Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast FI Minded - Financial Independence, Early Retirement & Lifestyle Design
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Retirement Withdrawal Strategies for Early Retirees | E206 Rachael Camp | 23 Sep 2026 | 00:36:46 | |
For years, the 4% rule has been one of the most important tools in the financial independence community. It gives us a simple way to answer one critical question: Can I afford to retire? But once you actually reach FI, a different question becomes much harder to answer: How much should I spend? Retirement planner Rachael Camp joins me to challenge the idea that retirement spending needs to follow a rigid formula. Instead, she explains why spending can, and probably should, adapt to market performance, changing priorities, and the different stages of retirement. In this conversation, you'll learn three flexible withdrawal strategies that go beyond the traditional 4% rule: ratcheting, guardrails, and flexible spending. Rachael explains how each approach works, who they may be best suited for, and how to build a spending plan that gives you both financial security and permission to enjoy your money. You'll also learn why these ideas may be useful before you reach FI, especially if you've spent years becoming an exceptional saver but aren't sure how to become a confident spender. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: What to Do in Your Final Year Before Retirement | E198 Fritz Gilbert Retiring Before 50? Here’s What You Need to Know | E196 Jesse Cramer Why Roth Contributions Are Overrated for Financial Independence | E191 Cody Garrett Guest Summary: Rachael Camp is a retirement planner and founder of Camp Wealth, where she helps clients build thoughtful, personalized retirement plans. Her work focuses on helping people navigate the transition from saving and investing to actually spending their wealth with confidence. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| The Missing Piece of the FIRE Formula | E205 Brian Herriot | 09 Sep 2026 | 00:32:06 | |
For decades, the formula for financial independence has been remarkably simple: earn more, spend less, invest the difference, and build a portfolio large enough to cover your expenses forever. It's a strategy that's helped thousands of people retire years, even decades, earlier than traditional retirement. But what if there's another way to create freedom? Instead of replacing 100% of your income with investments, what if you also redesigned your work so you actually wanted to keep doing it? In this episode, I sit down with Brian Herriot, author of Time Freedom, to explore why flexible work may be the missing piece of the FIRE formula. Brian introduces his Time Freedom Formula, explains why meaningful work doesn't have to end at retirement, and shares a practical roadmap for building a lifestyle business that creates income, flexibility, and purpose. Whether you're pursuing Coast FI, full FIRE, or simply looking for more control over your time, this conversation will challenge how you think about work and help you discover another path to freedom. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: How to Reach Financial Independence in 10 Years | E201 Chris Luger Retiring Before 50? Here’s What You Need to Know | E196 Jesse Cramer Tiny Quits That Build Toward Full FI | E194 Jess, The Fioneers Guest Summary: Brian Herriot is an entrepreneur, speaker, and author of Time Freedom. After questioning the traditional path to financial independence, Brian developed a framework that combines investment income with flexible work to create meaningful freedom sooner. Through his writing and financial planning, he helps people build lifestyle businesses and redesign their careers so they can enjoy more flexibility, purpose, and control over their time long before traditional retirement. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| Why Freedom Needs Structure in Early Retirement | E204 Maggie Tucker | 26 Aug 2026 | 00:42:48 | |
For years, financial independence feels like the answer. No more alarms. No more asking permission for vacation. No more meetings that could have been an email. But what happens when you finally get everything you worked for? Maggie Tucker retired at 41 expecting money and identity to be the biggest adjustments. Instead, she discovered something she never anticipated: freedom without structure can leave you feeling surprisingly lost. After decades of living by deadlines, calendars, and expectations from other people, early retirement requires an entirely different skill—learning how to create purpose, rhythm, and meaning on your own. In this conversation, Maggie shares what she's learned during four years of early retirement, why she believes freedom works best with a framework, and how simple practices like hobbies, community, and "Adventure Days" can make life after FIRE far more fulfilling. Whether you're years away from financial independence or already work-optional, this episode will help you prepare for the part of FIRE that no spreadsheet can predict. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: What 200 Episodes Taught Me About Financial Independence | E200 Joe Saul-Sehy When Productivity Becomes the Problem | E199 Doug Cunnington How to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy Hill Guest Summary: Maggie Tucker retired at 41 after reaching financial independence with her husband in 2022. Through her podcast, Inside Out Money, she shares honest reflections on life after FIRE, exploring topics like purpose, structure, identity, and how to build a fulfilling life once work is optional. Her work encourages future retirees to prepare not just financially, but emotionally, for the transition into early retirement. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| Fast-Track Your Way to Financial Independence With This Plan | E203 Cody Berman | 12 Aug 2026 | 00:32:25 | |
The Slow FI movement has changed the way many of us think about financial independence. Instead of rushing to the finish line, more people are prioritizing balance, flexibility, and enjoying life along the way. But what if you're in a season where you actually want to accelerate? Maybe you're motivated to leave a stressful job, create more options for your family, or simply reach financial independence sooner. The question becomes: how do you speed things up without sacrificing everything that makes the journey worthwhile? In this episode, I sit down with Cody Berman, entrepreneur, real estate investor, and author of Retire by 30, to explore the biggest levers that can dramatically shorten your path to financial independence. Together they discuss the two primary approaches to FI, why increasing your income often matters more than cutting another expense, and how Cody earned more than $400,000 in a single year while intentionally keeping his lifestyle simple. Whether you're just starting your FI journey or looking for ways to shave years off your timeline, this conversation will help you identify the strategies with the biggest impact. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: How to Reach Financial Independence in 10 Years | E201 Chris Luger Retiring Before 50? Here’s What You Need to Know | E196 Jesse Cramer Tiny Quits That Build Toward Full FI | E194 Jess, The Fioneers Guest Summary: Cody Berman is an entrepreneur, real estate investor, and co-host of The FI Show podcast. He achieved financial independence at a young age by combining entrepreneurship, strategic investing, and intentional spending. Cody is also the author of Retire by 30, where he shares practical strategies to help people accelerate their path to financial independence while building a life they enjoy along the way. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| How Many Years of Freedom Does Your Car Cost? | E202 Hanna Horvath | 29 Jul 2026 | 00:33:58 | |
Most people can quickly tell you what they love spending money on: travel, concerts, hobbies, or trying new restaurants. But almost no one gets excited about paying for their car. Yet transportation is one of the biggest expenses most households have. Between car payments, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and depreciation, the average American spends more than $11,000 each year to own and operate a vehicle. For many families, that's over $20,000 annually going toward something that often feels more like a necessity than a choice. In this episode, I sit down with Hanna Horvath from Your Brain on Money to explore what our cars are really costing us (and not just financially). We discuss practical ways to reduce transportation expenses, whether you decide to go car-free, become car-lite, or simply make smarter decisions about the vehicle you already own. Along the way, they examine how America's car-centric culture shapes our spending, our communities, and even our relationships. If you've ever wondered how much faster you could reach financial independence by spending less on transportation, this conversation may completely change how you think about your next car. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: What Our Wedding Taught Us About Money | E197 Gaby Deimeke The Emotional Cost of Ignoring Burnout While Pursuing FI | E193 Jess, The Fioneers The Hardest Skill in FI: Knowing When to Stop | E190 Joel Larsgaard Guest Summary: Hanna Horvath is a personal finance journalist, creator of Your Brain on Money, and an advocate for helping people make smarter financial decisions by understanding the psychology behind them. Through her writing and reporting, she explores how our environments, habits, and cultural norms influence the way we spend, save, and build wealth. Her work frequently challenges conventional assumptions about money while offering practical ways to create a life that's both financially healthier and more intentional. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| How to Reach Financial Independence in 10 Years | E201 Chris Luger | 15 Jul 2026 | 00:40:48 | |
Most people want to reach financial independence faster. We talk about enjoying the journey, and that matters, but if there’s a way to get there in 10 or 15 years instead of 25, it’s hard to ignore. The question is: what actually moves the needle? In this episode, I sit down with Chris Luger from Heavy Metal Money, who reached financial independence in a decade. But what makes Chris’s story compelling is that he didn’t start with a financial advantage. After a divorce forced him to take ownership of his finances for the first time, he built his FI plan from scratch and executed it quickly. In this conversation, we break down the most impactful levers for accelerating your FI timeline, including increasing income, reducing expenses, and making intentional lifestyle choices. We also explore the tradeoffs that come with moving faster, like balancing enjoyment with optimization, managing risk, and avoiding burnout. If you’re looking to speed up your path to financial independence without sacrificing your quality of life, this episode will give you practical strategies to consider. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love:
Guest Summary: Chris Luger is the host of the Heavy Metal Money podcast and an advocate for financial independence. Chris built a plan that helped him reach financial independence in about 10 years. Through his content, he shares practical strategies and honest insights on balancing aggressive saving, income growth, and lifestyle design to help others reach FI faster. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| What 200 Episodes Taught Me About Financial Independence | E200 Joe Saul-Sehy | 01 Jul 2026 | 00:42:03 | |
Six years. 200 episodes. And a lot has changed along the way. After years of working, saving, and building toward financial independence, this milestone episode comes at a meaningful moment — just weeks after stepping away from corporate work. What once felt like a distant goal is now something much more real and a lot more nuanced than expected. Looking back on the journey from Episode 100 to now, one lesson stands out: there is no perfect path to financial independence — only intentional tradeoffs. The decisions to travel more, spend more, and prioritize experiences may have slowed the math, but they made the journey far more enjoyable. And along the way, it became clear that FI isn’t just about hitting a number. It’s about building options. To celebrate Episode 200, I’m joined by Joe Saul-Sehy, host of Stacking Benjamins, for a fun and insightful conversation built around the number 200. Together, they explore what truly makes retirees happy, how to use your time once work becomes optional, and why relationships may matter more than anything else on the path to financial independence. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love:
Guest Summary: Joe Saul-Sehy is a former financial advisor turned podcast host, speaker, and author. He is the creator of the popular personal finance podcast Stacking Benjamins, where he combines humor and practical advice to help listeners make smarter financial decisions. Through years of interviewing experts and studying retirees, Joe has developed a deep understanding of what truly leads to a fulfilling and happy life after work. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| When Productivity Becomes the Problem | E199 Doug Cunnington | 17 Jun 2026 | 00:38:49 | |
For years, productivity felt like a superpower. It helped you earn more, save more, and move faster toward financial independence. It becomes part of your identity. The reason you feel like you’re “on track.” But what happens when that same skill starts working against you? As you get closer to FI, it becomes harder to tell the difference between productive effort and unnecessary optimization. And for many people, the habit of doing more doesn’t stop, even when they no longer need it. In this episode, I talk with Doug Cunnington, host of Mile High FI, about the idea of “anti-productivity” or the intentional practice of doing less, not out of laziness, but out of clarity. We explore why over-optimization can quietly reduce quality of life, how productivity can become a default identity, and what it actually looks like to step back without losing purpose or direction. If productivity has been your edge on the way to FI, this conversation will help you rethink what comes next. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: Tiny Quits That Build Toward Full FI | E194 Jess, The Fioneers The Hardest Skill in FI: Knowing When to Stop | E190 Joel Larsgaard How to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy Hill Guest Summary: Doug Cunnington is the host of Mile High FI and a financial independence advocate known for his practical, grounded approach to money and life design. Before reaching FI, Doug built a career centered around productivity, side hustles, and business building — skills that helped him achieve financial independence relatively early. Today, he focuses on helping others think more clearly about money, work, and lifestyle design, while also exploring what it means to step back from constant optimization and live with more intention. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| What to Do in Your Final Year Before Retirement | E198 Fritz Gilbert | 03 Jun 2026 | 00:37:28 | |
Retirement can feel like a finish line, but when it gets close, it often feels more like a transition you’re not fully prepared for. After years of saving, planning, and imagining what life could look like, the final year of work is when things start to get real. And that’s when a lot of people realize: dreaming about retirement is very different from actually stepping into it. Drawing from ideas inspired by Fritz Gilbert of Retirement Manifesto, this episode breaks down six intentional steps you can take during your final year of work to make the transition smoother, more meaningful, and far less uncertain. We talk through how to get clear on what you actually want retirement to feel like, how to stay engaged during the final stretch of work, and how to start practicing the habits and routines you’ll carry into your next chapter. This episode will help you step into retirement with confidence rather than guesswork. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: Tiny Quits That Build Toward Full FI | E194 Jess, The Fioneers Fridays: The Best Place to Begin Practicing Financial Freedom | E192 Spending Experiments: Learn What Purchases Make You Happy | E160 Carl Jensen Guest Summary: Fritz Gilbert is the Founder of The Retirement Manifesto, an award-winning blog focused on “Helping People Achieve A Great Retirement.” He is the author of “Keys to a Successful Retirement - Staying Happy, Active and Productive in Your Retired Years.” Fritz retired in 2018 at age 55 after a 33-year career in Corporate America and enjoys sharing the lessons he’s learned to help others on their journey. He and his wife live with their 3 dogs in the Appalachian Mountains in Blue Ridge, GA, where they enjoy managing their 501c3 charity Freedom For Fido, building free dog fences for low-income families with dogs on chains. They also enjoy many outdoor activities, RV travel, exercise, and spending time at their second home with their granddaughter in Southern Alabama. You can follow Fritz on Twitter, Facebook, or on his blog. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| What Our Wedding Taught Us About Money | E197 Gaby Deimeke | 20 May 2026 | 00:26:59 | |
Weddings are one of the most emotionally charged financial decisions you’ll ever make. You’re spending a large amount of money in a short period of time, making dozens of decisions — all while balancing your own priorities, your partner’s preferences, and outside expectations. And after getting married in February, I realized something: This wasn’t just a wedding…it was a real-life experiment in how we spend money. In this episode, my wife Gaby joins me to break it all down — from how we decided what mattered, to exactly how much we spent, to what we’d do differently. We share the full breakdown, the moments that were 100% worth it, and the things that, honestly, didn’t matter as much as we thought. If you’ve ever struggled with spending money without second-guessing it, whether it’s a wedding, a house, or a big life decision, this episode will help you think about it more clearly. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: 4 Rules That Will Help You Spend Money Without Stress & Regret | E188 Shifting Away from a “Save-Only” Mindset | E175 Matt & Yana - CoastFI Couple When You and Your Partner See Money Differently | E162 Brian Page Guest Summary: Gaby is Justin’s wife and partner in building a thoughtful, FI-minded life. While Justin tends to approach money from a more analytical perspective, Gaby brings a creative and experience-driven lens — making her the perfect counterbalance when it comes to making meaningful spending decisions. Together, they navigate how to align priorities, communicate through tradeoffs, and spend money in ways that genuinely enhance their lives. When she’s not bothering Justin, she’s often traveling and taking photos. See what she is up to on her website. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| Retiring Before 50? Here’s What You Need to Know | E196 Jesse Cramer | 06 May 2026 | 00:45:42 | |
If you’re planning to retire early, there’s something most people don’t realize: Early retirement isn’t just “normal retirement…earlier.” Most financial advice is built around retiring at 65 with a 25–30 year time horizon, Medicare coverage, and limited tax planning flexibility. But if you’re aiming to retire in your 40s or 50s, the rules change. Your retirement could last 40–50+ years. You’ll need to bridge the gap to Medicare. And you’ll have a unique window to optimize taxes in ways traditional retirees can’t. If you follow standard retirement advice without adjusting for these differences, you can accidentally create risks that are completely avoidable. In this episode, I’m joined by Jesse Cramer, financial advisor and host of Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors, to break down the biggest planning differences between traditional and early retirement. We cover what changes, what stays the same, and how to build a plan that actually works for a longer, more flexible retirement. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: Why Roth Contributions Are Overrated for Financial Independence | E191 Cody Garrett Is Saving Too Much Holding You Back? | E179 Jesse Cramer Guest Summary: Jesse Cramer is a financial advisor and the host of Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors, where he helps thoughtful investors make smarter, long-term decisions with their money. He specializes in breaking down complex financial topics, like tax strategy, withdrawal planning, and retirement, into clear, practical guidance for those looking to build and sustain wealth over time. For more of Jesse, check out Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| You’re FI, But Still Obsessed with Making More Money | E195 Justin David Carl | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:50:58 | |
If you’ve been pursuing financial independence for a while, there’s a good chance you’ve built your identity around progress — earning more, saving more, optimizing everything. That mindset is what gets you to FI. But what happens when you get close…or even cross the finish line? For a lot of high achievers, they don’t slow down. They keep chasing. They move the goalposts. They look for the next number to hit. Not because they need more money, but because they don’t know what replaces the pursuit. In this episode, I sit down with Justin David Carl from Fit Rich Life to talk about what happens when money is no longer the main constraint in your life. After walking away from a high-paying sales career, Justin was forced to confront a deeper question: Who am I if I’m no longer making a ton of money? We unpack what it looks like to shift from optimizing net worth to optimizing net life, how to navigate identity after FI, and why high achievers often struggle to stop playing a game they’ve already won. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: Fridays: The Best Place to Begin Practicing Financial Freedom | E192 The Hardest Skill in FI: Knowing When to Stop | E190 Joel Larsgaard How to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy Hill Guest Summary: Justin David Carl is a fitness and money coach who helps high achievers build a “fit, rich life” — one that prioritizes health, freedom, and fulfillment alongside financial success. After leaving a high-income sales career, he now focuses on helping others shift from chasing more money to optimizing their time, energy, and overall quality of life. Check out more at Fit Rich Life. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| Tiny Quits That Build Toward Full FI | E194 Jess, The Fioneers | 08 Apr 2026 | 00:24:05 | |
Financial independence doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing leap — it’s a spectrum, and you can start practicing freedom now. In this episode, I continue the conversation with Jess from The Fioneers, exploring “tiny quits” — low-risk experiments you can take to reclaim time, protect your energy, and build confidence without derailing your FI plan. We discuss practical ways to negotiate your work, control your calendar, and even step back from the chase for maximum income, all in service of a more balanced, intentional path toward FI. If you’ve been feeling the pressure of burnout or stuck waiting until some future number to enjoy freedom, this conversation is full of actionable strategies to start practicing it today. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: The Hardest Skill in FI: Knowing When to Stop | E190 Joel Larsgaard How to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy Hill Mini-Retirements: Retire Often, Not Just Early | E177 Jillian Johnsrud Guest Summary: Jess is the co-founder of The Fioneers, a platform dedicated to helping people pursue financial independence while building a life they enjoy along the way. Through their writing, courses, and YouTube channel, Jess and her partner Corey help people explore ideas like SlowFI, intentional living, and designing a flexible lifestyle before reaching full financial independence. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| The Emotional Cost of Ignoring Burnout While Pursuing FI | E193 Jess, The Fioneers | 08 Apr 2026 | 00:18:58 | |
For many people pursuing financial independence, discovering compounding interest is the moment everything clicks. You start earning more, saving aggressively, and letting your investments grow. The math works, the plan is clear, and the finish line feels achievable. But wealth isn’t the only thing that compounds. Burnout does too. And if you ignore it long enough, it eventually catches up to you. In this episode, I speak with Jess from The Fioneers to talk about the hidden cost of pushing too hard on the path to FI. Jess shares her experience hitting a wall before stepping away from work, the warning signs she ignored, and what she learned from slowing down. Together, they explore why many high achievers in the FI community overestimate the financial risks of slowing down while underestimating the emotional cost of waiting too long. You’ll also hear why the SlowFI philosophy resonates with so many people pursuing financial independence, and how it can help you design a life that balances progress toward FI with enjoying your time today. If you’ve been pushing hard toward your FI number but feeling the weight of burnout creeping in, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at how to recalibrate before you’re forced to. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: The Hardest Skill in FI: Knowing When to Stop | E190 Joel Larsgaard How to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy Hill 3 Hidden Traps That Make FIRE Feel Empty | E182 Jordan Grumet Guest Summary: Jess is the co-founder of The Fioneers, a platform dedicated to helping people pursue financial independence while building a life they enjoy along the way. Through their writing, courses, and YouTube channel, Jess and her partner Corey help people explore ideas like SlowFI, intentional living, and designing a flexible lifestyle before reaching full financial independence. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| Fridays: The Best Place to Begin Practicing Financial Freedom | E192 | 25 Mar 2026 | 00:21:43 | |
As I got closer to financial independence, I realized something strange: I had more financial freedom than ever, but I still wasn’t using my time any differently. It forced me to ask a bigger question: if the goal of FI is freedom with your time, why was I still waiting to start living that way? In this solo episode, I share why Fridays might be the best place to begin practicing financial independence before you reach your FI number. After years of working full-time while also running my business, I started experimenting with taking Fridays off, and eventually Mondays too, and discovered that freedom is something you can practice in small doses. You’ll learn why Fridays are the perfect low-risk “tiny quit,” how reclaiming just one day can help you escape the weekend crunch, and why experimenting with flexibility now can build confidence in your FI plan long before you hit your number. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: The Hardest Skill in FI: Knowing When to Stop | E190 Joel Larsgaard How to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy Hill What’s on Your FI Bucket List? | E186 Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| Why Roth Contributions Are Overrated for Financial Independence | E191 Cody Garrett | 11 Mar 2026 | 00:27:48 | |
For years, I assumed Roth contributions were the smarter move. Pay the taxes now, enjoy tax-free growth later, and never worry about future tax hikes. It felt simple and responsible. But during my highest-earning years, that mindset was quietly slowing down my progress toward financial independence. Financial planner and tax expert Cody Garrett explains why Traditional contributions often outperform Roth for people pursuing FI. The key insight: during retirement, it’s not your income that drives taxes, it’s your spending. That shift changes everything about how tax planning should work for early retirees and those working toward financial independence. In this conversation, we break down the three major reasons Traditional contributions often win, why retirees benefit from a surprisingly friendly tax code, and how locking yourself into Roth contributions too early can limit your future flexibility. You’ll also learn how strategic tax planning can help you reach your FI number faster and create more options once you stop working. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: 50/30/20 Budget: Does This Popular Guideline Actually Work for FI Seekers? | E184 3 Hidden Traps That Make FIRE Feel Empty | E182 Jordan Grumet Optimal Tax Strategies for Your Early Retirement | E180 Cody Garrett & Sean Mullaney Guest Summary: Cody Garrett is a financial planner, tax specialist, and the founder of Measure Twice Financial. A former professional musician turned financial advisor, Cody specializes in tax planning strategies for people pursuing financial independence and early retirement. His work focuses on helping high earners optimize tax strategies during their working years while creating flexible withdrawal strategies for retirement. Book: Tax Planning To and Through Early Retirement Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| The Hardest Skill in FI: Knowing When to Stop | E190 Joel Larsgaard | 25 Feb 2026 | 00:41:45 | |
The FI community is incredibly good at effort, optimization, and doing hard things for a long time. But somewhere along the way, many of us forget how to stop. Even after gaining more control over our time, we fill it back up with projects, commitments, and expectations, leaving us busy, tired, and quietly stretched thin. Joel Larsgaard shares what it looked like to recognize that “doing it all” was no longer sustainable, even when the work was meaningful. After front-loading years of effort through saving, investing, and building How to Money, Joel began intentionally pulling back: working fewer hours, prioritizing family and health, and even taking a six-week sabbatical. This conversation explores why doing less isn’t laziness, but a necessary evolution after years of striving. You’ll hear how financial independence can be used as a tool for time, not just wealth, along with practical ways to say no, resist constant expansion, and create space without losing ambition. If you’ve reached a point where more effort isn’t improving your life the way it used to, this episode offers a healthier path forward - one built on balance, presence, and intentional choices. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: 4 Rules That Will Help You Spend Money Without Stress & Regret | E188 How to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy Hill 3 Hidden Traps That Make FIRE Feel Empty | E182 Jordan Grumet Guest Summary: Joel Larsgaard is the co-host of How to Money, one of the most popular personal finance podcasts, where he helps listeners build wealth while living well. Through his own FI journey, Joel has shifted from relentless optimization toward a more intentional, balanced life—focusing on family, health, and long-term sustainability without abandoning ambition. Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| Divorce Lawyer Reveals the Reasons Marriages Fail (and How to Prevent Them) | E189 Aaron Thomas | 11 Feb 2026 | 00:44:39 | |
Most people enter marriage with optimism and good intentions, but very few understand what actually causes relationships to fall apart over time. After spending 15 years inside divorce courtrooms and watching more than a thousand marriages unravel, today’s guest reached a blunt conclusion that challenges everything we’re taught about marriage and money. Aaron Thomas, divorce lawyer, Harvard Law graduate, and founder of Prenups.com, shares what he learned from seeing marriages fail up close, and how those lessons completely reshaped how he approached his own relationship. Instead of ignoring the risks, Aaron reverse-engineered the most common emotional and financial breakdowns couples face and built systems to prevent them before they ever show up. This conversation explores practical tools couples can use to strengthen trust, reduce money-related conflict, and stay aligned on big goals like financial independence, early retirement, and lifestyle design. You’ll learn how to run a marriage check-in that actually works, why prenups can be healthy (not hostile), and how clear financial agreements can protect both your relationship and your FI journey. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: How to Have End-of-Life Conversations with the People You Love | E185 Tess Waresmith When You and Your Partner See Money Differently | E162 Brian Page When Your Spouse Makes More Than You | E151 Ed Coambs Guest Summary: Aaron Thomas is a divorce lawyer, Harvard Law graduate, and founder of Prenups.com. After representing hundreds of couples through emotionally and financially costly divorces, Aaron became passionate about helping couples proactively design healthier relationships. His work focuses on clear communication, financial transparency, and practical systems that reduce conflict and support long-term partnerships, especially for high-achieving couples pursuing financial independence. Aaron’s website: https://prenups.com/ Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| 4 Rules That Will Help You Spend Money Without Stress & Regret | E188 | 28 Jan 2026 | 00:20:42 | |
If you’re great at saving money but feel anxious, guilty, or uncomfortable spending it, I want to share 4 spending principles that have helped me. Many people pursuing financial independence don’t struggle with discipline. They struggle with permission. We have endless advice on saving and investing, but far less guidance on how to actually enjoy the money we’re working so hard to build. In this episode, I’ll share my personal Spending Playbook: four spending principles I use as a super saver to spend confidently, reduce stress, and still stay on track toward financial independence. These principles are designed to help me enjoy my money without sabotaging my long-term goals. This isn’t about spending more; it’s about spending intentionally, so saving stops feeling like a sacrifice. The 4 Spending Principles Covered 1. The Fun Fund A simple way to give a portion of your money one clear job: enjoyment — without competing with your investing goals. 2. The Oops Budget A no-questions-asked buffer for unplanned, non-fun expenses so money doesn’t add stress during already stressful moments. 3. The “Moments That Matter” List A short list of life events and experiences where you pre-decide money won’t have an outsized influence on your choice. 4. Guilt-Free Spending Categories A few high-impact categories where spending creates outsized happiness — and where under-spending isn’t necessarily a win. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: Smart Frugality: The Frugal Mindset That Actually Feels Good | E183 JC Rodriguez Is Saving Too Much Holding You Back? | E179 Jesse Cramer You’re Financially Free, But It Doesn’t Feel Like It | E165 Shannah Game Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| How to Create a 3-Day Workweek (Before You Reach FI) | E187 Andy Hill | 14 Jan 2026 | 00:45:54 | |
Everyone only gets 168 hours each week, and work quietly consumes the best of them. When careers sprawl into nights and weekends, health, relationships, and joy are usually the first things sacrificed. This conversation is about reclaiming time before burnout forces the decision for you, and proving that you don’t need full financial independence to start living with more freedom right now. Andy Hill shares how he and his wife redesigned their lives to work just 20–25 hours per week while still supporting their lifestyle and long-term goals. Through practical examples and mindset shifts, Andy breaks down what it really takes to transition away from a traditional five-day workweek without feeling reckless or irresponsible. The focus isn’t on escaping work. It’s on intentionally designing it. You’ll learn how CoastFI, part-time work, and solopreneur models can create flexibility long before you reach your FI number. This episode explores how to test reduced hours safely, set boundaries with employers or clients, and identify the moment when “more money” stops being the thing worth optimizing. If you’re craving more time but don’t want to derail your financial future, this is your blueprint. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: Is Saving Too Much Holding You Back? | E179 Jesse Cramer Mini-Retirements: Retire Often, Not Just Early | E177 Jillian Johnsrud How to Live a FI Life Without the FI Bank Account | E170 Jess from Fioneers Guest Summary: Andy Hill is the creator of Marriage, Kids, and Money and the author of Own Your Time. After years of juggling a full-time job and a side hustle, Andy designed a solopreneur lifestyle that prioritizes time freedom while maintaining financial security. His work focuses on helping families align money with what matters most: time, flexibility, and intentional living. Check out Andy’s new book: Own Your Time Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| What’s on Your FI Bucket List? | E186 | 31 Dec 2025 | 00:25:09 | |
If you’ve ever felt stuck somewhere between the excitement of starting your FI journey and the reality that the finish line is still years away, this episode will give you a practical way to stay motivated. You’ll learn how a FI Bucket List can immediately add meaning, momentum, and enjoyment to the process—no matter where you are on the path. This isn’t about spending more money; it’s about intentionally creating experiences that keep you energized instead of burned out. You’ll also hear how shifting from a “save now, live later” mindset to a “design a meaningful life today” approach can completely change the way your journey feels. We break down how to choose bucket-list items that fit your values, your current season of life, and your budget. You’ll walk away with clear steps for creating your own version, whether you want more adventure, more connection, or simply more joy in your week. Finally, the conversation highlights what the FI Bucket List reveals about the bigger purpose behind financial independence: freedom, flexibility, and the chance to build a life you actually want to live. If you’ve been feeling behind, bored, or disconnected from your "why," this episode will help you reconnect with the possibility, purpose, and excitement that originally drew you to FI. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: Is Saving Too Much Holding You Back? | E179 Jesse Cramer Mini-Retirements: Retire Often, Not Just Early | E177 Jillian Johnsrud How to Get the Courage to Travel More Adventurously | E174 Jon Otero Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| End-of-Life & Estate Planning With Your Parents (In A Compassionate Way) | E185 Tess Waresmith | 17 Dec 2025 | 00:47:48 | |
Talking about end-of-life planning is one of the hardest conversations we’ll ever have, but also one of the most important. Whether you’re pursuing financial independence or already work-optional, someone in your life will eventually rely on you to make decisions on their behalf. And without clarity, that responsibility becomes emotionally heavy, financially stressful, and often filled with guesswork. In this episode, Financial Educator Tess Waresmith (Wealth With Tess) walks us through how to approach these conversations with compassion and confidence. Tess has navigated caregiving and loss firsthand, including the passing of her stepfather and aunt. She brings a personal and practical approach to preparing families for the future. You’ll learn how to make these conversations feel less overwhelming, how to use Tess’s 3-Layer Talk Framework to guide your discussion, and which estate-planning essentials every FI-minded person should have squared away. More than anything, this episode will help you strengthen connections, reduce uncertainty, and create peace of mind for yourself and the people you love. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: 3 Hidden Traps That Make FIRE Feel Empty | E182 Jordan Grumet How to Negotiate Your Medical Bills | E161 Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington Does My FIRE Number Account for Inflation? | E140 Jesse Cramer Guest Summary: Tess Waresmith is a financial educator, speaker, and the creator of Wealth With Tess, where she teaches women how to build confidence with money and investing. Through her workshops, courses, and content, she shares clear, compassionate financial guidance to help women reduce stress and prioritize what truly matters. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wealthwithtess/ Talking About Death: https://www.moneyconfidentclub.com/talkdeath Deathly Yours Workbook ($60 off with code FIMINDED): https://www.moneyconfidentclub.com/offers/BkfzyzKV?coupon_code=FIMINDED Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| 50/30/20 Budget: Does This Popular Guideline Actually Work for FI Seekers? | E184 | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:16:26 | |
Are FI seekers supposed to follow the 50/30/20 budget guideline — or is it completely irrelevant when you’re pursuing financial independence? In this solo episode, Justin walks through five years of his own spending data to find out how closely his real-life budget aligned with this popular personal finance rule of thumb. You’ll learn what the 50/30/20 rule was originally designed for, where it breaks down for people on the path to FI, and how your own needs, wants, and savings ratios might shift as you move closer to financial independence. Justin also shares his FI-friendly version of the guideline that better supports intentional spending, lifestyle design, and long-term financial freedom. Whether you’re in your first year of the FI journey or optimizing for Coast FI, this episode will help you rethink your spending percentages, understand your true savings rate, and build a budgeting approach that matches your work-optional goals. Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: Smart Frugality: The Frugal Mindset That Actually Feels Good | E183 JC Rodriguez How to Save Thousands on Groceries (Without Giving Anything Up) | E176 Bryan Suddith Money Moves That Sound Smart…But Aren’t (Part 1) | E172 Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| Smart Frugality: The Frugal Mindset That Actually Feels Good | E183 JC Rodriguez | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:41:41 | |
Cutting costs can help you reach financial independence faster, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your happiness. The real key is smart frugality: spending intentionally on what adds value and confidently cutting what doesn’t. In this episode, I’m joined by JC Rodriguez, financial coach and creator of The Frugal Rich, to explore how to build a values-based spending system that feels good, lasts long term, and supports your FI goals. We’ll unpack practical hacks from grocery savings to “buy for life” strategies and talk about how to balance conscious spending, frugality with purpose, and joy along the journey to financial freedom. If you’ve ever wondered whether saving money is helping or hurting your quality of life, this one’s for you. Key Takeaways:
Guest Summary: JC Rodriguez is a financial coach and creator of The Frugal Rich, a community of over 1.5 million people learning how to live better with less. His work helps people embrace frugality with purpose, adopt sustainable money habits, and build long-term financial freedom without sacrificing happiness. Check out JC on: Connect With Justin Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| 3 Hidden Traps That Make FIRE Feel Empty | E182 Jordan Grumet | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:30:15 | |
FIRE was never meant to be the finish line. It was supposed to be the launchpad. But somewhere along the way, we started chasing optimization instead of meaning. In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Grumet (Doc G), author of The Purpose Code and host of the Earn & Invest Podcast, to explore how the FIRE movement can sometimes turn from a tool for freedom into a trap that leaves people feeling empty. We unpack three hidden pitfalls that can derail your FIRE journey and how to realign money, purpose, and meaning once you’ve “made it.” Jordan has been a longtime voice in the Financial Independence movement, through his blog, DiverseFI, his book, The Purpose Code, and his podcast, Earn & Invest. But after a decade in the movement, he started asking some deeper questions:
Key Takeaways:
Other Episodes You’ll Love: Is Saving Too Much Holding You Back? | E179 Jesse Cramer How to Live a FI Life Without the FI Bank Account | E170 Jess from Fioneers Find Purpose Beyond Financial Independence | E157 Jordan Grumet Guest Summary: Jordan Grumet (Doc G) is a physician turned writer, speaker, and host of the Earn & Invest Podcast. His books, Taking Stock and The Purpose Code, explore how to align money, meaning, and legacy. Jordan has been part of the FIRE community since 2014, helping thousands rethink what financial independence really means. Connect with Jordan:
Connect with Justin: Email me at Justin@FIMinded.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Support FI Minded: Want to hear more? Follow FI Minded on your favorite podcast player. Like this episode? Share it with a friend pursuing financial independence. Love the show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. | |||
| How to Find a Side Hustle You’ll Love (and Stick With) | E181 Nick Loper | 22 Oct 2025 | 00:26:51 | |
Everyone talks about starting a side hustle, but few talk about how to pick the right one. The one that fits your skills, your lifestyle, and your FI goals. Nick Loper, host of The Side Hustle Show, joins me again to share smart ways to find a side hustle that actually fits your life, skills, and Financial Independence goals. We explore creative frameworks like “Rip, Pivot, and Jam,” “Intersection,” and “Shovels in the Gold Rush,” and how to use AI tools like ChatGPT to uncover ideas faster than ever. Nick also shares how to narrow your list to just one idea you’ll be excited to work on for years to come. If you’ve been overthinking your next move or waiting for the “perfect” side hustle, this episode will help you find clarity, confidence, and direction.
Other Episodes You’ll Love: How to Start a Side Hustle in One Month | E167 Nick Loper How to DOUBLE Your Income in One Year | E164 Andrew Giancola How to Launch a Side Hustle While Working Full-Time | E132 Genuinely Genesis More of Nick: More of FI Minded: Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.com Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| Optimal Tax Strategies for Your Early Retirement | E180 Cody Garrett & Sean Mullaney | 08 Oct 2025 | 00:49:51 | |
It might have been monsters under the bed, shadows in the corner, or creepy dementors from Harry Potter. We all had irrational fears growing up. Mine was creepy dolls. After watching a movie called Teacher’s Pet, I became so terrified of dolls that my dad had my sister box up hers and store them in the basement. I’ll be honest, I’m still not a huge fan of dolls, but I’ve mostly outgrown that fear. Along the way, though, I’ve picked up some new ones like running out of money, being left without health insurance, and probably the biggest of all… taxes. I’ve been saving and investing with the fear that Uncle Sam will take a huge chunk of my money. That mindset has me padding my investment accounts and inflating my FI number. But after reading Sean Mullaney and Cody Garrett’s book, Tax Planning To and Through Early Retirement, I’m starting to rethink that - and I think you should too. To help us all navigate this, I invited Sean and Cody to walk us through strategies to optimize taxes before and during early retirement. We’ll cover things like which accounts to deplete first, how to control your taxable income through strategic selling, ways to minimize sequence-of-return risk, and even how you could pay almost nothing in taxes some years without cutting expenses. If you want practical strategies for optimizing taxes on your path to early retirement, this episode is for you. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Mr. Measure Twice and the FITaxGuy…Cody Garrett and Sean Mullaney. Key Takeaways:
Mentions: Selling Specific Lots in Fidelity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cft7dLLP7_U&feature=youtu.be More of Sean & Cody: Check out the book “Tax Planning To and Through Early Retirement”:: https://www.measuretwicemoney.com/book Cody’s website: https://measuretwicefinancial.com/ Sean’s website: https://fitaxguy.com/ More of FI Minded: Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.com Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ The discussion is intended to be for general educational purposes and is not tax, legal, or investment advice for any individual. Justin and the FI Minded podcast do not endorse Sean Mullaney, Mullaney Financial & Tax, Inc. and their services. | |||
| Is Saving Too Much Holding You Back? | E179 Jesse Cramer | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:55:59 | |
I’m in this strange in-between stage right now, somewhere between Coast FI and Full FI. And I often feel pulled back and forth between spender and saver, current me and future me, speeding up and slowing down. It’s a little exhausting, I have to admit. A few years ago, things felt simpler because I was in full accumulation mode. Most of my decisions came down to one thing: delay spending so I could save and invest more. Looking back, maybe I would’ve splurged a little on experiences or time-saving purchases, but honestly, I don’t regret much. These days, though, I’m learning to focus more on my current self. I’m loosening up, spending a bit more, and not being so uptight about every dollar. Talking with friends further along in the FI journey, I’ve realized this shift is pretty natural, and perhaps you’re experiencing it too. It’s not always easy, which is why I wanted to talk it through with a friend and frequent guest, Jesse Cramer. Jesse’s navigating the same changes himself, and as a financial advisor, he also brings perspective from helping clients through similar situations. In this episode, we dive into the balance of spending on your current self while still enjoying the growth of your investments. We talk about how we’ve loosened up around money habits like budgeting, and why we’re not stressing about hitting our exact FIRE numbers anymore. I always enjoy my conversations with Jesse, and if any of this resonates with you, I think you’ll get a lot out of this one too. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the host of The Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors Podcast… Jesse Cramer. Key Takeaways:
More of Jesse: Check out Jesse’s podcast: https://bestinterest.blog/personal-finance-for-long-term-investors/ More of FI Minded: Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.com Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| Why Buying Less Might Be the Next Step in Your FI Journey | E178 Ashlee Piper | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:58:05 | |
I was reviewing my spending for the first half of 2025 and noticed something interesting: excluding routine bills, groceries, and experiences, I only bought 25 new things this year, totaling about $1,400. For six months, that felt pretty solid. But it also got me wondering… could I go even further? That curiosity came to a head when the nozzle on my garden hose started leaking. My first instinct was to hop on Amazon and buy a new one. It was only $20. But then I paused. I looked up what might cause the leak and found out it’s usually a worn-out rubber washer. I took the thing apart, and sure enough, that was it. I hopped back on Amazon to order a new washer…until I remembered I had another broken nozzle in the garage. I swear I have the worst luck with these—but this one wasn’t leaking. I had just dropped it and snapped the trigger handle. I took the rubber washer from that one and used it to fix the current nozzle. And it worked! No money spent. Nothing added to a landfill. And honestly, I felt proud of myself. I share that story because it’s easy to assume we’re already frugal or intentional enough—especially in the FI community. But that moment made me realize how often I default to “buy new” without even questioning it. And I want to become more intentional, especially when it comes to physical things. That’s why I invited Ashlee Piper on the show today. Ashlee is a sustainability expert and author of the new book No New Things: A Radically Simple 30-Day Guide to Saving Money, the Planet, and Your Sanity. She’s also the creator of the #NoNewThings Challenge, which she personally followed for two years, which is just insanely impressive. In this conversation, we dig into how to creatively meet your needs without always reaching for your wallet. Ashlee shares her SUPER system for thoughtfully navigating purchases, and we run through a few real-life scenarios like getting ready for a wedding or gearing up for Halloween. If you want to bring more intentionality into how you consume, this episode will leave you feeling inspired. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the always resourceful, wildly entertaining, and sustainability-driven…Ashlee Piper. Key Takeaways:
More of Ashlee: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleepiper/ Newsletter: https://substack.com/@theethicaledit More of FI Minded: Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.com Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| Mini-Retirements: Retire Often, Not Just Early | E177 Jillian Johnsrud | 27 Aug 2025 | 00:49:08 | |
We’re all waiting for the day we hit financial independence. That’s when we’ll finally quit our jobs and have time to learn a new hobby, start that house project, take longer vacations, or prioritize our health. You probably have a list of things you’re saving for after FI—but what if you don’t want to wait another decade to start? Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. The challenge is that your career eats up most of your time and energy, and since you’re not financially independent yet, walking away isn’t an option. But what if you didn’t have to choose between all work now and all freedom later? What if you could work for a few years, take a break, then return to work—and repeat that cycle? Instead of one long career followed by one long retirement, what if you took mini-retirements along the way? It’s not just a theory—today’s guest has done it. Jillian Johnsrud has taken over a dozen mini-retirements throughout her life and now helps others do the same. In this episode, Jillian shares how to organize your time off, why some employers actually say yes to these breaks, and how a mini-retirement might even improve your career. She also provides examples of how mini-retirements speed up, rather than slow down, people’s path to FI. Mini-retirements are one of my favorite concepts—I’ve taken one myself, and I always encourage my friends to consider them too. So today, I’m making the case to you: maybe it’s better to retire often than to retire once. Key Takeaways:
More of Jillian: Read Retire Often: https://lnk.to/retireoften More of FI Minded: Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| How to Save Thousands on Groceries (Without Giving Anything Up) | E176 Bryan Suddith | 13 Aug 2025 | 00:45:24 | |
If you're on the path to financial independence, you know every dollar adds up. An extra $1,000 a year might not sound like much, but early in your FI journey, that kind of savings can seriously accelerate your timeline. And if you’re already FI, trimming $1,000 in expenses lowers your FIRE number and helps your nest egg last longer. The best part? I’m not asking you to start a side hustle or cut out your favorite purchases. Instead, we’re talking about saving money by wasting less, specifically, food waste. Yes, that’s right. The average American throws out over 200 pounds of food a year. For a family of four, that’s about $3,200 straight into the trash. Think wilted spinach, moldy bread, and forgotten leftovers. Any of this sound familiar? Here’s the good news: with a little planning and a few habit shifts, you can cut that waste dramatically and keep more money in your pocket without sacrificing lifestyle. Today’s guest, Bryan Suddith, took this challenge seriously. Over the last five years, he’s tracked every bit of food that ended up in his trash. And the total? Less than $100. For a family of four. We’ll share practical tips for meal planning, a framework for eating through your groceries, his favorite go-to food-waste saving meal (which surprised me), and even how to avoid food waste after hosting a party. If you’re ready to trim your grocery bill and stretch your FI dollars further without really sacrificing anything, then you’re going to like this episode. Key Takeaways:
More of Bryan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryansuddith/ More of FI Minded: Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.com Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| Shifting Away from a “Save-Only” Mindset | E175 Matt & Yana - CoastFI Couple | 30 Jul 2025 | 00:46:38 | |
Today, we dive into some of the biggest questions our community has about money, relationships, and raising kids on the path to financial independence. Matt and Yana from CoastFI Couple share their honest experience with shifting from a strict save-only mindset to learning how to enjoy their money after reaching Coast FI. We talk about how even couples who agree on big-picture goals can still face daily money disagreements — and the tools and conversations that help keep things on track. Plus, we explore how to teach kids healthy money values without passing on anxiety or scarcity. Whether you’re struggling to spend guilt-free or want to raise money-smart kids, this episode offers practical insights and encouragement. If you have a question you'd like me to answer on a future episode, just shoot me an email at justin@fiminded.com. Key Takeaways:
More of Matt & Yana: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoastFICouple Qube Money: https://qubemoney.com/ (Use code COAST for a free trial) More of FI Minded: Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| How to Get the Courage to Travel More Adventurously | E174 Jon Otero | 16 Jul 2025 | 01:09:29 | |
My first big trip abroad was in 2015. I had just graduated from college the week before and wanted to do something fun. So my girlfriend and I flew to Europe and visited Prague, Paris, and Barcelona. It was a blast, and it left a lasting impression. Since then, I’ve traveled to 10 more countries. Lately, I’ve been getting more comfortable with international travel, and I’m starting to feel the itch to push beyond my comfort zone. Up to this point, most of my trips have been to first-world countries, major metropolitan cities, and usually with a group of friends or my partner. But I’ll be honest, I’m a little nervous to push the boundary. That’s why I invited Jon Otero on the podcast to help me break through those fears and build the confidence to travel more adventurously. Jon is the definition of an adventurous traveler. He has visited 35 countries and all 50 U.S. states, and he has done some incredible things, such as riding a camel in Egypt, scuba diving to sunken ships, and paratriking in Peru. His fearless approach to travel is seriously so inspiring, and I’m hoping to tap into a little of that mindset myself. In this episode, we talk about everything from navigating language barriers and understanding cultural differences to safety tips, solo travel, and ideas for your next adventure. Before we jump in, I want to say this: adventurous travel is defined by you. If you’ve never left the country before, going anywhere new might feel like a big leap, and that’s awesome. Even exploring a new part of the U.S. can feel adventurous if you’ve never been out of your home state. Don’t let social media or someone else’s definition shape what a great trip looks like. Go at your own pace, and most importantly, have fun. Let’s get into it. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the adventurous traveler and host of The Globetrotters Podcast…Jon Otero. Key Takeaways:
More of Jon: Listen to the Globetrotters Podcast: https://www.gtspodcast.com/ More of FI Minded: Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.com Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| Money Moves That Sound Smart…But Aren’t (Part 2) | E173 | 02 Jul 2025 | 00:17:34 | |
Some money moves sound smart…until you actually try them. This is Part 2 of our special series where six personal finance experts share strategies that sound smart but rarely are. In this episode, you’ll hear from:
Missed Part 1? No problem - each episode stands alone, but you’ll want to go back and queue it up next. Key Takeaways:
More of Our Guests: Check out Larry’s coaching practice at https://www.uncontrollable.me/. Watch Sean’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@SeanMullaneyVideos. Follow Jeremy’s Instagram account at More of FI Minded: Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.com Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ Disclaimer The content shared by Sean Mullaney in this episode is for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax advice for any specific individual. Neither this podcast nor its host endorses Sean Mullaney, Mullaney Financial & Tax, Inc., or any of the services they offer. | |||
| Money Moves That Sound Smart…But Aren’t (Part 1) | E172 | 02 Jul 2025 | 00:24:31 | |
Some financial strategies sound really smart…until they aren’t. In part one of this special two-part series, we’re diving into real stories from personal finance pros who once made money moves that seemed like great ideas... but turned out to be anything but. You’ll hear honest reflections from:
I’ll also share my own story of trusting the wrong financial “expert” and how it led me to open a whole life insurance policy I didn’t need. We’ve all made money moves we later questioned. This episode is here to help you learn from them and avoid making the same ones. Key Takeaways:
More of Our Guests: Check out Diana’s EconoMe Conference at https://economeconference.com/ Listen to Jesse’s podcast Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors at https://bestinterest.blog/personal-finance-for-long-term-investors/ Listen to Matt’s podcast How to Money at https://www.howtomoney.com/ More of FI Minded: Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.com Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| You’re Great at Saving. Here’s How to Get Great at Giving (FI Style) | E171 Spencer Reese | 18 Jun 2025 | 00:57:24 | |
The Financial Independence community is great at saving and investing — but what about giving? In this episode, I talk with Spencer Reese from Military Money Manual about how to make generosity part of your FI plan without derailing your financial goals. We explore how charitable giving can reduce your taxes, align with your values, and help you overcome money scarcity by building an abundance mindset. Whether you’re early in your FI journey or already financially independent, this conversation will help you give with purpose — and make a real difference along the way. Key Takeaways:
More of Spencer: Check out Military Money Manual Podcast: https://militarymoneymanual.com/podcast/ More of FI Minded: Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.com Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| How to Live a FI Life Without the FI Bank Account | E170 Jess from Fioneers | 04 Jun 2025 | 00:57:26 | |
Why are you chasing financial independence? It could be living a more adventurous life filled with travel or doing work you love, regardless of the pay. Whatever your dream looks like, it probably comes down to two things: freedom and flexibility. We want to be in the driver’s seat of our lives. And we know money is one of the biggest obstacles standing in the way. So we save, invest, and make sacrifices now, hoping it’ll give us more control over our choices later. But let’s be honest, it can feel like a grind. And sometimes, we want to enjoy more freedom now, not just someday. So... is it possible to live a FI life without the FI bank account? Jess from The Fioneers says yes. As you move through your financial independence journey, you unlock more freedom. All of the freedom doesn’t magically happen after you hit your FIRE number; it happens along the way. In today’s episode, Jess breaks down the five stages of FI, what kind of freedom comes with each one, lifestyle shifts to consider, and common traps that could leave you stuck in one of the stages. Jess shares a lot of alternative paths to financial independence that balance enjoying the moment while setting up your future self. Let’s get into it. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the sourdough maker and pioneer of SlowFI…Jess from the Fioneers. Key Takeaways:
More of Jess: CoastFI Calculator: https://thefioneers.com/free-resources/ More of FI Minded: Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.com Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| What If You Had the Opportunity to Reinvent Yourself? | E169 | 28 May 2025 | 00:04:16 | |
What would you do if you had to start over, completely from scratch? In this episode, I share the wild true story of Audrey, a woman who vanished in 1962 and was just found alive, 63 years later. Her story sparked a thought experiment: if you had to reinvent yourself, new city, new career, new hobbies, what path would you choose? We’ll explore what reinvention could look like through the lens of financial independence. I also share a sneak peek from my upcoming interview with Jillian Johnsrud and reflect on the passions and missed opportunities that still tug at me. More of FI Minded: Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.com Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| Travel Hacks to Upgrade Your Next Vacation (Without Spending More) | E168 Chris Hutchins | 21 May 2025 | 00:47:27 | |
I get why some people aren’t into traveling. Long flights crammed in a middle seat, overpriced hotels that smell like smoke, and being miles away from the city center - none of that screams “dream vacation.” Now, I’m past the days of budget airlines and sketchy motels but I’m also not flying first class with lay-down seats or staying in luxury hotels in the city center that leave chocolates on the pillows. Financial independence has given me the freedom to enjoy travel with simple comforts, and I’m perfectly happy in that Goldilocks zone. But what if, once a year, you could take a truly glamorous vacation - without spending anything extra? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Chris Hutchins, host of All the Hacks. He shares practical travel tips to help you take those bucket-list vacations. Chris has earned tens of millions of points, traveled all over the world, and even took a 7-month trip with his wife, spending just $30 a day on average. Chris is a total travel savant and has a hack for just about everything travel-related. I do have to admit, though, I went into this conversation a little skeptical. I thought it might sound like a part-time job - chasing sign-up bonuses, juggling credit cards, and spending hours hunting for deals. But I was surprised by how simple many of Chris’s tips are and how much money they can save. Some of his hacks don’t even involve points or miles, just smart ways to get upgrades or better deals. I’m excited to try these out and travel more luxuriously without spending more - and I’m guessing you are too. So buckle up and enjoy my conversation with Mr. All The Hacks himself…Chris Hutchins. Key Takeaways:
More of Chris: All The Hacks Podcast: https://www.chrishutchins.com/episodes/ 50+ Ways to Earn More Points and Miles Without Spending More: https://www.chrishutchins.com/50-ways-to-earn-more-points-and-miles/ More of FI Minded: Email Justin at Justin@FIMinded.com Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| How to Start a Side Hustle in One Month | E167 Nick Loper | 07 May 2025 | 00:49:51 | |
For most of us pursuing financial independence, the math is pretty straightforward: earn more, spend less, and invest the difference. But what if you could speed things up and discover a new passion along the way? That’s where side hustles come in. Not only can they give your FI plan a serious income boost, but they also let you explore projects that could become meaningful ventures in your post-FI life. But how do you find the right side hustle? How do you price your services, land your first clients, and balance it all with your career and personal life? That’s where today’s guest, Nick Loper, comes in. He’s the host of The Side Hustle Show and the creator of Side Hustle Nation, and he’s helped thousands of people start and grow successful side gigs. In this episode, Nick shares his go-to frameworks for generating side hustle ideas and strategies for pricing, finding clients, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Plus, he’ll break down the habits that set successful side hustlers apart. If you’ve ever thought about starting a side hustle, or want to make yours more sustainable, this episode is for you. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the side hustle explorer and expert himself…Nick Loper. Key Takeaways:
More of Nick: 7 Proven Ways to Come Up with New Business Ideas: https://www.sidehustlenation.com/how-to-come-up-with-new-business-ideas/\ The Side Hustle Show: https://www.sidehustlenation.com/side-hustle-show/ More of FI Minded: Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| The Tariffs You Should Really Be Paying Attention To | E166 | 30 Apr 2025 | 00:06:07 | |
Tariffs aren’t just for global trade - you can apply the concept to your personal life to protect your time, energy, and values. As we gain more financial freedom, how we spend and make money should evolve too. In this short and reflective episode, I explore the idea of personal tariffs and how I have applied this to things that may seem like a good deal on the surface, but actually come at a hidden cost to my time, energy, or well-being. I share three categories where I’ve started mentally “taxing” the lower-cost option. This isn’t about spending recklessly - it’s about making intentional choices that align with the life you’re building. If you’re on the journey to financial independence and want to feel better about spending in ways that support your health, happiness, and values, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways:
More of FI Minded: Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| You’re Financially Free But It Doesn’t Feel Like It | E165 Shannah Game | 23 Apr 2025 | 00:30:09 | |
You’ve run the numbers a hundred times. You’ve built the spreadsheets, projected the growth, and calculated your safe withdrawal rate down to the decimal. On paper, money isn’t an issue. You should feel secure. But you don’t. Because even though the math checks out, the feeling doesn’t. The scarcity mindset, the one that pushed you to save relentlessly, doesn’t just disappear when you achieve FI. Instead, it lingers, making you question if it’s really enough. That’s why I’m excited to have Shannah Game on the show today. She’s a Certified Financial Planner and host of Everyone’s Talkin’ Money. Shannah has helped countless people break free from the mental traps that keep them feeling financially insecure, even when their numbers say otherwise. In this episode, Shannah is going to help us tackle that nagging sense of “not enough” and share strategies to shift from a scarcity mindset to one of confidence and abundance. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the cupcake-making, money-talking millennial…Shannah Game. Key Takeaways:
More of Shannah: Podcast: https://everyonestalkinmoney.com/episodes/ More of FI Minded: Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| How to DOUBLE Your Income in One Year | E164 Andrew Giancola | 09 Apr 2025 | 00:40:16 | |
In my mid-20s, I was making $50,000. Between San Diego’s high housing costs, dating, a car payment, and other expenses, I barely had anything left to put toward financial independence - let alone fast-track it. I was cutting costs everywhere - negotiating bills, rarely eating out, even walking instead of driving. Frugality was helping but man, the real game-changer was focusing on growing my income. Since then, I’ve switched jobs, negotiated raises, launched a business, and built a five-figure side hustle. Now, I earn three times what I did at 25, and that extra income has made all the difference. I’m funding my financial independence goals while also enjoying life more. Quickly growing my income made such an impact and that’s why I brought Andrew Giancola on the podcast - to help me break down exactly how you can double your income in just one year. Andrew is a pro at this. He’s built multiple businesses, invested in real estate, tested different side hustles, and even helped his wife negotiate multiple raises and promotions. This episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you increase your income fast. So if that is something you want to do, let’s dive in! I hope you enjoy my conversation with the financial educator and host of The Personal Finance Podcast…Andrew Giancola. Key Takeaways:
Mentions: Andrew’s first appearance on FI Minded: www.tsirpodcast.com/133 More of Andrew: More of FI Minded: Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| Welcome to FI Minded (Podcast Rebrand Announcement) | 27 Mar 2025 | 00:05:58 | |
Want to achieve financial independence without missing out on the fun? FI Minded is for anyone who wants to achieve financial freedom, live life on their own terms, and, most importantly, enjoy the journey along the way! Whether you’re just starting to think about financial independence or already deep into the process, FI Minded gives you the tools and inspiration to make FI a reality - without giving up the things you love. Each episode, we’ll cover topics like: *Financial Independence Strategies: Simple, actionable advice to reach FI faster (if that’s your goal). *Work Optionality: Transitioning from the corporate grind (no more "one more year syndrome") to a life of freedom and flexibility. *Lifestyle Design: How to build a life that aligns with your values, goals, and dreams. *Stories from the FI Community: Real people sharing their journeys to FI and what they’ve learned. *Fun with FI: How to save your future and enjoy your current life through CoastFI, mini-retirements, travel, or just making the most of your time. *Fighting Burnout: Balancing saving for your future while staying mentally healthy. | |||
| Is Real Estate the Best Path to Financial Independence? | E163 Chad Carson | 26 Mar 2025 | 00:50:58 | |
Is Real Estate the Best Path to Financial Independence? As a die-hard index fund investor, I used to have a clear answer. But after researching Chad Carson’s “small but mighty” real estate philosophy, I’m starting to see the potential. While I still prefer the hands-off nature of index funds, especially as I focus on growing my income - I can see real estate playing a role in my future. It offers steady cash flow, diversification, and even scratches my entrepreneurial itch. When that time comes, I’ll be turning to Chad Carson’s content. With two decades of real estate investing experience, Chad knows how to find, analyze, and buy solid investment properties. In this episode, Chad breaks down the fundamentals of real estate investing, including how to find quality deals in a high-priced market, red flags to watch for, and key financial metrics to evaluate before buying. I learned a ton from this conversation, and I’m already looking forward to a part two. Key Takeaways:
Mentions: Create Your Buy Box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ORTQ_2S-mE DealMachine: https://www.dealmachine.com/ More of Coach Chad Carson: Real Estate Investing with Coach Carson: https://www.coachcarson.com/coach-carson-podcast/ More of The Struggle is Real: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| When You and Your Partner See Money Differently | E162 Brian Page | 12 Mar 2025 | 00:52:33 | |
Love and money - a perfect match, right? If only it were that simple. Money is personal for everyone. We grow up with different values, learn different money habits from our parents, and develop our own financial preferences. So when two people with unique money mindsets come together, disagreements are bound to happen. Maybe one of you is a saver while the other loves to spend, leading to frustration over “wasting” or “hoarding” money. Or maybe you can’t agree on whether to play it safe with savings or take financial risks. If you love your partner, the last thing you want is constant fights about money. You want to figure this out together. That’s why in today’s episode, I’m talking with Brian Page about how to find common ground when you and your partner have different financial perspectives. Brian is the Founder of Modern Husbands, an organization that helps busy dual-career couples manage money and home life as a team. We dive into some really practical topics like how spenders and savers can find peace, what research says about combining vs. separating finances, and how to create a fair balance with household responsibilities. This conversation was especially helpful for me because my partner, Gaby, and I have been navigating these conversations ourselves as last summer marked 5 years of dating. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the lead dad and modern husband…Brian Page. Key Takeaways:
More of Brian: Modern Husbands: https://www.modernhusbands.com/ More of The Struggle is Real: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| How to Negotiate Your Medical Bills | E161 Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington | 26 Feb 2025 | 00:37:34 | |
You can save thousands if you negotiate your medical bills. Wait, you can do that? Yeah, this was new to me too. Maybe it was the confusing medical jargon or the assumption that hospitals charge fair prices, but negotiating never crossed my mind…and you know I love to negotiate just about everything. Not only should you be negotiating your medical bills, you should be scrutinizing them for errors. As you’ll learn in this episode, 80% of medical bills have errors, and go figure, they almost always work out in the favor of the medical provider. Today, Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington joins me to share her three-step process for negotiating medical bills. As an internal medicine physician and former health insurance executive, Dr. Virgie thought she understood the system - that was until she was diagnosed with cancer and saw firsthand how patients get crushed by medical debt. After witnessing her hospital roommate get taken advantage of by balance billing, Dr. Virigie had had enough. Now she is on a mission to help Americans fight back against excessive healthcare costs, one bill at a time. If you want to protect yourself from medical debt and take control of your healthcare costs, this episode is for you. I hope you enjoy my conversation with medical billing expert and 2-time cancer patient…Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington. Key Takeaways:
More of Dr. Vrigie: Website: www.crushmedicaldebt.com More of The Struggle is Real: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| Spending Experiments: Learn What Purchases Make You Happy | E160 Carl Jensen | 12 Feb 2025 | 00:55:52 | |
Struggling to spend money? Same here. Honestly, I never thought this would be a problem as I got closer to financial independence. I mean, isn’t the goal to save up enough so we can finally spend on the things we want? Turns out, after 15 years of working hard to build wealth, it’s not so easy to let go. Add in some good old financial insecurities, and suddenly, I’ve got money, but I’m too nervous to spend it. And guess what? We are not the only ones. A lot of people in the FI community deal with this too, including Carl Jensen. Carl, known for his blog 1500 Days, has a net worth of $6 million. Yet, he still found it hard to spend money. That was until he started challenging himself to do it. Through these spending challenges, Carl figured out what really brings him joy, whether it’s something small like treating a friend to dinner or big like a $10,000 private concert with his favorite band (don’t worry, we’ll talk about that one!). So, if you’ve ever struggled to spend on things that would actually make you happy, this episode is for you. Hopefully, it inspires you to push past those money hang-ups and challenge yourself a little more. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the Telsa fantastic, dinosaur-loving, early FI trailblazer…Carl Jensen. Key Takeaways:
Mentions: Taming the Mammoth: Why You Should Stop Caring What Other People Think: https://waitbutwhy.com/2014/06/taming-mammoth-let-peoples-opinions-run-life.html More of Carl: Read Carl’s Blog: https://www.1500days.com/ More of The Struggle is Real: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| Fast-Track Your 2025 Money Goals Using These Strategies | E159 Justin Brown-Woods | 29 Jan 2025 | 00:42:53 | |
It’s the start of a new year, and you’ve set some financial goals like paying off student loans, saving for a down payment, or maxing out your IRA. Whatever your goal, how awesome would it feel if you could fast-track your progress? It’ll take focus and dedication, but with the right strategies, you can turbocharge your cash flow and get there faster. Today, we’re joined by Justin Brown-Woods, Financial Coach and Co-Host of The Price of Avocado Toast. Justin not only helps his clients reach their financial goals but he has also walked the walk himself. After accumulating $220,000 in debt, Justin and his wife, Haley, decided to rewrite their financial story. In just 18 months, they paid off more than half of their debt and began rebuilding their wealth. And when I say “rebuilding,” I mean rebuilding. Before accumulating 6-figures of debt, they had $600,000 in the bank! It’s a story you don’t want to miss but I’ll let Justin spill the details in this episode. If you’re ready to fast-track your 2025 financial goals (without selling a kidney), this episode is packed with tips and inspiration to get you started. Key Takeaways:
More of Justin: Listen to the Price of Avocado Toast: https://www.priceofavocadotoast.com/podcast More of The Struggle is Real: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||
| What Happens After I Reach FIRE? Withdrawal Strategy, Spending Changes, & Finding Meaning | E158 Jeremy Schneider | 15 Jan 2025 | 00:51:31 | |
Since discovering financial independence, I have focused on wealth-building: choosing the right accounts, investing wisely, and cutting expenses to save more. But now that I’m approaching my FIRE number, a new question has emerged—what happens after I reach financial independence? On one hand, there’s the technical side: What’s the best way to withdraw from my nest egg? This is something I hadn’t given much thought to until now. But beyond the finances, the bigger question is: What changes in life? Will I still scrutinize every expense? Do I worry about major market news? And most importantly, how do I want to spend my time? I need some guidance, and I’m guessing you do too, so I asked Jeremy Schneider to come to demystify life after reaching financial independence. Jeremy Schneider is the creator of the popular Instagram account, Personal Finance Club. He’s also the co-founder of Nectarine, a marketplace for advice-only financial advisors. Before launching Personal Finance Club and Nectarine, Jeremy built and sold a technology company for $5 million, achieving financial independence. This sum of cash catapulted him into financial independence. He had to answer the important questions quickly and in this episode, he shares what he learned from that experience. Whether you’re nearing your FIRE number or simply curious about what life looks like after financial independence, this episode is for you. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the man trying to bring light on the financial advising industry…Jeremy Schneider. Key Takeaways:
More of Jeremy: Get Financial Help: www.hellonectarine.com More of The Struggle is Real: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/ | |||