The Financial Independence Show

Cody Berman and Justin Taylor
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Dec 17, 2025 • 45min

Justin’s 2-Year Retirement Anniversary: Reflections, Updates, and Looking Forward

Wow, how time flies! Justin has officially been retired for two full years. Today, we’ll dig into how year 2 was different, get life and financial updates, and also look forward to year 3. You’ll notice a big fitness theme, and Justin will discuss an upcoming fitness retreat he’s organizing in Spain. We’ll briefly skim over Justin’s 6-month international trip, but if you want a deeper dive into how traveling the world technically saved him money, check out these episodes: Asia Recap & Full Trip Recap Justin also gives us a transparent view of his financial updates. We hope this inspires listeners to see how truly powerful compounding interest is. His High-Level Financial Stats: Net Worth at retirement: $1.7M Net Worth after 1 year retired: $2.1M Net Worth after 2 years retired: $2.7M We also ended this episode in a similar way that we ended his year 1 review of retirement, with a quick blast overview of how he spent his time, which includes: December 2024 Spent the month in Mississippi visiting family January 2025 Going-away party Departed for the Philippines Island-hopping boat tour Feb Indonesia Ubud, Uluwatu, Gili Air, Nusa Lembogan, Nusa Penida Mar Vietnam Birthday on Ha Giang loop Apr Thailand / Amsterdam / Switzerland Koh Lanta Chiang Mai Temple Tours Elephant Sanctuary Tulip gardens Insane train routes Hang gliding off mountains May Italy Lake Como Cinque Terre Parma Florence Elba Naples Ischia Lipari Sicily June Italy Lipari round 2 Sardinia Rome First half-marathon 1hr 40min 19 sec Rufus Du Sol show Jul Back to America Stops in NYC and Dallas to visit friends Maintained fitness on the trip Body fat 10.4 -> 11.3 Lean Tissue 155.4 -> 156.3 Audien & Telykast concert Started Wedding prep Started doing track workouts Run clubs & boat days Started dialling in Biscuit & Cinnamon roll recipes for the wedding Aug House sitting for friends Visited family in Mississippi Concert dome experience Sept Spent over a week in Colorado visiting friends/bachelor trip getaway Got some solid workouts in (at time my longest run of 16 miles and PR on deadlift of 405) Finalized recipe for biscuits and cinnamon rolls for the wedding Fincon Knocked out a 14-mile progressive run with Cody Friends wedding weekend in Austin Rooftop yoga event Really ramped up the dessert factory for the wedding Finalized other wedding things Charley Crockett concert Oct Got married House sat Went to a movie screening debut “Sober” Lots of brand activation events around ACL/F1 timeline (Patron, Bush’s beans, Google) Attended a marketing conference Completed longest run ever of 34 miles Nov First time hired to make a custom birthday cake Redid the backyard, adding pavers and gravel landscaping around firepit and pergola Wild 1-4 am show with Elderbrook and Lane 8 Friendsgiving Hyrox with Leslie (1:10 finish time) Thanksgiving on the Texas Coast Dec 5k PR: 20 min 53 sec 3 Big EDM Concerts Mississippi for Christmas Visit a good friend in Little Rock Began planning first group retreat (Spain Fitness/Hyrox related) We hope you enjoy a look behind the curtain and Justin’s willingness to be open and honest about the retired life. If you found value in the episode, please share it with a friend! Links from the Episode Spain Fitness Retreat Justin’s Retirement Announcement Episode Justin’s 1 Year Since Retirement Episode Asia Recap Episode Full 6-month International Trip Episode YouTube Interview https://youtu.be/Kzdm3St3UkE Join the Community We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community! Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet Join our Facebook Group Leave us a voicemail Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review! >> You can do that by clicking here << Learn More About Your Hosts CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Blog) Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)
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Dec 8, 2025 • 47min

Unlearning Frugality | The Mad Fientist

Brandon Ganch, known as The Mad Fientist, retired at 34 and now challenges traditional frugality. He discusses reframing spending habits to enhance happiness, leaning into experimentation rather than strict savings. Brandon shares insights about setting cash machines for future desires and the importance of allowing inefficiencies in life. He emphasizes the shift from money as a primary motivator to pursuing meaningful experiences and relationships, all while developing a unique software to help manage financial goals.
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Nov 26, 2025 • 0sec

We Live Better Than Kings Did (Thanksgiving Special Episode)

Cody & Justin are here to flood your ears with thanks! Your very own Financial Independence Show co-hosts are here with a special Thanksgiving episode. It’s hard to believe we’re rounding out yet another year, and there’s so much to be thankful for as always. Fitness improving, relationships strengthening, comfort level with retirement steadily increasing, and so much more. Some general categories include: Health Relationships Finances Lifestyle Gratefulness Hang around until the end to hear Cody’s big announcement, and Justin’s not-so-standard Thanksgiving dish that you can wow your friends and family with. You might be shocked at just how little money comes up, and we think that’s the clearest sign we’re living our best lives. If you found value in the episode, please share it with a friend! YouTube Interview https://youtu.be/dz_ThEE_YYU Join the Community We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community! Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet Join our Facebook Group Leave us a voicemail Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review! >> You can do that by clicking here << Learn More About Your Hosts CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Blog) Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)
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Nov 19, 2025 • 46min

From $111,000 in Debt to Freedom through Budgeting | Allison Baggerly

Allison Baggerly from Inspired Budget joins us to share her journey from $111,000 in debt to creating a life of freedom through budgeting. Topics covered include: How to change your spending habits Paying down debt as quickly as possible Different types of budgets and how to implement The power of increasing your income Knowing your “enough” How kids can actually reduce your expenses Planning for early retirement Routines, time blocking, and managing your schedule And so much more. If you found value in the episode, please share it with a friend! Links from The Episode Inspired Budget (Allison’s Website) Inspired Budget Podcast Allison’s YouTube Allison’s Instagram Money Made Easy (Allison’s Book) Allison’s Budgeting Spreadsheet Allison’s Daily Budgeting Video YouTube Interview https://youtu.be/59scOklc9jc Join the Community We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community! Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet Join our Facebook Group Leave us a voicemail Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review! >> You can do that by clicking here << Learn More About Your Hosts CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Blog) Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)
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Nov 12, 2025 • 48min

Building a $700,000+ Glamping Business | Garrett Brown

Garrett Brown, a glamping investor and author of The Glamping Investor, shares his journey from zero to over $700,000 in revenue. He discusses essential tips for starting a glamping business, including land selection and the benefits of 'landhacking.' Garrett highlights the importance of understanding zoning laws and navigating financing challenges. He explains why certain structures, like geodesic domes, are ideal for glamping and shares strategies for scaling operations. Tune in for invaluable insights into the glamping industry!
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Nov 4, 2025 • 41min

The Magic of Compounding | Sathish Gajula

Sathish Gajula from the Compounding Project joins us to talk about compounding your health, wealth, and mindset. He shares some mindblowing stats, along with plenty of tactical advice. Topics covered include: Why investing early matters so much How to cut back on the “big 3” expenses The most important part of the compound interest equation How compounding affects health and fitness Curating the right information diet Hacks for maintaining motivation and discipline And so much more. If you found value in the episode, please share it with a friend! Links from The Episode The Compounding Project (Instagram) The Compounding Project (YouTube) The Compounding Project Podcast Compound Interest Equation: Sathish’s Favorite Books: Outlive – Peter Attia The Simple Path to Wealth – JL Collins Sapiens – Yuval Noah Harari The Compound Effect – Darren Hardy I Will Teach You to Be Rich – Ramit Sethi Atomic Habits – James Clear Sathish’s Favorite Podcasts: Diary of a CEO The Tim Ferriss Show Colin & Samir Sathish’s Favorite Apps: Fantastical Calendar Chat GPT Todoist YouTube Interview https://youtu.be/yCded1Kz61I Join the Community We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community! Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet Join our Facebook Group Leave us a voicemail Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review! >> You can do that by clicking here << Learn More About Your Hosts CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Blog) Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)
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Sep 30, 2025 • 52min

Building a $32.5 Million Treehouse Empire | Seth & Tori Bolt

Seth and Tori Bolt from Bolt Farm Treehouse join us to share their story of a wedding gift that turned into a $32.5 million business. It’s been truly incredible to see what they’ve built together, and more importantly, just how down-to-earth both of them are despite their tremendous success. Inside the episode, we discuss: Scaling a short-term rental business How hospitality is everywhere Creating a memorable experience Working with your partner Goal setting and the concept of “enough” Attracting top talent Showing up on social media Knowing when to add/cut things And so much more. If you found value in the episode, please share it with a friend! Links from The Episode Bolt Farm Treehouse @boltfarmtreehouse (IG) @drsethbolt (IG) @toribolt (IG) Bolt Farm Workshop Retreats YouTube Interview https://youtu.be/kL5-g3yGqt0 Join the Community We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community! Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet Join our Facebook Group Leave us a voicemail Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review! >> You can do that by clicking here << Learn More About Your Hosts CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Blog) Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)
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Sep 9, 2025 • 55min

How to Retire Often | Jillian Johnsrud

In this enlightening chat, Jillian Johnsrud, author and early financial independence achiever, shares insights from her book, *Retire Often*. She emphasizes the importance of mini-retirements for a sustainable work-life balance, revealing how they can enhance your financial trajectory. Jillian discusses effective negotiation tactics for requesting time off and shares personal stories that illustrate the transformative power of intentional breaks. Listen for tips on budgeting for adventures and navigating life's transitions with purpose!
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Aug 11, 2025 • 43min

How He Spent Only $9,400 On a 6-Month Trip (Justin’s 2025 Recap)

Justin is back! Your very own Financial Independence Show co-host is here to give you all the financial details from his six-month journey around the world. Spoiler alert, he actually turned a profit and increased his net worth by $100k+ while abroad. The numbers might be shocking, but as always, Justin kept detailed records of expenses and walks you through exactly how he pulled off this incredible trip. Specifically, we cover: Most overrated and underrated places Where he wishes we spent more time First place on his “going back” list Where he’d be most likely to live long term Best bang for your buck experience Where he wishes he had spent more money Accomplished and unaccomplished goals Airbnb income, other income, and creative ways to save Hang around until the end to hear Justin’s top 3 tips for someone looking to do something similar! This is an episode you’ll want to come back to if you’re looking for a blueprint for traveling the world on a budget. If you found value in the episode, please share it with a friend! Links from The Episode Justin’s Travel Blog Spreadsheet with all the expenses Some photos highlighting the European travels $46 to Travel the World (Pre-Trip Episode) $2,052 for 5 Weeks in Southeast Asia (1-Month Recap) $1,500 per Month to Travel in Southeast Asia (3-Month Recap) YouTube Interview https://youtu.be/ThTLDOj1A7A Join the Community We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community! Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet Join our Facebook Group Leave us a voicemail Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review! >> You can do that by clicking here << Learn More About Your Hosts CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Blog) Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)
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Jul 2, 2025 • 46min

Buying Houses with No Money Down from Thousands of Miles Away | Tony J Robinson

Tony J Robinson, co-host of the BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie podcast and one half of The Real Estate Robinsons, joins us to talk real estate strategy. Tony has experience with many creative financing options and buying properties all around the country. Specifically, we cover: 100% mortgage loans through small credit unions The BRRR strategy Finding equity partners to finance deals Seller financing Lines of credit against stocks How to identify a “good” investment property Systems for managing your properties Building a team anywhere in the country And so much more. This is definitely an episode you’ll want to come back to if you’re looking to set up a system for managing your properties. If you found value in the episode, please share it with a friend! Links from The Episode Tony’s Instagram Tony’s YouTube Channel The Real Estate Robinsons BiggerPockets Real Estate Rookie Podcast Finding Properties: AirDNA PriceLabs Managing Properties: PriceLabs Guesty Hostfully Breezeway Monday Turno YouTube Interview https://youtu.be/4lojE8R18Ks Join the Community We’d love to hear your comments and questions about this week’s episode. Here are some of the best ways to stay in touch and get involved in The FI Show community! Grab the Ultimate FI Spreadsheet Join our Facebook Group Leave us a voicemail Send an email to contact [at] TheFIshow [dot] com If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating/review! >> You can do that by clicking here << Learn More About Your Hosts CodyDBerman.com (Cody’s Blog) Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

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