Unpacking the FIRE Movement

For the first time as a host combination, Ben, Dan, and Cameron sit down to discuss the most controversial topics in personal finance. We begin with identity and how it informs decision-making. Then, we revisit the renting versus buying debate, why this remains a highly controversial topic, the ins and outs of income investing, and understating the fervor of dividend investing. We also unpack FIRE as a branch of self-help; how it informs happiness; and how personality influences one’s approach to the FIRE principle. To end, we closely examine Bill Bengen’s 4% rule, and the Aftershow encourages us to maintain high podcasting standards while revealing what you can look forward to in our latest Rational Reminder t-shirt release. 

Key Points From This Episode:

(0:01:25) Cameron’s positive LinkedIn experience regarding insurance. 

(0:08:10) How identity informs decision-making. 

(0:15:24) Why renting versus buying a home remains a controversial topic. 

(0:27:50) Income investing, covered calls, and the fervor of dividend investing.

(0:46:34) FIRE: Financial independence, retire early.

(0:54:36) Unpacking FIRE as a branch of self-help, and the role of FIRE in happiness. 

(1:07:07) How personality and identity inform one’s approach to FIRE.

(1:10:34) Addressing the 4% rule. 

(1:14:16) The Aftershow: Setting and keeping high standards, and Rational Reminder t-shirts. 

Links From Today’s Episode:

Meet with PWL Capital — https://calendly.com/d/3vm-t2j-h3p

Rational Reminder on iTunes — https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rational-reminder-podcast/id1426530582. Rational Reminder Website — https://rationalreminder.ca/ 

Rational Reminder on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/rationalreminder/

Rational Reminder on X — https://x.com/RationalRemindRational Reminder on TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@rationalreminder

Rational Reminder on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/

Rational Reminder Email — info@rationalreminder.ca 

Rational Reminder Merchandise — https://shop.rationalreminder.ca/ Benjamin Felix — https://pwlcapital.com/our-team/

Benjamin on X — https://x.com/benjaminwfelix

Benjamin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwfelix/

Cameron Passmore — https://pwlcapital.com/our-team/

Cameron on X — https://x.com/CameronPassmore

Cameron on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronpassmore/ 

Dan Bortolotti on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-bortolotti-8a482310/ 

Episode 358: Eli Beracha: An Academic Perspective on Renting vs. Owning a Home — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/358 

Episode 214: Jay Van Bavel: Shared Identities and Decision Making — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/214  

Episode 260: Prof. James Choi: Practical Finance — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/260 

Episode 273: Professor Samuel Hartzmark: Asset Pricing, Behavioural Finance, and Sustainability Rankings — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/273  

Episode 95: Scott Rieckens (Playing with FIRE): Finding Financial Education, Perspective, and Freedom — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/95 

Episode 258: Prof. Meir Statman: Financial Decisions for Normal People — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/258  

Bonus Episode - Prof. Meir Statman: A Wealth of Well-Being — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/2024/4/18/bonus-episode-prof-meir-statman-a-wealth-of-well-being  

Episode 230: Prof. Robert Frank: Success, Luck, and Luxury — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/230  

Episode 135: William Bengen: The 5% Rule for Retirement Spending — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/135 

Episode 164: Comprehensive Overview: The 4% Rule — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/164  

Episode 357: AMA #6 — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/357 

Morgan Housel — https://www.morganhousel.com/  

‘Renting vs. Buying a Home: What People Get Wrong’ — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4H9LL7A-nQ  

MobLand — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31510819/ 

Ray Donovan — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2249007/ 

Animal Kingdom — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5574490/ 

Books From Today’s Episode: 

Rich Dad Poor Dad — https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Teach-Middle/dp/1612680194 

Self Help, Inc.: Makeover Culture in American Life — https://www.amazon.com/Self-Help-Inc-Makeover-American/dp/0195337263 

Papers From Today’s Episode: 

'Motivated Numeracy and Enlightened Self-Government' - https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioural-public-policy/article/abs/motivated-numeracy-and-enlightened-selfgovernment/EC9F2410D5562EF10B7A5E2539063806 

‘Nevertheless, They Persist: Cross-country differences in homeownership behavior’ — https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1051137721000590 

‘Rent or Buy? Inflation Experiences and Homeownership within and across Countries’ — https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379974645_Rent_or_Buy_Inflation_Experiences_and_Homeownership_within_and_across_Countries  

‘Dividend Policy, Growth, and the Valuation of Shares’ — https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24102112_Dividend_Policy_Growth_and_the_Valuation_Of_Shares 

‘Chapter 3 - Behavioral Household Finance*’ — https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352239918300046 

‘Common Risk Factors in the Returns on Stocks and Bonds’ — https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0304405X93900235  

‘The Dividend Disconnect’ — https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2876373 

‘A Devil's Bargain: When Generating Income Undermines Investment Returns’ — https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4580048 

‘The Financialization of Anti-Capitalism? The Case of the “Financial Independence Retire Early” Community’ — https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17530350.2021.1891951 

‘High Income Improves Evaluation of Life But Not Emotional Well-Being’ — https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1011492107  

‘Income And Emotional Well-Being: A Conflict Resolved’ — https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2208661120