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End of Year Checklist
Tax Strategies
Ep. 053R · · 1h 1m 0s

End of Year Checklist

Year-end financial checklist plus Bobby Hoyt's story of leaving stable employment when his website generated just $2 in monthly revenue.

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

Can starting a side hustle really replace a stable income? Bobby from Millennial Money Man walked away from his day job when his blog earned just $2. This roundup episode unpacks that leap—and the community-building principles that made it work.

Brad and Jonathan reflect on Bobby's interview, focusing on how he built trust within a niche audience before monetizing. They cover the core mechanics of creating value through blogging, online courses, and content that solves specific problems. The discussion also touches on personal updates, including Jonathan's wife narrating her first audiobook, and a listener voicemail about year-end financial checklists.

Chapters

  • Introduction and Listener Feedback
  • Personal Updates
  • Discussion on the Interview with Bobby
  • Value Creation and Community Engagement
  • Listener Voicemail: End of Year Checklist
  • Recap and Call to Action

Key Topics

  • Framing Wealth Conversations
    Bobby's work shows younger audiences respond when financial topics address their real concerns.

How Close Are You to Financial Independence?

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

Bobby's Entrepreneurial Risk
Leaving a stable job at $2/month in blog revenue; the importance of creating value before expecting income.

  • Building Trust in a Niche
    Engage in communities, contribute freely, and understand audience needs before selling anything.

  • Side Hustle Ideas
    Teaching online courses or blogging leverage existing expertise into marketable offerings.

  • Year-End Financial Checklist
    Tax optimization strategies and financial housekeeping before the calendar flips.

  • Action Items

    • Reach out to your audience for feedback on what they find valuable
    • Create a plan for your side hustle, focusing on adding value to others
    • Join the ChooseFI Facebook group for community insights and support

    Notable Quotes

    • "Bobby took an incredible risk. He left his stable job when he was making $2 from his site."
    • "You always have to start by adding value and building trust."
    • "You can look at what other people are doing that's working and adapt that to your specific purposes."
    • "It's about finding your tribe and adding value back to people's lives."

    Resources

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    ChooseFI has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. ChooseFI and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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