049 | Alan Donegan & The Escape Artist | The Aggregation of Marginal Gains

Nov 13, 2017

Guests Alan Donegan of PopUp Business School and The Escape Artist discuss the UK path to financial independence, the challenges of pursuing FI outside the US, choosing a career for love vs money, the housing situation in the UK, benefits of pre-tax vehicles in the tax system, contrasting attitudes towards FI in the UK and US, favorite blogs and articles about FI, and the power of reading books to improve one's life.

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ANECDOTE

Blog Begun In Notice Period

Barney started his blog during his notice period after reaching financial independence and had ideas tumble out of him daily.
Writing the blog was cathartic therapy and helped him transition from a finance job to FI life.

INSIGHT

FI Often Starts Before You Know It

Barney unknowingly followed FI principles for years before discovering blogs like Mr. Money Mustache and adopting the label 'financial independence.'
A single obscure book and later blogs catalyzed his focused saving and investing behaviour.

ANECDOTE

Family Mortgage Crisis Shaped Views

Barney's parents stretched for a bigger mortgage then faced 17% interest in 1981 and dramatically cut spending to survive.
That episode taught him the dangers of excessive debt and what deep expense cuts look like in practice.

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049| We discuss The UK Path to FI with Barney of The Escape Artist and Alan Donegan of PopUp Business School, plus much more in the way of life optimization hacks from both Alan and Barney. In Today's Podcast we cover: An interview with Barney from The Escape Artist and Alan Donegan from PopUp Business School Voicemail from Sarah from the UK with questions about reaching FI outside the US Barney started the website after he put his notice in at work once he reached FI How Barney found the financial independence community Barney's story on what his financial upbringing was like and how his parents had financial issues because of a large mortgage payment How the 'keeping up with the Jones's' is alive and well in the UK Alan's family doesn't understand why they don't spend more money and why they don't work in the traditional sense Is there a FI community in the UK? There is a London Facebook group, but not a thriving community in the UK The different options of choosing a job you love versus one that pays a lot of money and you don't necessary enjoy Creativity and how Barney "underestimated what was possible" for him when he had the time It's a lot easier to be creative both when you have a "safety harness" but also if you "burn the boats" Debt is a form of handcuffs that keeps you in your current life The differences between the US and the UK: Starting with housing Property ownership is a significant part of the culture in the UK Barney's thoughts on what he would have done differently with real estate had he started today Seeing a business opportunity in Barney's idea to live in someone else's home Health care in the UK and how it is more favorable for those pursuing FI Investing options in the UK and how it differs from the US Discussion of taxation on retirement funds and marginal tax brackets Differences in the cultural understanding of pursuing personal freedom through financial independence The program on FI on tv in the UK that Barney appeared on and the negative reaction and press Alan and Barney's advice for those pursuing FI in the UK [skipto time=1:05:00]skip to[/skipto] Hot Seat Questions How incremental improvements can make a big difference in life, sports and financial independence Reading books as Barney's favorite life hack Focus on self-improvement and doing something different and tackling fears Links from the show: The Escape Artist PopUp Business School Alan on Twitter Monevator blog in the UK Mr. Money Mustache JL Collins NH Halifax (for your ISA in the UK) The Share Centre (ISA in the UK) James Altucher An Interview With The Man on The Escape Artist Are Diamonds Really a Girl's Best Friend on The Escape Artist The Aggregation of Marginal Gains on The Escape Artist This Coach Improved Every Tiny Thing by 1 Percent and Here's What Happened Life Changing Books List on The Escape Artist FITV: The Top 10 TV Shows of Financial Independence Financial Independence and the Zombie Apocalypse Books Mentioned in the Show: Your Money or Your Life The Millionaire Next Door Invest in Yourself Walden