels like a lot of years of hard work and sacrifice went into this, but there isn't anyone I can share this with that would relate. Guess that's why I'm here!

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newfi25

1 month ago 3 Share