Secrets to Financial Independence with JL Collins

Sep 17, 2024

In this episode, JL Collins, a best-selling author and financial independence blogger, shares insightful stories from his new book, Pathfinders. He highlights the transformative power of a high savings rate and how early financial discipline leads to long-term security. JL dives into the philosophical connection between happiness, purpose, and financial freedom, encouraging listeners to rethink their spending habits. He also discusses the rare advocacy for financial independence amid consumer culture, making a compelling case for its pursuit.

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ADVICE

Automate And Ignore Your Investments

Automate a few simple investing principles so you don't have to think about money constantly.
Set it up once and resist tinkering to avoid panic-driven mistakes.

ADVICE

Three-Step Financial Foundation

Avoid debt, live on less than you earn, and invest the difference as foundational steps.
Use broad-based, low-cost index funds or ETFs to implement the investing step.

ANECDOTE

Backpacking Fund Became Negotiation Power

JL saved $5,000 early in his career and used it to backpack Europe for four months.
That small savings gave him negotiating power to have his job held while he traveled.

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Today, we have JL Collins on the podcast, a best-selling author and Financial Independence blogger.

JL’s first book, The Simple Path to Wealth: Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life, was published in 2016 and has become something of a bible for people in the financial independence movement.

He joined me today to discuss his new book: Pathfinders: Extraordinary Stories of People Like You on the Quest for Financial Independence.

We talk about financial independence theoretically, but more, we talk about stories of JL’s readers who’ve written to him or called him to tell him their story.

People who’ve shared how his lessons on financial independence have changed their lives and from that, my friends, I hope there are lessons that can change your lives

Timestamps:

[08:46] The Post-College Adventure: JL discusses his decision to travel through Europe after starting a career and how it shaped his financial goals.

[11:37] The Power of a High Savings Rate: The importance of maintaining a high savings rate for achieving financial independence.

[18:59] Financial Independence, Happiness, and Life Purpose: JL explores deeper philosophical questions about the relationship between happiness, purpose, and financial independence.

[21:43] Early Financial Discipline: How early financial discipline translates to long-term financial security.

[27:44] The Rare Advocacy for Financial Independence: Why the pursuit of financial independence remains rare in a society dominated by consumerism.

[39:20] Debt Repayment Strategy: The pros and cons of paying off small debts versus focusing on high-interest debt first.

[57:49] Living Differently: The benefits of living a non-conventional lifestyle to achieve financial independence.

[01:06:24] The Magic of Compounding: The power of compounding and how it can turn small initial investments into substantial wealth.

Connect with JL Collins:

Website – https://jlcollinsnh.com/

Twitter – https://x.com/jlcollinsnh

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553123045028

Books by JL Collins:

Pathfinders: Extraordinary Stories of People Like You on the Quest for Financial Independence―And How to Join Them

The Simple Path to Wealth: Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life