Risk Based Guardrails for Drawdown | Ep 566

38 snips

Sep 29, 2025

Aubrey Williams, a financial advisor and founder of Open Path Financial, shares insights tailored for the FI community, focusing on neurodiverse clients. He discusses the shortcomings of the traditional 4% withdrawal rule, advocating for personalized, historical analyses instead. Aubrey introduces innovative 'risk-based guardrails' that allow for dynamic spending adjustments based on portfolio performance, promoting financial confidence. They also explore how community engagement and flexible spending can empower individuals to reach financial independence sooner.

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INSIGHT

FI Numbers Should Be Flexible

Treat your FI number and withdrawal rate as flexible, not fixed.
Recognize portfolio ups and downs can justify spending changes both up and down.

ANECDOTE

Career Shift To Advisor

Aubrey describes moving from engineer to fee-only financial advisor in Santa Barbara.
He now serves the FI and neurodiverse communities through Open Path Financial.

ADVICE

Cut Small Expenses To Shrink FI Target

Track and trim recurring expenses to lower your FI target quickly.
Small monthly reductions compound into large long-term asset gains.

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Brad welcomes Aubrey Williams, a financial advisor and member of the ChooseFI community. They discuss innovative strategies for financial independence (FI), focusing on flexible withdrawal rates, dynamic spending adjustments using historical analysis, and how adopting a more adaptable mindset can potentially lead to earlier FI.

Timestamps & Discussion Topics:

00:00:00 Intro to Financial Independence
- Overview of the FI journey and the community's philosophy.
00:03:00 Aubrey's Background
- Aubrey shares his journey from a corporate career to becoming a financial advisor, emphasizing experiences with the FI community.
00:15:00 Understanding Withdrawal Rates
- Discussion on the traditional 4% withdrawal rule and its limitations; the importance of knowing what your portfolio should allow you to spend.
00:18:04 The Forces Influencing Spending
- Recognizing the various external influences that shape financial decisions and how awareness can help mitigate these.
00:29:57 Community Engagement—CampFI and Meetups
- The value of attending CampFI and other local FI meetups for motivation and networking, enhancing personal journeys toward financial independence.
00:53:00 Risk-Based Guardrails Explained
- Introducing the concept of risk-based guardrails to adjust spending dynamically based on portfolio performance.

Key Quotes:

"Adjusting spending when your portfolio hits a certain number is key for financial confidence. Historical analysis provides the guidance you need." - Aubrey (00:20:18)
"Stay aware of the powerful forces that influence your financial decisions." - Aubrey (00:18:04)
"Reaching FI requires a mindset shift towards thoughtful spending." - Aubrey (00:38:26)

Actionable Takeaways:

Understand Your Spending: Regularly evaluate your monthly expenses to identify areas to cut back, as small reductions can significantly lower your FI target.
Utilize Historical Analysis Tools: Use resources like FIREcalc or Engaging Data to guide your financial decisions and explore various withdrawal strategies.
Engage with the Community: Attend local meetups or events like CampFI to build relationships with others on a similar path, gaining insights and encouragement.

Related Resources:

Open Path Financial - Financial planning services by Aubrey.
CampFI - Community events for personal finance enthusiasts.
Projection Lab - Financial modeling tools.

Discussion Questions:

How can adjusting your spending habits affect your journey towards financial independence?
What are some effective strategies for managing your withdrawal rate in retirement?
How can community gatherings like CampFI enhance your understanding of financial independence?

Action Items:

Calculate your FI number based on your current expenses and savings rates.
Download resources provided at Open Path Financial to better understand risk-based guardrails.
Join a local FI meetup to connect with others and share insights about your financial journey.

This episode provides insightful perspectives on achieving financial independence through flexible spending and community engagement. Listeners are encouraged to adopt a more dynamic approach to their finances, making use of historical tools and community resources to enhance their journey toward FI.