💵 Ready to save your first $100K? Learn how disciplined saving, smart investing, and mindset shifts can help you hit this incredible financial milestone.📈 If you’re a twenty-something aiming to break free from paycheck-to-paycheck living and build wealth for the future, this conversation will inspire you to take action with practical tips and proven strategies.Watch and Subscribe on YouTubeIn this episode, we discuss:  1️⃣ Reaching $100K: Why it’s a critical milestone and how compound interest accelerates your journey. 2️⃣ Case Studies for Success: Three realistic paths—college grad, military member, and service industry worker. 3️⃣ Building Financial Habits: The power of automation, cutting back on expenses, and starting small. 4️⃣ Overcoming Challenges: How to stay consistent with saving despite societal and financial pressures. 5️⃣ 💰 FU Money: The freedom of financial security and how $100K sets the stage for financial independence.🔗 David’s Links: 📊 Compound Interest Calculator📈 Compound Interest Can Make You Rich! 💰 Free Money Course🍏 Forget About Money on Apple Podcasts🎧 Forget About Money on Spotify📝 Episode Highlights: 🟠 Achieving $100K: Why it's a game-changer for young adults. 🔄 Automation and Investing: Tools to start building wealth today. 🏠 Housing, Food, and Transportation: Top three ways to reduce expenses. 💰 FU Money: The financial freedom to choose your path. 📈 Compound Interest: Let your money work harder for you.  #savingmoney #financialindependence #personalfinance   🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Join us for more episodes tackling financial independence, wealth-building habits, and strategies to transform your financial future. Hit subscribe and tap the bell 🔔 to stay updated!📜 Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making major financial decisions.

Karsten Jeske (Big Ern) and Paul Merriman engage in a lively debate about Small Cap Value Investing versus Broad Market Strategies.Should you tilt your portfolio toward small-cap value to capture a potential risk premium, or is sticking with broad-based funds like VTSAX the more reliable approach? With decades of financial expertise, Karsten and Paul offer opposing yet insightful perspectives to help you refine your long-term investment strategy.Watch and Subscribe on YouTubeIn This Episode, We Discuss: 1️⃣ Small Cap Value Premium: 📜 Historical data and its implications for modern portfolios. 2️⃣ VTSAX vs. Small Cap Value: ⚖️ Should investors embrace simplicity or pursue specialization? 3️⃣ Risk Premium Debate: 🎢 Does small-cap value justify the added risk in today’s market? 4️⃣ Sequence of Returns Risk: ⏳ The dangers of timing when withdrawing in early retirement. 5️⃣ Market Timing vs. Buy-and-Hold: 🎯 Are disciplined investors better off avoiding tactical shifts? 6️⃣ Portfolio Construction Tips: 🏗️ Allocating assets for growth, diversification, and resilience. 7️⃣ Nuances in Factor Investing: 🔬 Exploring quality screens, value premiums, and active management.🔗 Paul Merriman's Links: 🌐 Merriman Financial Education Foundation📚 We’re Talking Millions! 12 Simple Ways to Supercharge Your Retirement (And other Free Book Downloads)📊 Quilt Charts (Referenced in the Episode): 📺 YouTube Video Explaining the Two ChartsGraph 1: 4 US Asset Class Indexes & 4 Fund Combo Relative Return Ranking (1928-2023)Graph 2: Asset Classes & 4 Fund Combo (1928-2023) - Return Rank Frequency🔗 Karsten’s Links: 📘 Early Retirement Now Blog📈 Safe Withdrawal Rate Series📊 Recent Post on Small Cap Value🔗 David’s Links:💰 Free Money Course🍏 Forget About Money on Apple Podcasts🎧 Forget About Money on Spotify#retirement #investing #smallcap #paulmerriman #karstenjeske🎧 Listen & Subscribe:  Don’t miss future episodes where we explore the best investment strategies, financial independence, and wealth-building insights. Hit subscribe and tap the bell 🔔 to stay updated!📜 Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. It is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making major financial decisions.

🔑 Discover How to Apply Stoic Teachings to Your Finances From practicing temporary poverty to preparing for misfortune, these lessons aren't just about saving money—they're about cultivating a life of virtue and contentment.Watch and Subscribe on YouTubeIn This Episode, We Discuss: 1️⃣ Money is Indifferent: Why your character matters more than your wealth. 2️⃣ Live Simply: How eliminating unnecessary desires creates a richer life. 3️⃣ Count Your Blessings: Gratitude as a tool for financial clarity. 4️⃣ Practice Temporary Poverty: Build resilience by embracing discomfort. 5️⃣ Prepare for Misfortune: The power of negative visualization in money management. 6️⃣ Choose a Sage: Mentorship and role models for wise financial decisions. 7️⃣ Invest in Yourself: Why personal growth is the best investment you can make.Key Stoic Quotes from the Episode: 🧘 "True wealth is found in character, not currency." – Jonas Salzgeber ⚖️ "Focus on what’s within your control and accept the rest." – Core Stoic Teaching 💡 "Live simply to live well." – Ancient Stoic Philosophy 🌱 "Gratitude turns what we have into enough." – Jonas Salzgeber 🛡️ "Prepare for challenges in times of peace." – Jonas Salzgeber🔗 Jonas Salzgeber’s Links:📘 The Little Book of Stoicism: Timeless Wisdom to Gain Resilience, Confidence, and Calmness🌐 NJ Lifehacks Official Site🧘‍♂️ Mastering Flow: Perform Better, Experience More Joy, and Live a Happier Life🔗 David’s Links:✍️ Stoicism: The Philosophy of Financial Independence💰 Free Money Course🍏 Forget About Money on Apple Podcasts🎧 Forget About Money on Spotify#gratitude #personalfinance #moneylessons #stoicism🎧 Listen & Subscribe:Join us for more episodes exploring Stoic philosophy, financial independence, and cultivating a mindful approach to money and life. Hit subscribe and tap the bell 🔔 to stay updated!📜 Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making major financial decisions.

🧘 Practical Stoicism helps us navigate life's challenges with clarity, acceptance, and emotional resilience. In this episode, Jonas Salzgeber shares how Stoic philosophy can guide us in managing anxiety, aligning our values, and flourishing through virtue and mindfulness.Watch and Subscribe on YouTubeIn this episode, we discuss: 1️⃣ Misconceptions About Stoicism: Why Stoicism is not about suppressing emotions but fostering awareness and regulation. 2️⃣ Key Themes in Stoicism: Virtue, control, and personal responsibility as pathways to flourishing. 3️⃣ Stoicism and Anxiety: How Stoic practices combat the stresses of modern life, including social media and consumerism. 4️⃣ Self-Reflection: Discovering your best self through introspection and mindfulness. 5️⃣ Gratitude and Perspective: Reframing challenges and embracing life’s inherent complexity. 6️⃣ Cultural Perspectives: How Stoicism resonates differently across societies and lifestyles. 7️⃣ Practical Meditations: Techniques inspired by Stoicism to regulate emotions and find inner peace.🔗 Jonas Salzgeber’s Links: 📘 The Little Book of Stoicism: Timeless Wisdom to Gain Resilience, Confidence, and Calmness🌐 NJ Lifehacks Official Site🧘‍♂️ Mastering Flow: Perform Better, Experience More Joy, and Live a Happier Life📝 Notable Quotes 🧘 "Be well, despite all the luxury." – Jonas Salzgeber 🤔 "You don't really know whether something is good or bad because you don't know the future. Life is more complex than we know or will ever understand." – Jonas Salzgeber ✍️ "If you didn't learn these things in order to demonstrate them in practice, what did you learn them for?" – Jonas Salzgeber 🌱 "You can always at least see something as a challenge for you to grow, even if it's really difficult." – Jonas Salzgeber 🛡️ "Take responsibility. For the Stoics, you are responsible for your own flourishing in life." – Jonas Salzgeber 🧠 "If it’s not right, do not do it. If it’s not true, do not say it." – Marcus Aurelius 🌊 "Seek not for events to happen as you wish, but rather wish for them to happen as they do, and your life will go smoothly." – Epictetus 🎁 "Don’t take life for granted; treat it as a gift and use it well." – Ancient Stoic Philosophy 🎯 "Focus on what’s within your control and accept the rest." – Core Stoic Teaching🔗 David’s Links:✍️ Stoicism: The Philosophy of Financial Independence💰 Free Money Course🍏 Forget About Money on Apple Podcasts🎧 Forget About Money on Spotify#mindfulness #personalgrowth #stoicism #practicalstoicism   🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Join us for more episodes exploring Stoic philosophy and its practical applications for modern life. Hit subscribe and tap the bell 🔔 to stay updated!📜 Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making major financial decisions.

🎁 How do we stop spending money on things we don't need? We cover the psychology of excessive spending, exploring why we buy things we don’t need, how to prioritize our purchases, and strategies to avoid being manipulated by marketing tactics.Watch and Subscribe on YouTubeIn this episode, we discuss: 1️⃣ Why We Spend: Differentiating between needs and wants and how societal pressures influence gifting.  2️⃣ Emotional Spending: How marketing and social media fuel impulsive purchases and financial strain.  3️⃣ Prioritizing Purchases: The importance of aligning spending with values, like investing for financial independence.  4️⃣ Holiday Spending Tips: Setting budgets, automating savings for gifts, and avoiding last-minute overspending traps.  5️⃣ Breaking the Cycle: Simple, actionable ways to resist consumer pressures and build a better financial foundation.🔗 Carla’s Links: 📘 Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver🔗 David’s Links: 🛒 Honey App to track prices⚖️ Deserve vs. Earn💰 Free Money Course🍏 Forget About Money on Apple Podcasts🎧 Forget About Money on Spotify#overspending #personalfinance #financialfreedom🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Join us for more episodes tackling financial independence, frugality, and making smarter spending decisions. Hit subscribe and tap the bell 🔔 to stay updated!📜 Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making major financial decisions.

⚠️ In this episode, we break down Die With Zero by Bill Perkins, exploring its bold advice to spend rather than save. Is it a life-changing philosophy or a steamroom chat among the elite? We critique its core concepts, discuss why it might harm the average person’s finances, and suggest practical alternatives for living a meaningful life.  Watch and Subscribe on YouTube💎 Whether you’re curious about memory dividends, time bucketing, or how Die With Zero contrasts with financial independence principles, this episode offers an honest, fun, and critical analysis.  In this episode, we discuss: 1️⃣ What is Die With Zero? Exploring the premise of spending for experiences over saving and the concept of memory dividends. 2️⃣ Time Bucketing and Peak Health: How to align life experiences with physical and financial milestones. 3️⃣ Who Die With Zero is For: Why it resonates with millionaires but may miss the mark for others. 4️⃣ Critiques and Alternatives: The pitfalls of its spending advice and practical strategies for financial independence.🔗 Carla’s Links: 🎙️ Guy Lombardo -- Enjoy Yourself, It's Later Than You Think📘 The Art of Frugal Hedonism🔗 David’s Links: 🏖️ The Fun Bucket Strategy: How to Spend Money in Retirement! | Mark Trautman & Kevin Sebesta📘 Die With Zero: Nope, because it isn’t worth your money (unless you are a millionaire). If you must, go to a library or just listen to podcasts and blogs about it. 📘 Die With Zero Reddit📘 Die With Zero Author💰 Free Money Course🍏 Forget About Money on Apple Podcasts🎧 Forget About Money on Spotify#financialindependence #personalfinance #bookreview #diewithzero #billperkins🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Dive into more episodes where we explore financial independence, frugality, and living meaningfully. Hit subscribe and tap the bell 🔔 to stay updated!📜 Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making significant financial decisions.

🛠️ What does it take to master the perfect Early Retirement Withdrawal Strategy? In this episode, we talk tax-efficient withdrawals, bridging the "gap years," and the best tactics to optimize Social Security—all with a fun twist of inner monologues and conspiracy theories!  Watch and Subscribe on YouTube🌟 Whether you’re navigating the complexities of early retirement or seeking peace of mind about accessing your funds, this episode is packed with actionable insights and lighthearted moments.In this episode, we discuss: 1️⃣ Strategic Withdrawals: How to optimize taxable, traditional, and Roth accounts for retirement. 2️⃣ Managing Gap Years: Tactics for the time between early retirement and age 59½. 3️⃣ Tax-Efficient Plans: Capitalizing on Roth conversions, taxable accounts, and ACA planning. 4️⃣ Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): Simplifying strategies to minimize tax burdens. 5️⃣ Social Security Optimization: When to claim benefits for long-term stability. 6️⃣ Peace of Mind: Building a withdrawal plan that works for your lifestyle. 7️⃣ Conspiracy Theories and Monologues: Ending with a laugh and thought-provoking reflections.🔗 Sean’s Links: 🎥 Sean’s YouTube Channel🤔 Accessing Retirement Accounts Prior to Age 59 ½🔗 David’s Links: 💰 Free Money Course💡 The Perfect Passive Portfolio for Early Retirement🚀 Secret IRS Rule 72(t) Explained🍏 Forget About Money on Apple Podcasts🎧 Forget About Money on Spotify#retirement #financialindependence #tax #seanmullaney 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Join us for more episodes about financial independence, retirement strategies, and lifestyle design. Don’t forget to hit subscribe and turn on the bell 🔔 for updates!📜 Disclaimer: The discussion is intended to be for general educational purposes and is not tax, legal, or investment advice for any individual. David and the Forget About Money podcast do not endorse Sean Mullaney, Mullaney Financial & Tax, Inc., and their services.

🛠️ What does it take to build the perfect portfolio for early retirement? In this episode, we explore tax-efficient investing, real estate vs. index funds, and even throw in a fun twist with time travel!Watch and Subscribe on YouTube🌟 Whether you're planning for financial independence or navigating changes in 2025 tax laws, this episode is packed with actionable insights, debate, and a little imagination.In this episode, we discuss: 1️⃣ Designing the Perfect Passive Portfolio: The role of index funds like VTSAX in early retirement. 2️⃣ Real Estate vs. Index Funds: Which is better for financial independence? 3️⃣ Tax-Efficient Contributions: How to maximize Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, HSAs, and taxable accounts. 4️⃣ Withdrawal Strategies: Optimizing portfolio withdrawals to minimize taxes in retirement.5️⃣ 2025 Tax Changes: What the upcoming laws mean for retirees and early retirees. 6️⃣ Social Security and Early Retirement: Planning around potential tax-free benefits. 7️⃣ Time Travel Reflections: A lighthearted look at history, nostalgia, and financial foresight.🔗 Sean’s Links: 🎥 Sean’s YouTube Channel🌐 Sean’s Website📘 JL Collins’ Book The Simple Path to Wealth🔗 Carla’s Links: 🎙️ Estate Planning with Sean Mullaney on Mile High FI Podcast🔗 David’s Links: 💰 Free Money Course💡 The Perfect Passive Portfolio for Early Retirement🍏 Forget About Money on Apple Podcasts🎧 Forget About Money on Spotify#passiveincome #financialindependence #taxplanningtips #seanmullaney🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Dive into more episodes exploring financial independence, lifestyle strategies, and personal growth! Don’t forget to hit subscribe and turn on the bell 🔔 for updates.📜 Disclaimer: The discussion is intended to be for general educational purposes and is not tax, legal, or investment advice for any individual. David and the Forget About Money podcast do not endorse Sean Mullaney, Mullaney Financial & Tax, Inc., and their services.

🔥 Financial Reddit: Reddit isn’t just a hub for memes—it’s a goldmine for financial insight! In this episode we explore the world of Financial Reddit, breaking down threads on budgeting, early retirement, and the quirks of financial planning.Watch and Subscribe on YouTube🌟 We also touch on personal routines, quirky habits, and how our interactions shape our lives, from sleep health to dating.In this episode, we discuss:1️⃣ Reddit for Finances: Real-life stories and advice to inspire financial independence. 2️⃣ Managing a $3M Windfall: Challenges and opportunities in early retirement. 3️⃣ Budget vs. Memories: Smart choices for big vacation spending. 4️⃣ Healthcare Costs: ACA subsidies and planning for retirement. 5️⃣ Better Sleep Tips: Using white noise and weighted blankets for restful nights. 6️⃣ Misophonia Insights: Coping strategies for sound sensitivities. 7️⃣ Dating Green Flags: Traits and habits that signal meaningful connections.🔗 Eric’s Links: 📊 Hurdlr App🔗 Carla's Links: 🟧 Financial Independence Reddit🟧 Personal Finance Reddit🔗 David’s Links: 💰 Free Money Course🤫 What is Misophonia?🍏 Forget About Money on Apple Podcast🎧 Forget About Money on Spotify😴 White Noise Machine🛌 Sleeping Eye Covers#reddit #retirementplanning #financialindependence #misophonia🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Dive into more episodes exploring financial independence, lifestyle hacks, and personal growth! Don’t forget to hit subscribe and turn on the bell 🔔 for updates.📜 Disclaimer: This episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult with a professional for personalized guidance.

🎉 Retirement lifestyle is more than financial independence—it’s about building meaningful relationships, embracing adventures, and creating a life focused on joy and simplicity. David, Carla, and Eric Cooper chat about emotional and practical shifts that come with retirement and how to make the most of your time and resources.  Watch and Subscribe on YouTube🌟 We share insights on crafting a fulfilling retirement lifestyle, navigating friendships as adults, and even touch on the quirks of Black Friday shopping in retirement!  In this episode, we discuss: 1️⃣ Transitioning to Retirement: How to leave behind high-stress work and embrace a purpose-filled retirement. 2️⃣ Financial Stability: Balancing market fluctuations with smart withdrawal strategies and rental income. 3️⃣ Mindset Shifts: Moving from accumulation to spending and finding fulfillment in experiences. 4️⃣ Making Adult Friendships: How to build meaningful connections in the FI community and beyond. 5️⃣ Less Crap, More Adventures: Why prioritizing experiences over things creates a richer retirement.📜 Eric Cooper Quotes:  💡 "The easiest way I have found to meet friends as an adult is to attend in-person FI meetings, whether that’s a local Choose FI group meetup, or in my case, I went to Camp FI my very first week of retirement." — Eric Cooper  🌍 "Less crap, more adventures. That’s my mantra." — Eric Cooper🔗 Eric’s Links: 🏕️ CampFI✈️ FI Friends Travel 🌐 EconoMe Conference🚢 FinTalks Cruise🪣 Fun Bucket Strategy🔗 David’s Links:💰 Free Money Course🏡 Retirement Lifestyle: Building a Meaningful Life After Work🍏 Forget About Money on Apple Podcast🎧 Forget About Money on Spotify#retirementplanning #retireearly #financialindependence🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Don’t miss more episodes about crafting your ideal retirement lifestyle! Hit subscribe and the bell icon 🔔 to stay updated.📜 Disclaimer: This episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult with a professional for personalized guidance.