

ChooseFI
ChooseFI
How would your life change if you reached Financial Independence and got to the point where working is optional? What actions can you take today to make that not just possible but probable. Jonathan & Brad explore the tactics that the FI community uses to reclaim decades of their lives. They discuss reducing expenses, crushing debt, tax optimization, building passive income streams through online businesses and real estate and how to travel the world for free. Every episode is packed with actionable tips and no topic is too big or small as long as it speeds up the process of reaching financial independence.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 29, 2018 • 57min
099 | Generous Giving on the Path to FI | Michael Peterson
099 | Michael Peterson, owner of a bacon-themed concession stand in California, talks about downsizing his family expenses, spending 8 months of the year managing a non-profit in El Salvador, and why generous giving is important to him. For more information, visit the show notes at https://ChooseFI.com/099 ——————- Thank you for being a part of the ChooseFI community! 🙂 If you want to support us, here are some easy ways: 1) Leave an iTunes review: http://www.choosefi.com/itunes 2) Use our page to sign up for travel credit cards Note: We may receive a commission if you are approved for cards on this page 3) Most importantly, find your friends, coworkers, and family members who may be open to this message and tell them about the podcast! (Episode 21 is a great starting place) As Jonathan would say, "The FIRE is spreading my friends!"

Oct 26, 2018 • 58min
098R | A Cautionary Tale in HyperDebt
098R | An exciting conversation with Jared about his path to FI as a traveling physical therapist and his current 5-month trip abroad, as well as a voicemail about healthcare planning and a review of Monday's episode. For more information, visit the show notes at https://ChooseFI.com/098R

Oct 22, 2018 • 55min
098 | HyperDebt | The Debtist
098 | Samantha Keith, author of The Debtist blog, explains what it means to have more than half a million dollars of student debt, and how she plans to pay it off in less than 10 years. For more information, visit the show notes at https://ChooseFI.com/098

6 snips
Oct 19, 2018 • 1h 5min
097R | The Good Dad Project
097R | A conversation with Larry Hagner from The Good Dad Project updating Brad on the recent financial changes he's made in pursuit of more financial independence and his family's budgeting strategies, as well as highlight's from Monday's episode from The White Coat Investor. For more information, visit the show notes at https://ChooseFI.com/097R

Oct 15, 2018 • 1h 6min
097 | The White Coat Investor | Origin Story
097 | Dr. James Dahle, founder of The White Coat Investor, talks about getting his start as a doctor and a blogger, setting up inheritance funds for his children, thinking through his investing strategies, and the motivation that keeps him working on the White Coat Investor. For more information, visit the show notes at https://choosefi.com/097

11 snips
Oct 12, 2018 • 58min
096R | The Money Matriarch of the World & the Godfather of FI | Suze Orman & JLCollinsNH
JL Collins, known as the 'Godfather of FI' and author of 'The Simple Path to Wealth,' joins personal finance guru Suze Orman for a spirited discussion. They explore misconceptions around the FIRE movement, with Collins suggesting fear underpins Orman's views. The conversation touches on the practicalities of frugal living, the importance of repairing rather than replacing technology, and the life-changing benefits of digital detoxes. They also debate what realistic financial independence looks like for everyday people.

15 snips
Oct 8, 2018 • 1h 16min
096 | Drift | Dominick Quartuccio
Dominick Quartuccio defines life 'drift', advises Brad & Jonathan on taking inventory of habits, evaluating role of technology in progress towards goals. Explores dangers of drift, importance of intentional living and identifying negative habits. Discusses impact of technology on productivity and mental health. Emphasizes disconnecting from technology for deep work and morning routine reflection. Encourages self-improvement and supporting the podcast.

Oct 5, 2018 • 46min
095R | Call to Action
095R | Brad and Jonathan get an update about the "Playing with FIRE" documentary, they recap FinCon 2018, and review feedback from the community about Monday's episode with the Military Dollar. For more information on this episode, visit the show notes at choosefi.com/095r ——————- Thank you for being a part of the ChooseFI community! 🙂 If you want to support us, here are some easy ways: 1) Leave an iTunes review: http://www.choosefi.com/itunes 2) Use our page to sign up for travel credit cards Note: We may receive a commission if you are approved for cards on this page 3) Most importantly, find your friends, coworkers, and family members who may be open to this message and tell them about the podcast! (Episode 21 is a great starting place) As Jonathan would say, "The FIRE is spreading my friends!"

Oct 1, 2018 • 1h 1min
095 | A Military Path to FI | Military Dollar
095 | The author of the Military Dollar joins Brad and Jonathan to discuss the various ways that service members can optimize their finances and choose financial independence, including retirement plans, financial planning, health care benefits and the GI Bill. Working in the military can set someone up to retire after 20 years with a pension and the ability to pursue whatever interests them. Why do many young members of the military actually have financial problems? Has Military Dollar ever seen any specific education for new servicemen? How could a young person change his/her mindset to make more frugal choices and pursue FI? Why did Military Dollar decide to pursue financial independence? How did she get started? What was MD's savings rate early on? How has MD set herself up to potentially retire by 41? What was the moment that changed MD's mindset and approach toward finances? How do most military members approach debt? What does the optimized path to FI look like in 2018. What's the difference between the old Legacy Retirement and new Blended Retirement System? What advantages does the Blended Retirement System have for people who don't stay in the military for 20 years or more? What is the biggest difference between the enlisted and the officer's route to FI? How can people plan for and understand relatively predictable promotions and pay raises? If someone starts young and doesn't increase their lifestyle spending, getting to a 50% savings rate is very possible. Within the military retirement system, what investment options are available? Active duty health care = free for you and your family. How does the GI Bill work, and how does that help with college expenses? The GI Bill can be passed onto family members, but does include a service commitment. If the GI Bill is used by a service member's children, or after separating from the military, there is a housing allowance available. GI Bill will cover all tuition and fees as an in-state student for public universities. GI Bill will cover approximately $22k for private universities. What is the Yellow Ribbon program, and how does it help cover the difference? What is the minimum time of service to qualify for the GI Bill? What's next for the MD whenever she retires from the military? How does MD balance her commitment to the military with her interest in serving her community? How will MD know when it's time to retire? For more information, visit the show notes at https://ChooseFI.com/095

Sep 28, 2018 • 54min
094R | Transitioning to Entrepreneurship | A Case Study in Estimated Taxes
094R | The logistics of estimating and paying taxes as an entrepreneur, Brad's frugal win of the week, and emails from the ChooseFI community. Brad and Jonathan are at FinCon in Orlando, Fl. Brad describes his family's frugal win of the week at Old Navy. Review of the tax implications of winning a non-cash prize. How do some entrepreneurs put themselves in a position to fail because of taxes? Case study: how to make estimated tax payments as a new entrepreneur. Brad wants to pay the least amount of money in taxes, but ensure that he definitely pays the minimum amount to avoid incurring penalties. Knowing due dates and technicalities is important. It's key to have money set aside in case you do owe more at the end of the year. What is the safe harbor provision? If you have blended W2 and non-W2 incomes, you do have to estimate based on previous pay stubs. Why would someone owe payroll tax? Brad uses a different bank account to reserve money he thinks he'll need for taxes, and uses an eftps.gov account to submit his taxes. It's important to know that you'll owe a lot of money on April 15 every year. Email from Ally reporting two life wins: Keeping an inventory for what's in her freezer by writing on the front like a white board. Using checkboxes to keep track of the three things she accomplishes every day. Is FI getting to the UK? Playing with FIRE documentary has been submitted the film to Sundance. Scott, writes an email, to explain how pursuing financial independence and information from ChooseFI has changed his life. Links: "How to retire in your FORTIES without earning a fortune" – Daily Mail


