
The Financial Independence Show
Cody Berman and Justin Taylor believe in the concept of “Financial Independence For All”. The Financial Independence Show focuses on REAL stories of individuals on their journey to financial independence. Each episode aims to include actionable insights and takeaways for listeners to implement into their own financial situation. The podcast covers topics like building wealth, entrepreneurship, investing, money mindset, small business, frugality, geoarbitrage, side hustles, real estate, productivity, travel, and so much more. Sit back, tune in, and join a community of like-minded people who are changing their lives through financial independence.
Latest episodes

Jun 29, 2021 • 27min
Money = Flexibility & Options
In this roundup episode, the FI Show Guys talk about how FI has given them flexibility and freedom.
Reflecting on the 4% rule, cashflow FI, and the levels of financial independence you hit along the way.
Want more confidence in negotiations? How about less stress when something goes wrong? Maybe even to feel free enough to take a chance with a career change?
These are all fantastic benefits that FI brings.
We hope you take this episode and either reflect on your journey or get inspired to start one.
Links From the Episode
FI-Lexibility with Diania Merriam
The 4% Rule with Bill Bengen
Slow FI with Jessica
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 our FREE Budget Planner
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
Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)
Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Jun 22, 2021 • 49min
Slow FI and Building a 10/10 Lifestyle | Jessica from The Fioneers
Today's episode features Jessica from The Fioneers.
Jessica wasn't always financially savvy and started her career making just $11k per year.
Then, her husband introduced the ideology of retiring early and Jessica started climbing the corporate ladder.
She quickly realized that racing towards financial independence at a rapid pace was taking too heavy of a toll on herself, so she changed course.
No longer would she be hyper-focused on a retirement date but instead embraced what she calls "Slow FI". Taking the benefits of incremental freedoms along the way and enjoying the journey without burning yourself out just to shave some time off your working years.
Jessica will challenge your beliefs of FI, so take a listen and see how your mindset may change.
Links From the Episode
The Fioneers Website
Slow FI Interview Series
Fioneers on Twitter
Slow FI Facebook Group
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 our FREE Budget Planner
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
Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)
Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Jun 16, 2021 • 46min
How the 4% Rule is Changing | Bill Bengen
Today's episode features Bill Bengen, creator of the 4% rule.
The 4% rule is arguably the most famous and influential research of the financial independence movement.
The rule essentially says that you can safely withdraw 4% of your invested nest egg without ever completely depleting that nest egg. That means for every $100k you have invested, that you can spend $4k per year indefinitely.
Bill has spent decades and countless hours tweaking these calculations and looking for any weakness in its logic.
In this episode, we'll hear Bill's latest updates and what he now thinks about the 4% rule all these years later.
Now take some time and see if Bill still believes the 4% rule is a safe path to early retirement.
Links From the Episode
LinkedIn
Bill's Original Research
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 our FREE Budget Planner
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
Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)
Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Jun 8, 2021 • 42min
Fi-lexibility and The EconoMe Conference | Diania Merriam
Today's episode features the founder of EconoMe, Diania Merriam.
Diania wasn't always into money. She had her time in New York where she went through a phase many of us struggle with -- blowing money and living it up in our 20s.
Diania decided to revamp her lifestyle but wanted to do so without giving up the experiences. She traded going out to eat for hosting dinner parties. Instead of going out shopping, she hosted clothes swaps.
Then, Diania took it a step further by relocating to Cincinnati -- a city where she still feels like she has the amenities of a big city for a fraction of the New York price tag.
After pursuing financial independence for a few years, Diania wanted to build a conference that inspired people and recharged their passion for personal finance. She knew she wanted something that was in person, had a high production value, and that gave a ton of value in a small amount of time.
That's where EconoMe was born! You can join the likes of Bitches Get Riches, Kiersten Saunders, Joe Saul-Sehy, and more great speakers at this year's event. Use promo code FISHOW for 10% off. The conference is Saturday, November 13th, 2021 in Cincinnati, and we hope to see you there!
Now take some time and learn how Diania is crushing her own journey while inspiring others!
Links From the Episode
Tickets to EconoMe (Use promo code FISHOW for 10% off)
EconoMe Conference
Diania on LinkedIn
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 our FREE Budget Planner
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
Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)
Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Jun 1, 2021 • 36min
Real Estate Roundup | Our Experiences with Real Estate Investing
Today's episode features your hosts Justin and Cody discussing Real Estate.
They both had no idea how real estate was an investment because their parents lived in the same homes their entire life. It wasn't an investment, it was just home.
Fast forward and Cody starts finding profitable properties in Connecticut after he extends his sights past his home state of Massachusetts. Then Justin gets into the game through REITs and a syndication.
Real estate investing can be extremely powerful due to its leverage and protection against inflation (if done correctly). However, renting also has its merit and real estate isn't for everyone.
Are you interested in dipping your toes into real estate? Curious about what we think about the subject? Then sit back and take a listen as we break down our personal experiences in real estate.
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 our FREE Budget Planner
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
Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)
Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

May 25, 2021 • 46min
Beating Broke, Leveling Up, and Real Estate | Alex Felice
Today's episode features Alex Felice from Broke is a Choice.
Yes, Alex chose that name to be a little controversial. He likes to stir things up a little and get the conversations going.
For him though, he found himself broke in 2010 and he did make that choice to turn things around.
He poured himself into personal finance education and completely reinvented his relationship with money. In 2014, he decided real estate would be his angle towards freedom.
18 months into his journey, he made more money than an idiot like him should have (haha his words, not ours).
These days his real estate deals just keep getting bigger and bigger including a recent deal that brought in over 50 units to a group of investors.
You won't want to miss Alex's views on beating broke, leveling up, and investing in real estate.
Now take some time and see if you can learn about some choices you should make!
Links From the Episode
Find Alex on Facebook
Find Alex on Instagram
Broke is a Choice
Book Recommendations
Youtube Channel
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 our FREE Budget Planner
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
Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)
Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

May 20, 2021 • 45min
Investing in Self Storage and Green Homes | Scott Krone
Today's episode features Scott Krone. Scott is the managing partner and founder of Coda Management Group.
During college, Scott and his fellow architect classmates found themselves providing free labor to their professor's development business. This odd form of free labor turned out to be a launching pad for Scott's career.
He took on major projects right away and realized that he was more valuable than they realized and branched off on his own.
Now Scott specializes in breathing new life into dilapidated commercial buildings and converting them into cash cow storage units.
Scott also shares some of his insights with another passion of his, green home design.
Crank up the volume and hear all about this unique corner of the real estate market.
Sit back, relax, and hear Scott's amazing story.
Links From the Episode
Email Scott's Team: info@codamg.com
Coda Management Group
Scott's LinkedIn
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 our FREE Budget Planner
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
Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)
Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

May 11, 2021 • 45min
Getting 1% Better and Creating Opportunity | Scott Trench, CEO of BiggerPockets
Today's episode features Scott Trench. Author of Set for Life and CEO of Bigger Pockets.
After college, Scott finds himself in a finance job he doesn't like and discovers financial independence which changes his entire philosophy.
Financial independence led Scott to real estate and the rest was history.
In this episode, we dig into Scott's mindset, his habits, his goal-setting routines, his thoughts on real estate, his investment strategies, and his overarching life mission.
Sit back, relax, and hear Scott's amazing story.
Links From the Episode
Scott's Instagram
Bigger Pockets
Book - Set for Life
Book - First Time Home Buyer
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 our FREE Budget Planner
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
Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)
Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

May 4, 2021 • 45min
Does House Hacking Make Sense for You? (yes) | Andrew Kerr
Today's episode features Andrew Kerr from the House Hacking Podcast.
Andrew has been in the real estate field for almost 20 years and has experience with nearly every type of real estate transaction.
By the end of the episode, you'll hear all about the pros, cons, and everything in between in regards to house hacking.
Hint: It's one of the best ways to supercharge your path to financial independence.
Ready to get creative with your living situation and lighten up those expenses? Well, sit back, take a listen, and learn all about house hacking!
Links From the Episode
Podcast:
House Hacking Podcast
IG:
https://www.instagram.com/thehousehackingpodcast/
https://www.instagram.com/fibyrei/
FB:
https://www.facebook.com/TheHouseHackingPodcast
https://www.facebook.com/FIbyREI/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/fibyrei
https://twitter.com/thehousehacking
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYvwOEtC5VgEfgW3QNPS4Ow?sub_confirmation=1
https://www.youtube.com/thehousehackingpodcast
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 our FREE Budget Planner
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
Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)
Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)

Apr 27, 2021 • 24min
Transparency, Balance, and Telling Your Story
Today's episode features your hosts Justin and Cody discussing authenticity and work-life balance.
Both Cody and Justin are very open about their finances and love sharing both their failures and successes. Why? Because real stories give real inspiration. This is a crazy journey to suggest so having real data to back it up helps give confidence.
The more authentic voices out there, the higher the chances are that someone can find a story they relate with.
The episode is rounded out with a discussion on work-life balance. At the end of the day, there will always be more work, but you can't say the same about life. So set boundaries and stick to them.
Is authenticity important to you? Do you have a handle on work-life balance? Either way, take a listen, and get inspired.
Links From the Episode
Privilege and Perseverance
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 our FREE Budget Planner
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
Fly to FI (Cody’s Blog)
Saving-Sherpa (Justin’s blog)