April is Financial Literacy Month, and to help us celebrate we brought in a returning guest, Paul Merriman. Paul has been on the show before to discuss investment portfolios, but today he talks with us about some extraordinary strides he's making as a financial literacy advocate through his nonprofit, The Merriman Financial Education Foundation. We also share some of our favorite financial literacy resources.   🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"  🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question   ===  THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR  === 📈 Boldin (formerly NewRetirement) is our newest sponsor!  Boldin is retirement planning software that's like having a financial advisor at your fingertips. With Boldin, you can: ✅ Track your savings ✅ Get personalized retirement advice based on your goals ✅ Explore investment options to grow your wealth ✅ And create a strategy that’s built for your unique needs You can get started with the free version or choose the premium option (PlannerPlus) and get a 14-day free trial. Be sure to use this link to get started:  Go.boldin.com/catchingup For a full list of our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners   RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: 🌐Website Merriman Financial Literacy Program at Western Washington University IGrad Next Gen Personal Finance White Coat Investor The John C. Bogle Center for Financial Literacy ‘Catching Up to FI’ Episodes: We're Talking Millions! Part 1 | Paul Merriman | 008  We're Talking Millions! Part 2 | Paul Merriman | 009  Celebrating Financial Literacy Month with Next Gen Personal Finance | Tim Ranzetta | 072    If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating or review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. This helps others find the show and keeps us creating great content for you!   ⚠️Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

One of the most frequent questions we get about retiring early is: 'How do I get money out of my retirement accounts before age 59.5, without paying the 10% penalty'? This episode answers that question and more with CPA and 72(t) expert, Bill Stecker. Bill is the founder of The Marble Group which specializes in federal income taxes and early retirement distributions. He's also the brilliant mind behind the website '72tcalc', hands down the most comprehensive resource we've found specifically focusing on 72(t)s. Cohost Jackie knows because she set up her own substantially equal periodic payments (SEPP) using IRS rule 72(t) in 2024 and will share some details of her first-hand experience. If you've been fearful and confused about how 72(t)s work, fear no more! In this episode, we thoroughly break down everything you need to know in a way you've never heard before. We also discuss more than a dozen other ways the IRS allows you to legally avoid federal tax penalties for early withdrawals from your retirement accounts. To make sure we did this topic justice, we turned it into a 2-part series. This is part 1, and part 2 will be released next week; both packed with valuable insights and practical tips for anyone considering early retirement.   🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"  🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question   ===  THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR  === 📈 Boldin (formerly NewRetirement) is our newest sponsor!  Boldin is retirement planning software that's like having a financial advisor at your fingertips. With Boldin, you can: ✅ Track your savings ✅ Get personalized retirement advice based on your goals ✅ Explore investment options to grow your wealth ✅ And create a strategy that’s built for your unique needs You can get started with the free version or choose the premium option (PlannerPlus) and get a 14-day free trial. Be sure to use this link to get started:  Go.boldin.com/catchingup For a full list of our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners   RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: 🌐72tcalc.com Website Free consultation with Bill Stecker’s Firm- The Marble Group email: themarblegroup@wispertel.net Phone: (312) 361-0221 Jackie’s review of 72tcalc.com website Most recent IRS list of exceptions to 10% tax penalty on early withdrawals IRS Tax Code 72(t)- Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP) IRS Single Life Table- Effective 1/1/2022 IRS website with the listing of recent interest rates (120% of Applicable Federal Midterm Rate) IRA first time homebuyer exception (you are considered a first-timer if you haven't owned a primary home the past 2 years) Rule 72(t) Example- Eric Cooper Rule 72(t) Example- Dare to Draw Down   📱72(t) CALCULATORS FI Tax Guy Google Sheet  Dinkytown CalcXML 72tcalc  72net   If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating or review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. This helps others find the show and keeps us creating great content for you!   ⚠️Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

'Catching Up to FI' founder and co-host, Bill Yount, appeared as a guest on the EverydayFI podcast with host Meghan Combs. The show explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community so Bill opens up about his FI journey as a late starter. He of course represents our Catching Up to FI community. He had a lot to say so this is the second part of a two-part episode. The first part was aired last Wednesday (episode 128) so be sure to check it out.    🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"  🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question   ===  THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR  === 📈 Boldin (formerly NewRetirement) is our newest sponsor!  Boldin is retirement planning software that's like having a financial advisor at your fingertips. With Boldin, you can: ✅ Track your savings ✅ Get personalized retirement advice based on your goals ✅ Explore investment options to grow your wealth ✅ And create a strategy that’s built for your unique needs You can get started with the free version or choose the premium option (PlannerPlus) and get a 14-day free trial. Be sure to use this link to get started:  Go.boldin.com/catchingup   For a full list of our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners   Resources mentioned on the show:  (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) EverydayFI podcast     If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating or review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. This helps others find the show and keeps us creating great content for you!   Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

In this episode we welcome back the rebels, Katie and Alan Donegan. They are founders of the Rebel Finance School and have turned the concept of financial independence (FI) into an energetic global movement. We are celebrating the launch of their brand-new music album. But it's not just music, it’s a Money Revolution and the world's first financial independence album! The Donegans give us a behind the scenes look at the making the of the album and a backstage pass to some of the tracks, including: 🎤 4% Rule 🎤 Badassity (Mustachianism) 🎤 Create a Gap 🎤 The Boring Middle But wait... there's more! We also get a preview of the Donegans’ upcoming book, 'The Rebels Guide to Financial Freedom: Simple Missions to Take you from Zero to Money Superhero’. The forward is written by one of the most recognized names in the FI Movement, Mr. Money Mustache!   🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"  🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question   ===  THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR  === 📈 Boldin (formerly NewRetirement) is our newest sponsor!  Boldin is retirement planning software that's like having a financial advisor at your fingertips. With Boldin, you can: ✅ Track your savings ✅ Get personalized retirement advice based on your goals ✅ Explore investment options to grow your wealth ✅ And create a strategy that’s built for your unique needs You can get started with the free version or choose the premium option (PlannerPlus) and get a 14-day free trial. Be sure to use this link to get started:  Go.boldin.com/catchingup For a full list of our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners   RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐Website 🎶New Album: Money Revolution: The World’s First Financial Independence Music Album! Buy👉🏻 🎵💿  📙New Book: 'The Rebels’ Guide to Financial Freedom: Simple Missions to take you from Zero to Money Superhero Rebel Entrepreneur Podcast Sign up for Alan & Katie’s 2025 Rebel Finance School  Rebel Donegans YouTube The Shockingly Simple Math behind retiring early  retirement article  'Catching Up to FI’ Episodes: Indiana Jones and an Extraordinary Life with the Donegans | Alan and Katie Donegan | 079 Sustainable FIlosophy with Mr. Money Mustache | Pete Adeney | 073 The pURPOSE Code | Jordan Grumet | 115 Mr 4% is now Mr 5% | Bill Bengen | 111   If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating or review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. This helps others find the show and keeps us creating great content for you!   ⚠️ Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

'Catching Up to FI' founder and co-host, Bill Yount, appeared as a guest on the EverydayFI podcast with host Meghan Combs. The show explores the lives and stories of everyday people in the financial independence community so Bill opens up about his FI journey as a late starter. He of course represents our Catching Up to FI community. He had a lot to say so this is a two-parter and will be aired over the next two Wednesday episodes.     🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"  🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question   ===  THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR  === 📈 Boldin (formerly NewRetirement) is our newest sponsor!  Boldin is retirement planning software that's like having a financial advisor at your fingertips. With Boldin, you can: ✅ Track your savings ✅ Get personalized retirement advice based on your goals ✅ Explore investment options to grow your wealth ✅ And create a strategy that’s built for your unique needs You can get started with the free version or choose the premium option (PlannerPlus) and get a 14-day free trial. Be sure to use this link to get started:  Go.boldin.com/catchingup   For a full list of our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners   Resources mentioned on the show:  (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) EverydayFI podcast     If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating or review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. This helps others find the show and keeps us creating great content for you!   Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

Mindy Jensen, host of BiggerPockets Money, joins Coast FI Couple Matt and Yana Tarr, who advocate for financial independence through healthy money communication. They discuss the concept of Coast FI, promoting financial freedom while stressing the importance of emotional well-being. The Tarras highlight their debt-free lifestyle, guided by simplicity and charity, notably supporting Best Buddies. They also delve into effective budgeting strategies, like Cube Money, which enhance transparency and foster collaboration in relationships.

Jackie Cummings Koski is co-host of the 'Catching Up to FI' podcast and author of the book 'F.I.R.E. For Dummies'. In case you're new here, FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. In this episode, Jackie comes clean and publicly shares her non-FIRE confessions. Recorded at a CampFI near San Diego, she reveals surprising financial decisions that didn’t exactly follow the 'rules' of FI, and some are downright shocking… such as taking a 401(k) loan (don’t judge too soon😁). These moves may have gone against traditional FI principles, but they didn't ruin her plans or curb her enthusiasm.   From her early life in poverty to building wealth through strategic saving and investing, Jackie provides a transparent look at her imperfect journey, aiming to inspire others on the path to FI. She not only shares her real numbers, but also her genuine thoughts and feelings beyond the math. Join us to learn from her experience and embrace the big takeaway that 'precision is not required' to reach your financial goals, even when you’re getting a late start.   🗣️ SHARE YOUR CONFESSION! Do you have a non-FI confession to make??? Leave us a voice message and we may just play it on a future show! Use this link to record a message from your computer or right from your phone:  📲 https://catchinguptofi.com/contact-us/#voicemail 🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"  🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question   ===  THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR  === 📈 Boldin (formerly NewRetirement) is our newest sponsor!  Boldin is retirement planning software that's like having a financial advisor at your fingertips. With Boldin, you can: ✅ Track your savings ✅ Get personalized retirement advice based on your goals ✅ Explore investment options to grow your wealth ✅ And create a strategy that’s built for your unique needs You can get started with the free version or choose the premium option (PlannerPlus) and get a 14-day free trial. Be sure to use this link to get started:  Go.boldin.com/catchingup   For a full list of our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners   Resources mentioned on the show:   📕Jackie's book: 'F.I.R.E. For Dummies'  📈Jackie's Investment Club through BetterInvesting.org CampFI website  Watch other inspiring talks on CampFI's YouTube channel   If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating or review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. This helps others find the show and keeps us creating great content for you!   Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.

Lynnette Khalfani-Cox (also known as 'The Money Coach') is an icon in the financial media and financial education space. She is the author of 16 money-management books, including the New York Times bestseller ‘Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom’. Lynette joins us on this episode to share some of the big takeaways from her latest book 'Bounce Back', offering practical and emotional guidance for those recovering from financial setbacks. She guides us on how to take on―and defeat―the most common and difficult challenges most of us face, like being downsized from a job, disasters, debt, divorce, discrimination, and more. Lynette also gets vulnerable with us, sharing her emotional stories about dealing with her own divorce and the death of her sister.   🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"  🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question   ===  THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR  === 📈 Boldin (formerly NewRetirement) is our newest sponsor!  Boldin is retirement planning software that's like having a financial advisor at your fingertips. With Boldin, you can: ✅ Track your savings ✅ Get personalized retirement advice based on your goals ✅ Explore investment options to grow your wealth ✅ And create a strategy that’s built for your unique needs You can get started with the free version or choose the premium option (PlannerPlus) and get a 14-day free trial. Be sure to use this link to get started:  Go.boldin.com/catchingup   For a full list of our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners   Resources mentioned on the show:  (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🌐Website Ask the Money Coach YouTube

Frank Vasquez, a mostly retired lawyer with decades of investing experience, shares his unique insights on financial independence in later years. He humorously emphasizes enjoying your wealth after years of hard work. The discussion covers diversified portfolios, including the intriguing 'Golden Butterfly' and 'Golden Ratio' strategies. Frank critiques traditional financial advice, highlighting essential retirement planning and the power of risk parity. Expect a blend of investing wisdom and laughter as he navigates the complexities of portfolio management.

Ever felt anxious around money, or like you're stuck no matter how much you try to save? You're not alone. In this episode, we unravel all of that with Shannah Game, a leading transformational money expert helping you heal your relationship with money. Shannah is host of the popular podcast 'Everyone's Talkin' Money' and author of the new book 'Unraveling Your Relationship with Money', a step-by-step guide to breaking free from money stress, shame, and self-doubt.   🌐 Visit Catching Up to FI website 🔗Connect with us ☕ Like what you hear on Catching Up to FI? Support the show at "Buy Me a Coffee"  🎙️We love hearing from you! Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question Record a Voice Message with your feedback or question   ===  THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS  === 📈 Boldin (formerly NewRetirement) is our newest sponsor!  Boldin is retirement planning software that's like having a financial advisor at your fingertips. With Boldin, you can: ✅ Track your savings ✅ Get personalized retirement advice based on your goals ✅ Explore investment options to grow your wealth ✅ And create a strategy that’s built for your unique needs You can get started with the free version or choose the premium option (PlannerPlus) and get a 14-day free trial. Be sure to use this link to get started:  Go.boldin.com/catchingup   💵Student Loan Planner  Flat fee for a one-on-one consultation is normally $595, but after your $100 off ‘Catching Up to FI’ discount, it's $495. 👉🏼 Be sure to use this link: link   For a full list of our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners   Resources mentioned on the show: (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 🎙️Everyone's Talkin' Money Podcast 📗 George Kinder  The Trauma of Money Method CRASH!: Money Trauma and Recovery | Shannah Game | 057   If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on your podcast player and leave us a rating or review. If you want to watch, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. This helps others find the show and keeps us creating great content for you!   Disclaimer: Our content is for general education and information purposes only. We are not providing financial, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a professional before making important decisions.