ChooseFI | Financial Independence Podcast

Pensions trap millions in jobs they hate — but how much is that golden handcuff actually worth? Brad and Jonathan reconnect with Grumpus Maximus, author of The Golden Albatross, to break down the real value of pensions and the emotional weight they carry at critical career crossroads. The conversation centers on the "pension cliff" — the brutal decision points at 10 and 20 years of service where l...

Most people making $70,000 combined think saving six figures in two years is impossible—Steven and Lauren proved otherwise while teaching full-time. On teacher salaries, this couple saved over $100,000 in two years by living on $22,000 annually and pursuing side hustles like photography. Their unconventional path included spending six months in Hawaii without touching their savings and visiting ev...

You can vacation without leaving town — and it might change how you spend money forever. Jonathan and Brad explore the unexpected power of staycations during the pandemic, revealing how to uncover hidden value in your own backyard while stretching travel rewards further than you thought possible. Introduction to Staycation [00:00:00] Staycations as a way to enjoy local attractions while supporting...

Mr. and Mrs. Nomad slashed their travel budget to $40,000 annually while visiting countries most people only dream about — and their health insurance costs less than what many Americans pay. Brad and Jonathan sit down with this couple who left conventional careers to design a life of perpetual travel, revealing the practical systems that make digital nomadism financially sustainable. The couple de...

Most people think midlife awakening means torpedoing everything you've built. Brad and Jonathan flip that script: what if financial independence is the midlife correction — giving you breathing room to realign before you're stuck? The hosts explore why the corporate ladder often leads to quiet panic in your 40s, and how the FI mindset offers an antidote. They unpack the value of introspection, the...

Most people assume government-backed retirement plans are safe and well-regulated — but public school teachers often face some of the worst retirement account options in the country. Nancy Bacchetti, a former teacher, shares her journey from paycheck-to-paycheck living to financial independence after discovering the hidden fees and lack of protections in her 403(b) plan. She explains the critical...

Losing your job doesn't make you powerless — it might make you unstoppable. Brad and Jonathan tackle the raw emotions and real opportunities that come with unexpected job loss, especially during economic upheaval. Instead of the usual platitudes, they focus on recognizing the skills you already have and leveraging them outside traditional roles. Layoffs don't define your worth; they can ignite new...

American expats face the only other major tax system in the world that taxes citizens on worldwide income no matter where they live—putting them alongside Eritrea. Most never learn how to use this to their advantage. Brad and Jonathan explore the expat path to financial independence with David McKeegan, founder of Greenback Tax Services, covering tax strategies, geo-arbitrage opportunities, and th...

Financial independence was never supposed to have barriers based on race — yet it does. Chris Browning, host of Popcorn Finance, joins Brad and Jonathan to discuss the uncomfortable but essential conversation about how systemic racism shows up in employment, lending, and the financial independence community itself. Chris shares his experiences navigating FI as a black man, explaining why "being no...

A single mom turned entrepreneur found herself staring at a broken engagement and wondering how to build wealth while raising a child alone in one of the most expensive areas of the country—then she discovered that the real obstacle wasn't her income or her zip code. Audrey's story challenges the assumption that financial independence requires a partner, a six-figure salary, or perfect circumstanc...

Most people miss thousands of dollars in tax savings every year because they don't know this credit exists. If your household income falls below certain thresholds, the IRS will match up to 50% of your retirement contributions—not as a deduction, but as a direct reduction in what you owe. Brad and Jonathan break down the Retirement Savers Credit, explaining exactly who qualifies, how it works, and...

One couple slashed $20,000 in debt while feeding a family of four on $350 a month in groceries. Kesha Palmer and her husband didn't inherit money or land high-paying tech jobs — they simply tracked every dollar and cut ruthlessly. After adoption costs and lifestyle inflation left them nearly $20,000 in the red, they committed to a one-year debt elimination sprint that would set them on a path to f...

Most people assume entry-level salaries are set in stone and pushing back will cost them the offer. Jessica proved that assumption dead wrong — and doubled her salary in three years by doing exactly what conventional career advice says not to do. Jessica, known as the Financial Mechanic, shares how she transitioned from mechanical engineer to software engineer while systematically increasing her e...

You can pull contributions from a Roth IRA anytime without penalty—but do you know the difference between that and a Roth 401(k) when it comes to withdrawals? Brad and Jonathan tackle this listener question alongside several others in this mailbag-style episode covering personal updates, Roth account nuances, and financial planning for major life changes. MK shares the news that she and her husban...

Most people fear the day their paycheck stops, but Fritz Gilbert proved retirement success isn't about luck — it's about having a system that lets you sleep at night. Fritz Gilbert, author of "Keys to a Successful Retirement," shares how he navigated the mental and financial transition from earning to withdrawing, especially amid market volatility. The core of his approach is the bucket strategy:...

Most people equate financial disasters with the end of the road—but Bianca de Valerio rebuilt her entire financial life after multiple real estate short sales wiped out her net worth during the 2008 housing crash. Bianca, a flight attendant who reached financial independence by her late thirties without a college degree, faced vacancies, market crashes, and the emotional toll of selling properties...

Brad's six-year-old daughter just nailed 30 consecutive jump-rope double unders on video—a CrossFit move so technically demanding that most adults never master it. That measurable proof of progress, captured in real-time, becomes the lens through which Brad and Jonathan unpack the mechanics of mastery in this mailbag roundup. They use the jump rope metaphor to explore how repeated failure, goal-se...

Most people spend decades preparing their finances for retirement—but barely any time preparing themselves. The result? Retirees who are financially secure but psychologically adrift. Fritz Gilbert shares what actually makes the difference between struggling through retirement and thriving in it—and it's not your portfolio size. Fritz emphasizes mental preparation as the critical factor separating...

Your portfolio just dropped 30%. Should you panic-sell, or is there a smarter move hiding in plain sight? Financial planner Sean Mulaney joins Brad and Jonathan to break down five critical money moves during a market downturn. The conversation centers on staying calm during volatility and implementing tax-smart strategies that turn losses into long-term advantages. Introduction and Overview [00:00...

Small landlords are collecting 90% of rent during a crisis — defying national headlines predicting widespread defaults. Chad Carson breaks down why relationships, not just numbers, separate resilient real estate portfolios from those at risk. Chad Carson shares critical strategies for real estate investors navigating economic uncertainty. The conversation covers maintaining strong tenant relations...

You might assume the CARES Act's student loan payment pause is just a temporary break — but if you're on an income-driven repayment plan, those suspended months still count toward forgiveness. Travis from Student Loan Planner reveals how borrowers can reclaim thousands by understanding this quirk, and whether your debt-to-income ratio means you should chase forgiveness or pay off loans aggressivel...

Most people assume their 401k is locked until 59½, but the Rule of 55 allows penalty-free withdrawals nearly five years earlier—and hardly anyone knows it exists. Brad and Jonathan break down this IRS provision, which lets you tap retirement funds if you leave your job during or after the year you turn 55. The catch? It only applies to your current employer's 401k or 403b, not old accounts. They e...

Most investors can recite the phrase "buy and hold" in their sleep, but how many actually understand what they're holding? Stocks represent partial ownership in businesses—yet price swings, P/E ratios, and market sentiment can feel more like alchemy than arithmetic. Brian Feroldi, a Motley Fool contributor, breaks down what actually makes a stock valuable. The core insight: stock prices rise becau...

Withdrawing from your retirement portfolio during a market crash could derail decades of careful planning—but the solution isn't always to stop spending. Karsten from Early Retirement Now returns to tackle the single biggest threat to early retirees: sequence of return risk in unprecedented market conditions. With COVID-era market drops unlike anything in modern history, the usual safe withdrawal...

Millions unemployed, countless businesses shuttered, yet the stock market surged back from its lows. With experts Big ERN analyzing this disconnect through the lens of V-shaped, U-shaped, and L-shaped recovery scenarios, the conversation reveals why tracking weekly unemployment claims matters more than headlines and how dollar-cost averaging protects investors when certainty evaporates. Key Topics...