FI Minded: Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It

Justin Peters

Episodes

Mentioned books

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May 7, 2025 • 50min

How to Start a Side Hustle in One Month | E167 Nick Loper

For most of us pursuing financial independence, the math is pretty straightforward: earn more, spend less, and invest the difference. But what if you could speed things up and discover a new passion along the way?That’s where side hustles come in. Not only can they give your FI plan a serious income boost, but they also let you explore projects that could become meaningful ventures in your post-FI life.But how do you find the right side hustle? How do you price your services, land your first clients, and balance it all with your career and personal life?That’s where today’s guest, Nick Loper, comes in. He’s the host of The Side Hustle Show and the creator of Side Hustle Nation, and he’s helped thousands of people start and grow successful side gigs.In this episode, Nick shares his go-to frameworks for generating side hustle ideas and strategies for pricing, finding clients, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Plus, he’ll break down the habits that set successful side hustlers apart.If you’ve ever thought about starting a side hustle, or want to make yours more sustainable, this episode is for you.I hope you enjoy my conversation with the side hustle explorer and expert himself…Nick Loper.Key Takeaways:Why side hustles are a perfect fit for the FI journeyHow side hustles have evolved over the past decadeFrameworks to generate profitable side hustle ideasHow to price your product or service effectivelyStrategies for landing your first clientsBalancing your side hustle with your full-time job and personal lifeHealthy habits to sustain your side hustle long-termMore of Nick:7 Proven Ways to Come Up with New Business Ideas: https://www.sidehustlenation.com/how-to-come-up-with-new-business-ideas/\The Side Hustle Show: https://www.sidehustlenation.com/side-hustle-show/More of FI Minded:Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/
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Apr 30, 2025 • 6min

The Tariffs You Should Really Be Paying Attention To | E166

Tariffs aren’t just for global trade - you can apply the concept to your personal life to protect your time, energy, and values.As we gain more financial freedom, how we spend and make money should evolve too. In this short and reflective episode, I explore the idea of personal tariffs and how I have applied this to things that may seem like a good deal on the surface, but actually come at a hidden cost to my time, energy, or well-being.I share three categories where I’ve started mentally “taxing” the lower-cost option. This isn’t about spending recklessly - it’s about making intentional choices that align with the life you’re building.If you’re on the journey to financial independence and want to feel better about spending in ways that support your health, happiness, and values, this episode is for you.Key Takeaways:“Personal tariff”- a mental cost you assign to choices that drain you, even if they save money.Building a life you’re proud of means prioritizing alignment over optimization.Financial independence isn’t just about money - it’s about creating space to live in a way that feels good.More of FI Minded:Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/
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Apr 23, 2025 • 30min

You’re Financially Free But It Doesn’t Feel Like It | E165 Shannah Game

You’ve run the numbers a hundred times. You’ve built the spreadsheets, projected the growth, and calculated your safe withdrawal rate down to the decimal. On paper, money isn’t an issue. You should feel secure.But you don’t.Because even though the math checks out, the feeling doesn’t. The scarcity mindset, the one that pushed you to save relentlessly, doesn’t just disappear when you achieve FI. Instead, it lingers, making you question if it’s really enough.That’s why I’m excited to have Shannah Game on the show today. She’s a Certified Financial Planner and host of Everyone’s Talkin’ Money. Shannah has helped countless people break free from the mental traps that keep them feeling financially insecure, even when their numbers say otherwise.In this episode, Shannah is going to help us tackle that nagging sense of “not enough” and share strategies to shift from a scarcity mindset to one of confidence and abundance.I hope you enjoy my conversation with the cupcake-making, money-talking millennial…Shannah Game.Key Takeaways:Why you never feel like you have enough (even when you do)How to unlearn financial habits you inherited from your parentsWhy transparency in the FI community might fuel the comparison trapStrategies to shift from scarcity to abundanceA powerful journal prompt for overcoming scarcityHow to practice mindful money momentsMore of Shannah:Podcast: https://everyonestalkinmoney.com/episodes/More of FI Minded:Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/
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Apr 9, 2025 • 40min

How to DOUBLE Your Income in One Year | E164 Andrew Giancola

In my mid-20s, I was making $50,000. Between San Diego’s high housing costs, dating, a car payment, and other expenses, I barely had anything left to put toward financial independence - let alone fast-track it.I was cutting costs everywhere - negotiating bills, rarely eating out, even walking instead of driving. Frugality was helping but man, the real game-changer was focusing on growing my income. Since then, I’ve switched jobs, negotiated raises, launched a business, and built a five-figure side hustle. Now, I earn three times what I did at 25, and that extra income has made all the difference.I’m funding my financial independence goals while also enjoying life more.Quickly growing my income made such an impact and that’s why I brought Andrew Giancola on the podcast - to help me break down exactly how you can double your income in just one year. Andrew is a pro at this. He’s built multiple businesses, invested in real estate, tested different side hustles, and even helped his wife negotiate multiple raises and promotions.This episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you increase your income fast. So if that is something you want to do, let’s dive in!I hope you enjoy my conversation with the financial educator and host of The Personal Finance Podcast…Andrew Giancola.Key Takeaways:Why increasing your income is key to financial independenceA 6-month strategy to negotiate a raiseExactly what to say when asking for a raiseHow to become indispensable at workWays to actively earn more outside your jobThe best passive income investments for busy professionalsMentions:Andrew’s first appearance on FI Minded: www.tsirpodcast.com/133More of Andrew:www.MasterMoney.coMore of FI Minded:Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/
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Mar 27, 2025 • 6min

Welcome to FI Minded (Podcast Rebrand Announcement)

Want to achieve financial independence without missing out on the fun?FI Minded is for anyone who wants to achieve financial freedom, live life on their own terms, and, most importantly, enjoy the journey along the way!Whether you’re just starting to think about financial independence or already deep into the process, FI Minded gives you the tools and inspiration to make FI a reality - without giving up the things you love.Each episode, we’ll cover topics like:*Financial Independence Strategies: Simple, actionable advice to reach FI faster (if that’s your goal).*Work Optionality: Transitioning from the corporate grind (no more "one more year syndrome") to a life of freedom and flexibility.*Lifestyle Design: How to build a life that aligns with your values, goals, and dreams.*Stories from the FI Community: Real people sharing their journeys to FI and what they’ve learned.*Fun with FI: How to save your future and enjoy your current life through CoastFI, mini-retirements, travel, or just making the most of your time.*Fighting Burnout: Balancing saving for your future while staying mentally healthy.
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Mar 26, 2025 • 51min

Is Real Estate the Best Path to Financial Independence? | E163 Chad Carson

Is Real Estate the Best Path to Financial Independence?As a die-hard index fund investor, I used to have a clear answer. But after researching Chad Carson’s “small but mighty” real estate philosophy, I’m starting to see the potential.While I still prefer the hands-off nature of index funds, especially as I focus on growing my income - I can see real estate playing a role in my future. It offers steady cash flow, diversification, and even scratches my entrepreneurial itch.When that time comes, I’ll be turning to Chad Carson’s content. With two decades of real estate investing experience, Chad knows how to find, analyze, and buy solid investment properties.In this episode, Chad breaks down the fundamentals of real estate investing, including how to find quality deals in a high-priced market, red flags to watch for, and key financial metrics to evaluate before buying.I learned a ton from this conversation, and I’m already looking forward to a part two.Key Takeaways:How real estate fits into Chad’s investment portfolioPros and cons of real estate investingFinding quality deals in a high-priced marketDefining your "buy box" to focus your searchRed flags to watch for in propertiesKey financial metrics to evaluate before buyingThe “small and mighty” real estate philosophyAligning real estate with your life goalsMentions:Create Your Buy Box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ORTQ_2S-mEDealMachine: https://www.dealmachine.com/More of Coach Chad Carson:Real Estate Investing with Coach Carson: https://www.coachcarson.com/coach-carson-podcast/More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/
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Mar 12, 2025 • 53min

When You and Your Partner See Money Differently | E162 Brian Page

Love and money - a perfect match, right?If only it were that simple. Money is personal for everyone. We grow up with different values, learn different money habits from our parents, and develop our own financial preferences.So when two people with unique money mindsets come together, disagreements are bound to happen. Maybe one of you is a saver while the other loves to spend, leading to frustration over “wasting” or “hoarding” money. Or maybe you can’t agree on whether to play it safe with savings or take financial risks.If you love your partner, the last thing you want is constant fights about money. You want to figure this out together. That’s why in today’s episode, I’m talking with Brian Page about how to find common ground when you and your partner have different financial perspectives.Brian is the Founder of Modern Husbands, an organization that helps busy dual-career couples manage money and home life as a team.We dive into some really practical topics like how spenders and savers can find peace, what research says about combining vs. separating finances, and how to create a fair balance with household responsibilities.This conversation was especially helpful for me because my partner, Gaby, and I have been navigating these conversations ourselves as last summer marked 5 years of dating.I hope you enjoy my conversation with the lead dad and modern husband…Brian Page.Key Takeaways:How couples with different money mindsets can find common groundWhat to do when you and your partner have conflicting financial goalsWhat research says about combining finances vs. keeping them separateHow to fairly divide financial responsibilities as a coupleWays to optimize your finances togetherHow to share household responsibilities as a teamMore of Brian:Modern Husbands: https://www.modernhusbands.com/More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/
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Feb 26, 2025 • 38min

How to Negotiate Your Medical Bills | E161 Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington

You can save thousands if you negotiate your medical bills. Wait, you can do that?Yeah, this was new to me too. Maybe it was the confusing medical jargon or the assumption that hospitals charge fair prices, but negotiating never crossed my mind…and you know I love to negotiate just about everything.Not only should you be negotiating your medical bills, you should be scrutinizing them for errors. As you’ll learn in this episode, 80% of medical bills have errors, and go figure, they almost always work out in the favor of the medical provider.Today, Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington joins me to share her three-step process for negotiating medical bills. As an internal medicine physician and former health insurance executive, Dr. Virgie thought she understood the system - that was until she was diagnosed with cancer and saw firsthand how patients get crushed by medical debt.After witnessing her hospital roommate get taken advantage of by balance billing, Dr. Virigie had had enough. Now she is on a mission to help Americans fight back against excessive healthcare costs, one bill at a time.If you want to protect yourself from medical debt and take control of your healthcare costs, this episode is for you.I hope you enjoy my conversation with medical billing expert and 2-time cancer patient…Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington.Key Takeaways:The devastating impact of medical debt on AmericansHow to identify errors on your medical billsWhy the first bill from your provider isn’t the final billHow to research fair pricing for medical servicesA step-by-step script for negotiating lower costs with your provider’s billing departmentMore of Dr. Vrigie:Website: www.crushmedicaldebt.comMore of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/
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Feb 12, 2025 • 56min

Spending Experiments: Learn What Purchases Make You Happy | E160 Carl Jensen

Struggling to spend money? Same here. Honestly, I never thought this would be a problem as I got closer to financial independence. I mean, isn’t the goal to save up enough so we can finally spend on the things we want?Turns out, after 15 years of working hard to build wealth, it’s not so easy to let go. Add in some good old financial insecurities, and suddenly, I’ve got money, but I’m too nervous to spend it.And guess what? We are not the only ones. A lot of people in the FI community deal with this too, including Carl Jensen.Carl, known for his blog 1500 Days, has a net worth of $6 million. Yet, he still found it hard to spend money. That was until he started challenging himself to do it. Through these spending challenges, Carl figured out what really brings him joy, whether it’s something small like treating a friend to dinner or big like a $10,000 private concert with his favorite band (don’t worry, we’ll talk about that one!).So, if you’ve ever struggled to spend on things that would actually make you happy, this episode is for you. Hopefully, it inspires you to push past those money hang-ups and challenge yourself a little more.I hope you enjoy my conversation with the Telsa fantastic, dinosaur-loving, early FI trailblazer…Carl Jensen.Key Takeaways:How to recognize if you’re frugalism is hurting or helpingUsing spending experiments to uncover what is important to youOne commonality of Carl’s favorite purchasesWhat you can learn from the wrong purchasesMentions:Taming the Mammoth: Why You Should Stop Caring What Other People Think: https://waitbutwhy.com/2014/06/taming-mammoth-let-peoples-opinions-run-life.htmlMore of Carl:Read Carl’s Blog: https://www.1500days.com/More of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/
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Jan 29, 2025 • 43min

Fast-Track Your 2025 Money Goals Using These Strategies | E159 Justin Brown-Woods

It’s the start of a new year, and you’ve set some financial goals like paying off student loans, saving for a down payment, or maxing out your IRA. Whatever your goal, how awesome would it feel if you could fast-track your progress? It’ll take focus and dedication, but with the right strategies, you can turbocharge your cash flow and get there faster.Today, we’re joined by Justin Brown-Woods, Financial Coach and Co-Host of The Price of Avocado Toast. Justin not only helps his clients reach their financial goals but he has also walked the walk himself. After accumulating $220,000 in debt, Justin and his wife, Haley, decided to rewrite their financial story. In just 18 months, they paid off more than half of their debt and began rebuilding their wealth.And when I say “rebuilding,” I mean rebuilding. Before accumulating 6-figures of debt, they had $600,000 in the bank! It’s a story you don’t want to miss but I’ll let Justin spill the details in this episode.If you’re ready to fast-track your 2025 financial goals (without selling a kidney), this episode is packed with tips and inspiration to get you started.Key Takeaways:Opportunities that come with tightening your budgetPractical ways to earn extra income that align with your lifestyleA simple side hustle you can start todayReward systems to keep you motivated and on trackTips for aligning financial goals with your partnerMore of Justin:Listen to the Price of Avocado Toast: https://www.priceofavocadotoast.com/podcastMore of The Struggle is Real:Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

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