Expense Audits and Budgeting Guidance

Jonathan Mendonsa has appeared on several ChooseFI episodes over the past few years, but 2026 marks a major evolution of the show.

ChooseFI is being reimagined as a more interactive, more collaborative, and more deeply community-driven experience. As part of this next chapter, Jonathan officially returns to the show as Brad's frequent co-host, helping lead a truly crowdsourced platform where the community plays an active role in shaping the conversation around financial independence.

Together, Brad, Jonathan, and the ChooseFI community are building a space focused on shared discovery — the first critical step on the path to financial independence.

Join The Community

This episode highlights how listeners can define their personal FI number, learn from real experiences within the community, and turn insight into meaningful action.

ChooseFI's community-driven approach continues to empower individuals to learn from one another, explore what financial independence means for them, and move forward with confidence.

Key Topics & Timestamps:

• Introduction (00:00:00)

  • Welcome to a transformative year for ChooseFI.

• 2026 Goals (00:00:51)

  • Brad and Jonathan reflect on the changes occurring in their lives and the FI community.

• Frugal Wins of The Week (00:20:31)

  • Tips for celebrating small financial victories.

• Understanding Your Financial Independence Number (00:25:38)

  • Explanation of how to calculate your FI number based on annual expenses.

• Community Engagement and Tools (00:30:12)

  • Introduction of the new community app and its features for supporting members on their FI journey.

• Closing Remarks (00:58:17)

  • A call to action for listeners to get involved in the community and share their journeys.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Conduct a net worth statement for 2025 (00:36:54).
• Join the community app to connect with fellow FI enthusiasts (00:49:35).
• Participate in an expense audit to gain insights into your spending habits (00:56:20).

Key Insights:

• Community Development: Building a supportive network is essential for financial growth (00:08:06).
• Frugality Defined: Frugality is about valuing what truly matters in life, not deprivation (00:40:47).
• Impact of Budgeting: Cutting just $100 from your budget can reduce your FI target by $30,000 (00:42:10).

Quotes:

• "While everything changes, some truths remain constant." (00:12:16)
• "Building a thriving ecosystem for financial independence together." (00:14:13)
• "Your frugal wins can inspire others. Share your journey!" (00:20:31)

FAQs:

• What is financial independence? Financial independence (FI) refers to having sufficient wealth to live without actively working for basic needs (00:25:54).

• How can I reduce my budget effectively? Conduct an expense audit to identify unnecessary costs and focus on essential spending (00:56:20).

• What are frugal wins? Small victories in saving money that inspire and motivate others within the community (00:20:31).

Related Resources:

• How to make LMNT's electrolyte drink mix at home (00:21:26)

Discussion Questions:

1. What actions can you take in 2026 to enhance your financial independence journey? (00:12:20)
2. How do you define frugality and its importance in your life? (00:40:47)
3. Discuss the role of community in achieving financial goals. Why is it beneficial? (00:08:06)