How to Retire Early: A 15-Year Plan to Go from $1,000 to FIRE

What if you're doing FIRE in the wrong order? Most people chasing financial independence are following steps that actually slow them down—and it could be costing you years of freedom. In this episode, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down the exact step by step order for achieving FIRE as fast as possible.

Whether you're just starting with your first emergency fund or you're already maxing out retirement accounts and wondering what's next, this episode gives you the complete roadmap. You'll learn which financial moves to prioritize, which to skip, and how to avoid the "middle-class trap" that kills most early retirement dreams before they happen.

This Episode Covers:

• The correct financial order of operations for FIRE (step-by-step from $0 to early retirement)
• Which retirement accounts to fund first (401k, IRA, Roth, HSA strategy)
• High-interest debt payoff strategy that accelerates FIRE
• When to start investing in taxable brokerage accounts
• How to add real estate and cash-flowing investments to your FIRE plan
• Mistakes that cost people years on their path to FIRE

If you're confused about what to do next on your FIRE journey, this is your complete checklist. No more guessing—just the fastest, most efficient path to financial independence.

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