The Financial Independence Show

In this episode, Cody and Justin discuss what they're thankful for and the importance of focusing on what you can control. We recorded this episode shortly after Election Day. Elections leave a lot of people feeling defeated and a lot of people feeling like they've won. The reality is that neither is true. You are the most critical variable in your financial independence journey, regardless of who's sitting in the Oval Office. The key is to focus on what you can control and to appreciate the privilege that you have. Even if things don't seem rosy, the hardest experiences often shape us the most and transform us into better versions of ourselves. We hope this inspires you to evaluate your life, appreciate your advantages, spend some time in gratitude, and get inspired for your next chapter in life. If you found value in the episode, please share it with a friend! Links from the Episode The Purpose Code 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)

It's open enrollment season, meaning making healthcare choices for the upcoming year. So for today’s episode, we're featuring FI healthcare experts Lynn Frair and Jackie Cummings Koski. We cover: HSAs Healthshare Ministries Subsidized Care Deductible and Out-ot-Pocket Maximums Open Enrollment State Healthcare Exchanges End-of-life Care Emergency Funds and more! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend! Links and Resources Lynn's Instagram Jackie's Instagram Heatlhcare.gov WexInc HSA vs Traditional Calculator Mad Fientist article on HSAs 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)

Join Amy Porterfield, an expert in online marketing and digital products, as she chats with Cody about the world of digital products. They dive into the best platforms for selling, how to uncover hidden digital assets, and the magic of printables for growing your subscriber base. Learn tips on maximizing revenue through strategic digital add-ons and how to repurpose existing tools into profitable offerings. Plus, discover how to launch a side hustle with ease and the potential of selling on Etsy!

Our friend Sunitha Rao came from humble beginnings. Her parents spent most of their lives in one of the poorest regions in India. Despite all odds, Suni became a professional tennis player and traveled the globe playing in different tournaments. Years later, she turned her competitive nature toward real estate. Her real estate career quickly started to explode, and she's been addicted ever since. This episode originally aired in 2019, but it was so good, we decided to replay it. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend! Links from The Episode Suni's Original Episode from 2019 Suni's LinkedIn Suni's Instagram 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)

2,000,000 downloads! And it's all thanks to listeners, viewers, and readers like yourself. In today's episode, we reflect on everything that has changed and everything that hasn't. Cody & Justin have increased their net worths by a combined $5,000,000! Justin retired 10 years sooner than he ever imagined. Cody created a multi-seven-figure business around an idea he never even considered. Those are just a couple of big highlights with other highlights including: New Investment Strategies Flips AirBnB - ownership and management Covered Calls Syndications Hard Money Loans Lifestyle Changes Girlfriends have become Wife/Fiance Justin stopped drinking Cody and Justin are in even better physical shape than 6 years ago They both focus more on value than purely price Justin listens to EDM and drinks coffee....never saw that coming What Hasn't Changed Keeping the "big 3" expenses low The majority of our investments are still total stock market funds Experiences are still the priority over material objects We continue to do this show because of you all. Every time we hear a story of how we inspired someone or introduced them to a concept that is now helping them live the life they dreamed of, it pushes us to keep going. We hope you found value in the episode, if you did, subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend! Links from The Episode 2018 Reflection, 2019 Goals episode 2019 Valentine's Day episode 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)

Jane Kanizay went from financial freedom to divorce to financial freedom again while achieving amazing physical feats along the way. Jane is an adventurer, educator, activist, speaker, artist, and ​mother of four who successfully climbed Mt. Everest ​with her 19-year-old daughter on May 14th, 2022. Jane climbs with the message of Teach Us Consent to campaign for ​holistic consent education in the school curriculum and to ​advocate for the prevention of violence against women. This mission helps push her to her physical and mental limits. High-altitude mountaineering is one of the deadliest sports in the ​world. It's also very expensive and hard to imagine being possible for most teachers. That's where Jane's background in real estate shines. She built a portfolio that is now funding her amazing adventures. She also gives us an in-depth breakdown of the financial abuse she tries to educate on and advocate against. Some signs of this abuse from a partner might include: Controls access to finances, won’t let you access bank accounts or credit cards Expects you to pay for bills, groceries, and other basic necessities but gives you little or no money to cover those costs Forbids you from working or deliberately sabotages your ability to get or hold down a job Refuses to work or contribute to family expenses Takes out loans or accrues debt in your name Doesn’t include you in significant investment or banking decisions Refuses to pay or evades child support Hides assets Incurs fines or infringements in your name then expects you to pay them Jane's story is so inspirational and we hope that she helps you get out of your comfort zone and achieve the seemingly impossible. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend! Links from The Episode Jane's Instagram Jane's Website Teach Us Consent YouTube Interview https://youtu.be/JUHxxcX8AKY 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)

In this episode, Cody and Justin discuss how Justin will travel the world for 6 months at a shockingly low price. In total, the trip will cover 161 days as currently planned. The cost is only $46 per day! That cost includes flights, trains, ferries, accommodation, and activities for one person. Below you can find the locations Justin will be visiting, We've also included the packing list since Justin is only taking a small backpack for the entire trip. Locations include: Philipines Manila Coron El Nido Indonesia Ubud Gili Islands Nusa Islands Vietnam Hanoi Ninh Binh Cat Ba Thailand Krabi Koh Lanta Chiang Mai Bangkok Amsterdam Chur, Switzerland Italy Milan Rapallo Monterosso al mare Florence Rome Naples Ischia Lipari Palermo Sardinia Barcelona Packing List: Backpack Rainjacket 5 shirts 4 pair of socks 5 pair underwear Midlayer Windbreaker w/ kangaroo pouch Toiletries Toothbrush Hat Portable battery Phone Charger Travel adapter 5 pocket pant  Light down jacket half length Buff Khaki shorts Sandles 4 pair of running shorts eyemask headphones microphone The craziest part? Justin is going to be breaking even from this trip due to the Airbnb income from his primary residence (covered in this geohacking episode). We hope this inspires you to consider that big trip you thought you couldn't afford. We hope you found value in the episode, if you did, subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend! 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)

One of the questions we get asked most often is for guidance on what someone should and should not spend money on. The answer is always... it depends. What's important to me, may not be important to you. Jen Smith is here to give everyone the framework to make those tough decisions. This framework is called Value Based spending. Jen lays it all out in her new book, "Buy What You Love Without Going Broke". Long-term listeners may remember Jen from episode 58, "Frugality without Deprivation," in 2019. She's also still rocking things over at the Frugal Friends Podcast. In today's episode as we discuss the book you'll find answers to the following: Why is it so hard to stop spending money? What is values-based spending and how is it different? What’s the problem with telling someone a budget will solve their spending problem? What’s the point of learning values-based spending when the bigger issue is that we don’t earn enough money? And so much more. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend! Links from The Episode Pre-order the book! Frugal Friend's Podcast YouTube Interview https://youtu.be/dsl4EQekk4M 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)

You never know how close you are to a great story. I (Justin) learned that on my recent trip to Africa on my way to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro. Boarding my flight I met Caitlin James as she was on her way to climb the very same mountain. The more I heard from her, the more I realized I had come across a truly amazing story. Caitlin was paralyzed in a boating accident. Through surgery and rehab, she eventually regained the ability to walk. Walking was just the start though. She jokingly said if she could walk again she'd climb a mountain in a banana suit...and that's exactly what she did. That first mountain hooked her, and she has racked up an insanely impressive list of summits in just a couple of years. This story may not seem relevant to some for this show, but we thought it made perfect sense. Many people want to do something adventurous, travel, and spend their days outside instead of behind a computer. These reasons are what drive them to retire. But Caitlin isn't waiting for retirement to live out her dreams and pursue her passions. Instead, she is making her passions her career. Caitlin reinvented herself and her career. Check out her expeditions over the last couple of years: NORTH AMERICA DENALI Alaska 20,310 MT WHITNEY, California 14,505 MT RAINIER, Washington 14,411 MT HELEN, Washington 10,786 SOUTH AMERICA ACONCAGUA 22,837 (Normal route) Ojos del Salado 22,615 (Argentinian side) PERU Cordillera Blanca Range; Huascaran 22,205 Chacraraju 20,039 Salkantay 20,574 Ausangate Nevado trek; Machu Picchu 7,972 Huayna Picchu 8,835 Rainbow Mountain 17,060 Nevado Ausangate 20,945 Nevados Ojos del Salado 22,569 ECUADOR Chimborazo 20,549 EUROPE MONT BLANC 15,777 MATTERHORN 14,692 The EIGER 13,642 The ALPHUBEL 13,799 DOLOMITES 10,968 MONTE ROSA 15,203 BRITISH COLUMBIA MT LOGAN 19,551 MT FAIRWEATHER 15,325 MT ROBSON 9,281 FT AFRICA Kilimanjaro, 19,341 (3x in two years) Umbwe, Marangu, Machame Route Mt Meru 14,980 Cape Town 3,563 CHILE Torres Del Paine (Patagonia) JAPAN MT Fuji 12,388 MT Tsurugi 9,839 NEPAL EBC TREK 17,598 LOBUCHE 20,062 ISLAND PEAK 20,252 MANASLU C3 23,622 INDONESIA SUMATRA 12,484 AUSTRALIA MT KOSCIUSZKO 7,310 MT TOWNSEND 7,247 GREAT OCEAN WALK 240 Kilo/149miles We hope this inspires you to consider how you can chase your dreams now and not feel as though your life is chained up until retirement. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend! Links from The Episode Caitlin on Instagram Caitlin's Website Caitlin on TikTok Caitlin on Facebook 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)

Cody shares his digital product journey on the How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy podcast with Lizzie Smiley. He covers topics such as: How to find profitable products Keyword research and SEO Strategies for making more sales Student success stories Why Etsy is the best platform for beginners And all about what's inside his E-Printables course. Hope this helps someone else start their digital product journey. If you enjoyed this, please share this episode with a friend! Links from The Episode E-Printables Course (with FI Show discount) How to Sell Your Stuff on Etsy podcast YouTube Interview https://youtu.be/wm-_wRkh16g?si=S1tyaVbGjU6g8UMJ 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)