

J.L. Collins, Achieving Financial Independence
84 snips Jun 7, 2025
J.L. Collins, best-selling author of The Simple Path to Wealth, shares his insights on achieving financial independence. He emphasizes that it's not just about early retirement but gaining freedom for your future self. Collins discusses the challenges of aggressive saving and reveals the benefits of the 4% rule. He also advocates for self-cleansing index funds, which simplify investing while yielding strong returns, and explains the importance of navigating market downturns with a long-term strategy.
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Meaning of F.U. Money
- J.L. Collins coined "F.U. money" to represent the financial cushion gained on the journey to full financial independence.
- This money empowers bolder life decisions, like leaving unsatisfying jobs without immediate worry.
Save Half Your Income
- Aim to save about 50% of your income to rapidly build financial independence as Collins did.
- Living on half your income can be feasible and is key to funding your freedom.
Steps to Boost Savings Rate
- To increase your savings rate, start early and avoid lifestyle inflation to prevent unwinding expensive habits.
- Reconfigure your life to spend significantly less than you earn for FI; many must-haves create barriers.