FI Minded: Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It

At one point or another, you’ll probably have to deal with apartment hunting. For some, online searching and taking tours is exciting. For myself, it’s exhausting. You find the perfect place: the floor plan works, it has the amenities you were hoping for, and it’s in the area you want to live. That’s when you check the most important factor: how much does it cost? If you have my luck, it’s just outside your budget. But your move out date is quickly approaching and you haven’t found a viable alternative so you sign anyway. What if you simply negotiated a better deal with your landlord? You can do that? Yes, and in fact, my guest today is here to teach us how. Since 2003, Justin has developed and managed apartments, rental homes, and student housing across the United States. Seldomly, has he had to negotiate with tenants, but who could blame them? There is a misunderstanding and lack of resources around this topic. That’s when Justin decided to fill the void and wrote “Rental Secrets: Reduce Your Rent, Get Better Value, and Create Quality Communities.” In his book, Justin shares stories about his landlording experience and the inside scope on the real estate industry so renters like you are better equipped to negotiate your next lease.   Show Notes: [2:19] What Leasing Agents mean when they say “rents are comparable with the market” [10:19] How Justin got into real estate [23:49] When is the best time to look for an apartment? [27:49] What to do before you start looking for an apartment [36:08] Understanding vacancies to find a hidden gem [41:09] How to collect information about a future apartment community [46:47] Negotiating with small real estate investors vs corporate investment groups   Favorite Quotes: [20:52] “I look up in the rearview mirror and I see the refrigerator that I just bought flying out of the back of the truck.” [37:18] “They’re trying to collapse the options. You’re trying to expand them. Expanded options means more power for you as the renter.” [42:39] “If the property is being managed properly, the property manager should have no problem with you talking to the residents about what’s going on on the property.” [46:15] “It’s really about knowing what your situation is and thinking through the offerings that are presented to you so you can make the best choice for you.”   More of Justin Pogue: www.RentalSecrets.net justin@rentalsecrets.net Twitter: @RentalSecret IG: @RentalSecrets   More of TSIR: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

Today's guest is Tim Traill. Tim has spent three decades working his way up to a Corporate Executive in the financial services industry. Last year, Tim decided he needed a career break. As you’ll hear, the beginning of his break was a challenging period. Tim was missing a sense of purpose and community he found through work. That was until he stumbled into TikTok. It started as a joke with his kids. He created DIY videos showcasing home improvement, decor ideas, and handyman tips but what started as a joke turned into viral content, and only 5 months later, Tim has 148,000 followers and 1.6 million likes. Of course we’ll talk about TikTok, but I hope you also pick up something about embracing change, developing curiosity and empathy too.   Key Takeaways: [2:10] How Tim find himself on TikTok [9:13] Why Tim decide to take a career break after 30 years [21:26] Responding to criticism with respective and empathy [25:55] How Tim became an Executive [31:48] Parenting and what Tim has learned from his kids   Favorite Quotes: [5:44] “What I find about TikTok is that it is bringing together the masses in real time but it is not sugar coated. It is not like FakeBook...or the Facebook.” [12:45] “I realized that TikTok allowed me to be who I am...be myself.” [18:59] “As a 49 year old, I can tell you, we continue to learn every single day.” [33:42] “Just take an opportunity to learn something new. Introduce yourself to things, to people that you otherwise might not want to.” [45:21] “I realized that I am so grateful as a human being to get the opportunity to be able to learn and be corrected every single day.”   More of Tim: TikTok: @thediytraill Instagram: @thediytraill   More of TSIR: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

Imagine if you had two years to travel the globe in order to better understand happiness. Where would you go? I’m assuming the Nordic countries who I hear always rank high on the World Happiness Report. Potentially Australia and New Zealand? They seem to be happy down there. What about places that aren’t known for happiness but more so the opposite? I feel like it would be important to understand that perspective. Well, that’s exactly what today’s guest did. Joining me on the podcast is Dr. Ali Binazir who is an author, speaker, and clinical hypnotherapist. But if you asked Ali today, his primary title would be Happiness Engineer. During this episode, we are going to dive into happiness, particularly why it isn’t something you are trying to find but instead engineer into your life. This is a great conversation to tune into if you’ve been looking for practical ways to feel more fulfilled. Dr. Binazir shares many prescriptive methods that you could act upon today.   Key Takeaways: [1:42] What Ali learned traveling the globe studying happiness [17:20] 5 Pillars of Human Thriving [21:53] Why do good people stay in bad relationships [26:41] 3 C’s of an optimal venue [35:01] Novelty Night [39:13] The story of 3 bricklayers [43:25] Why is sleep so critical? [52:41] How meditation can help balance you in this chaotic world [58:36] How to stay motivated to workout   Favorite Quotes: [11:40] “We are designed to cooperate. That is how this wimpy little creature with no fangs or claws or fur became the most dominant species on the planet.” [21:25] “I always say texting is how I lose friends. Talking is how I make friends.” [34:43] “Just recognize if you’re the one that is willing to do that you have a huge advantage but so many people are still cowering in fear.” [43:58] “My time at McKinsey was when I looked like I was on top of the world but I was really at the very bottom.”   Mentions: Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World by Vivek Murthy The WEIRDest People in the World: How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly Prosperous by Joseph Henrich Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence by Esther Perel Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do Is Healthy and Rewarding by Daniel Lieberman   More of Ali: https://happinessengineering.com/ drali@happinessengineering.com http://taoofdating.com/ Medium: https://dralibinazir.medium.com/ (I suggest checking out “9 Simple Strategies to Read More Books: How I Read 150+ Books a Year”)   Books: The Tao of Dating: The Smart Woman's Guide to Being Absolutely Irresistible by Ali Binazir Should I Go to Medical School?: An Irreverent Guide to the Pros and Cons of a Career in Medicine by Ali Binazir   Courses: Super Charisma: How to Be a Transformative Speaker (https://drali.teachable.com/p/super-charisma-public-speaking)   More of TSIR: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

Most of us have this exciting yet frustrating thing we call a career path. One day we know what our calling is and how we are going to get there only for us to break down in panic the next day. Careers are fascinating because we have to balance what we enjoy, what we are good at, what the world needs, and how we’re going to pay the bills. As you go through your 20s, you’ll have to make many career decisions. Go broad or narrow in? Take a chance with this new opportunity or stay the course? Make more money doing something I enjoy less? Luckily there are amazing mentors out there helping us figure this all out and one of them is my guest today. Mark Herschberg is the author of The Career Toolkit, Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You. If you know anything about my show, you know I love the topic of this book which gets into career planning, interviewing, managing, networking, negotiating, and more. If you don’t have a good idea on what your career path is, listen to this episode as Mark will share questions that you can ask yourself to gain more clarity on where you are going with your career and how to create a plan to get there.   Key Takeaways: [4:09] How much can you actually plan your career? [12:25] Broad skill set or deep expertise? [21:11] How to learn skills outside of work: volunteer work, peer groups, reading books [35:39] Questions you can ask yourself if you don’t know where to start with career planning [39:05] When Mark threw a party at a private nightclub [45:33] When you think you don’t have anything to offer to your network   Favorite Quotes: [33:03] “They spent more time learning how to tie their shoes when they were 5 than how to interview people over a 30 year career.” [40:31] “If you know NYC, where do you put 250 people? Most bars don’t have capacity for 250 people let alone all of the other patrons.”   Mentions: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein Taproot Foundation (https://taprootfoundation.org/) Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future by Dorie Clark   More of Mark: www.thecareertoolkitbook.com   More of TSIR: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

If you have a skill of finding free food, you’re consistently dealing with an unreliable laptop or phone, or you furnished your apartment with cheap furniture from family and Craigslist, I’m assuming you might be a broke 20-something. “I Need a Dollar” by Aloe Blacc probably hits a little different. My guest today knows a thing or two about this stage of life. Erin Lowry is the author of the 3-part book series, Broke Millennial. Her newest book, Broke Millennial Talks Money shares advice on how to navigate awkward financial conversations at work and with your friends, family, and romantic partners. If money has ever caused awkward tension when it comes to splitting the bill or picking an Airbnb for your upcoming girls trip, this conversation is going to be perfect for you. Most of this episode centers on having money conversations with your friends. Erin shares her thoughts on when it’s appropriate to share how much you make, setting financial expectations when your friend asks you to be in their wedding, and why creating a friend fund might be what you need to say yes more often.   Key Takeaways: [8:22] How a coffee with a friend turned into Broke Millennial blog [24:23] What numbers should we share with our friends? [36:13] Why Erin wishes she would have spent more money in her twenties [44:08] How to manage the onslaught of other people’s weddings   Favorite Quotes: [7:38] “I just had a really fun job in entertainment...but I also had to work two other jobs to sustain my life.” [10:22] “I never really felt stressed about controlling money. I had stressed at times about how much I had but not about if I felt like I was in control.” [33:53] “I’m a true fan of saving for/investing for opportunities/options.” [36:53] “What would you have done differently with money in your twenties...I would have spent more money.” [49:19] “Bridesmaids...they should just be able to pick a cocktail dress at knee length in a certain color scheme or….if you want them in a particular gown, add that in your wedding budget and f’ing pay for it.”   More of Erin: Twitter: @BrokeMillennial  Instagram: @BrokeMillennialBlog Broke Millennial Book Series: https://brokemillennial.com/get-the-book/   More of TSIR: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

One of the best experiences of my 20s has been living on my own. Sure, I have to buy my own groceries and dirty dishes aren’t going to magically disappear, but moving out of my parent’s house gave me the challenge to start figuring things out on my own. One thing I do really miss about mom and dad’s is all of the space in their house. My tiny apartment doesn’t compete with my parent’s spacious, midwest suburban home. There is no garage or basement let alone a spare kitchen cabinet for any excess stuff. This has forced me to live smaller and stay organized. If you’re someone who believes you’re “not an organized person”, my guest is going to change that mindset. Joining me today is Lucy Milligan Wahl, Founder of LMW Edits. After completing her MBA and wanting a career change, Lucy asked her friends what she was good at. The common answer? Organizing. Lucy ran with that idea and started her own boutique professional organizing company where she provides common sense organizing solutions to modern urban living. By listening to this episode, you’ll get advice on managing paper in a digital world, creating a system to keep your bathroom organized, solving the Tupperware crisis, and more.   Key Takeaways: [4:36] Is organization a personality trait or a skill? [11:03] Maximizing your closest space [15:06] Creating separation between your bedroom and home office [20:32] Organization solutions for the bathroom [24:57] Solving the Tupperware crisis [30:18] Dealing with parents that give you too much stuff [38:28] Staying organized while living with others   Favorite Quotes: [4:44] "There really isn’t such a thing as an organized person. Being organized isn’t a personality trait. When someone says they aren’t an organized person, what they really mean is that they don’t know how to organize their space.” [8:37] “Clutter and disorganization just zaps all of your nonrenewable resources like your time.” [28:45] “I can’t create an organizing system without context. That is just putting stuff in containers and labeling it. That’s not organizing.”   Mentions: thredUP: https://www.thredup.com/   More of Lucy: www.lmwedits.com Instagram: @lmwedits Twitter: @lmwedits YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2el8k_VRKy4JxtsQQgrjA   More of TSIR: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

At one point or another, you've felt undervalued at work. Maybe you believe you should be paid more, be given more responsibility, or get a promotion. But believing it doesn’t get us very far. How do we actually get what we want? Today’s guest believes it starts by becoming a self-advocate. She’s going to explain how to get the confidence to do that without coming off as bragging or boasting. Stephanie Ritz is a career consultant and mindset transformation coach. She founded Claim Your Career where she helps professional women rise faster, earn what they’re worth, and claim their seat at the table with confidence. Stephanie gives tons of great advice throughout our conversation. My favorite was creating a living resume to record and organize your skills and accomplishments. This is just one of many goodies she shares.   Key Takeaways: [6:16] How Stephanie found her place within the banking industry [8:11] Motherhood: how that changed the plan but not the goal [16:38] Building relationships with the leaders at your employer [27:00] An easy method for keeping track of your accomplishments and skills [36:45] Self advocating vs boasting and bragging   Favorite Quotes: [3:56] “I had no idea that was coming. Sometimes you just have to make the most out of what you have.” [23:58] “You’re usually your own worst critic when it comes to sharing out your ideas.” [35:44] “I didn’t care that she didn’t have a masters in Excel. She had the initiative to go out and learn what she was missing. And she got the job.”   More of Stephanie: www.claimyourcareer.com   More of TSIR: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

How would you feel about retiring 5, 10, even 20 years earlier than you planned? This probably raises some skeptical eyebrows but hundreds of people are doing just that through a movement called FIRE: financial independence, retire early. Inside groups pursuing FIRE, it’s common to hear of a couple who retired in their mid-40s. With time, discipline, and understanding of basic financial concepts, I believe you can do this as well. Joel O’Leary is here with me today to talk about his experience with FIRE and how he’s found balance with this popular movement. By listening to this episode, you’ll also hear us discuss the epiphanies Joel has had during his 3 year sabbatical, how he built and continues to grow his real estate portfolio, and why he believes happiness is a choice (along with a good story to back it up).   Key Takeaways: [1:52] Why Joel took a sabbatical and what he has learned since quitting his job [15:34] The impact Joel’s parents had on his financial habits [22:34] How Joel uses real estate to create wealth [28:59] What is FIRE and where is Joel on his journey [39:08] Debunking common myths about FIRE [42:52] Joel believes happiness is a choice   Favorite Quotes: [6:14] “I missed like 50 paychecks in a row…$0, $0, $0. Talk about facing your fears” [30:32] “It’s a bit of an immature mindset because they think that achieving FIRE is going to magically improve their life.” [36:05] “I don't want to make decisions based on money anymore. It frustrates me that I have to think about how much this is going to cost me or how much this is going to make me.” [42:19] “You can achieve financial independence on a very small salary as long as you are spending less than you are earning.” [43:49] “I personally think happiness is a choice.”   More of Joel: Subscribe to 5am Joel email list: http://www.5amjoel.com/ Learn more from Joel: www.budgetsaresexy.com   More of TSIR: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

I’m assuming the job you have now isn’t the position you want forever. Most of us hope as we learn new skills and take on more responsibilities, we will get the opportunity to move up within our company. But why do some people seem to get the opportunity for promotions while others find themselves in the same role for years and years? My guest today believes it all starts with doing the little things right, like being dependable. Mason Burchette started out as a Technician at Best Buy Metals making $11.50 an hour and now, 7 years later, is their Director of Marketing and Development. Seeing his fast growth in such a short period of time, many of his friends and family started asking him for advice. Through that, he ended up writing his first book, “How to Make Sure You Never Get Promoted: An Antithetical Guide to Succeeding in Your Career.” Along with advice on getting promoted, we will also get into managing employees that are older than you and how to find a company that you can grow with.   Key Takeaways: [2:07] Mason’s cancer journey and how that changed his focus in life [13:10] What led to Mason’s quick rise through his career? [19:57] Hiring and managing those who are older than you [28:06] How to find a company that you can grow with [32:52] Why being dependable is the building block of getting more opportunities [36:42] The Crush It Podcast [44:24] What does success mean to Mason?   Favorite Quotes: [4:56] “There was definitely days after work where I just sat in my car and I was like holy crap I have cancer.” [15:14] “Get out of the road! Get the machine out of the road!...I’m quitting!” [19:12] ‘I looked like a bag boy at the grocery store.” [34:24] “Wise employers will look at how people are governing their personal lives and say that is how they’re going to manage company dollars, company people, company assets. We can’t afford to give them opportunities.” [40:30] “I didn’t join a secret society that told me how to be a successful leader. I went to Barnes & Noble and bought a $23 book.”   Mentions: Civil Air Patrol: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/ The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DNBE8P6/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 The Legacy Journey: A Radical View of Biblical Wealth and Generosity by Dave Ramsey: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OAM42MG/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1   More of Mason: www.MasonBurchette.com IG: @masonwankenobi   More of TSIR: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

Today’s guest is former NFL offensive lineman, Marques Ogden. Marques played in the NFL for nearly 6 years. He was drafted in the 2003 by the Jaguars and went on to play with the Ravens, Bills, and Titans. While his NFL career ended in 2007, this was only the start of Marques’ rollercoaster life story. After leaving the NFL, he started Kayden Premier Enterprises which grew to the largest minority owned subcontractor in the state of Maryland. Life was good until a bad business deal sent Marques’ business spiraling into bankruptcy. Marques was left with $400 to his name. He swallowed his pride and the former NFL player and 8-figure business owner took a job as an overnight janitor making $8.25 an hour. After a rough ending to one of his shifts, Marques decided it was time to reinvent himself again but before he could do that, he needed to look back on his life choices and own the fact that his decisions, not someone else’s actions, lead him to his current life situation. Today, Marques is two-time author, keynote speaker, executive coach, and corporate trainer. Marques’ story is an inspiration and I hope to illustrate the power of accountability and ownership in this episode.   Key Takeaways: [2:06] Marques’ relationship with his older brother Jonathan [4:55] Marques’ route to the NFL [13:21] Marques' rough rebound after leaving the NFL [16:47] The rise and fall of Kayden Premier Enterprises [27:42] Taking responsibility for your actions   Favorite Quotes: [9:27] “Wow, I’ve actually made it. I’m here. I’m going to have an opportunity to play for the National Football league.” [18:16] “Someone in this room will become the next major minority contractor...why can’t it be you?” [32:22] “You get told no so many times that it becomes your own mission to keep going.”   More of Marques: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarquesOgdenSpeaker/ Twitter: @Marques_Ogden Instagram: @marquesogden LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marquesogden/ Website: https://marquesogden.com/   More of TSIR: Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/ Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/