From Paychecks to Purpose

In today's episode, I reflect on the women of my past, inspried by a recent decluttering session of my childhood memorabilia. I also reflect on people in the present who I know to have a ton of willpower - funnily enough, they are all women! Kathleen's The Reframe: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Mu7Rzh2vnVTpbGO7qixG6?si=ed4249e4fbb0413f @wanderlust.haaks: https://www.instagram.com/wanderlu...

In this week's episode, I break down the relationship between savings rate and timelines to FI, and share a breakthrough that has me flipping conventional FI wisdom on it's head. What I realized is that for my specific situation, there is only a few years difference in my FI timeline if I continue to save at my current rate vs stopping saving completely. And so the reframe I am doing is: instead o...

In today's episode, I talk all about risk takers! I myself tend skew more conservative when it comes to taking risks. Others skew more aggressive. Either way, I share tips and reframes to think through for risk decisions you may be considering in your life. Hope you find it useful!

In this week's episode, I reflect on how my perspective on community has changed over the course of this year. I have had several realizations about ideal communities this year, inspired by trips I took this summer to visit friends and family. Ever since, I have been thinking more clearly about what kind of community I am looking for, and where I might find it. There are no big decisions in th...

In this week's episode, with the help of some recent Reddit posts, I reflect on CoastFI/BaristaFI jobs - from how finding the sweet spot of a Phase 3 job can be quite difficult, to the best tips on how to find an ideal CoastFI job (from going beyond open job boards to experimenting to see what kinds of roles you would like). Job Phases Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6yZh0c9QFT96Xy9L...

In this week's episode, I continue my discussion with Doug Cunnington of Mile High FI on career, identity, and purpose. In Part 1 (linked below), we discussed childhood and career. In Part 2, we discuss the leap into entrepreneurship, how we form our identities, and what we find purpose in. Part 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/31Yx8fRrMw1sCqIMM7Y8VJ?si=z1YoZMzSRQyS1b3kHMSfoA

In this week's episode, I am doing the final segment of my Paychecks to Purpose series for the year! I got the opportunity to talk with Doug Cunnington (host of Mile High FI) about his childhood, career, identity, and purpose. In this 1st part, we cover highlights from childhood as well as career. Tune in to Part 2 next week for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, identity, and...

In this week's episode, I reflect on how some people optimize for money and time to the detriment of their happiness, and how there is a sweet spot for both. I emphasize the importance of designing our best life first and creating it from there rather than letting money or time optimization lead into a life not aligned with our ideals/happiness. I also reflect on a recent mainstream media article...

In this episode, I cover progress towards my 2026 goals across a range of topics (podcasting, finance coaching/advising, friends & family, cooking, piano, and more). I also do a media segment this week where I highlight different Asian men at different stages in life going through a purpose conversation that I have been following recently on Youtube. Many of them are on the FIRE path (accident...

In this week's episode, as I have been considering my own potential relocation, I have been thinking a lot about my mom's big relocation (from South Korea to the US). She made this decision in her early 20's and made some serious sacrifices to make it happen (she took her family with her and became the main provider). Relocation has both risks & rewards, and in this episode I reflect on what I sus...

For my 50th episode (roughly speaking), I am reflecting on the podcast's origins, where I am at in the present with the podcast, and how the message of the podcast is being incorporated into my own life. I also touch base on my hopes for the future of the podcast. Finally, I throw in some lessons learned about podcasting AV setup and editing software for others to learn from if they are lookin...

In the lead-up to my 50th podcast episode (I can't believe we're here!) I am re-broadcasting my very first episode, which discusses my backstory and explains FIRE or FI (Financial Independence) to a newbie in an approachable way. Sometime in the next few weeks, I will be reflecting on the podcast's origins, how things have grown and improved, and where I am headed in the future. Pardon...

In this week's episode, I discuss the math of day trading or individual stock picking over buying and holding index funds, and why those stock pick wins in the short term are surprisingly misleading & don't tell the full story (much like rent vs. buy, where similar issues can occur). At the end of the day, you have to do the math for yourself and compare net gains to the alternatives,...

In this week's From Paychecks to Purpose episode, I continue answering beginner personal finance questions with my friend, Pink! In Pt. 2, we discuss beginner-level considerations for real estate, as she is just beginning to think about it from an investment perspective. From primary residences to rental real estate, hopefully this will give a primer on how to think about it. In Pt. 1 linked b...

In this week's episode, I get to chat with my friend Pink about her beginner personal finance questions! In Part 1, we discuss 401k's, asset allocation, and buying/selling stocks (should you buy or sell individual stocks?). In Part 2, we will actually be going through beginner questions about real estate and rent vs. buy. Many of these questions are ones everyone has. Hopefully you or some...

In this week’s episode, I return to my normal format and discuss some updates to my Japan/Korea trip plans and lessons learned from this complex points booking (and rebooking). I also discuss booking a Ryokan (a traditional Japanese hotel) for my stay in Kyoto and that general process. Tune in for more! For media of the week, I highlight Andrew Xu, a Youtuber who leadFIREd 3-5 yrs ago, as well as...

In this week's episode, I continue my 2-part conversation with Meghan from EverydayFI on going From Paychecks to Purpose. In Part 2, we round out our discussion on going from paychecks to purpose in our careers, and then we talk more broadly about how we define and live a good life. We also briefly discuss our mutual interest in the Money with Katie and Diabolical Lies podcasts. Part 1: https:...

This week's episode is part 1 of a new Paychecks to Purpose series with Meghan of the EverydayFI podcast. In this series (initially kicked off with Aubrey Williams last year), I have 2-way conversations with people on the FIRE journey. We discuss going from paychecks to purpose in our careers, as well as how we define and live a good life. In this episode, we discuss our respective childhoods...

In this week’s episode, I discuss how mainstream media misunderstands FIRE. I debunk a lot of the common mainstream critiques of the movement and talk about how I interpret it. I also briefly review of my new e-reader and I tease media of the week (two media that misinterpret the FIRE movement and an episode of This American Life where you learn about the host’s relationship with his parents throu...

In this week's episode, for my main segment I cover all sorts of ways I "hack my brain" (or get myself to do things that are good for me) with technology (i.e. reminders, widgets, streaks, etc.) and I also cover some key psychological tactics that I have used to hack my brain as well (i.e. gamification, boundaries, task pairing, etc.). For my Did You Know? segment, which is a small h...

In Pt. 2. of a 2-part episode all about books, Liz Gets Loaded and I discuss where we get good book recommendations and how we get books affordably or for free. We also discuss tracking & reviewing books, e-readers, and when we use audio books vs. physical ones. In Pt. 1 (linked below), we discussed why we love books, favorite genres, and pivotal books that changed our perspective or gave us s...

In part 1 of this 2-part episode, Liz Gets Loaded and I discuss all things books! From favorite genres to pivotal books that changed our perspective or gave us something we needed in the time that we read them, we discuss it all! In part 2, we will discuss how we get book recommendations and where we get books for free or affordably. Liz Gets Loaded: https://open.spotify.com/show/2t6FJB5zk7Du2fpH5...

This week's episode is a grab bag of things I have been thinking about recently, from navigating competing interests in your 30s (or 40s) to Roth vs. Traditional allocations. I also highlighted What Went Wrong, a podcast about movies from script to screen, and I shout out Money with Katie's Substack. What Went Wrong: https://open.spotify.com/show/15lonNfWzHLbMepKo0EDjs?si=58b17e341bc54edc...

In this episode, I am doing a deep dive to unveil all of the personal finance secrets that FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) people know about. I am going to tell you about all of the crazy secrets FIRE people use to do everything from career pivots and retiring early to retiring their kids for cents on the dollar. Along the way, you'll learn a bit about why FIRE is awesome and the vario...

Hello all! In this week's episode, I return to more life topics, including a review of the Brick, a device to help control screen time habits, and a love letter to Asian food, from the access we are privileged to have more of in modern day, as well as some approachable recipes to try! I also unveil a new segment where I give small explainers/tips and this week I discussed what I consider to be...